I've done a few posts recently about some of the things I have learnt about moving to self employed.
One of my big learnings from the last year is resiliance is built off the ability to re-think and be flexible about how to achieve what you want.
What I want is to work doing work I love.
What I'd love that to look like, is a full coaching business that enables me to just do that, full time.
What I've learnt over the last year is that sometimes you have to be prepared to flex that dream, to fit with realities of life. And what I hope is, as a coach knowing some of those potential challenges and realities, may help you think about YOUR strategy and reality.
My learning number One: Your big opportunity may not come when you are quite ready for it
I'd said for about 2 years, I really wish I could just work for myself, be happily redundant from my day job and use that as the push to get out of the corporate world of work and into coaching.
And then it happened and it has been a fabulous rollercoaster and I have learnt - well, a huge amount of stuff. About me, about working for myself, about busines, about marketing, technology and a whole host of other stuff.
I wasn't quite ready though, because of the circumstances of the change (and a relocation!) my marketing was reduced down to a tiny amount. Which meant that I was starting from almost a full stop, at a time when many individuals, businesses and coaches were reviewing what they spent on coaching and personal development.
What could help you be more ready for it?
Before you leave your day job work out what you are spending right now. And I mean, on you, on your wants, your needs and your business. How much does this add up to over a year? What can be cut? Don't forget to add in all the things which only come up once a year - it's surprising how they add up! Then think about if you could sustain little income for maybe about a year if you needed to, or how you could raise finance to help you through those first periods.
Another great tip to think about is who your contacts are and whether they can help you to get going and get into business straight away. Some of your contacts may be great for help and support, but may not be the exact contacts you need to move into the business success you want. Who are those contacts, and how can you start building them sooner?
There was a great post recently by Chris Brogan on Evaluating your business Idea. Does it help someone else, and can that person pay for it?
Do some research and listen to your market about what they can pay out for right now. I love working with coaches and what I have heard is that for many of us out there at the moment, especially new coaches, it's feeling tough to get clients, which means that there is less money to invest in yourself and your biz (my core market). that doesn't mean it will always be the case, just that there is a need to think what else...
Does Chris Brogan's article help you when you evaluate your niche, your offering?
Lesson Two: I'd love to be abundant and I am fearful!
I've had this conversation with my coach. I hear about abundance, and know this is the way I'd love to work. However, sometimes it can feel so far from where you are that it's tough to keep in the abundant mindset. Even if you are a coach, and that's the way you love to work!
Note to self - it's very tough to feel abundant when you are feeling fearful! And lots of change can add up to fearfulness. Now, I've got an absolutely fabulous support team behind me - a coach, supervisor, and my family, friends and a fabulous fiance. And still I've been having those rollercoaster moments!
So, I had a wealth chat with the lovely Judith Morgan and we decided I needed to focus on thinking more abundantly, shifting my mindset, and also about how I could practically add to my wealth.
And thus started my search for some part time, practical income that fitted in with my longer term goals. It was easy at first to think about anything - (that's the fear talking!). And then I took a step back (with the support of my coach!) and started thinking more in terms of abundant terms. What would bring in income, and still enable me to move forwards in my business goals?
And so now, I have a part time job I've just successfully got that fits with a part of my business I really want to take forwards, and which I do hear people with a need for (small business social media marketing).
And because I know more about how I work than ever before, I can see this as part of my ongoing resiliance and being abundant in attracting an offer which fits with what I love to do, and enables me to take 2 days a week still doing work I absolutely LOVE to do - rather than just feeling I have to do...well, anything really!
What could help you feel more abundant and less fearful?
A first step may be acknowledging to yourself that the fear is there. Sometimes it just sneaks up on us! Then work out what you can do in order to feel less fearful, and more abundant. Maybe it is looking at reducing costs. Maybe it is looking at different ways to increase income. Maybe it is looking for a job that fits your goals (google coaching jobs and vacancies - I have found a few recently!). It's definitely about doing more direct contact with people which is something I am working on right now.
A little more conversation, a lot more action and a whole heap of fun!
