It's Sunday afternoon, the sun is blaring outside, I'm finally learning that it's okay not to feel obliged to 'make the most' of it, because well... I live in a hot country now and it's sunny most of the time.

I'm binge watching Netflix and thinking about work tomorrow. I smile. I can't wait to get stuck in. As I run my hands through my hair I think to myself, I really must go to the hairdresser, and I look down at it covering most of my chest and notice my nails - they need to be cut, again.

I laugh.

WHAT.

Who am I?

I had a flashback to 6 years ago when I was working in Corporate with a constant state of unease, frustration and lack of purpose. I would have been in my London canal-side apartment, overthinking work the next day, biting my nails and recovering from a hangover, running my hands through my short bob that I had cut in an airbnb the weekend before in Verona with kitchen scissors, in a desperate attempt to feel like a 'new me' wishing it would grow faster.

I've changed.

And I love it.

Here are 5 unexpected things that have changed in my life since leaving the 9to5 and building a coaching business.

My nails are so HEALTHY

This is weird to write but I think has more significance than appears.

If my nails are healthy, long, pearly and strong that means I'm healthy and strong for it.

My nails have always been a key indicator of my stress levels.

When they split, break, or take ages to grow, my stress levels are usually pretty high. Now I have to actively file them regularly. I love it. Every time I sit down to do my nails it's like a mini gratitude ritual. Going to the salon is no longer an indication of a special occasion, festival or holiday. I get to pamper myself whenever I choose and since I have to maintain my nails regularly now, I turn it into a pamper session for the sheer pleasure of it.

I sleep like a baby

Maybe it's because I don't drink alcohol much anymore
Maybe it's because I don't dread work the next day
Maybe it's because I answer to myself now

But sleep is critical to my success. So much so that it has a whole module dedicated to sleep inside my program THRIVE. Why? Because sleep indicates two things in my world:
- my commitment to my rituals
- my stress levels

Our rituals are simply the habits we choose to elevate our life. When my bed time routine is off, my sleep quality is poor. Add on any layer of stress and the problem compounds. Poor sleep results in poor concentration, lack of focus and minimal, if any creativity the next day. Not ideal for running a soul-led business.

Yet in my corporate career, in a highly masculine, sales driven culture of little sleep, pushing the boundaries and bruning the candles at both ends running of litte sleep was a sign of success. Work hard play hard. I tried my best to meet the challenge.

Talk about terrible sleep habits - staying up as late as I could handle, waking up to the silent tv of Netflix asking me if I'm still there. Waking up in the middle of the night overthinking, over analysing, unable to relax or rest. Snoozing my alarm. Late to work so much it becomes my signature move. If I wasn't so good at my job they literally told me I would have been fired already. I was proud of it at the time.

Now, I operate to a new paradigm. Turning off a netflix show after 1, maybe 2 episodes is standard. Taking my time with removing my make up and kissing my partner good night is luxury. If I wake in the night, which is rare, it's to inspired downloads. If I'm ever overthinking business, I know exactly how to address it and get back to sleep soundly. When I wake up in the morning, I'm rested, relaxed and buzzed to start my day.


My circle uplevelled

Before I found something that felt purposeful to me conversations with friends would evolve around everything that's wrong about my life. My relationships, career, lack of this and that. I would spend hours complaining, frustrated, angry, outraged, annoyed, and even bitching about office politics, horrible bosses and work I didn't want to do.

Office conversations around the Nespresso machine would literally centre around what day of the week it was and how soon can we get out of the office.

The thing is, there is venting, there is complaining and then there is sitting in victim.

"What did I do to deserve this, how do I get out of it, how will I ever afford this, why is this happening to me, what's wrong with me, why can't I win the lottery, what's wrong with everyone?"

When I started building my business around the 9to5 my conversations shifted. I started distancing myself from some corporate colleagues and I stopped chasing friends that didn't feel in alignment. It wasn't them, it was me. I was less interested in those conversations.

I started practicing gratitude, presence and focus. Getting the job done, finding opportunity and not getting involved in gossip.

Outside of work I was complaining significantly less and being more interested in the person I was with or enjoying my own company. I would discover new things about my friends, start having conversations about ideas, dreams and plans instead of talking about other people. I was trying new things, meditating regularly, journaling, being in nature, having new conversations with family and learning more about my upbringing and theirs. Of course the pandemic helped with this too.

Being a solo business owner also meant making sure I had the right people around me. I got myself a coach to actually get the help I needed so I wouldn't get frustrated when my partner or mates couldn't help me with my business challenges. I started taking action on the books I read. I met other like-minded coaches and business owners on the same journey as me to share stories with and grow with. I let m friends and family be my friends and family and got proper support where I needed it.

My circle has got smaller but the level of conversation is way higher and I love it.

I no longer use alcohol to escape from my problems

When I think back to 5 years ago I was drinking Wednesday through to Sunday. Client hospitality lunches in Liverpool Street, after work drinks at the local pubs in and around Covent Garden, weekend brunch in London Bridge and nights out everywhere.

It kind of blows my mind how much I used to drink.

Now, I can count on one hand how many drinks I've had since I moved to Australia 5 months ago. Literally.

Does that correlate to the amount of challenges I've faced? Of course not - I deal with things head-on. I have myself, my brain, my guides, my rituals, routines and boundaries to solve with. I self coach, I know how to take responsibility for myself. I no longer have a life I ever need to escape from. I also make sure I have a coach to support me in the key areas of my life when I can't see my own blind spots. I have a partner who loves, supports and listens to me. I have trusted peers who I share with and elevate the conversation with me.

Alcohol isn't something I've completely eradicated from my life. I enjoy the taste on occasion. But my relationship with it has entirely changed. For that I am deeply thankful.

My job is so much more than that, it's a way of life

This isn't only true of corporate to entrepreneurship. I think this is true of any role that aligns with your purpose.

I have had a few job titles in my life - from Managing Consultant, Talent Acquisition Specialist to Client Relationship Manager... they were all just hats I wore from 8am - 7pm. But my new titles: Coach, Founder, Business Owner, CEO. They hit different.

They feel true, they feel like me.

Of course, it's important to have separation between what you do and who you are.

Who you are is stardust incarnate.
Who you are is a spirit having a human experience.

But for me, I love my human titles. I don't shy away from the human experience. After all, it's what we came for. The first time I tried these titles on it was like wearing a designer dress for the first time - is this really me? Who am I to wear this?

Now, it's just who I am.

I am a coach, I am a business owner, I am a CEO.

Try yours on for size... doesn't it feel good?

This has been the biggest shift since leaving my 9to5. My entire identity has shifted. Not just because of these titles, but who they have allowed me to become and the way I see, love and trust myself. The transition between corporate and entrepreneurship really is an entire identity shift. This also is something I specifically address inside THRIVE, so when you take the journey, you do so with intentionality, purpose and ease.

It's important to note I didn't wake up one day and it had just changed. It is not enough to simply call yourself a CEO and you become one. It's in the decision, daily commitment, problem solving, resourcefulness, resilience, boundaries, habits, routines, rituals, beliefs and intention that you take in order to build your business.

These changes to my health, sleep, friendship circles and identity happened over time, over a series of incremental shifts, upgrades and choices.

I'm so excited for you on this journey too. Maybe you have noticed some of these shifts already. Maybe you have already noticed a few of your own. If so, let me know, I love to hear them!

Either way, there's one thing I know for sure. No matter what, this journey from your 9to5 into entrepreneurship will change your life.

Take a moment to appreciate the growth and learning you are already achieving.

You've already come so far.

Make sure you keep going.