In the last few months I have spoken to dozens of people who would like to become a consultant. There is one thing common about all of them. They are afraid. They are afraid about how they can make the transition from a safe paid job to a lucrative, exciting but uncertain consulting career. They are afraid they may not have the skills to succeed, especially when it comes to developing products and marketing material, establishing key messages, building credibility and selling themselves.
I know exactly how these people feel. Twenty-three years ago I was Group Strategic Planning Manager of a major New Zealand bank with great conditions, or what I call “golden handcuffs”. I had known for five years that I had to become an independent consultant dedicated to “liberating the human energy at work” but it took me all of those five years to pick up the courage to set myself free. I was scared, but, the fear of not fulfilling my destiny was greater; so, for about a year before my 45th birthday I told as many people as I could that I would be a self-employed consultant by the time I was 45. Actually I was still employed at 45 but resigned on my 45th birthday. I gave up my company car, down-sized our family vehicle and drastically re-budgetted expenses.
I found that going consulting was a bit like going into space. The first 10 years as you are launching yourself are the toughest. This is where the biggest risks are and most of the energy is required. Once you are launched, opportunities float by almost effortlessly.
My aim is to get you off the ground; to provide you a 10 year start in your consulting career.
Go to the “Consultants’ Corner” for a growing resource of free ideas and access to 25 years experience from one of New Zealand’s most successful business consultants.
I know exactly how these people feel. Twenty-three years ago I was Group Strategic Planning Manager of a major New Zealand bank with great conditions, or what I call “golden handcuffs”. I had known for five years that I had to become an independent consultant dedicated to “liberating the human energy at work” but it took me all of those five years to pick up the courage to set myself free. I was scared, but, the fear of not fulfilling my destiny was greater; so, for about a year before my 45th birthday I told as many people as I could that I would be a self-employed consultant by the time I was 45. Actually I was still employed at 45 but resigned on my 45th birthday. I gave up my company car, down-sized our family vehicle and drastically re-budgetted expenses.
I found that going consulting was a bit like going into space. The first 10 years as you are launching yourself are the toughest. This is where the biggest risks are and most of the energy is required. Once you are launched, opportunities float by almost effortlessly.
My aim is to get you off the ground; to provide you a 10 year start in your consulting career.
Go to the “Consultants’ Corner” for a growing resource of free ideas and access to 25 years experience from one of New Zealand’s most successful business consultants.
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