You don't need anyone's permission to find your dream career

So two years ago I would have been getting ready for my working week around this time on a Sunday evening. 

I would have been going online to purchase an overpriced weekly rail ticket, laying out a ‘professional’ work outfit (which wasn’t what I would choose to wear, but which fitted in with the corporate ‘look’ at the office), and getting an early night because I knew the week ahead would be utterly exhausting.

Does that sound familiar?

I remember the train journey up to London, where I would longingly stare out of the window at the passing countryside (if I got a seat that is) and wish that I could choose how I started my day and feel excited about what was to come, instead of tolerating the knot of dread, anxiety and stress that I carried around in my stomach.

I hated that I was just working for the weekend and dreaded Monday mornings. I wanted to have freedom and flexibility, and choose to do work I loved, instead of having a schedule and workload imposed on me. But I realised that I had to give myself the permission to pursue it...

Well these days, things are a bit different. I get to choose my own hours, and work from wherever I like. On Mondays I can ease into the day with a coffee and the newspaper, and look forward to working on my own business which I feel genuinely excited about. Or I can just decide to take the day off and go for a play on the beach. The main thing is, I have the choice.

What will you do to create that flexibility and freedom in your life?

I don’t want you to have to dread your Monday mornings anymore. I want you to know that there is another way to shape your career, work for yourself, and design a lifestyle of your choosing.

It all comes down to giving yourself permission to after your dreams.  

You can choose to say goodbye to that old way of working and create a business and lifestyle that you’re madly in love with. You don't have to seek validation from others. It's your life, not theirs.

So if you’ve decided to no longer tolerate that Monday morning dread, and take back control of your life and career, then give yourself permission to begin. Your new work week is out there waiting for you, claim it!

I’ll speak to you soon,

Juliette xx

Are other people's doubts holding you back?

When I was starting my coaching business, the one thing I didn’t see coming was (occasionally) having to deal with other people who didn’t ‘get’ or support what I was doing.

As I started to tell more people what I was planning and building, I found that there were some mixed reactions, especially as coaching is a very new concept to some. 

And my niche, which is to help people find a new meaningful career or start a purpose driven business, means that I’m often talking about change, and tackling fear, and potentially steering a new path away from the ‘norm’ of the 9 to 5 office job and towards working for yourself.

I try to help people create a vision of what’s possible in their lives, but this can be interpreted by some as being unrealistic, or a bit crazy, or too big a leap.

Maybe you have had similar comments from friends or family, when you talk about the changes you dream of making, which then leave you feeling deflated, or doubtful, or worried about rocking the boat.

So if this happens, it’s key to keep circling back to yourself, and trusting your instincts. Because you’re the only one who knows what you really want and what you’re capable of. 

Everyone else is looking at life through their own lens, which has been influenced by their beliefs and their life experiences. They will see what’s possible based on what they were taught, but that has nothing to do with you and your own journey.

There will be people along the way who don’t get it but that’s totally ok. They don’t have your vision or determination, so don’t let them put restrictions on you. 

You’ll have enough on your plate dealing with your own doubts and fears, which everyone has, so don’t take on theirs too. Just keep persevering and follow your own vision.

And be prepared to do things your way too. Yes you can learn valuable systems and structures to get your business up and running, and that’s what I teach in my career coaching programme but once you’re on your way then you can also tweak and adjust to create a bespoke business which is based around your own particular strengths, values and sense of purpose. 

So if you hear that you’re doing it ‘wrong’ or getting unsolicited advice from well meaning friends or relatives who don’t actually know much about your chosen business niche, then you can thank them but you don’t have to take on their opinions or their doubt. 

There is no one set way to do business. Just continue to do things your way and trust your big vision for how you want your life and career to be.

I’ll talk to you soon

Juliette xx

p.s got a dream of working for yourself but still have niggling doubts about whether to take the leap? Then learn more about my coaching programmes here and book yourself in for an introductory 45min coaching session for just £97

Fledgling Freedom-preneur Interview: Paul Townsend

So we're back with a new instalment of my blog interview series, where I chat with other freedom-preneurs about their first baby steps in business. 

By sharing their stories, warts and all, the aim is to help you find more clarity as you start out on your own business journey, get inspired, and see that all entrepreneurs have to start somewhere!  

This month I've been chatting with online retailer and silversmith Paul Townsend, who swapped working for an international airline for running his own male oriented gift store, For The Man I Love.

So how long have you had your business?

We started setting up For the Man I Love in 2012, and then began approaching web designers about writing the website, as it was quite complicated having many shops but one storefront, a bit like a department store.

Once we had sorted that it was early 2014. Then we had our first sale on our 25th Wedding Anniversary and haven't looked back!

Did you have any business background or experience before you started?

I worked for a large international airline running their rewards scheme, as well as on board duty free, so was used to retail. Plus I am a silversmith and have been selling successfully on Etsy for over 10 years. My wife (Claire) has worked in the retail and customer service industry her entire working life, so knows what people want and how to treat them.

What were the 3 most important things you invested in when you were starting out?

A great website, a decent laptop and some business cards!

Is there anything that you spent time/money on, that now with hindsight, you would do differently?

Yes – Google AdWords – for us (especially since we are international) it is a very expensive way of getting customers, and we soon stopped paying for this service and moved over to Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc…

How did you get your first customers?

By having great social media with constant updates and occasional advertising, plus the inevitable word of mouth.

What tips do you have for starting a business whilst still in your 9 to 5?

Organisation! Put aside a day at the weekend, or certain evenings to kickstart your business, as the social media side especially is very time consuming. I can remember sitting on a sunbed in Thailand constantly on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter whilst everyone else was reading their favourite novel or asleep!

You can check out Paul's unique gifts at www.formanilove.com

So do you know anyone who would like to share their story and lessons learned from their early days in business? Then ask them to email me at hello@thecoastalcoach.com