Running your own business AKA "Turbocharged" Personal Growth and Development!

Working in a job

I hated my job. It was simple. I wanted to be doing something else. I wanted to be in control of my life, I wanted to be free to spend my time my way, not have it dictated to me by my job:

"You must be in the office by 9 am, and remain there until almost 6 pm, you must give each day of your life to this job, no matter if your heart wants to be free to go walk in the park on a sunny day, or if you want to read a book, or chat to that interesting person you've encountered..."

YOUR LIFE IS MINE!

I resented this, while also being grateful that I had a job in the first place - happy that I had something that gave me money to enjoy and people to interact with on a daily basis. Happy that I had something that challenged me and gave my brain a work-out! Your job is a funny thing. It's a love/hate relationship! At the end of the day I mainly resented HOW MUCH TIME it took from the rest of my life. I think I would have been quite happy with a 3 day working week. Dream jobs like that don't seem to exist in my industry, so I made the break, quit my job to become an Entrepreneur. Why? Because I valued FREEDOM more than the stability and security of nine to five. Also, I wanted to grow to be the best that I can be, and this is "turbocharging" my growth and personal development.

Working for myself

There have been so many learnings I almost don't know where to start! I knew before I started that I would learn so much about myself during this time, I knew I would need to grow and develop phenomenally in a short space of time. There were skills I simply did not have that I would need to develop quickly. I understood it would be a challenge. The interesting thing is, what I suspected the challenges would be, and what they actually turned out to be, were so different! I was way off the mark! I couldn't believe the things I missed from being an employee.

Issues I expected to encounter:

• Missing the camaraderie of my work mates (big change to be working alone from home with no-one to talk to all day, particularly for a social creature such as myself.)
• Missing my regular pay cheque!  (Now it would all be up to me - bit scary that!)
• potentially allowing myself to be distracted from the work I should be doing - Distraction was an issue I expected to encounter (and I have been right about this one!)
• Missing the daily commute (I know this sounds weird, but it got me out of the house each day, irrespective of the weather, and gave me an opportunity to interact with humanity, or read my book while on the train, and have a little bit of exercise and fresh air.) I'd notice the buds on the trees in Spring, eagerly watching out for signs of Summer on the way, I'd notice the colour of the leaves change as Summer came to an end. I'd take in the sights and smells each day. I knew I'd miss that.
• Procrastination: I knew I'd have to watch this carefully as I can tend to avoid doing the difficult and boring tasks that I am not interested in, and it will cause me to fail!

Stuff I had no idea I'd miss:

• Reporting back to someone. (There are days when you do heaps of good work, and feel proud of your achievements and progress, I miss the opportunity to share this win with someone and the 'feel good' feelings around that.) This really surprised me because I'd always perceived myself as someone who worked autonomously and didn't need management. I had no idea that I used to get approval and recognition from others.  I was completely unaware that that was a need in me.  It was only when there was no chance of it being fulfilled, that I became aware of the need!
• the biscuits in the canteen!  (They weren't great, but funny how months later you miss their taste!)
• the 'imposed' structure on my day.  I resented it, so imagine my surprise when I found I missed it?!  It meant I got up at a regular time, unlike these days.
• People to bounce ideas off / others to discuss issues with. I've noticed a tendency to 'get stuck' because of an issue - I know if I just had someone to explain the issue to, I'd instantly come up with the answer whilst I was discussing it. I hadn't realised I used the process of describing the issue to another as my method to see the problem (and therefore the appropriate solution) more clearly. As a way around this issue, I'm considering talking to a stuffed toy!  lol!  I know the answers are inside me, i'm just not sure how to tap into them without the verbalising process!  Really happy to hear your suggestions on this one folks!

Other Challenges:

• Getting disheartened.  The journey can sometimes seem very, very long and occasionally I have wished for a bit of encouragement from someone.  Something to re-introduce the vigor and momentum. Constantly being self-motivated can be difficult at times, when progress is slower than you'd like.  It's easy to get disheartened and feel like giving up, or think "This is never going to work, it's too hard."
• Not being able to see the value (for others) in my work.  Had to turn this one round pretty quickly in order to become productive again.

• "Fantasy land" expectations:  I had this idea that once I quit my job life would be perfect - I'd have time to exercise, time to prepare and eat healthy meals, time to meditate, read books, watch movies.  Time to catch up with friends without being stressed from the working day.  Gee, life was going to be so good, that all my wrinkles would disappear and my greying hair would start to vanish as my body recovered from the years of bad diet and lack of sleep! The new refreshed me would look ten years younger!  Because I'd meditate every day, my mind and consciousness would expand.  I'd be more peaceful and tap into that inner Wisdom.  I'd be this youthful, wise woman and BE THE BEST ME THAT I COULD BE! That was what life was going to be like, when I was in control of my own destiny... !     Ha!

The reality

I have certainly learnt so much about myself.  About my failings, my (previously unconscious) needs, my strengths, my weaknesses.  The most surprising one, is I've learnt just how important discipline and routine is!  For someone who values Freedom and tends to live a somewhat disorganised/chaotic and exciting life, that was a bit of a shock.  I must say, it's a most interesting journey and I am delighted and blessed to be able to do this.