Page 94 - Talane Miedaner - Coach Yourself to a New Career_ 7 Steps to Reinventing Your Professional Life (2010)

82 COACH YOURSELF TO A NEW CAREER

project was more than her total annual salary! That, Ali said, was a real
eye-opener: “I didn’t realize that you could make that much money as a
freelancer.” The prospect of having freedom and money appealed to her.
Plus, she said, her bosses didn’t seem especially brilliant, so she fig-
ured, “OK, if these knuckleheads can do this and turn over a million
dollars a year, then maybe I can do this on my own and at least make
enough just to live on by myself.”
She quit her job when an opportunity to work part-time as a free-
lancer for another firm appeared. This new flexible position was her
safety cushion—it covered the rent while she started her own business.

Talane interviews her client, Ali:

How did you start your career reinvention?
I had no clients, but I just couldn’t work for anyone else anymore.
I was terrified, but the excitement was greater. There was no reason
not to be scared, as I had no savings, but I thought about the worst
thing that could happen, and that would be to move back home and
live with my parents. I remember meeting a college friend for drinks
the day I quit my job. When I announced I had just quit that day,
her face blanched, and she asked, horrified, “But what will you do?” I
told her I was starting my own business. “But how can you do that?” I
had no idea really, but I didn’t let that stop me. I started my business
on two credit cards and had to pay for your coaching on credit.

Why did you hire a coach?
I had no one to talk to about what I was doing who would believe in
me, except for you. You were the catalyst that gave me the confidence
that I could do it. I had no voice in my life of someone who could
say, “You can do this.” I remember once I couldn’t withdraw $20 from
the ATM because my balance was $18.56. That was a real low point.
And there was one week that I was trying to learn QuickBooks and
had no money, and I had the thought, “I’m not smart enough to do
this: I must not be smart enough to have my own business. Maybe
I should go find a job.” But you pointed out that I didn’t need to do
the bookkeeping and persuaded me to hire a virtual assistant before