The Good, the Bad and the Annoying.

Before I decided to create a consulting business, I made a lot of assumptions. Luckily, most of them were correct. I had assumed that I would enjoy the challenge, that my mind would welcome the chance to learn and that I would experience a sense of fulfillment as I provided value. All that happened. I also assumed, because I am not delusional, that there would be less enjoyable aspects. After all, work is work and some days you just don't want to do it.

What I didn't consider was the unexpected downsides. After decades as a tenured employee, I underestimated how different the consulting role would feel. Before you decide to become a consultant, you need to suspend any expectations about how your inputs will be received. Now, in hindsight, it makes perfect sense. People inviting you to provide expertise have every right to disagree with you. In addition, as an outsider, you have no idea where your work falls in their list of priorities. None of it is personal but it can get in your head over time when emails go unanswered or if work outputs remain unreviewed. I began to doubt my ability to add value as an outsider. Did I only have superpowers when I was embedded in a work culture?

Gay Gaddis said, "When you shut down vulnerability, you shut down opportunity.” In my experience, it can be hard to embrace new vulnerability. I wasn't practiced in feeling minimized or ignored. It took me a while, and a lot of self-talk. Friends reminded me that the work, even if not reviewed, resulted in billable hours but I have now confirmed that I am not fulfilled by a paid invoice. Don't get me wrong, the money is a huge plus but it's not the reason I decided to become a consultant. I wanted to feel like I was doing something that created value. Luckily, once I navigated the downsides, I was also able to more clearly see the unexpected upsides

Engaging with passionate, smart people to create solutions is a fun job. As a consultant, I may occasionally feel frustrated, but I also look forward to interactions that expand my knowledge and skill set. I also enjoy the variety of challenges that come with each contract. Any reason to dive into learning makes me happy. Building on experience and acquiring new knowledge keeps my brain content.

I also like setting my own work schedule. I was pretty unpracticed at setting firm work boundaries as I had been a salaried employee for so long. I had to learn to use new muscles. Now that I finally have the hang of it, it's a pretty idyllic option for the semi-retired. If you are considering giving consulting a try, I encourage you to leave your expectations on your chaise lounge and dive in.