If you want to work from anywhere in the world, this post is for you!
This picture is of me, on the 24th of August 2016. It was a Wednesday at 13:41. It was about a month after I arrived in Dubai. My husband, Jaco was at the office, I had a gym session followed by a tanning session. This was pre-kids, so it was a quiet afternoon.
I remember this day, because this is when I really started to realise I want to have my own business. I had a taste of freedom. The freedom that allows you to do what you want when you want it. The freedom to start questioning everything you've been told about working for a stable income and taking the safe road. Having the audacity to want to live life on my own terms.
I was still pushing myself to look for a job. But in my heart of hearts I knew that I wanted to start my own thing.
It was around this time that I started doing some freelance marketing work for people I met during golf events. I slowly entered into the world of business. Business lunch meetings in the Marina, drinks at the golf course and so on. In my heart I knew that I was done selling my valuable time to an employer who pays me to sit at a desk. (and technically I only work 2 hours but I have to sit there because they say so)
Now, looking back at the path I followed, I'm proud of what I have done. I proud of backing myself and having the courage to stick with you.
This was my path, and hopefully this can work for you.
Start with:
1. Where you are
I met people at events, golf games and social settings. What I didn’t realise at that time was, every time I opened my mouth I was marketing myself. I was pitching what I did and what I could "help" them with. People don't really care about you. They care about how you make them feel and what you can do for them. Knowing this now I would have been more strategic, but at the time I was just doing what I knew, and what felt right.
2. Who you know
This is how we moved to Dubai. Jaco reached out to an old colleague and was informed about an available position at his previous company. He applied and got the job. The people I freelanced for in Dubai was people I met at golf games. The lecturing job I got the year after was from an old colleague I worked with.
Never burn old bridges. You never know how you will be able to help them or they you. My first long term client was someone I met for coffee and helped for free, she then turned client. People do business with people they like and trust. Start with the people you like and trust.
3. Lowest hanging fruit
Start with the easiest wins. Things you like to do, things you know how to do. Things people around you want you to help them with. If you are a master as keeping your kids entertained at home with amazing activities (Yes, you Sallie in Dubai) Start with helping your friends plan 7 days at home activities for their kids. Test the waters, start creating offers by seeing what the people around you are struggling with.
4. One step at a time
Don't feel overwhelmed by everything you don't know or the larger picture.
Start with an idea of where you can see yourself and then take the next step that feels right. Your job is to focus on the next step. Nothing more, nothing less.
Start by building blocks, one on top of the other. Before you know it you will have a house, beautiful and build. Start with your friend, with one idea, and commit to do 1 small thing that takes you in the right direction.
5. Do what feels right
Follow the path of least resistance. Do what you can feel is right. You will know. If you are thinking "but Lindi I don't know" Start with something small.
Try this. Hold 2 fruits in your hand. Let's say it is an orange and apple. Ask yourself which you want to eat. Your first thought is right, go with that. You need to learn how to do what your heart and intuition is telling you. That is normally the first thought before your mind enters the game and starts bringing logic into it. "Yes but if you eat the apple then there won't be any for the kids and they like apples, so I should rather eat the orange." No, go with the apple. Teach your brain to follow your heart and learn to listen to yourself and what you want.
6. You have to always start with the end in mind.
You want a job based on a passion that you love, then you can't start with stuff you hate. You want to have a business that gives you freedom of time, you can't start by working 9-5 never working on your own business and not allowing yourself time for holiday. You have start the business today (it might be on the side first, but that is ok) just START!
If you want a business that fits in with your life, you do it by deciding what life you want and create the business around that. Not the other way around. If you want to have more time for you family, spend time with them NOW. One day they will be all grown up and you won't be able to get that time back. Make sure to bet on yourself, because I know you can do this!