What a difference 10 years makes…
What was happening for you 10 years ago?
Ten years ago I “ruined” my corporate career. Today I run a calm, sustainable business I love. Here’s what changed – and what a decade can do for your business and life.
When I work with clients, I often ask them to look ahead 10 years and build a vision for what they want from their business and life. What we don’t do as often is look back 10 years and really see how much has already changed.
Almost exactly 10 years ago to the day, I quit my senior corporate job and “ruined” my career by starting a commercial role with a small, family-based wine company in my village.
It was a decision that felt strangely hard, despite the fact I was in the middle of burning out spectacularly. I’d been working in a senior Operational Excellence role for a large insurance firm, managing a big team and commuting a couple of hours each day. I was a “star” performer in the top 1%, seen as high potential, and I gave them everything.
All of that was happening just 12 months post-divorce, with a 2 and 4-year-old in tow. After having an anxiety attack that presented like a stroke, which ended up with me in A&E, I knew it was time for a change and that I needed to focus my energy on my two little girls, not my career. (Giving myself space still wasn’t really in my head at that point.)
So, I made the big decision to “ruin my career” by stepping back and taking a part-time commercial role in my village, working for a lovely family-based wine company that exported wine around the world.
Over the next year, I discovered it was the best thing I could have done – not just for my children, but for me and my mental health. I learnt that work isn’t everything. That having time with my children was the most precious thing. And that I could never work in a corporate role again, because I knew I’d get sucked straight back in.
I had the time and headspace to enjoy life and see what was truly important (cliche, I know!).
I did my wine qualifications, learnt all about wine, about selling into and working with the top supermarkets, and about the process of exporting around the world. But most importantly, I learnt what it feels like not to be constantly stressed and worrying about work – and what it feels like to be happy.
Since that pivotal burnout moment 10 years ago, I have:
completed my wine qualifications
navigated being a single mum to two girls
climbed Mount Kenya
travelled to Australia
started my own business during a pandemic
completed many business qualifications
burnt out for a second time (!)
set up The Pocket Strategist
moved home and towns on my own with my girls
become the least stressed I have ever been in my working life
supported more than 200 small business owners, freelancers and consultants to build businesses without losing themselves in the process
Starting my own business was the best thing I could have done. I have hard-core boundaries, love my work, get great time with my children and enjoy my life. I did it so that I could have the freedom to choose what I do, when I do it and how I do it – and that’s exactly what I have.
Ten years ago, I thought I was “ruining” my career. Now, I can see I was building a completely different kind of life. It’s amazing what a difference 10 years can make.
Where were you 10 years ago?
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