If you’re struggling with the corporate world and the 9-5 slog (although let’s be honest, it’s rarely ever 9-5!) and you’ve been thinking of setting something up on your own… I wanted to share the core things I’ve learned about myself since going solo…
1. Having ADHD means ideas come to me at all hours – working for myself means I’m not forcing them to come at a time that doesn’t suit me.
2. Being a grafter meant I put my heart and soul into every project. Working for myself really pays off – not just for my clients anymore, but for me too!
3. Living a healthy lifestyle felt like an impossible task – working for myself means I don’t forget to take my vitamins, collagen, creatine and everything else I’m supposed to take before running to the office. I’m also not getting up at 5 am to fit in a workout before work – today I did one from 10-11 am – because I can.
4. I’ve discovered I am not 100% comfortable with being financially unstable. Three weeks ago, for a fortnight, I had no clients. No money due to come in, and after 20years of PAYE, it was, let’s just say, a tad stressful. Three weeks later, I have 4 incredible brands to support, and I am enjoying every minute of not only of knowing I am financially ok for a few more months, but also I get to work with new, brilliant, and, most importantly, lovely people. Talk about ups and downs of anxiety!
5. I am a natural introvert and spent most of my career being a wallflower – helping other people step into the limelight. Being a founder means I must put on my big-girl pants and get out there. I’m now part of some excellent networks. This is not only brilliant for work but also for personal growth, as I am learning loads from some incredibly bright, smart people.
6. I’ve learned that I have a very provocative view of what a brilliant leader looks like. I’ve aspired to be one ever since I started managing another human – helping shape their career and showing up for them every day. When you experience the opposite of that, it’s hard to enjoy any job. Thankfully, I keep in touch with many people whom I’ve led and the brilliant ones who led me. The best part of this life is that I no longer need to put up with any management style I fundamentally disagree with. Nothing makes a job less enjoyable than a bad boss. More on this topic to come…
7. Finally, and this is the most important part to me, but being a single parent and trying to juggle the office, school drop off, play dates, homework and everything else was such a stress. Stress because I felt permanent guilt about not always being where someone wanted me. Now I get to work from my home office while listening to my daughter sing and swing in the garden. And even though the key is slightly (way) off, nothing beats that.
Overall, it’s not been plain sailing. The first 4 months I was glued to my computer, desperate to show (only me) that I was hardworking and willing. Now I fit my client projects around my life. It’s good for me because the key to my own personal happiness is the perfect balance. It’s great for them because I want them to succeed. I give a shit about the outcome, my mind works better than it ever did, and I will never walk away until they are happy with what I’ve delivered.
Overall, this way of working is good for my mind, body and soul, and being a founder means the 9-5 is more like 7-10; but it’s my time, and only I can choose how to use it.
Insanely Normal 