Introducing WildAboutHarry

[WildAboutHarry]

Hi everyone,
I'm a public relations consultant specialising in issues management. I work with either large corporates or industry associations with large corporates as their members in healthcare and agribusiness.

I started my business after a career in corporate PR primarily because I had children - so long hours in the office and heaps of travel were no longer things I wanted in my life - and I'd reached a level where saying no to long hours and travel made me unemployable!

I've now been in business for seven years. Most of my clients are long-termers (I still have my foundation clients!) who I've worked with for 2-7 years. Most of my work has come through word of mouth. I'm fortunate that while the clients have stayed the same, the work has been fresh and interesting, so I've never been short of challenges!

I'm now considering giving up the soloist life - but I'm pretty fussy about where I would go and about requiring flexibility. We'll see. I've had a few would-be employers come knocking, but the time hasn't been right. The benefit of them coming to me is it's a lot easier to dictate terms! ... but we will see.

WildAboutHarry

[Jay]

Hi Harry

Thanks for sharing your story and for responding to my post. I will come back to you shortly regarding that.

Oh no, you can't give up the solo life just yet! Especially when there are so many inspirational people on this forum whom are starting out and making things happen or are providing great advice for us, because they been there and done that, and they have learn't the hard way giving us the direction and postive thoughts we need to keep the solo life alive.

Hang in there Harry........... don't make any radical decisions right now!

Jay


I mean't the word 'positive' not postive........... yikes,oops spello!

[LeelaCosgrove]

Oh you can TRY and give up the soloist life ...

A couple of years ago I decided I had had enough and wanted out. So I went and got a 'normal' job.

I lasted about a month.

Working for yourself changes you.

It is suddenly so much more difficult to deal with office politics, with stupid managerial decisions and most importantly with NOT being master of your own destiny ...

That's what got me most - being told what to do! I was like - I made twice the amount you're paying me doing what I wanted to do, when I wanted to do it ... I THINK I know what to do ...

I've come to the conclusion I'm unemployable - and VERY happy about it!

[Jay]

Originally Posted by LeelaCosgrove

Oh you can TRY and give up the soloist life ...

A couple of years ago I decided I had had enough and wanted out. So I went and got a 'normal' job.

I lasted about a month.

Working for yourself changes you.

It is suddenly so much more difficult to deal with office politics, with stupid managerial decisions and most importantly with NOT being master of your own destiny ...

That's what got me most - being told what to do! I was like - I made twice the amount you're paying me doing what I wanted to do, when I wanted to do it ... I THINK I know what to do ...

I've come to the conclusion I'm unemployable - and VERY happy about it!

Hi Leela!

Totally with you on that one!! Nice sentiment!

One of the reasons I wanted out of the corporate rat race was to be able to contribute and grow business and I also cultivated genuine business ethics too along the way. Unfortunately, there are those out there in 'managerial world' that find you are a threat because you look outside the square just because you want to do your job well and add value for the company.

Like yourself, I no longer enjoy being told what to do either anymore, as the people often saying it are the least likely people I'd aspire to be like or take direction from.

Chat soon

Jay

[Burgo]

Leela certainly has a way with words, and how to put them in the right context, wow I wish I had that talent.

Everything Leela said is very true. Im unemployable and have been for twenty three years. Would not have it any other way. It allowed me to be at important school functions when my kids went through school. It allowed me flexibility, to be able to work when I wanted and not HAVE to be somewhere because someone wanted me to be there. It has allowed me to persue interests that otherwise would have only been a dream, it also allowed me to minimise my tax which working for the MAN would not have allowed me to do.

Soloism is NOT for everyone but if youve been solo for over five years you wont like working for someone who knows less than you.

Remain a soloist and ajust your life balance and you wont regret a second

Just my opinion

[WildAboutHarry]

Ah guys, you make me laugh! -

I became a soloist for a reason and for a season, not for a lifetime! I've got a lot of potential-working-years ahead of me, and I want to have options - I don't WANT to be unemployable! As my life has changed, I've looked for jobs and "structure" that supports my changing life.

Being a soloist can be good, but it would be naive to say that it's all rosy - every work style has downsides. My area of specialisation has its own special set of challenges for a soloist - even when my business has been cracking along and I've been turning work away. The comments you've made about the downsides of corporate life are true to a point, but firstly - this is not a decision I'm taking lightly - and secondly, I wouldn't consider anything outside senior management (it makes a difference)!

Anyway, I accepted an offer this week - one that is extraordinarily accommodating and flexible. It's also sufficiently senior that a lot of the downsides of corporate that you've raised are less problematic.

It's time, and I'm ready. The solo life is good, but it doesn't have to be forever. I consider myself fortunate to have managed to retain my employability.

Wild.

[Burgo]

I'm glad we made you laugh, at least we have achieved something.

We aslo wish you well in your new employment and trust it will give you complete satisfaction.