Reinvent - It's Never Too Late

From 2003-2014 I did not have a job. I know that sounds odd - but during those years I spent my days creating value doing what I was passionate about. My day consisted of helping clients grow as leaders, build their bench and improve their business results. The rewards from that work were so high that I didn't feel like I had a "job" - it never felt like work to spend the day working with and adding value to my clients.

But as I often tell young people who want to talk about their career - all of the work and all of the reward came with a price. Each of you who are dedicated, passionate professionals knows exactly what I mean. The emails come 24/7 - the text messages come 24/7 - the expectations you set for your self and that clients set for you come 24/7. It doesn't feel like a job - until it becomes one. Many of us just suck it up - we keep going - we long for a two week vacation instead of one week or just another long weekend around a holiday. But we keep going and keep working and supporting our clients and family even though we know that they money that came with success isn't "free".

Two years  ago - I quit. To the dismay of some friend, clients and especially my financial advisor - I quit. I told everyone not to worry - that I was going to build a life and then find ways to add value to others around a balanced life. Some asked me if I had become a millennial! I believed then and I believe now that you create your own realities - you can build the life you want and if you are delivering value to others then money will find you. It takes support from family and friends - but it is absolutely possible for each of us.

Today I lead two businesses. One is a start up with three employees who do unbelievable work for our clients at Marcom. The other is the individual work I do for clients through my firm Crucible Development Group. I wake up early every day - but I work from my home until I am ready to go to the office. I go to the gym when I am ready and I quit when I am done. I avoid work on Friday afternoons - instead I take my wife for a bike ride. I don't travel on Sundays anymore and Tuesday afternoons are for my grandson.

But what about business - this is not Facebook after all! Well Marcom has gone from 1 client in November of 2014 to 40+ clients in the SW and almost 100 nationally. We have broken through the $1M mark in just two years and see nothing but blue water and see 2017 as a $3M year. Crucible has launched a new sales training program for B2B sales professionals, licensed it to three providers and will generate $500K in the coming fiscal year.

Forget the numbers - who cares right? But the point is each of us can create our own reality. Reinvent yourself if your not happy. Yes there will be risks, yes you will be surprised who doesn't return your phone calls, yes you will be stressed at times - BUT you can create your own realities. Start with a plan, define the end game, what will life look like, what will you do to bring value to others, what are the execution steps, how will you measure your progress, how will you adjust when things don't work, how will you hold yourself accountable, who will you talk with for advice? Answer the questions - build the reality you want and don't settle for being busy, successful and unhappy - there is an alternative.