Where to from here?

Would it shock  for you to read this, and know that at the age of almost 33 years old, I’ve already had 20 years of paid work experience under my belt?   What’s that you say, I don’t look that old? I know, you thought I was younger, it’s an easy mistake to make, and well you’re forgiven. Yeah, yeah I hear you saying, Whatever, next you”ll be telling us you walked up hill to school both ways, barefoot in the snow. Please, I caught the bus and there was a dog that would chase me, or my Dad took me, but it was far and bloody hot.   Those years under my belt, are just that’s just the “proper” paid employment, which weren’t the slave labor (for my family on their fruit property )or helping out.  Don’t believe me?  Just ask my Dad Jim, he’ll tell you.

My Dad has to be one of the hardest working people I know. He worked all the time and would cook, work on the fruit block, do security at night time (I’m convinced this was to keep an eye on his handful of a teenage daughter, and part of his genetic make up of being a Greek father). He has by far one of the strongest  work ethics of anyone I’ve ever met (and I know this was to give us what we wanted when we wanted it). At times I want to thank him and curse him, as this is the work ethic he’s instilled in both my brother and I.  It really makes for the alternate in that he  doesn’t have 2 dead beat kids, but who are driven, motivated and passionate in all that we do.  Thanks Dad (though I think we need to talk as there is some work a holic tendencies in there we could all do without).
My first “job” was when I was almost 13. I was still in Primary School and with parents consent was allowed to work at McDonald’s. The year was  1995,  and it  was a huge deal when the Golden arches came to our town. I’m sure if you track back to that year too, it’s probably the year obesity also rose in the region.  For me it meant, I got my own money, it taught me the value of responsibility customer service and social skills (and I got to meet boys from other towns). I worked there for 4 years. In my senior years of high school, I had 2 jobs after school. Again having independence, my own money and teaching me the value of things ( at this time it was being able to buy alcohol, party and clothes and so so many CD’s). I wasn’t just handed things and it’s made me,  a better person and provided me with a wealth of confidence and life experience, as well as business experience and life  skills and values.

It wasn’t until the other day at work, with my current staff who are a bit younger than me that I had a realisation that I had been working for that long. It did make sense of why I felt somewhat jaded and ready to move on and focus more on myself and my own projects. The time was right, being jaded wasn’t worth moaning about, but more so pushed me to be inspired, motivated and create (which coincidentally is my ethos for Creative Little Soul).

I was becoming quite anti social and so consumed in my work. That it was always the main focus, was important, that I was spending so many hours at my full time job, that I was neglecting my own side projects and was putting the things I loved on the back burner. Not doing the things I wanted or loved for myself.  That I was putting all this passion, enthusiasm and love into what I did, but for someone else, when I should have been doing it for me.  That’s not to say my employers weren’t appreciative of the job I did. I’m grateful to have had supportive employers who have allowed me to be the person I am and do well.  I wouldn’t be who or where I am if it wasn’t for all the people or places I’ve been. They’ve provided me with opportunities to grow, learn (both what to do and not to do)  as well as as being part of some great milestones and challenges too. I’ve also been fortunate to make some amazing business and professional contacts and relationships, as well as build some great personal and friendships too. Everything has a silver lining.

12 months ago, I lost my vision  in my right eye. This vision loss is permanent and I wont get it back. I was diagnosed with MS and my world for a while kind of froze. I was unhappy, I didn’t understand what was going on and didn’t know where my future would land. I still don’t know where it will, but it did make me realise a few things;  I couldn’t continue to work the hours I did. My health was suffering because of it and the stress would advance my disease (and I was not going to have that), that I had so many things I wanted to achieve and do (and didn’t want to sit back years from now immobile and think back of the things I was meant to do), that I had so much to do, share with people and to create.

When a situation arose, where I knew that I had done the best that I would and achieved all that I could, it made my step outside of my comfort zone and gave me the push I needed to focus on my own projects, to use all that I have experienced and to also give me the flexibility to put my health and best interests first. Call it reflection, call it realisation, (I’m calling it old age) but something had to give.  Walking away from a regular and good salary, and easy job and life was probably crazy to some, but to me it had to be done!  If you know me, you’ll know that I am always needing to be challenged and always doing more, seeing more, trying more. My freak of a brain needs to be mentally stimulated a lot.

Is it frightening? Maybe a little.  Is it liberating? Hell yes. But I also know that regardless of what is around the corner, that the decision I  have made is the right one.  While there might be days around the corner where I might be living on 2 minute noodles ( if you see me posting these starving creative artists posts, you’re welcome to send care packages,) I know that taking a leap of faith to pursue what feels right inside my heart is the right thing to do.

Because sometimes there is more to life than just money, than to feeling conflicted in what you should be doing and what you are doing.  I know enough good people out there who I will work with, will do my own great things. I’m pretty pumped and excited and you must all buy my books (refer to 2 minute noodles comment above).

Too often we doubt ourselves and what we’re capable of. That really,  the only person standing in our way is ourselves (and has been all along) . I think it’s time to push that aside and start reaching our full potential. That it’s OK to  be happy and  we’re worthy of success. I recommend you to try it, as it feels bloody good.

So if you’re worried if I’ll be OK (and those of you that worried I’d a moment of insanity, and thanks for asking), I think the moment of SANITY, has prevailed and I”m far too stubborn and driven not to be, so I think I’ll be fine, just fine 🙂

So if you know someone that can benefit from my services, if you think I do a good job or have in the past, share my page, tell someone you know who needs help, or just ask me if you need anything.