Solo since 2010

In October 2019, I will have been an independent consultant and contractor for 9 years. This blows me away.

It's not been an easy 9 years, with my finger hovering over the "apply for benefits" button on one occasion because I hadn't been able to get work in for 6 months, and a couple of applications for permanent roles made, just because I couldn't see the light at the end of a long dark tunnel. I still say "never say never" to permanent roles, because if the right thing comes along, I would be silly to turn it down, but it's not my priority.

However, the positives have outweighed the negatives and I am SOOOOO glad I did it. 

Being independent has enabled me to:

• Spend time with my family when needed (most of the time) and (mostly) work sensible hours. 
• It has enabled me to move around different companies and learn from different people. I've now worked in Broadcast, Health, Tertiary Education, Retail, Local Government, Manufacturing, Managed Services, Charity, Communications and Utility sectors, which I wouldn't have easily been able to do if I had stayed in permanent employment. 
• It has broadened my network, enabling me to have close professional and personal friendships globally.
• It has enabled me to provide coaching and mentoring to people. 
• It has enabled me to give time back to the community through board membership of itSMFnz.
• It has also enabled me to set up Good Guidance with Aprill Allen, Karen Ferris, Robert Bull & Paul Phillips, which has allowed us all to expand the area that our net casting covers and to provide clients with improved offerings.

Will being independent work for you?
I'm a consultant, so I am legally obliged to answer with "it depends".  You need to:

• Be flexible.
• Be willing to travel.
• Be willing to stay away occasionally.
• Be willing to listen. You can't offer advice if you don't listen
• Be flexible.
• Be willing to learn from others. Your clients often have different perspectives that you may not have considered. Don't discount them.  

So these nearly 9 years have been challenging. They have been satisfying. They have been enlightening.  Has it made me rich? Not financially. Emotionally? Yes. 

If you have been a client, a colleague, a friend or my family, THANK YOU!