A Backward Step to Leap Forward

Almost 2 years ago I decided to take a step back.

I loved working with my clients, I still do, but I hated both the isolation of working from home alone, and feeling that I was having to show up on social media every day.

I was coming to terms with a major personal health diagnosis whilst watching my father’s dementia grow steadily worse, and my mum finding it more and more difficult to care for him.

Added to that, my partner had secured his dream job 150 miles away from where we lived, and my son was nervous about leaving home and heading to University.

So I took what felt at the time to be a backward step.

I went out and got a job.

I got a job in the same town as my partner, doing a weekly commute whilst my son finished Sixth Form.

In the months to follow my son started, then dropped out of Uni and moved in with us.

My first job didn’t work out. I hated the toxic environment and micro-management, so I reluctantly got another.  Social media was still repelling me, and I was watching as numerous so-called top level coaches were continuing to use underhanded methods to prey on vulnerable people.  I didn’t want to be associated with an industry like that.

Instead, I focused on my family, my job, and working with the clients that came to me via word-of-mouth (always my preferred method of marketing).

In changing jobs, I worked through my unique SIM Methodology to set firm boundaries and expectations;

❓It needed to be supportive of me finishing my degree, and enabling me to use the additional skills I could bring to the role.  I wasn’t going to be satisfied with simply just doing the job.

❓It needed to pay me the salary I WANTED with the terms that I EXPECTED

❓I needed some autonomy, and I needed to feel valued and challenged

AND,

❓I still wanted to work with personal clients without my employer having an issue with it.

By applying my SIM methodology to create my own blockbuster life I got all of that and more.

By focusing on creating my own Blockbuster Life, I have been able to include EVERYTHING that is important to me, on my terms and create a life that I truly love.

✔️ I gained 2 promotions within 6 months.

✔️ I qualified as a Strengths Coach within the organisation.

✔️ I launched their first Domestic Abuse Support Network.

✔️ I finished my degree, graduating with a 2:1.

✔️ I was able to temporarily move in with my parents to support my mum as she went through treatment for bowel cancer (whilst being 100% present AND continuing to work).

✔️ I continue to work with 1 to 1 clients.

✔️ My partner and I still have a regular date night.

✔️ I have hobbies that fulfil me.

✔️ We visit my parents at least once every month and check in regularly via phone or zoom.

✔️ We moved house twice.

My mission remains the same; to reduce the prevalence of domestic abuse.

All that’s changed is my route to achieving it.

Not bad for a backward step!