Launched into the world
This week I’m going somewhere pretty special – a book launch. Now I’m an author with a publishing deal (!), I’m expecting to hobnob with litterati every week. But this is my first launch party and I’m very excited.
It’s the launch of “Do Penguins Eat Peaches” by Katie Tucker, out on October 17th. Katie is my next guest on the Corporate Escapology podcast, out later this week.
Katie trained as journalist before moving into product management. But after a trip around the world with her family, Katie decided her mission was to help small businesses get to grips with customer research. After validating the need for her offer with a community on Instagram and several consulting gigs, Katie got a publishing deal and wrote a book - The Book - on customer discovery for small businesses.
It got me thinking: Katie with her book, Steve with his beautiful ceramics in high-end galleries, Chris with his stunning photography, Shanna with her fashion designs now selling in Bond Street (darling) and countless others.
All these new ‘things’ out in the real world that might so easily never have been. They might have remained hobbies, if these brave people hadn’t left their corporate jobs.
I spoke to my friend Duncan the other day. He left corporate life earlier this year to retrain as a chef. He said he wanted a second career starting in his 50s. Sarra another friend just started back at university to start a two year masters. I had a session last week with a dad from my son’s football club who’s retraining to be a life coach.
People all around me are doing it. Leaving what they know to do really different things. Taking that second chance. And going all-in – with changes in profession and the new identities that go along with those changes.
It’s a chance to explore another side of ourselves. A chance few of us have – but one more of us could choose. Why not you?
In the podcast Katie describes having always wanted to write a book, but it didn’t look to be an option when she was in her corporate career. I’d say the same.
Sometimes, we have to move out of one life to experience another.
Not in all cases, I know. But a corporate career can be so all-consuming - the quiet periods don’t last long. Plus the benefits take the edge of the less good times. And because for most of us - it’s not awful.
And when something’s not awful – even if it’s not good – we can tolerate it for a long time. Longer than we really should.
The people above have said “Enough” in a loud voice. They’ve said “I’m not tolerating not awful any longer, I want something better for my life”. And what’s more, they have actually gone out and made it happen.
This week I’m coaching two new clients from two different corporates environments, both of whom have had enough.
They might be next year’s authors, ceramicists, consultants, coaches, fashion designers, butchers, bakers or candlestick-makers. Who knows?
But for now, I’m excited to hear their stories and to see if I can help them create new pathways that give them more meaning, more fulfilment, more fun – maybe even more money.
Take some time this week to think about three things:
1. What makes you think “I’ve had enough”?
2. What could a second chance, a new chapter, look like for you?
3. What might the outcome be – a new product, a new direction, a new way to feel?
Try to visualise that outcome. How does it make you feel?
It might be closer to grasp than you think. I’m pretty sure two years ago Katie didn’t expect to be hosting her own book launch.
Look out for the podcast!
If you would like to arrange a 20 minute free discovery call with me to talk about your escape options, you can use my calendly or just email me. From there we can work out a plan to help you build your Escape Plan.
Or you can try the Escape Plan Lite course I’ve built and work through some of the exercises yourself. Someone left some feedback this week saying “I love the thought provoking questions and structure of the course.”