Consulting Life – The Work You Don’t See

There’s the work you invoice for.

And then there’s the actual work.

As an independent consultant, I’m realising more and more how much of the job happens behind the scenes:

🧠 Designing detailed proposals that never get a reply

🧾 Writing delivery outlines weeks before a project is confirmed

📅 Spending hours in prep that may never be used

💬 Following up, checking in, reconnecting - with no immediate return

It’s like pushing your bike uphill. It’s steep, it’s hot, it’s hard work. But that’s how you get the best views...

Hard yards. And I wouldn’t trade it – on the bike or off.

What it means is that when the work does come, I’m ready.

It’s not always easy. Some days, you wonder if the effort was worth it.

But I remind myself: this is the job now.

And for all the invisible work I do for clients - there’s plenty they do too.

That’s why I try to meet people where they are.

To understand the pressure that they’re under.

To keep things human.

Because relationships, like consulting, are a long game. And the work you don’t see?

That’s often the work that matters most.