Honesty paid off

I remember the words of my ex employer years ago when showing him my CV and getting through to the third interview stage.
“I’d like to hear more about your motivational speaking passion and helping others”
I’d been honest in my CV and under ‘hobbies’ I’d listed the real things I enjoyed in life, even though I knew it could work against me.
The reason I was honest is because, that’s how I roll and I am a believer that with honesty comes integrity and freedom. I needed the job to finance my real passion and complete studies for my future goals as well as finish the renovation on the house I’d just bought. Rather than sit in a job I wasn’t being paid enough in (although still a good wage) that offered me no career progression, I decided to up the game and try and get a life promotion myself.

Are you mad?

Everyone thought I was mad. At a time I was trying to set up a business, renovate a house on my own and actually follow my dream to work for myself, I did the complete opposite and went for a high paid role in a company where I would have to train like never before.
I knew the outcome I was looking for but I also knew that the company would get the best of me because I was working for my passion. There was no way I could be self-employed and start a business with 20k debt, a new mortgage, bills and studies that needed completing. Rather than be bogged down in the thoughts that this would never happen, I set myself some larger goals which meant I had to wait a bit longer.

The role was not my passion which could have been detrimental for the employer if not thinking outside the box, but with a drive to reach my own goals, could it mean that I was actually employable?

I considered hiding my hobbies/passion which would have been easy at the time without the internet presence I have now. I came to the conclusion however that if I was offered any motivational speaking gigs, I would never be able to talk about it or show off my great achievements if I was living a lie. That ultimately made my mind up. I had to be open but probably leave out some finer details.

And then he smiled at me

I answered my interviewers question in depth. I told him why I love to talk to people and help, I explained about the tragedy’s in my life and how I was channeling my energy and learning new skills. He smiled!

I’ll never forget that smile. That smile was hope. It meant my crazy three interviews hundreds of miles from home, all the travelling and presentations had paid off. Even if I didn’t get the job, I had done my best and I’d made the right decision in my honesty. Even if he didn’t take me on, someone would.

I have always been very employable with much success and a proven track record but this was a risk. It was a risk for my career and for my new employer.

He offered me the job. “I have never done this before” he said quietly. “I’d like to offer you the job right here right now so you don’t have to drive back all those miles wondering – oh and that’s not all, I’d like to offer you a pay rise” Well I never, I hadn’t even started the job and he wanted to increase my salary already from the high salary I was already being offered.

Feeling blessed

I drove back home feeling so very lucky. Smiling and singing to myself, I realised that I had made a life changing decision.

It was never my ideal, I didn’t want to start again in a new role and learn skills that would be of no benefit to me later on down the line but I got my head down and did what I could in the best way I knew.

I had taken the plunge. I kept my head down, delivered some talks in my free time, took annual leave when necessary and got the results I needed. We spoke about my future within the company and I told them what they wanted to hear time and time again but when I was asked one day by a new branch manager “So what is it you really want to do?” I told him outright. He supported me too and even offered me some contacts.

I disliked the role with all my heart and couldn’t wait to leave in the end but I cleared my debts, I finished my rennovation, I completed my studies, I finished setting up my business and I handed my notice in.

wow, it was liberating and scary all in one. The extra two years I had to wait to do things properly meant I could enjoy the road.

when I lost my company car, I was devastated. I made do with public transport for the first time in fifteen years but again, it was liberating. I knew that when the business was doing well enough, I would buy myself a car and get a private number plate. That was my new target. Small targets to work towards my long-term goal and here I am today with my lovely car and Team6 Motivation number plate working for myself and loving every minute.

Where From Here?

It’s all a distant memory now, the hours and hours slaving away for someone else, following someone else’s company structure and policies. I look back and smile and thank my boss with all my heart. I couldn’t be completely free with discussing my plans, there was an element of protocol that wouldn’t allow it and of course there was always the hope that I would stay and be the best they had, so I never got the opportunity to say thanks and be completely guilt free but either way, it was worth every minute.

Day two of leaving my job was the day I sat in a coffee shop and started writing my book. The book I had always wanted to write to inspire thousands, ‘Where From Here?’ after loosing my eye and then dealing with the suicide of my brother. I had completed all my studies and was fully on board with coaching and Team6 Motivation (The business name I had chosen after losing my brother). The business was all set up and already proving to be a success so all I needed to do now was follow my dreams. Watching other people go from strength to strength is an amazing feeling. I have the most rewarding job in the world and I’m thankful every moment.

What a hard and long journey but how beautiful it has been and will continue to be.