Desperate and lost

Question

Hi everyone!! After 10 years working for the same boss I quit. I started been a nanny with them and ended up managing three different businesses they owned. I enjoyed the huge challenge I was offered but forgot about my own life, my family. I realized, I was missing a lot of moments with my kids and husband taking care of someone else's business, and not getting paid enough for all the work I was doing. I decided to quit, from a day to another. Now, I'm enjoying my house, kids,husband,cooking, been a full time mom. But I need to work to help my husband. I will like to do something totally different. I consider myself a type of person who is very optimistic on starting over from the bottom. Any suggestions???? Thanks in advance for taking the time to read me!!!?

Audrey Nickel · Answer

Others have already given you good advice regarding starting a new career. I just want to say a word about work-life balance, which is clearly very important to you. If/when you find a company with a job you're interested in, take the time to research the company and see what current/former employees have to say on that subject. Some companies are definitely better in this way than others. There's a 'reviews' section here, and another option is Glassdoor. You don't want to take a job you think you'll love only to find that you have the same problems there that you had with your former employer!

Flossy · Answer

Take the time to write down what you liked to do, what you are good at (can be different than like), and what you didn’t like to do about your past role.  Make sure to look at things like being creative, analyzing data, organizing .. then look at the good and like list and see what you can do with that.  If you have a good relationship with your previous employer you can always make a proposal to only do a limited role with specific # of hours and specific duties.  Or find another business / family that would be happy to have you.

Make sure to speak with your cpa about setting up a business if you doing project work or 1099 and get the right insurance and business set up LLC etc

Lynne Cogan · Answer

What are your interests, talents, skills? Are there any causes that you especially care about? How much time do you want to devote to this? Do you want a job, self-employment or business ownership? Or do you prefer to work on a project, such as writing a book or developing online courses?

Emily Phelan · Answer

What about some sort of event planning? If you were managing 3 businesses, it sounds like you can handle having many balls in the air. Whatever you choose, best of luck!

Jeanne Fredrick Bennett · Answer

https://www.hillarybennett.com/  Hillary can help you figure out what the next best step is for you!

Jane Switchenko · Answer

Wow, anonymous...you sure have developed a lot of 'soft skills' at the least, and perhaps even greater, marketable, hard skills over the past 10 years!  These days, it seems having a degree, in addition to experience, is necessary if you want to advance in a career, unless you decide to build your own business.  Even then, official credentials are generally required.  I would look into finding part-time work, while pursuing a degree/creating a business plan.  Think hard about which aspects of your work you enjoyed and were good at:  Accounting?  Organizing?  P.R.?  Childcare?  Maintenance?  Sales?   Pursue from there!

Dr. Ginny A. Baro · Answer

Given that you have grown accustomed  to the independence, I suggest you look into becoming a virtual assistant from home. You can support entrepreneurs who need different services from your home and work for different people and create your own hours. This could be a very lucrative career that allows you the flexibility and proximity to your family.  Virtual assistants can charge anywhere from $30-$40 an hour. As a secondary income, it can provide a significant contribution to the family budget. Once you decide, claim it on your LinkedIn profile and begin to reach out to people who have businesses (Perhaps women) that need the support and can’t afford to have a full-time person.  If you want free resources for the behavioral profiles like DISC and Myers-Briggs, I have the resources for free in my website. Here it is. www.executivebound.com/resources

Teresa DLC · Answer

Read What Color is your Parachute. It will guide you to your perfect career. I used it to take my GED and a smattering of college courses and turn it into a six figure income. Doing what you love makes work effortless.

LEANNE TOBIAS · Answer

Anonymous, I think that leaving your former employers is a self-empowering step’!   Kudos.

So, next: You have many talents. How do you want to shine?   Decide what you want,  get your references in order (can be clients, colleagues, and suppliers— not just former employers), and assemble your resume and your pitch.

I agree that your highest priorities for you and your family should determine your direction.

You’ve done a fine job for others— now put yourself and your family first. The sky’s the limit!

Katie Henderson Ladyboss752675 · Answer

Hi Anonymous, any changes in your status or decisions about what to do? (I know it's only been a week but when you post something with a title like 'Desperate and Lost' we get concerned.)

Desperate and lost

You're invited.

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