I have arms now!

@Bloc Shop

I've been wanting to gain some muscles on my upper body just doing bouldering and finally, oh my god, I'm finally starting to see some results. Look at my arms :D

Self-employment

A few months ago, I was offered a controller position at a well-known clothing company that I will not name. Although it had it's brighter days, the company actually went bankrupt two years ago. Without going into details, the environment was just not for me. It was very old-school and slow. Despite signs of recovery, today's economy remains uncertain. I'm not going to lie, it's hard finding a job. So, I accepted the offer even though it was very far from meeting my expectations salary-wise. I figured I could do it for the experience.

One week later, I left. Yes, I did. I made them an invoice and asked them to write me a check before I go. I was so frustrated. Again, I will not go into details, but basically, they promised me to give me the salary I expected in three months, which I know they will not because I have more money in my bank account than they do. So needless to say that they will not be able to pay me later.

...but that gave me an idea. Why don't I work for myself? Why don't I go find clients, and help them with their finances and accounting?

I actually considered this while I was still employed, but I didn't really think I had enough experience. Luckily, I worked in audit and have seen different industries, met all kinds of people and have learned to be versatile...which is one of the most important qualities for someone who wants to work for their own. Someone once said to me, the winner of a triathlon is not the swimming expert, the cycling expert or the running expert...it's the one that is not an expert but knows a bit of everything.

At the beginning of my venture, my plan was to look for a normal full-time job while I try to find clients on the side. A few weeks later, a firm where I used to work at saw my website and contacted me. They needed someone to help them out with a mandate. Without hesitation, I accepted of course. I worked there a few days a week while I kept on looking. From there, the ball just started rolling...

After a few weeks, I was still working on the mandate at the accounting firm, and found a new client. That client had 2 companies and needed someone to be take over the accounting department. The person that was there before me left on bad terms and they needed someone to put the pieces back together. It was challenging, but because I was an auditor, I was able to easily find the missing pieces of information. I came up with new ideas and new tools to save time and money for the company, and it really motivated me and I loved it. Also, financially, I will never be able to make this salary if I were a regular employee. I wondered, why don't I just do this instead of looking for a real job?

I used to like structure, until I realized that structure is a false sense of security...because you can get fired at anytime anyways. Now, I do different things everyday, and it forces me out of my bubble, because I have to go out and meet people. I've had one client who made me do 20 push-ups once, no joke. I get to choose my schedule, I don't ask for permission, and I feel valued. There are also many disadvantages, like risks...which I don't really consider it as a disadvantage.

A few months of self-employment thought me some things...It's very important to maintain a good network, but not necessarily a large one. I was able to make it because there were great people that wanted to help me, and I'm so thankful for that. Those people referred clients to me because they trusted me. It's also very important to always be yourself. There are tons of other people who do the same thing, but you are not those people. You are you, and you have to be the best of yourself, and people can sense that and they will remember you. Your business is based on you and only you.

So, this is what I've been doing. Sometimes, I can work up to 7 days a week. Even when I'm not working, I'm looking for clients. I cannot go on vacation, I don't know when I will be able to find my next client, I don't know if I can do this long-term, I don't know if I will give this up for a big-name company's offer. I really don't know. There's still a debate in my head but for now, I'm just going with the flow.

It's really hard to jump into this when you have a stable job and a stable life, but I had nothing. I just feel like this was meant to be. Like I always said, I'm someone who believes in all things that are meant to be. Sometimes, life will send you signs but if you're too obsessed over something else, you will miss it and you will wonder, why you're so unhappy. Overall...I feel so lucky and blessed, and I don't know what I've done to deserve this!