Thanks for this! I'm in the very early days of trying to start (something) of my own, after 15+ years of trying to climb the ladder in my 9-5. After feeling dissatisfied for most of that time, it was only last year that I realised that I could actually build something for myself, that would give me more agency over my life.
Your words about generalists really spoke to me - I've spent my whole career thinking there was something wrong with me because I never felt like an expert in anything, even after so many years. I have about a million ideas about where I could take my business and I think a portfolio career might be where it's at for me. Exciting, and scary!
Such an exciting time! I honestly think that portfolio careers are built for us generalists because there are so many opportunities and ways we can add value. Not only that, generalists are primed to run their own business and do all the things (sales, marketing, product etc.) something specialists can struggle with. I'm excited for you!!
♥️ Absolutely in agreement—in my opinion the career ladder is crumbling and we have to figure out what that means for future leaders. We’ve already seen a huge shift in how people own their careers and to your point no it’s not always the 9-5.
Couldn't agree more. I have started to conceptualise my career as a bit of a spider's web or network (rather than ladder). Definitely not linear, and it goes in many different directions at once 🕸️
Yes, yes and yes to all of this. I nodded so hard reading this that my neck now feels out of alignment. Thanks for highlighting all the reasons why I walked away from my corporate full time marketing gig to go out on my own. Cashflow is variable but freedom is worth it!
Haha! My apartment is east-facing so I get the morning sunlight directly in my eyeballs but the view looks out over Melbourne and right up to the mountains where I grew up. It's very nice!
It can seem overwhelming at times to be multi-faceted in interests and passions. And knowing where that next step would be or which passion or creative endeavor is worth pursuing for money, in the pursuit of reclaiming time.
It can feel overwhelming for sure, but I'd suggest starting small and trying to run some experiments to see what interests/passions others find valuable enough to pay for.
I have been following your newsletter for a couple of months but this piece has resonated the most. The rule around being a specialist / finding a niche has helped me breathe a timely sigh of relief as I map out what's next for me. Thank you very much!
Loved this read! I'm 23 and just getting out into the job market with a Bachelor's and a Masters degree. I spent a demoralising six months tirelessly applying to jobs and hitting people up on Linkedin so that I might get a shot at climbing my way up the corporate ladder. After a short internship I decided that that's no longer what I want for myself. I come from a design background and have decided that I want the flexibility to travel and work for myself, so I have decided to learn to become a freelance web designer and given myself three months to land my first client. It's so nice hearing there is a strong community of others who have also taken this leap I will definitely by reading Tom's book. Thank you Anna!
Don't let people tell you that you have to follow the traditional path! It sounds like you have a solid plan and 3 months is a good and realistic timeline to land your first client. Good luck ❤️🔥
this really resonates - I try to remind myself (I’m in the early days of a portfolio career) that nothing is permanent so if something doesn’t work there’s always a full time job to go back to - and how amazing if it does! 📝 💕🥰
I love all of these! Also love Tim, such a nice human. And I think that’s one of the things I’m so enjoying about this new wave of workers — everyone is great, so open to different perspectives because we’re doing it differently. This post really brightened my day. x
Isn't he just! There are so many amazing people out there doing things their own way, and I find it very inspiring. And your comment brightened my day! Thank you 😍
Loved this one -- huge societal shift happening right now. So well captured. The more people leap, the easier it becomes for all the people behind...like how a few penguins diving into frigid waters gives the others behind it courage they can too.
I've never subscribed to the idea of having a career and working up the ladder. I've worked in many roles and probably being a receptionist/legal secretary as my first full time gig out of school was my wake up call, i.e. I don't want to do this!!!! In saying that, I did that job for about 4 years, whilst also taking a break in between to work as a vegetarian chef (but that's a whole other story). I found nothing fulfilling about office life. Yoga was my lifeline during this period, and my goal was to become a yoga teacher. Not having resources to pay for the teacher training meant I needed a pathway to get there. University beckoned and I studied to become a PE/Health teacher - this would give me a good grounding in Anatomy and Physiology, physical movement and principles of wellbeing, plus it would give me an opportunity to learn and practice the art of teaching.
After graduating and working for a couple of years, my dream to do the yoga teacher training was fulfilled. I still worked as a teacher for a number of years, then got into online education in the government and later in the private sector, all the while teaching yoga as a side gig. I went back to the PE classroom for a while, then back into online education, before finally kissing it all goodbye and now working fully in my business. It has been risky. I've struggled with financial security and that's a big mind game for me. I lived off my savings for a while, then my mum got sick and I'm now caring for her on a regular basis.
This year I decided to embrace what I do and reworked my LinkedIn page - boldly stating that my specialty is yoga and wellbeing. The shift has been really positive. I feel like the universe is saying a big 'Yes!' to me for doing this. I've let go of the shackles of thinking I need to be working a salary based job. I've also opened up to the possibilities of where my expertise and multiple passions can take me. Still lots to learn but I feel empowered by the decisions I've made.
You are the definition of a squiggly career, and I also love that you've made some hard decisions guided by your values and a belief that there's something bigger out there for you. It's an exciting time and I simply cannot WAIT to see how the next 12 months unfold for you ❤️
Thanks for this! I'm in the very early days of trying to start (something) of my own, after 15+ years of trying to climb the ladder in my 9-5. After feeling dissatisfied for most of that time, it was only last year that I realised that I could actually build something for myself, that would give me more agency over my life.
Your words about generalists really spoke to me - I've spent my whole career thinking there was something wrong with me because I never felt like an expert in anything, even after so many years. I have about a million ideas about where I could take my business and I think a portfolio career might be where it's at for me. Exciting, and scary!
Such an exciting time! I honestly think that portfolio careers are built for us generalists because there are so many opportunities and ways we can add value. Not only that, generalists are primed to run their own business and do all the things (sales, marketing, product etc.) something specialists can struggle with. I'm excited for you!!
♥️ Absolutely in agreement—in my opinion the career ladder is crumbling and we have to figure out what that means for future leaders. We’ve already seen a huge shift in how people own their careers and to your point no it’s not always the 9-5.
Couldn't agree more. I have started to conceptualise my career as a bit of a spider's web or network (rather than ladder). Definitely not linear, and it goes in many different directions at once 🕸️
Yes, I recently read about “squiggly” careers—makes it sound super fun! Haha
Another great way of putting it!
Yes, yes and yes to all of this. I nodded so hard reading this that my neck now feels out of alignment. Thanks for highlighting all the reasons why I walked away from my corporate full time marketing gig to go out on my own. Cashflow is variable but freedom is worth it!
I take full responsibility for putting your neck out 😅
So inspiring. I'll have to check out his book. Plus, I always wondered what your view was when you do your chats!
Haha! My apartment is east-facing so I get the morning sunlight directly in my eyeballs but the view looks out over Melbourne and right up to the mountains where I grew up. It's very nice!
It can seem overwhelming at times to be multi-faceted in interests and passions. And knowing where that next step would be or which passion or creative endeavor is worth pursuing for money, in the pursuit of reclaiming time.
It can feel overwhelming for sure, but I'd suggest starting small and trying to run some experiments to see what interests/passions others find valuable enough to pay for.
That’s a great place to start, thank you for that encouraging advice
I have been following your newsletter for a couple of months but this piece has resonated the most. The rule around being a specialist / finding a niche has helped me breathe a timely sigh of relief as I map out what's next for me. Thank you very much!
This makes me happy! Thanks so much for reading ❤️
Loved this read! I'm 23 and just getting out into the job market with a Bachelor's and a Masters degree. I spent a demoralising six months tirelessly applying to jobs and hitting people up on Linkedin so that I might get a shot at climbing my way up the corporate ladder. After a short internship I decided that that's no longer what I want for myself. I come from a design background and have decided that I want the flexibility to travel and work for myself, so I have decided to learn to become a freelance web designer and given myself three months to land my first client. It's so nice hearing there is a strong community of others who have also taken this leap I will definitely by reading Tom's book. Thank you Anna!
Don't let people tell you that you have to follow the traditional path! It sounds like you have a solid plan and 3 months is a good and realistic timeline to land your first client. Good luck ❤️🔥
this really resonates - I try to remind myself (I’m in the early days of a portfolio career) that nothing is permanent so if something doesn’t work there’s always a full time job to go back to - and how amazing if it does! 📝 💕🥰
Exactly!!
I love all of these! Also love Tim, such a nice human. And I think that’s one of the things I’m so enjoying about this new wave of workers — everyone is great, so open to different perspectives because we’re doing it differently. This post really brightened my day. x
Isn't he just! There are so many amazing people out there doing things their own way, and I find it very inspiring. And your comment brightened my day! Thank you 😍
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this, Anna!
Thanks Emily! ❤️
Yes to this! A lot of interesting things to think about 🙌
Loved this one -- huge societal shift happening right now. So well captured. The more people leap, the easier it becomes for all the people behind...like how a few penguins diving into frigid waters gives the others behind it courage they can too.
🫶🏼
I've never subscribed to the idea of having a career and working up the ladder. I've worked in many roles and probably being a receptionist/legal secretary as my first full time gig out of school was my wake up call, i.e. I don't want to do this!!!! In saying that, I did that job for about 4 years, whilst also taking a break in between to work as a vegetarian chef (but that's a whole other story). I found nothing fulfilling about office life. Yoga was my lifeline during this period, and my goal was to become a yoga teacher. Not having resources to pay for the teacher training meant I needed a pathway to get there. University beckoned and I studied to become a PE/Health teacher - this would give me a good grounding in Anatomy and Physiology, physical movement and principles of wellbeing, plus it would give me an opportunity to learn and practice the art of teaching.
After graduating and working for a couple of years, my dream to do the yoga teacher training was fulfilled. I still worked as a teacher for a number of years, then got into online education in the government and later in the private sector, all the while teaching yoga as a side gig. I went back to the PE classroom for a while, then back into online education, before finally kissing it all goodbye and now working fully in my business. It has been risky. I've struggled with financial security and that's a big mind game for me. I lived off my savings for a while, then my mum got sick and I'm now caring for her on a regular basis.
This year I decided to embrace what I do and reworked my LinkedIn page - boldly stating that my specialty is yoga and wellbeing. The shift has been really positive. I feel like the universe is saying a big 'Yes!' to me for doing this. I've let go of the shackles of thinking I need to be working a salary based job. I've also opened up to the possibilities of where my expertise and multiple passions can take me. Still lots to learn but I feel empowered by the decisions I've made.
You are the definition of a squiggly career, and I also love that you've made some hard decisions guided by your values and a belief that there's something bigger out there for you. It's an exciting time and I simply cannot WAIT to see how the next 12 months unfold for you ❤️