Taking the next BIG step...

"Just try new things. Don't be afraid. Step out of your comfort zones and soar, all right?"

Michelle Obama

Hey! This is the first blog post to feature on my new website Alex In Colour, welcome, thanks for being here! My first post is about why you’re here, taking the next big step, why I did it, and what it means. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I have writing it! Here it goes…

It can get really easy to be stuck in a rut, plod along and just keep keeping on. But there came a time recently when I just had to do me. That time was me handing in my notice as an Executive Assistant at a global Advertising Agency. I had been working as a PA and matured into an EA for the past 6 years, and I finally reached a point where it was time to take a leap and try going alone as an influencer. I have always had a very clear head when it comes to doing what I want, my papa always says "never do anything in life you don't want to do", and I have always stuck by this mantra, it might not always be so easy to just not do something, but majority of the time we do have a choice, and I have made mine, and I couldn't be happier. 

That moment you go to tell your boss you're leaving is so petrifying, especially if you have a good relationship with them, and as a Personal Assistant you usually do, you know so much about someone and work so closely with them and even their family that they become a part of your every day life and you theirs. There really is never going to be a right time or a best time to quit your day job and go full steam ahead on what it is you truly want in life, but life is about taking risks, and without taking them we never know what's ahead or what we could end up becoming and achieving. 

Maybe you just need one more thing to happen for you to think that it's the icing on top of the cake and you're going to do this and smash it, or maybe you're financially not ready, that's OK too you know, there really is no rush when it comes to taking the next big step, it's about when it feels right for you, and if it's realistic. I have worked tirelessly over the last year in a full time job where the role can be very demanding and have you arranging a flight at an ungodly hour from across the Atlantic Ocean, or making sure the dog has been booked into kennels for your boss' family holiday, whilst also working on my own journey as an influencer, it's not easy I tell you that, but I have heaps of drive and motivation (I'll sprinkle some your way) and throughout all the nights and the 7 day working weeks (yes, being an influencer is work), it is finally looking like it's going to be the best choice I ever made. No more PA'ing for other people and making sure they are where they are meant to be at a certain time and being the go to for everything and anything (I mean anything) although being an organised freak is definitely going to stay with me for eternity and put it this way I will never miss a meeting, Outlook and I are basically joined at the hip!

We are all on a completely different journey, yours is unique to you and you might want to work where you are for the next 10 years, if you're happy in that role then good for you, seriously, it's great if you are because so many people are unhappy and do nothing about it, but life is far too short to be stuck in the same place, hating life. If you want a change then only you can do that, only you have what it takes to make something happen for yourself. 

Do you remember having that friend (maybe you still do) that used to moan about her relationship with her boyfriend constantly but would always just stay with him because it's easier or whatever (yeah, you know the one I am talking about) and you gave her countless hours of advice for her to just take him back and it all be dandy for another 5 minutes until the next problem... Well it's the same thing now, I can tell you to go and do something that sets your heart on fire and makes you want to get up in the morning, but only you can really do anything about it, it's down to you to make a sacrifice, but moaning about it really won't ever help. Do you need more money where you're at? (We all do surely), well you're not going to get a pay rise unless you show you are capable and then ask for one.. things don't just come to us (well some lucky b******s it does haha), but not for the majority of us, you have to work for something, and you have to look after numero uno. In the words of Beyonce "me, myself and I, it's all I've got.." and she's right. You have to do you. If it means moving half way across the world, because that's a burning desire you have then do it, what is there to lose? I know it's a lot easier said than done but honestly nothing is impossible, it's all very much doable it's just getting the ball rolling and taking the next step however big or small it might be, if it's something that is significant to you, then do it. If it plays on your mind and you constantly find yourself day dreaming about it, then you need to do it.

Don't hold back. Just take a moment, write down a pros and cons list (your pros will most definitely outweigh your cons), and then concoct a plan of action. Write it all down, it will be easier to manage all your thoughts, questions and even worries when making a life changing decision. 

I think taking a risk will only pay off if you truly believe in yourself and your ambitions, it’s like a force around you that drives that determination to make you work even harder than before (especially now that I am working for myself) to push the boundaries and jump through hoops and face new (slightly scary) challenges. Nothing in life is easy (we surely all know that by now) but if it was, it wouldn’t be as fun would it? I love working for something and then looking back at what I accomplished, it gives you a sense of pride, right?

Don’t get me wrong there have been times during my full time employment as an EA as well as juggling being an influencer that I have said to myself, “OMG I cannot do this”, but those thoughts are natural, because like I said, life is not easy! These days are not that often really, and are always turned around quickly, usually when one of my followers leaves a really heartfelt comment on a post of mine (thank you) or recently I have been asked to give advice to a few of you on getting into the creative industries and wondering how I got my foot in the door. It’s messages and questions like these that remind me I am doing the best job ever, and if that’s spreading knowledge on my career to date, or talking to someone who is not feeling very positive at the moment, or sharing my hairy waxing regime on Instagram stories (hope you saw that, if not you have no idea what I am on about), then that’s what drives me forward, and makes me love doing what I am now doing full time, NOW, on my own!

I have made a life changing decision and I am definitely not looking back, it's only forwards for me from here on out. And I can’t tell you how excited that makes me feel. And if anyone does want advice on careers (I don’t claim to be a career adviser just so you know), or just wants to pick my brain on something, I do have an abundance of experience and knowledge waiting for you to do just that!

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to see you here again soon,

Alex x