Have you ever had an almost out of body experience, a quantum moment perhaps when you realise there is something VERY wrong with the picture you find yourself in?
I was sitting in a marketing meeting with a client intend on creating a business to business Trade Marketing Plan. For the supply of steel pipes to the mining industry. Bent pipes, like the ones you see on trains for passengers to hold onto.
Now I appreciate that bent pipes are no doubt very important, essential things. Very needed in the world. I am certainly not disputing this fact.
But frankly my dear,
I.
Did.
Not.
Give.
A.
DAMN!
And at that moment, I finally accepted what I had known for quite some time. It was time to move on. It was, as I now call it, time for my Second Act.
Have you had that moment?
It certainly wasn’t the first time I’d felt a very clear message that something needed to change.
It’s been said that the Universe taps softly at first…. And then when repeated attempts to secure your attention fail, you might find yourself being hit by a bus!
That was so true for me. My intuition had been talking but I was taking no notice. It was finally the combination of my Doctor announcing that my blood pressure was almost at the “I am putting you in hospital if you don’t slow down” point, realising that the task of writing creative marketing plans, which had always delighted me in the past, was now being met with procrastination more often than not and the fact that when my husband asked me how my day was, he was often met with tears
It was definitely time for a change.
My previous chapter had started out like so many do.
After my kids came along I decided not to go back to my previous life of working in the city and instead took my corporate career skills, marketing, sponsorships and events, and become a freelance marketing consultant.
It made sense. There were only minor start up costs – a laptop, a website, a business card and I was on my way! My confidence was high, I had great experience and knowledge and for quite some time things went along smoothly.
I was very good at what I did and the business grew. I hired my first casual staff member, also a Mum juggling kids and work just like me. Not long after I expanded my team to three Mums. Our first task of the day was sweeping aside the Barbies, Bakugan and Lego from our desks in the spare room that also doubled as a playroom for the kids! We had such camaraderie and fun – it was wonderful.
From there I ended up buying an office, employing a full time team and taking care of clients across three states.
Sounds good doesn’t it? Bigger is better isn’t it?
Well no actually, sometimes that can be the problem.
You can operate in your Zone of Competence, even your Zone of Excellence for years. You can plug into the values and beliefs of others and lose touch with what’s most important to you. You can sleepwalk through your own life, disconnected, habitual, reactive and stressed, thinking that you just have to learn to juggle better, push through, find that elusive work-life balance that everyone else seems to have and for goodness sakes, be grateful!
Or you can wake up.
You can acknowledge that you’re not the happiest of campers.
You can start to listen to your heart and give yourself permission to explore.
You can choose to recognise that things are just not working and begin to develop a new way of being.
You can reacquaint yourself with your core values and realign your business and life around what’s most important to you, now (because I almost guarantee they’ve changed since you got started doing what your doing, right?)
You can bolster your self-belief, surround yourself with like-minded people and start to live by design rather than default.
You can step into Your Next Chapter and find the personal fulfilment and abundance you’ve been craving.
Your Next Chapter is waiting for you.
And it’s not going anywhere – its been patiently waiting for you to recognise and respond to its call. That sense of urgency that you have? It’s ok, don’t panic. It is never too late for a second chance, a new focus, a renewed passion.
You can get started on Your Next Chapter Plan today.
Right now in fact.
Just pull out a piece of paper, allow your imagination to articulate your desires and write down what comes to mind. It needn’t be perfect. It needn’t be complete. Just begin with “I would love too…..”. In my case when I let go of my agency I had to roam a while before I found this business sweet spot where I am buoyant and excited and completely smitten with what I do. My health and my happiness have never been better.
And I know this for sure.
This is an evolution not a revolution.
You cannot steer a parked car.
So just start moving and course correct as you go along. Let your emotions provide you with feedback. Refine your plan on the journey. We can get practical and strategic next – let’s get inspired first. Keep your options open. Ask for the help you need to close the gaps you discover when you need to. Stay attuned and committed to your own definition of success, because it is very different for everyone.
And finally, ensure you surround yourself with others who are also on this journey into a Next Chapter business and life. Support, encouragement and inspiration make the journey so much sweeter.
What will unfold in Your Next Chapter?
That’s what I wonder, with quiet curiosity, of everyone I meet. And that’s why I have gathered 16 wholehearted women together in a Success Summit. Generous women, with a diverse range of next chapter adventures challenges, stories, insights and experiences to share with you in a series of candid interviews.
Although the original event has finished, you can download all of the inspiring interviews and transcripts here.
Here’s to adventure and new horizons!
