The P.E.A.R. Method: A Soulful Guide to Navigating Career Crossroads with Purpose and Courage
Have you ever asked yourself, “Should I stay in my job, or is it time to move on?” This question, came up during a recent ebbf conversation and is one that many purpose-driven professionals grapple with.
When I left my corporate career of 15 years as a Creative Director to pursue entrepreneurship, I didn’t make the decision lightly. It wasn’t just about dissatisfaction, it was about alignment. My decision ultimately came down to four key factors, which I’ve since defined as the P.E.A.R. Method: Purpose, Environment, Ability, and Resources.
By evaluating these four areas, you can gain clarity on whether your current job supports your deeper mission or if it’s time to take a leap toward something more fulfilling.
1. Purpose: Does Your Work Align with Your Soul’s Calling?
At some point in our lives, we each uncover a deeper purpose — something that drives us beyond paychecks and promotions. For me, that moment came unexpectedly when I dedicated one of my artwork on Instagram to Tina, a woman in Germany living with severe rheumatoid arthritis. This art, called Hedgehog Dandelion, was inspired by her lifelong condition and created with the vision of transforming pain and uncertainty in life into wishes and hope, embracing the power of letting go. Through this thoughtful act, we became instant friends.
The experience gave me a profound realization: my true purpose wasn’t just to create art — it was to connect people through art, regardless of their backgrounds and circumstances. That clarity gave me the courage to leave a six-figure dream job and step into entrepreneurship as an artist. In March of 2015, I debuted my first art collection, Curious Morphologie, at the Wistaria Festival in Sierra Madre, California. When my first customer purchased one piece of art, I felt an immense joy that was unlike anything I had experienced in my corporate career. That entire day left me feeling on cloud nine as I barely sat down to tend a steady flow of new customers. This meaningful experience inspired me to help other purpose-driven professionals and entrepreneurs build their brands, eventually launching my branding business, Blooming Aces.
Before I reached that point, I had to ask myself an important question: Does my current job honor my soul’s purpose?
If your work fuels your purpose, great! If not, it may be time to consider a change.
2. Environment: Does Your Workplace Support Your Soul Purpose and Growth?
Even if your work is meaningful, your environment plays a critical role in how much impact you can make. The right environment will nourish your talents, support your vision, and provide opportunities for growth.
Early in my career, I was fortunate to have mentors who empowered me. I started as a Graphic Designer while navigating life as a new mom and first-time full time employee with unrefined English. Over 15 years, I worked hard in turning many challenges into opportunities, building my design team, collaborating with prestigious brands, traveling overseas for work, and finally making my way up to Creative Director, a top creative position I didn’t even dream of having.
But then the company’s management changed a couple of times. My ability to create freely was stifled, my core values felt compromised, and I no longer felt proud of my role. I spoke up to my top management, but nothing changed. That’s when I knew: this environment was no longer serving me.
If you are in a place where your voice isn’t heard, your talents aren’t valued, or your growth is blocked, ask yourself:
Is this environment helping or hindering my purpose?
If it’s the latter, it may be time to move forward.
3. Ability: Do You Have the Skills to Take the Next Step?
Once you’ve identified that change is necessary, the next question is: What’s next? Should you start your own business or transition to another company?
Becoming an entrepreneur requires a broad skill set — customer service, marketing, branding, research, development, accounting, production, and beyond. It also demands vision, courage, resilience, and an appetite for recognizing opportunities and calculating risks. Even though I grew up in an entrepreneurial family, I hadn’t initially planned to follow that path.
When I was contemplating leaving my job in 2014, I wasn’t sure how to make it work — until I met a full-time artist who made a good living selling only art prints and greeting cards. That moment was a turning point. If she could succeed with two products, I knew I had the ability to create something even greater.
Not everyone needs to become an entrepreneur. If you thrive in structured environments, you might be happier moving to a company that better aligns with your soul purpose and core values. Consider asking close friends, family members, or professional contacts if they know of opportunities that would be a better fit. I had helped my sisters and a few friends found better career paths because they asked for help. The best part about getting a referral is that it boosts your credibility, helping you stand out at the top of the candidate list for your ideal position.
If you do want to start your own business but lack certain skills, you could hire support — starting from interns, freelancers to full time employees. Build a team of to fill in the gaps and ensure you stay focused on your zone of expertise and don’t burn out. Entrepreneurship is a lifelong journey, so it is crucial to choose a business you’re truly passionate about building. One way to gauge your true passion for a business is to ask yourself: Would you still love doing this if it takes longer to generate consistent revenue? Does your “why” inspire you deeply, fueling your drive to overcome challenges and stay motivated throughout your entrepreneurial journey?
My personal “why” is my mama. From a young teenager, she dedicated herself to caring for her family when her mother became blind and could no longer manage the household chores. Throughout her marriage, she selflessly supported my dad and raised my siblings and me, all while helping him build our family businesses. When my dad was very ill for six year and my brother faced near-death illness, my mama stepped up as their caregiver and chauffeur without rest, taking them to countless doctor appointments. She never asked for help from us daughters, knowing we were already fully committed to our own families. It wasn’t until much later that I truly understood the depth of her love and resilience. Her greatest wish has always been for the best life for her children, and after my dad passed away, she became our safety net. Now, I want to give her peace of mind and take care of her needs, so she no longer has to carry that responsibility. Recently, I realized that by seeing me and my siblings succeed in life is what will bring her the most joy and comfort. Whenever I face a challenge in my journey, I think of my mama’s unwavering love and dedication, which has lifted me up every single time to achieve her greatest wish.
Key questions: Do I have a strong why and the ability — or the willingness to learn — what’s needed for my next step?
4. Resources: Can You Sustain Yourself Through the Transition?
Finally, before making the leap, consider your resources — both financial and relational.
If you’re transitioning to entrepreneurship, having 3–6 months of savings is essential. A new venture takes time to gain traction. Ideally, test your idea before leaving — just as I did when I showcased my first art collection while still employed.
In my case, I was also fortunate to receive a design retainer from a friend who was going into her maternity leave, which provided just enough steady income while I built my new venture.
If financial resources are limited, lean on your network. A former freelance team member of mine left a draining job without a solid plan. She initially had savings, but after a few months, she hit a financial low. Because of her skills and positive attitude, I offered her a short-term retainer position, which gave her the breathing room she needed to find a fulfilling full-time role.
Your character and relationships are invaluable assets. My past clients, colleagues, and suppliers have become my biggest source of referrals for almost 10 years now. Wherever you are now, nurture your connections — you never know how they might support you in the future.
Ask yourself: Do I have the financial and network support to sustain this transition?
Final Thoughts: Trust Your Intuition, Take the Leap
If your purpose is clear, your environment no longer supports you, your abilities align with your next move, and you have the resources to sustain yourself — it may be time to take the leap.
Leaving a stable career isn’t easy. It takes faith, courage, and patience. But when your intentions are pure and your pursuit is rooted in love, your journey will be fulfilling.
I hope the P.E.A.R. Method helps you navigate your crossroads and make a decision that leads to a life worth living. Trust yourself. You are capable. You are ready.
Wishing you clarity and success on your journey ahead!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Erna Blooms is a member of the Ethical Business Building the Future (ebbf) community, driven by her mission to connect people through art and empower their careers and entrepreneurial journeys through character authentiCITY branding and alignment.
As the Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Blooming Aces and Curious Morphologie, Erna is committed to cultivating better brands and business communities, by awakening the artist in everyone and fostering global progress. Her work is guided by divine inspirations, a deep understanding and appreciation of people’s innate gifts, and the courage to build a creatively collaborative world.
