What motivated you to take the leap and why?
I'm working on a project exploring what makes us brave and gives us fulfilment within our careers.
Have you made a change to go freelance or set up your own business? If so, I would massively appreciate your insight on the two questions below.
What was the main driver that motivated you to make the change?
What about your previous way of working did you need to be different and why?
Replies14
- My main drive for change : I wanted a better life. I knew that nothing in life will get handed to you, you have to work hard for what you want! Yes its a leap, yes its scary, but you need to have faith in yourself!What did i change: Procrastinating! Its easy to put things off until tomorrow, or not do it because its 'too hard'. Your comfort zone is your worst enemy and that what i had to realize! I had to work to change my mindset to get from where I once was, to where i am now!
- Similarly to @Vikki Ross, I was spending nearly two full days in the week in meetings. There were a lot of other reasons too. I mention these in my talks often. The next one is tomorrow if you would like to join. It will be an informal conversation and you are more than welcome to ask the questions then, I will happily answer themhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-conversation-with-sarah-boris-tickets-106544796354
- I had previously had very limiting thoughts about myself (sometimes I still do!), believing I'd never have an idea good enough to start a business and that I was just an employee. In my last job, I started to feel that I was working harder and creating more than 'just an employee' and it actually had value. It all came to a head when I was working on a cross-country hackathon project for a corporate client. The final event was in Shanghai and I had organised EVERYTHING. Previously I'd be so nervous and prep for any disasters, and while I still over-prepared (it's my nature) I wasn't nervous at any stage.It was then that I knew I could do something for myself, by myself. I quit the next month.
- My main driver for going freelance was that I'd got to the point in my career where I was writing less and in meetings more!
- @John McLean Amazing story, thanks for sharing!
- @Gavin Kemp Thank you! super inspiring and powerful statement1
- @Joshua Israel Freedom is such HUGE recurring theme... Thank you!!
- @Jo Maude love the sense of action in this response, really interesting Thank you
- @Annabella Fasano-Leslie super insightful, Thank you!
- 1. Devoting so much time and energy to someone elses cause, for someone elses gain, and with less satisfaction than i thought possible doing things more on my terms. In a freelance capaity it turns out that by doing that, people respect your time and talent more than when you did that exact role as a permenant employee!2. Working like a dog for 'false promises' - for promotions or pay rises that weren't realistically feasible or possible but still dangled like a carrot. When you aren't 'rewarded' with what you're promised it makes you feel like YOU failed your side of the bargain, not that you've been failed or that simply it wasn't possible. Also i didn't really see any rolemodels of women with children in Advertising in respected positions who were happy and encouraged to find balance in work/life - especially not in prestigous roles/agencies. So i thought, it's obviously not currently something the industry is catering for or offering so why waste my time climbing when there's no destination that's fulfilling on a longer term basis.
- 1. Wanting to work differently. I had been working since I was 19 so turning 40 was a milestone and time to change.2. Didn't want to keep attending lots of meetings that achieved nothing, Wanted to feel empowered to make things happen, to make a difference to the project and add value. Also to select which clients I worked with and also the project.
- 1. Freedom- I needed the space to test, experiment, fail and innovate.2. The stifling restrictions- it was a safe environment, too safe for
- 1) Opportunity and always wanted to work for myself2) Everything - Now I am in control of my own destiny!
- I stuck at a job working for Boots in Nottingham for 2 years which was enough to tell me I couldn't hack a retail/office job for the rest of my life.I always had photography as a hobby so I concentrated on seeking out commercial images I liked rather than landscapes etc to put a portfolio together.After securing a position in a commercial studio I found it wasn't only the 'wanting' to be a photographer you needed, there needs to be a drive to excercise creativity in your work too. I stuck at that for 2 years too before I went freelance.33 years later I have never regretted that decision.
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