Early in my career, I was hired by a Fortune 500 company to work in sales. My new wife and I were elated and drove to her parents’ house to share the good news. They were less than thrilled that I was taking their only daughter far from home. My father-in-law listed the reasons why we should not move and this continued through the next day. I was reaching a boiling point and I really wanted to talk to someone like my dad, but he had died months earlier.
I finally had it. I told my in-laws I would quit my job, but only on one condition: that they support me and their daughter from that point forward. The look on my father-in-law’s face was priceless. I was very frank when I said if I did not take this promotion, my career with the company was over…immediately.
I grew up as a jock -- playing football, boxing in college -- and I knew that when I got pushed too far, I would stand my ground. To this day, I am thankful I did what I did, as it helped shape me more than I ever thought it could. My wife and I moved away, and my in-laws ended up visiting many times. And you know what? They absolutely loved where we lived!
Scot
I Stood My Ground
