Climbing the Mountain

[Deleted User]

Hi Misty,

Great positive post.

Shame that the appeal didn't work but good on you for not giving in.

Xx

MistyMountainTop

Thank you bob and purple!

I think I am at my best when faced with a difficult challenge, when life is comfortable I am far less likely to get off my bottom to really try and change things.

Asking for work was a bit scary but now that I have 9-10 jobs under my belt I'm much more confident and can put on my "I'm a professional" act. It's kickstarted the motivation and I'm hoping I can find a way to keep it going rather than stagnating or disappearing altogether as it has done in the past.

3 more jobs this week and then a bit of a rest after Sunday. I'm going to use the rest period to research places that may want my service, and then actually go out and ask for the job face to face.

[Deleted User]

Well done you!

Keep it up.

Dxxx

Bobarella

Go for it! He who dares!

MistyMountainTop

Thank you Bob and Dolly! I am a bit surprised at how many places I've approached have hired me on the spot, around 40% at the moment and I've already had repeat work from two places. I know it may not always be this easy but the returns I am getting for having plucked up just a little courage amaze me.

If it is truly a numbers game, then even if I am only hired by 10% of the people I contact, I just need to keep building a list and make it a goal to contact say 5-10 new places every day. I am researching places that already use services similar to mine, if it's something they want or need then it will raise my chances of being hired. I need to be a bit more organised with paperwork and receipts, etc., and I could really use a proper little office space, I'm trying to think where I could put a little desk in our tiny house. I'm registered for self-employment now too so do feel like I am actually doing this rather than just talking about it.

My goal is to have enough regular work in 12-18 months to quit my p/t job, I just need to keep doing good work and keep up the motivation to approach new potential clients. It feels weird to say that, as if doing it full time is an actual possibility and not some daydream. :T

[Deleted User]

You go girl! Fantastic news.

Things are definiately on the up xx

MistyMountainTop

Thanks purple! With the jobs I've already done and the couple more to finish up over the next two weeks, I will have earned more than I do from my p/t job. I don't yet have many bookings for June, but if I keep up the contacting 5-10 new places each day Monday thru Friday, I'm sure I can keep them coming in. When I started this I told myself that I would quit the p/t job when my income from the sideline continually matched it for at least 6 months, but now with the big benefits drop, nearly every penny I earn from both sources will need to go towards basic living expenses. My new goal is to quit the p/t job once I'm earning double from the sideline.

The cheap equip has showed me up a little, it is more frustrating to work with and does not give as good of a result so I need to take more time to set everything up and go a bit more slowly. I'm sure I will get used to it and need to start being a bit more grateful that I have it and am back in action rather than being resentful that it is harder to work with than the nicer equip that I sold.

The house is looking tidier, I'm slowly going through things and selling what I can. My weight is still the same so I'm going to concentrate on walking a little faster each day and making sure I'm getting my 5-10 fruit/veg, I've been very neglectful since I've been so busy and am starting to feel run down again. I'm tired most of the time and must remember to take it easy so I don't have another setback. If the fruit/veg doesn't make a difference after a few weeks, I may book an appt with the Dr to make sure there isn't an underlying problem.

I'm still feeling very positive, the sunshine has helped and everyday when I'm on my walk, I am so grateful to be able to enjoy it. I've been taking much more of an interest in the wild flowers and birds, it's fun to see what has changed every day. I saw a moorhen chick yesterday, it was so small and cute, with it's tiny red beak! I was already in a good mood but that little babs put a big spring in my step.

[Deleted User]

That is a good idea to plan ahead & only stop the P/T work when you are earning double.

That might get to that level quicker than you think!

Aw how cute, I need to google it to see what a moorhen chick is!

Dxxx

[Deleted User]

Sounds like things are going in the right direction hun adn I like your plan to stop the part time work once the other builds up.

I love it when the sun's out, it just seems to make everything that little bit better.

ETA - Do you take multivitamins? They may help if you're feeling run down? definitely a good idea to go see the dtr too.

MistyMountainTop

Thanks dolly and purple, I haven't been taking any vits but have some here so will start again. I was iron deficient a while back, my symptoms would tie right into that, especially as I haven't been eating enough leafy greens and rarely eat meat now. I've started making smoothies in the morning stuffed with raw spinach, oranges, pears, berries, etc. It tastes lovely and is my 5 a day right there, anything else I can get in for lunch and dinner is a bonus. I'll still go to the Dr in a few weeks if I don't feel better.

I have been deliberately staying off the internet for most of the day/evenings. Although it's a wonderful tool, I can easily waste too many hours following one link or another. At the moment it feels good to be focused on "real life" and I've been able to get a lot done. I still need to be online for the side business but an hour in the morning and another in the late afternoon is more than enough. It's amazing how much less stress I feel by concentrating on one thing at a time, and talking to people face to face. It has taken me back to the "old days" when the kids were little and the internet didn't exist for most people.