Do you constantly think about how to find fulfillment in your career? Are you struggling to find meaning in the corporate world or feel trapped in your current job? If so, you're not alone. In this blog, I share my journey of transitioning from a successful career in the corporate world to becoming a business owner and how you, too, can find fulfillment in your career by pursuing your passion.
Feeling Trapped in the Corporate World
Like many people, I spent years chasing corporate success, thinking it would bring me happiness and fulfillment. I dedicated 25 years to climbing the corporate ladder, sacrificing time with my family and well-being. However, as time passed, I realized my path wasn't fulfilling. Instead, I felt trapped and unhappy because I was following a path set by others, not my own. Being responsible for my family made me feel even more trapped in my corporate job. Finally, I realized that I needed to make a change and find a new path that was financially rewarding and personally fulfilling. I knew I needed to make a change, but I was scared.
"You are always one decision away from a totally different life." - Unknown
Fearfully moving into the unknown to pursue something more...
Despite the fear, I decided to leave the corporate world and pursue my new path doing something that made a difference. But I had no idea what. I was just hopeful and sure of myself. It was a scary decision as a single mom and sole provider for my daughter. I looked at things I enjoyed doing, so I started as a fitness coach but soon realized it wasn't the right path. It didn't align with me, and it just didn't feel right. I then leveraged my marketing skills and started a small agency helping clients with their websites, Google Business, SEO etc. This journey had proven to be much more complicated than I expected!
Lessons learned from the struggles
This journey was a different territory that took me down many paths and places I had never experienced before, but I was determined to make this work!
Feeling like a fraud. Who was I to start my own business and help others? I didn't have all the answers and was learning as I went along. But I soon realized it's okay not to know everything - as long as I am willing to learn and grow.
Feeling like I had to do everything. As a new business owner, I thought I had to do and know everything. From marketing to accounting to client management, it was overwhelming. As someone who had always been in a corporate environment, I was used to having a team of experts around me. But when I started my business, this help wasn't there. It was overwhelming and stressful, but slowly I learned to let go, ask for help, and seek out the expertise of others. Discovering the power of delegating and outsourcing tasks allowed me to focus on what I did best.
Feeling like no one would listen to me. I struggled with imposter syndrome, feeling like I wasn't good enough and that no one would want to work with me. But as I began to share my story and expertise, I realized that there were people out there who could benefit from my services.
I didn't take action until everything was perfect. Instead, I would spend hours researching and planning, trying to get everything "just right" before taking even the smallest step toward my goals. But the truth is that perfectionism is a trap. It's impossible to figure everything out before starting; trying to do so only leads to procrastination and inaction. So instead, I realized that I needed to take imperfect action, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and stay focused on the end goal.
Avoiding common pitfalls with a solid Foundation
Although I was helping my agency clients with their marketing needs, I realized that what was missing was a clear direction for their businesses. That's when it hit me - that was also my challenge. My direction wasn't clear either! How could I possibly help others when I was just as lost? I knew that something wasn't right. That's when I started investing time and money on coaches, programs, and any information I could find, which ultimately led me to finally figure out that the key to success was knowing yourself and focusing on what you truly want.
Although starting with a solid foundation may not be what you are looking for, it's the very thing you need, the exact thing your business has been lacking.
Do you know what I realized on this journey? That the foundation of my business was everything. I wish I had known that from the start! We focus so much on the tactics and what we want to achieve that we forget to build a solid base. It's like building a house on sand. But once I got clear on my foundation, everything clicked into place. It was the key to staying focused and pushing forward, even when things got tough.
Through my journey of self-discovery and growth, I began helping others struggling with the same challenges I had. I started seeing changes in our businesses - I was making an impact!
Discovering My Calling as a Business Owner
I wanted to help other corporate employees who are thinking of making a change or are starting along this journey and going through the same struggles that I did. I've been there - trying to be like others (spending money on coaching programs and courses, downloading freebies with little success), aimlessly hoping something will work out, and relying too much on tactics without a vision or plan! But through my journey of self-discovery and growth, I learned valuable lessons that I know others will find value in, lessons that I want to share so they don't have to go through them alone.
I know from experience that building a solid foundation takes time and effort but is worth it in the long run. When you have a solid foundation, you have a clear roadmap for success and can avoid the pitfalls that often trip up new business owners. That's why I'm passionate about helping other business owners lay the groundwork for their businesses, so they can achieve their goals and create a lasting legacy.
Ultimately, I want to make a difference in the lives of as many business owners as possible. I want to be there for them when they're struggling and help them reach their goals. I've learned that with hard work and a bit of self-belief, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. If only I had known that when I started! I wasted so much time and money on things that didn't matter. It's never too late to learn, right? Every day is a new opportunity to grow and get better. I don't see success as a destination but rather as a journey.