If you read my posts then you’ve probably seen that I’ve closed my coaching books to new clients until July 2023.
This is because I was finding it tricky to juggle my part-time job, my growing coaching client list, and the demands of writing a book (plus I have these two children). In the end, something had to give.
I’m lucky because I absolutely love my part-time job. It’s in the careers service of a leading university, so very aligned with my business and, as I research and write my book, I’m finding more and more synergies between my job and where I want to take my business.
It wasn’t always like this though.
In the early days of changing career, I juggled studying and taking on my first clients, alongside my old career in professional services marketing. At that time, it just wasn’t viable financially for me to quit my day job, even though I was very unhappy.
My children were very young then and I had a commute into work. I would study or listen to podcasts related to my new career on the train. Lunch was something I’d usually work through so I could leave work on time for the day care pick up or the “second shift” at home. Then after the kids were in bed, back on the laptop. So, it continued.
Life isn’t very different now, but what has changed is that I absolutely love my business AND my job. However, sometimes I feel that it’s not sustainable. Hence why I made the decision I just made, to close my books.
A lot of the clients I work with are in similar situations and, with the rise of the gig economy, this way of working is becoming more and more common. If you’re thinking of combining your current career with studying, volunteering or entry level work towards a new career. Or even starting a side hustle then there are some things to consider:
- It’s going to be bloody hard work. You will have to be a time management ninja. Think carefully about when you have the most energy for work. For me, it’s early in the morning, so that’s when I write. You may have to outsource some tasks, like getting a cleaner.
- You’ll need to think carefully about your priorities, and this links back to time management. Your friends and family might feel they don’t see enough of you. There may be things that you have to give up, or cut back on, in the short term (Netflix, the pub and coffee catch ups were my top three).
- If your career change job/business is very different to your day job then the task switching may take a bit of getting used to and be energy draining at first. For example, if you’re looking at spreadsheets at a desk in your day job but then you’re leading a yoga session in your new career, the change in focus could be energy sapping However, you will probably find that this gives you a boost in the long-run. It could even be that having something you love outside of your day job keeps you going during tough times.
- Working in this way is often not sustainable in the long-term so be prepared to check-in with yourself and your plans and make adjustments when needed. This has been key to it all for me. I’ve switched things up constantly along the way. Be prepared to adapt.
- Communicate with others around you and build your support crew. Whether it’s other mums doing the juggle or joining networking groups. It goes without saying that you will have to get your significant other, if there is one, on board. Particularly if you may be dropping your income in the short-term or enlisting support around the house (which you should be doing anyway)
They say variety is the spice of life, and having two, or even three, jobs on the go can work very well for some people. It did for me and still does, with some adjustments here and there. But you need to take care of yourself.
Good luck with whatever it is you’re juggling.
Denny