About 2 years ago I received the loveliest email. It was from a client I had worked with 8 years before.
She opened her email with these words: “I cannot thank you enough for the lessons I learned whilst with you – I still use them every day & you would not believe the changes!”
She agreed that I could share her story about how she achieved career freedom.
The Challenge
My client initially came to me as she was very unhappy at work, spending her days behind the chicken counter at a well known supermarket. She had young children and a husband who enjoyed working in his own business. She felt her life was slipping away from her while she juggled a dull job with the demands of her young family on her meagre wages. She was miserable and not sure how to get out of a situation she felt she was stuck in.
The Process
We looked at the things my client enjoyed and I asked her if there was one job she’d love to do. To my surprise she said she’d love to be a cleaner! She just loved to clean!! We talked about why she wasn’t doing what she loved and she said it was because her husband felt it was demeaning. I suggested to her that if she were to run her own cleaning business, and put it to her husband that she could learn from him about running a business, how would that be? She realised she hadn’t ever thought of it like that and couldn’t wait to get home to ask him.
Sure enough, he agreed that it could work as he had all the knowledge to run a successful business, and so he was happy to back her. We had a few more sessions to help her feel confident about the prospect of leaving her disagreeable, but nevertheless, reliable job. I even offered her the opportunity to clean my house so that I could provide her with a reference.
The Result
Within three months of her first appointment with me, she had left her job and set up her business. I continued to work with her in the first few months, mainly being a sounding board for her ideas and offering guidance when she asked for it. Within two months of setting up her business she was earning more than she had in her previous job, and working fewer hours.
After a while my client came to me with another big decision. She and her husband were contemplating a move from their established home town, to set up afresh in Lowestoft. We discussed the pros and cons and she realised that there was more for them to be gained by moving. We stayed in touch for a short while afterwards, while she settled in to her new life.
Two years ago
In her last email to me, my client filled me in on the previous 8 years. She had been running her cleaning business successfully when a new passion emerged. Her initial personal development work with me had served to stir within her a search for something else. This search led her to develop the spiritual side of her being, and for the last few years she had been working with a friend to develop a project to help others do the same.
This spiritual awakening also brought about a passion she had previously not recognised – to make soywax candles. This work took off and she decided to follow her instinct to open a home-made soywax candle shop. She ended her email with these words. “Life is exciting, fun & passionate – and I really do have you to thank for opening my eyes to that. I know I did the work, but you were the catalyst & I now know how important that moment is. Please never underestimate the empowerment you give others, I am truly thankful that you were a part of my life.”
Today
My client and I have kept in touch, mainly over FaceBook and I’m delighted that she has evolved her business once more. For the last 18 months or so, she has further indulged her passion for spirituality, and blended it with her other passion, cookery. Last year, with the help and support of her friend, she opened a tea room by the sea. Tides Reach Tea Rooms bakes beautiful cakes, and enjoys various theme evenings such as Meditation, Personal Development, Tarot etc.
She really is testimony to the phrase ‘follow your dreams’ and I’m delighted that she continues to create her life in new and exciting ways. Being able to flow with the creative energy inside you is incredibly liberating, and what many would describe as true freedom. Yes, it takes courage and belief in yourself, and that’s what the path of personal development can offer you, if you’re willing to go there.
If you’re inspired by my clients story and are wondering how you might make a change, you will benefit from a free 40 minute, no obligation conversation. I’ll help you achieve a sense of clarity about what you want, and you may even go away with some options about how to achieve it. Please contact me , I’ll be delighted to help.