Becoming Unstoppable

August is always a time of reflection for me as I step back and attempt to get the balance right with the holiday juggle. It's a reminder of why I do what I do, what's most important and equally, what is not.

It's also the anniversary of me finally making the decision to embrace all of me. Five years ago this week, I left all that I'd ever known and my corporate career of 22 years. If you'd have told me then what I know now, I wouldn't have believed you! You couldn't make it up!

Many have said to me making the leap was a brave decision; but at the time, I just knew. It was so clearly right for me I couldn't imagine the alternative of staying in that world. It wasn't that I was unhappy. I had an incredible career, working with some amazing people, travelling and living abroad, heading up Visual Merchandising across Central Europe.....; but, I wanted more! It was time for me!

When my daughter arrived she made me question everything. After a wonderful maternity year of enjoying time with her I very quickly was on the hamster wheel, running to stand still, literally. I started to wonder "Is this it?" I was now craving a different version of success. No longer was a salary band and status important. It was freedom for me!

And so the journey began to re discovering me, my passion and finding my purpose. It took some time to unpack all the years of living and breathing the culture that was so engrained. Bit by bit as I threw myself into personal development and explored different business ventures, I felt I was coming back to me. I had my own life to design now and was ready to rip up the old rule book.

It felt so liberating being me after hiding behind the big multinational brand for so long. I was no longer the square peg trying to fit the mould. I had the freedom I desired and was now the Mum that I wanted to be, on the school run and able to attend sports day. But something was still missing and I started to feel stuck in my businesses.

That's when I met the incredible Claire Macpherson who asked the simplest of questions which changed my life. "What did you always want to do?" When I responded "Photography" she just asked "Why aren't you doing it?" "Good question" I said.

Photography was always my go to, my lifelong passion which brought me so much joy. I'd dreamed of it being a fundamental part of creating my legacy, but had no idea how to or where to start. No idea that there was such a need for my style of photography and didn't think for a minute people would pay for such services. After all, it was so easy and fun for me, how could that be work?

And of course, thats the best bit. Filling my life with my passion means my business rarely feels like work. The fact that my years in Marketing and Branding in my corporate career have given me such incredible foundations for my business, it all started to make sense of my path and choices.

What started out as me following my passion I can now see enables others to live their dream and make the impact they were meant to make. The transformations and ripple effects I've seen are incredible and make me sing inside. I love that my favourite quote is at the core of what I do:

"We rise by lifting others" Robert Ingersoll

Five years ago I was totally unseen. A stalker/lurker on social media without any presence or posts. Now just over 2 years into my photography business I am coaching people how to be visible with brand images that are natural and real. I am walking my talk and feel unstoppable with my own brand images that I'm so proud to share. I am playing to my strengths and trusting my intuition, leaning into what I now know to be my zone of genius.

I have had the pleasure to work with some incredible people all over the world creating a global business. I am a No.1 Best Selling Author. I have months where I'm smashing my goals, totally in flow and making the impact I want to.

I've also had some of the toughest financial times during lockdown and 'dry months'. Months where I wondered if anyone was listening and if the clients were going to come. Scary months where I thought was it ever going to work for me and whether I'd generate enough income to pay the bills.

But one of the biggest lessons I've learnt is you have to keep going. Keep building your belief and borrow that of others when you don't feel it yourself. Surround yourself with likeminded, uplifting people who you can ask for help and support when on the rollercoaster. Invest in yourself too to keep growing and up-levelling with coaches and courses relevant to your stage of growth.

Even through all the hard and uncertain times I wouldn't change it for the world. I've learnt that rejection is for my protection, accepting that sometimes bigger and better things are coming instead.

So today, I feel incredibly grateful that I had the courage to follow my heart and do what brings me joy. Now I'm so excited for the future and all the incredible people I will have the pleasure to spend time with and meet; all whilst having the balance and time to enjoy my daughter.

It all started when I was asked the question "Where will you be in 5 years if you change nothing?" Five years ago I didn't like the answer. Now I can't wait to see what it will bring!

Have you asked yourself this question?

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