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From Editor – to Editor!
The member stories we feature on our member page have one thing in common: they are happy to have their identity and story shared. The majority of Brave Starts members are currently employed. They fear their current employer would not look too kindly on the fact they've been exploring their future work options. I want to correct this balance by presenting an anonymous case study of someone who decided the best thing for her was not to make a change. This is the story of Sarah (name has been changed)
Give us some background about Sarah?
Sarah’s career has always been within the writing, journalism and publishing sector. This sector has seen a huge shift with print media becoming much more digital in focus. Self publishing, the move away from full time employees to self employed professionals has meant people in this sector have generally needed to explore and consider their futures – as was the case with Sarah.
When Sarah came to us, she felt her role had become routine and the repetitive nature of producing content for a monthly deadline was feeling tiresome. She was tempted by lots of different and new ideas. Having hit her 50's she also felt if she didn't explore making a change now, her options would be limited later on.
What was the process?
We started by asking Sarah to reflect on her skills, values and interests. We used this as the basis to start generating some transferable ideas for her to consider. Some she knew straight away she was not keen on doing (e.g teaching) but the process of discussing and having people observe her personality, feel her ability to build relationships, hear how she could articulate herself, understand what was important to her meant others could brainstorm ideas for Sarah she might not have considered. The main areas Sarah wanted to explore were:
- Event planning
- Wedding planner/floristry
- Copyrighting
- Charity fundraiser and communications
In Sarah’s case, she didn’t have existing relationships with people in these fields, so we made some introductions for her to talk to people who were doing these roles successfully (ie had great customer feedback and who were operating businesses that were profitable and were able to provide them with a good source of main income).
After each conversation and chance to learn more about the roles, she gathered these conclusions:
- She spoke with the CEO for a large charity who was able to give Sarah an overview of the fundraising role, the challenges and the upsides. The concern Sarah had was whilst she was happy she’d be able to draft the strategy, target the right organisations, too much of what might determine her success would sit outside of her control and within philanthropic budgets. She didn’t feel she’d be able to bring or easily build a new network within this sector.
- In terms of copyrighting, Sarah really liked the sound of the work, but established the majority of the work is freelance. Sarah is single and has a son to support, so the lack of financial security was the barrier to her exploring this further.
- She met with Alix - an event organiser who was another member in the Brave Starts community. Alix works in house at a large automobile organisation. Alix was able to share her own experience of the difficult job market. Sarah learned the majority of the work is freelance and the main reason Alix was successful in getting an employed role was her niche market expertise and significant experience and reputation in the sector.
- Sarah also met with a wedding planner and florist who again spelled out the precarious nature of the work.
Was there anything else Sarah considered?
The other significant factor relevant to Sarah’s experience is she’s a carer to her elderly parents, who at the time needed a lot of time and energy from her. The mental toll of the experience for Sarah was emotionally exhausting. Her employer recognises how great Sarah is as an employee and has adjusted the work to give her time off every week to spend with her parents.
How does Sarah feel now?
This exercise helped Sarah get to a place where she recognises that whilst she may want a change, she’s not in a position to do it yet. The roles she’s most interested in are certainly options she liked the sound of, but not for the time being. To a degree, Sarah, hadn’t realised how much her current employer gives her. The salary, the flexibility, the security, support with IT issues and lack of hassle that many independent workers have to face.
Sarah has found the process re-energising because whilst she’s established a move isn’t right for her now, she’s eliminated the distractions of other jobs from her mind. Free from wondering ‘what if’ she is now looking at how she can make the next 2-3 years with her current employer more exciting and interesting.
What would you say to other people who are thinking of making a change?
Mainly that they shouldn’t expect to always make a change. If this is the expectation, there is a strong chance disappointment may follow because depending on what’s important to you right now, the best option might be to re-engage with what your current work.
This doesn’t mean don’t explore. The process of exploration is what turned Sarah’s thoughts from feeling stuck and bored to an informed choice to stay and re-engage with renewed gratitude and enthusiasm to explore how else she can make the role interesting and stimulating for her over the next 2-3 years.
