Several years ago, I made a promise to myself that by the time I turned 50, I’d no longer be writing radio commercials and I’d put my energy into running my Inspiring Kids business as a full-time gig.
Could I make a living from doing what I find most rewarding, or would I pike out and get a real job? I know it’s everyone’s dream to do what they love, but could I make it possible?
Firstly, I turned 50 back in March. And yes, I did fulfill my promise and finished up my 25-year career as a copywriter.
What has happened since then? Could I make a living from Inspiring Kids?
Whenever you take a leap, there is always a pit of demons you have to jump over. In my case, I landed right in the middle of a boiling quagmire of them. Every single insecurity, negative belief and self-sabotaging thought filled my brain, and I was pushed to the edge.
‘This is not going to work’
‘You’ve made a big mistake’
‘Go and get a real job’.
‘No-one wants anything you’ve got to offer’
‘You’re a disappointment’
On and on it went, for months. It retriggered every childhood trauma anxiety that I thought I’d already worked through. I even started to look for a job but seeing as I was only qualified to write ads and write books, I was pretty well stuffed. I considered hospitality for a brief second but the thought of dropping a tray of espresso martinis down someone’s back made me think twice.
I sought help. I started on medication and started seeing a therapist again. Finally, I was able to steady the mental ship and keep going.
Throughout the turmoil, 2022 was still a wonderful year.
None of it was easy, but nothing of value ever is, but it’s worth showing up again and again.
My philosophy “The more we support kids upstream, the less we’ll need to rescue them downstream.” gets me through my malaise of self-doubt as I know this is bigger than me and I’ll do what I can to make it happen.
I’m glad that I experienced all that happened this year, it’s made me stronger. And with the help and support of my husband and lots of other wonderful people, I was able to keep going. As luck would have it, I’m already starting to get booked out for in person programs, talks, workshops and incursions for 2023.
Have I started to make a living from what I want to do? The short answer is yes, but only just. However this is only just the beginning.
If there’s something you want to achieve, don’t let anything stand in your way. Fight like hell to make it happen. Even if you don’t know what you’re doing, keep showing up. You’ll be glad you did.
As the old quote goes “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
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