The Courage to Walk Away My New York Moment
Have you ever hit a massive milestone in your career, one of those “life goals” you thought would change everything and found yourself feeling… completely empty?
Seventeen years ago, that was me.
I was in New York City, having just closed the biggest deal in my company’s history.
Massive commission. First-class praise. Time off in the Big Apple.
From the outside, I was living the dream.
But as I sat on the edge of my hotel bed, something inside me was painfully clear:
- I was a cog in a machine, making money for others.
- I had no real purpose of my own.
- That moment changed everything.
The Day I Walked Away
For nine months, I carried my resignation letter in my jacket pocket. Every day, I walked into the office knowing I was on borrowed time.
When I finally handed it in, my boss threw out every carrot he could: bigger deals, bigger money, bigger opportunities.
But here’s the truth:
- You’ll always find 1,000 reasons to stay.
- Real courage is finding one reason to leave.
- That New York moment was mine.
- Seventeen years later, I’ve never looked back.
The Lesson: Courage Isn’t Loud, It’s Clear
We often think courage is about grand gestures and powerful speeches. But most of the time, it’s much quieter.
It’s the small, certain voice in your head that says:
- This isn’t right for me.
- This isn’t my game to play.
- This isn’t where I’ll grow.
The courage to walk away is about clarity, not noise. It’s about recognising when success on paper doesn’t match success in your heart.
Why Walking Away Can Be the Start of Growth
Walking away doesn’t mean giving up. It means choosing a new direction with conviction.
For me, it meant moving beyond the safety of corporate life and building my own path as a coach, speaker, and entrepreneur. For you, it might mean leaving a role, a project, or even an entire career behind.
When you step into the unknown, you discover:
- Clarity about what really matters.
- Freedom to create your own purpose.
- Resilience to trust yourself in uncertain times.
- Growth that comes from playing your own game, not someone else’s.
Your Turn
What about you? Have you had a moment like this?
- Did you feel the pull to change but stayed?
- Or did you find the courage to walk away?
Reflecting on these questions is powerful, because the answers often point to the next chapter you’re meant to write.
The Courage to Walk Away Is the First Step Forward
That day in New York wasn’t about money, titles, or recognition. It was about clarity. And clarity is where courage begins.
The courage to walk away is not about leaving something behind, it’s about stepping into who you were meant to become.
Frequently Asked Questions on The Courage to walk Away
What does it mean to have the courage to walk away?
It means recognising when a situation no longer serves you whether it’s a job, a deal, or even a lifestyle and choosing clarity over comfort. Walking away is not failure; it’s an act of courage and growth.
How do I know if it’s time to walk away from my career or role?
If you feel stuck, unfulfilled, or constantly compromising your values, those are signs it may be time to pivot. The key is listening to your inner voice and being honest about whether your current path aligns with your goals.
Is walking away always the right choice?
Not always. Sometimes it’s about changing how you work, not where you work. But when you’ve tried to shift things and nothing changes, walking away can open doors you couldn’t see before.
What did Baiju Solanki’s New York moment teach him?
It taught me that success without purpose is empty. The biggest commission of my career felt meaningless because it wasn’t my vision. That realisation gave me the courage to walk away and build a career aligned with my values.
How can courage to walk away help leaders and entrepreneurs?
For leaders, courage to walk away often means letting go of outdated strategies, roles, or business models. It’s the willingness to pivot, trust your instincts, and create something stronger on the other side.
