It's Never Too Late. But Then Again, Don't Wait.
Conflicting messages, same outcome: happiness, autonomy, focus... with a healthy dose of nerves.
Here's what I've learned since starting my own business in January (whoosh, there went six months!) I've had countless conversations with others making similar leaps. Some just starting out, others years into their journey.
I keep meeting two distinct types of 'indie':
The "I finally took the plunge" type - that's me. I climbed that corporate ladder like a good Gen X-er. Focused on delivery, chased performance reviews and decent bonuses, all while getting out of bed got harder each morning.
Sound familiar? Enjoy the weekends, the holidays, those precious moments with loved ones - because Monday morning always comes. Or more likely, Sunday night arrives with that familiar ritual of "just flicking through emails to get ahead."
The promise? Knuckle down for another 10-15 years until pension kicks in, then finally enjoy life. Assuming your knees still work.
Then there's the "I don't want to waste my life" type - I met one today, and his energy was infectious. A decade out of university, he'd spent time at a large, well-known corporate. But here's what caught his attention: everyone he met after they'd left had a smile he'd never seen during their time "in the mothership."
What struck me wasn't regret about my own path - I wouldn't change my journey. But what courage, what clarity, what opportunity - to build an independent life from your thirties rather than your fifties.
Where Are You Right Now?
Does this resonate? I'm curious where you find yourself:
Sick of the grind and the hamster wheel?
Watching that friend who's semi-retired with a mix of admiration and envy?
Feeling trapped, unable to see how to create something different?
Here's the thing - working independently might not be your answer. Maybe it's a new company, a different industry, finally starting that degree you've been talking about for years. Whatever your "I wish I could..." dream is, it can become reality.
I love the decision I've made. I'm slowly building something, and in the current climate, it's challenging. But most days I start with a smile (post-coffee - my wife gets the un-caffeinated version of Mark, and she's patient about it).
I work with people at all career levels and stages. What's universal? They all want change. My job is helping them achieve it.
What Happens When You Don't Wait?
In this reflection, I've shared two paths I've witnessed. Both lead to the same destination - just different starting points. The question isn't whether you're too late or too early.
The question is: what are you waiting for?
If you're navigating your own career transition or wondering how to make that leap, let's talk. You can message me on LinkedIn or get in touch here.
Don't wait.
