Courage is the leaf that falls before Autumn

In deciding to leave my comfortable corporate job and start my own business this year, I'd be lying if I said there wasn't some anxiety attached to it. Sure, I'd thought about it before but when reality hits, and the regular pay slips stop, it's hard not to question your own motives and whether or not you have done the right thing. When asked about my plans at the time, I had a variety of answers ranging from "no idea" to "sit on a few Boards and do a bit of advisory work". It wasn't particularly well thought through and I was definitely deflecting my fears. Fortunately, I quickly realised that I didn't need to have all the answers because the real magic comes from the silence and space your give yourself to truly think.

A great quote from an award-winning international leadership program I completed whilst at Hays, says, "Take the time it takes, and it will take less time." At the time it was in the context of building deep connections with our people but now I have realised it can apply equally to career transitions.

Since July, it has been quite a journey with things happening surpisingly fast;

• starting with a wonderful holiday with my family and some deep reflection,

• countless informal conversations with people outside my "normal" network,
• completed further study in Business Coaching, Advisory Boards & Athletics!
• launched Talent Horizon Pty Ltd to offer Board and Talent Advisory services in the corporate, not-for-profit and government sectors (focus on disability)
• begun coaching and promoting para-athletics (focus on wheelchair racing)
• launched Profit Acceleration Partners to offer data driven, software enabled, business coaching services to founder led, small and medium sized professional services firms (including recruitment agencies from 2024)

I want to take this opportunity to thank everybody who generously gave me the precious gift of their time during this transition period, including Hays who ensured that our partnership ended with equal parts respect and gratitude.

Turning now to 2024, my tank is full, and I am ready to go. Here are a few of my goals for the year ahead;

1. Work with up to 10 small business owners to help them fulfill their dreams and deliver more sustainable and profitable growth. If you or someone you know are interested, check out www.profitaccelerationpartners.com
2. Through my non-executive and advisory work, ensure that people living with disability are actively included in all levels of society, from grassroots to elite level sport, in the broader community, workplaces and boardrooms.
3. Enjoy the flexibility of business ownership in order to never miss an important moment in my family life and all whilst staying fit and healthy.