Have you everthought about how amazing it would be not to have to wake up Monday morning and look forward to another 8-10 hours of working for someone else?Do you ever see people in your organization virtually do the same thing as you, but work independently as acontractor?Iwant to empower you to overcome the fears of staying in the comfortable clutches ofbeing an employee, and confidently make the leap to the IT contracting world.I know what it is like to go into work day in, day out, with a sense of security only as strong as the next re-org.I know whats like to loathe doing menial tasks because what started as a fresh and inspiring job turned into little more than a gloried babysitting gig.I am here as living proof that it doesnt take anyone especially talented, brainy, or extra-special to go into business for themselves as an independent IT contractor or freelancer. There is way that you can use your current expertise, and have a whole lot more control over your own time and career. Each lesson is designed to give you practical, tried and true ways to build your confidence, do the right things to make that leap of faith into the self-employed world, control your owncareer! Leave the competition in the dust. My StoryI was walking home from the office one day in the dead of winter. I had just read Rich Dad Poor Dad. I had a sense of futility about myself. I was working forthe best company in my field: Oracle Corporation. Still I was unfulfilled.I had no control over my life. I remember joining Oracle on aWednesday. By Friday,I was on a plane to Toronto, for induction training. Then by the following Monday, I was on my way to my first project in California. For thenext year and half, every Sunday afternoon, I flew toUS. Every Friday, I left the office at 3, to catch a flight back to Edmonton, getting home past midnight. By Sunday, repeat the cycle all over again. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. Hey,I knew this going in. When you sign up for Oracle, or any consulting company for that matter, you sign up for 100% travel. It was fun at the beginning. But eventually, you start to schedule your life months in advance. Talk about killing time. Then I gotmarried. That first year of marriage, we saw each other 24 times (twice a month). Some honeymoon period. The flying became too time-consuming to come back every week, so I chose to come back every other weekend instead. Before I knew it, I had this alternate single life in California, and a married life in Edmonton. You cant build a sound future that way. Time is the most precious resource, and it is absolutely non-renewable. The Leap of FaithThen I discovered a way to take control of my life again.I made the decision to leave consulting. For good. I was going to stay with my husband, teach fitness, and build a mom/baby wellness company. After all, who would want to hire a consultantwho wanted to work on her own terms? I was scared. How was I going to pay the mortgage? How were we going to live? I was still the main breadwinner, as my husband was still in design school. I had no plan, and no idea how I was going to make ends meet after my savings ran out. On myvery last day, I sat with the CTO and just threw it out there. Hey look, I want to build this wellness company, and I cant do it working full-time and travelling. So. Im leaving consulting. Do keep in touch though if there is anything that I can help you with in the future, do please let me know. In a matter of weeks of severing all tiesfrom the consulting industry, that client called me, and asked if I could give them some support. Inside I was overjoyed! Calmly, I said I cant do it full time. Im building my wellness company. I canttravel anymore, and I certainly didnt want to steal clients from Oracle. But after a little more back and forth, we agreed upon a part time arrangement. remote from Canada. Thatwas something I could never do as an employee for any company. The chinese have a saying Leiu fan ying, meaning youre so eager that you spit out your rice mid-chew and nod excitedly. That was me. That was my first contract. For the next few years, I supported my client remotely from Canada, with occasional trips onsite, as required. Not all PeachyIt hasnt always been easy. In 2009, I again chose to leave the consulting industry, in favour of helping my husband build his finance practice. But its interesting to work with your spouse. Or, in our case, disastrous. Honestly, I really envy couples who can do it and still stay married. My husband and I just have two opposing working styles. The practice was failing. Our relationship was rocky.I dove into a depressive dark place in my life. Then, as I wasjust about to fall asleepone night, my eyes suddenly snapped open. Something had to give. I couldnt go on like this.I had to give myself a mindshift bootcamp.I thought of what Steve Jobs said when he talked about death. Death Is Very Likely The Best Single Invention Of Life. It Is Lifes Change Agent. Your time is limited, so dont waste it living someone elses life. Dont
