Many of you who regularly join me here in the Middle-Aged Cheap Seats (bless you, by the way), have come to know me as Kimba: King Salmon Slayer, Estate Sale Junkie, sometimes writes books. What you may not know is that I also have a day-job working in public policy.
Image provided courtesy of morgueFile, http://mrg.bz/Lli5uc
For the first 44 years of my life, I was a “rules girl.” I traveled a common baby boomer path, from high school classroom to college lecture hall to workplace/government cubicle. The schedule of a 9-to-5 job matched my sensibilities for changing the world, one project and policy at a time. This left-handed Virgo thrived in environments that were stable and predictable; working from agendas, time-frames, task plans, and to-do lists.
So how did this all change seven years ago? Well, I got me a pair of fuzzy bunny slippers and jumped WAY out of my comfort zone.
This was not an easy transition. There was incredible risk in giving up everything with which I had become familiar, based upon one premise: I wanted to do something that would make me happy. The last “office job” I held just wasn’t cutting it. After quite a bit of soul-searching, I came to realize that instead of beating my head against the wall trying to change that environment, what really needed to change was… drum roll …. me!
Since I took the leap to being my own boss, many of my gal pals have also contemplated work/life balance and have made some changes to their lives. Is it our age, or is it something else? Hmmm…
http://heckyeahreactiongifs.tumblr.com/
Sheryl Sandberg, through her book “Lean In”, has opened a much needed conversation regarding women in the workforce. Having this dialogue represents a sea shift in our thinking about gender and work. However, something about the lean in philosophy has been grating at me. What if what we’re really looking for is less leaning, more balance? For a different perspective, take a look at this recent article by Rosa Brooks – Recline, Don’t Lean In (Why I Hate Sheryl Sandberg)
Going on my eighth year as an independent consultant, I’m still LOVIN being out on my own. There have been some important “aha” moments along the journey:
- Do your homework before you jump. To be honest, I wish I had done more research before I gave up my full-time job. Regarding the logistics, I was lucky in that the Hubs had already started our company to promote his project management consulting. It was relatively easy to expand to include public policy and create a portfolio for my new independent work. If you are starting from scratch, you’ll need to learn about establishing a business, tax ramifications, attaining health insurance, developing a business plan, etc. There are some excellent resources for small businesses, women entrepreneurs, and independent consultants:
The Office of Women’s Business Ownership
Entrepreneur, search under “women”
Association Of Women Entrepreneurs
Part II of your “homework” needs to be researching the field of work you want to pursue. As an Independent, you’re going to be selling, in part, yourself. You need to know as much as possible about your sphere of influence before you can successfully maneuver. This leads to my second “aha”…
http://constellations-urs.wikispaces.com/trivia+-+vela
- It helps to stay “in-field”–work what you know. I worked in public policy for over twenty years before I went solo. I had built a network of connections and colleagues and a fairly strong yet informal support system. I’m not saying you can’t go from nursing to being a stockbroker; it’s just more difficult to change fields/professions AND go independent at the same time.
- Be prepared for the reality of working from a home office. You need to be realistic and honest about your own needs and strengths. Working as an Independent can feel a bit isolating at times–if you need to be around other people every day; working from a home office might not be for you.
Image provided courtesy http://pixabay.com/en/woman-thinking-sitting-desk-41201/
The “attention deficit disorder syndrome” can also kick-in: it’s very easy to get distracted without the formal confines of a workplace. What has worked best for me has been to:
Create and keep a calendar
Adhere to a schedule; and
Build out a portfolio that keeps me in touch with multiple clients most weeks.
For additional insight and recommendations, here is an excellent article from the Wall Street Journal on this subject: Working From Home Without Slacking Off
I’ve come to sincerely appreciate the benefits of working from a home office. This is where the fuzzy pink bunny slippers come in: I can do a load of laundry during a conference call or make cookies while listening to a webinar–and never have to put on a suit or drive that crazy back and forth, to and from the city. I now have an easy five minute commute: out of bed, slippers on, down the stair to my desk (with coffee–duh!), and the computer booted up.
I can also work when I’m inspired; as long as I meet the deadlines and expectations of clients. This flexibility and improved balance of priorities has also enabled me to dedicate more time to writing; something I never thought I would be able to do until I retired. The second book is out this year! Might even be time for a new pair of slippers.
Are you your own boss? What has worked well for you? Anything you would go back and do differently?
Cheers,
Kimba
Good piece. Need folks like you encouraging others to go out and give it a try. I still owe a few folks big time for taking time to discuss the pros and cons of self-employment way back when. (Going to be celebrating 6 years of my newspaper’s existence this August.) It really is amazing (for me, at least) how much harder I work, how much more creative I am and how much more I enjoy my work now that I have my own pair of fuzzy bunny slippers.
Thanks again for a great piece!
I hear you about the productivity. I can get WAY more accomplished from my home office than I ever did in a cubicle or corporate office. By the way, congrats on the new book – Frickin 40, it looks hilarious. You worked a hippo into your story line – now THAT’S creativity!
I love the pink slipper parallel. I have been my own boss for years and the one thing I would do different is that I would put operate from my kitchen much sooner. I was in my office for years, but once I started blogging I did much better in the kitchen on the loveseat. So superior ergonomically and from a “Pleasant View” standpoint
Shelley I switch up my office location all the time – great perk, eh? If I need to be rally isolated/working on a deadline I head to the office in the basement. But sometimes I need sunshine and the dining room is the perfect place.
I’ve been working from home as a writer for more than two decades now and I don’t think I could ever go back to an office job. And those slippers?! I must get a pair!
Lois, let’s go shopping! I know just the right place to find some cool slippers.
That is so awesome. And I love those slippers.
Those slippers are becoming more grey than pink. 7 yrs is a good run, right?
Your ‘LEAP’ is amazing!! Good luck. I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Thx Cheryl. Each day continues to be an adventure.
Fantastic helps and hints, Kim!
I’ve always worked at home, but I’m forwarding this on to my Husby, who is comtemplating the exact leap you made. From Public Policy to private consulting and business management and continuity. It may work for boys, too! 🙂
Oh absolutely! Wishing your Hubs the best of luck, I’m sure he will be hugely successful.
lol love the slippers! Some great advise here. I’ll be booking marking this for future reference for sure!
Thx Carolynn. Wish we could meet at the back fence and talk a bit!
It’s always easier to stay in our comfort zones but will we have as much fun there…
Love your blog!
Betty your are spot on! Those comfort zones are COMFORTABLE but maybe/especially when we hit middle-age we gotta change it up a bit! Cheers to changing lanes!!
Inspiring, Kim. Thanks! And I’ll come back to this for a client who’s had it with her institutional job.
Blessings,
Sue
Oh, I hope your client decides to make some life changes. It’s scary, but SO worth it!
This post was so timely for me and such good advice. I want to leave my day job but I need my business to have just a bit more work booked. In the meantime if I didn’t use my calendar I would be dizzy from running in circles.
Oh, you absolutely have to be organized – don’t get this Virgo gal started! To-do lists and task plans are catnip for moi.
I’m sitting here smiling and nodding my head as I’m reading your article because I followed a similar path. One thing I had going for me in the transition was for a while I worked for a direct sales company and my home served as a satellite office. Absolutely detested the job and didn’t stay long, but it gave me a chance to learn the ropes about working from home before I took that final step over the cliff. I must say though I’m looking at your slippers with a little envy so maybe I’ll have to get me a pair. 🙂
Idea – I’ll come to where you are in the world Marty and we can find some slippers with a little tropical flair! I’m personally grateful that you gave up sales so I could find you as part of the blogging sisterhood!
Kimba, you got me at “I wanted to do something that would make me happy.” Amazing how it feels like it takes such courage at times to do that! I love wearing slippers to work too – although they’re not quite as cute as yours!
“What would it take to be happy?” I’ve asked that of many of my mid-life friends. Sometimes their answers surprise themselves. It’s usually not about money – that’s always a big aha moment.
Balance is the antithesis of the ethic here in Silicon Valley, which is why Lean In has always grated on me, too. I think the idea of balance is lip service to many and agree that it’s a necessary part of a full life.
Balance is hard. I get that. But living in an unbalanced situation until your reach a breaking point is unhealthy and even at times soul-sucking. Our culture here in the US is very much wrapped around working hard to get ahead. Nothing wrong with a good work ethic – but at the end of the day you’ve gotta know WHY you’re working so hard.
I really enjoyed this post! I left my “regular job” in 5/2014. I am partially my FIL’s caretaker and working 10 hours a week. One of the AHAs of telecommuting and being tied to an online timesheet is: I wasted a lot of time in my brick and mortar office. A 10 min convo here or there ….. would be something I would turn my timesheet off for now…..and not get paid. It makes me look at my time differently
Absolutely. The conversations and friendships in the office environment are important, but can be very distracting. Now I can really focus and often get an assignment finished in what would have taken double the time in a corporate structure. By the way – I see you’re a Tallahassee gal! Miss it down there (I moved in 1995). Say hello to the dogwoods for me.
THAT’S where my slippers went !!!
Hey, did you have to let everyone know we have the same show size?
You post some very interesting and informative blogs. Now about the slippers, after careful observation I have reached the conclusion that you have some how figured out how to dye and style excessive leg hair. LOL
LMAO Gordo – that one made me snort my coffee out my nose. It’s been a long winter, but you’re right, time to give the legs a little grooming attention.