It was an early Wednesday morning, and I was on the highway driving home to Toronto, Canada. For the first time in a long time, I felt elated and optimistic about my life, my career and my future. The sun was shining, and as I drank my coffee, my head was clear. I was suddenly aware of how much I enjoyed driving my car— the car that I had worked so hard to afford. It was the day after my first Forum retreat, and I felt powerful, refreshed and supported.

Four years have passed since that memorable morning, and I still reflect on it frequently.

I think I was born an entrepreneur, and despite efforts during the years to change my career path, my destiny has always led me back to my entrepreneurial roots. Don’t get me wrong; there are many things I love about being an entrepreneur— the freedom … the creativity … the possibilities. Yet, in the 10 years since I started my journey toward building my company, I haven’t always been happy. There have been many years when I felt passionate and excited about my choices, and many other years when I would have sold the company for a dollar just to find myself again.

Somewhere along the way, I came to terms with the reality that there would always be aspects of my career that would inspire me and other aspects I would just have to live with. If I wasn’t always fulfilled, at minimum the acceptance of my reality would keep me centered and committed (and would ensure that my bills were paid).

I experienced a significant change during the 60 hours I spent at my first Forum retreat. And after two and a half days with my Forum members – during which we laughed, shared experiences and drank a glass of wine or two – I realized that Forum wasn’t just about spending time with an intimate group of peers who shared experiences. It was about tackling head on the toughest issues in all aspects of our lives. For me, it was an empathetic and safe environment that encouraged me to face the very issues and challenges I had learned to tolerate. Forum was my ticket to the kind of rich, fulfilling, passion-filled life I always wanted to live. In that moment of realization, my life changed.

Today, I love my job, and my business is more financially successful than any other time in our history. I am in a loving, committed relationship and enjoy quality time with my family. I have made some tough decisions and changes in the past four years, and most of the significant ones originated through my Forum. My life isn’t perfect by any stretch, and I am still faced with challenges daily, but the difference is that I feel empowered to keep reaching for my goals.

After all, I have the power of my Forum behind me.

Karen Brookman is now a Forum Co-Chair on the EO Toronto Board. If you would like more information on how you can get more involved in Forum, contact Renee Manning, Vice President of Forum.