Career change...

Someone in my network posted this week on LinkedIn asking the question "if your chosen career was no longer an option - what else would you do?" (thanks Fraser Merrifield for inspiring this weeks edition of Career Chat).

Firstly it's actually something I've thought of myself over the years and during Covid/Lockdown/Furlough I actually started studying to become a Personal Trainer. The plan wasn't necessarily to leave my job in recruitment but the circumstances we were in gave me a wake up call and I wanted to make sure I had a back up plan should I need it. It was initially just going to be a "side-hustle".

But I really threw myself into it!

At one point I was running free zoom training sessions for friends and family 3 times a week, writing up training programs and I even bought a ring light for recording home workouts!

Fast forward 3 months - I was back working full time in recruitment and making up for lost time socialising so I never actually finished the course but I still think it was a great idea.

I took so much away from it.

Mostly, that just because I love training and working out, it does NOT mean I like teaching other people to do it (haha).

So now that being a full time PT is no longer on the cards, what would I do if my chosen career was no longer an option....?

It would have to be something to do with dogs and I probably only came to this conclusion in the last few weeks. Here's the backstory:

A lady that I didn't know had posted anonymously on a Facebook group that she was going on holiday and didn't feel comfortable leaving her little Chihuahua in kennels for the week.

Having had my own Chihuahua for 12.5 years I knew exactly how she felt. I was lucky to always have family or friends to leave Coco with. On this post there were numerous comments recommending various dog boarding kennels and such so she had options but for some reason, I decided to message and offer to look after little Buddy for free.

Lots of people who know me on that group (and many who don't) supported the comment and people who knew me kindly vouched for me. The next day she got in touch to thank me and take me up on the offer.

I met her and Buddy the following week and today little Buddy comes to stay with me for a week.

If this goes well it is definitely something I'll offer on a more regular basis. I even have a name (in memory of my own little Chihuahua)

"Coco's Chateau - Glasgow" (I know, too cute)

I won't be giving up the day job, I love what I do, but if my hand was ever forced I'll at least have a back up plan. A back up plan that would make me happy - every single day.

In the meantime I'll just look after other people's little pups either for free or at a much reduced cost therefore building a client base if and when I ever need it.

So there you have it, I'd become a crazy dog lady!

What would you do? Is it something you've ever thought about?

If dogs aren't your thing, one thing is for sure. In an ever changing world where AI is the topic of almost every business conversation I think it's critical to keep refreshing your skills to make sure you aren't left behind.

If you need any help with that please do reach out - always happy to have a chat!