Flexibility and Fulfilment? You can have them both. Stop believing the same lies that I told myself for too many years.
Here’s what I now know to be true: we don’t have to trade flexibility for fulfilment.
Did I always know that? Absolutely not.
For several years after I had my daughter I stayed in the corporate space, definitely not having my world rocked, but feeling like I had no choice.
That was a lie I had unwittingly told myself.
I had fought tooth and nail to obtain a flexible work arrangement. The clue is in the word “arrangement”. This was not a new, part-time contract. This was an “arrangement”. Something that was granted – eventually – by my employer and could be taken away WHOOSH! on a whim [whenever the “business could no longer support it”].
That made me feel like my position was precarious.
That made me feel like I should be grateful for my hard-won 30 hours squeezed into 3.5 days arrangement.
That made me feel like I had to just suck it up if I wasn’t enamoured with my job because I had – for the time being at least – a flexible work arrangement. The holy grail.
I felt stuck.
So I stayed, trading fulfilment for the flexibility that was important to me as a mother.
I did find some fulfilment in that role, but not enough. I did not feel excited to go to work. I didn’t feel like I was lit up by my work.
I didn’t think I could ask for that.
Lies.
Then, the rug was well and truly pulled out from under me: I was at risk of redundancy.
I started to look for jobs outside of the company.
What did I find?
A pretty dire situation for anyone expecting a decent wage, some flexibility, and maybe even, but not necessarily, a modicum of fulfilment.
When I looked at the job market, all I saw were compromises. Trades.
Want something part-time? Great! But you’ll have to cut your pay in half (at least).
Want something interesting that uses your brain and/or talents? Great! But you’ll have to move to London.
Want to earn decent money? Great! But forget part-time, and be ok with working extra hours to prove your worth.
I looked around and this was what I saw.
So I made a decision.
I said “F*CK THIS SH*T!”.
I am not trading anymore. I am going to make the rules. I am not letting someone else decide what I get. I am TAKING BACK CONTROL.
I will create something that is FLEXIBLE, FULFILLING and PROFITABLE.
Why the hell shouldn’t I?
So I told my husband that after I was made redundant I wasn’t going to look for another job. I was going to start my own business. I was going to follow my passion. I was going to be fulfilled by my work. I was going to be in control of my schedule, my work/life balance. I was going to make plenty of money.
I just decided.
And guess what? I am making it happen! Work is no longer a chore. I no longer have that dread of Mondays. When I talk about what I do, I feel excited, enthusiastic, lit up. I am in charge of my schedule.
I make the rules.
I want to help you make yours.
If you would like to find out how we can work together to build or grow your Flexible, Fulfilling and Profitable business, click on the button below to book your FREE discovery call with me:
