I read that if you see yourself living in abundance, you will attract it. However, no matter how hard tired, I just seemed to create more hurdles in my life. Perhaps it is because I am limited by my own thoughts. Or, it is my impatience that hinders the manifestation process.
We have been programmed to believe that only hard work and perseverance will help us achieve success, that success and status in this world are earned.
Throughout my working career, I always sought out the most lucrative opportunities. I spent days and weeks hunting down the best paid contracts. Ones that would earn me the most money with the least possible effort. Sometimes I got lucky and opportunities came my way. But there were times where weeks went by with no results. Unwilling to give into something below my expectation, I persisted and pushed forward in search of my good fortune. Eight years went by and each time, even when on the brink of despair, something always manifested in my life at the last moment.
What I realised is that I thrived in the uncertainty and it was predictability that damped my spirits. The times where I had no idea where the money would come from and whether we could afford school fees or mortgage, in some masochistic way made my life more exciting. I would wake up with a knotted stomach, hoping that one phone call would change the course of my unemployed life, and somehow, it always did.
Last year I made a decision to build a life from which I did not need a holiday and to focus my energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new. Things had to change, personally and professionally and that meant making some big decisions which ultimately lead to new opportunities.
In September 2019, I became a business owner of Driving Miss Daisy. Driving Miss Daisy is a companionship and transportation service for people who are struggling to get out and about. Contemplating for months on how, where and when to start a charity I came to a conclusion that although I liked setting unrealistic goals, such challenge would simply not be possible at this time of my life. This is when a franchise opportunity, recommended by Age UK came into my life. After learning about the business model and realising that losing money for the first months or maybe even years was inevitable, I was all in!
Some thought I was mad, that I had lost my common sense. However, I knew that for me to have a life of fulfillment and purpose meant taking a risk, as opportunities do not always come gift wrapped. Taking a risk and winning meant I would be happy. While taking a risk and losing, well, it would make me wise. It was a win-win situation.
Few months after the franchise was established, I attended a Success Summit in London. At this summit, I learned about digital marketing and how, by clicking the same keys on the keyboard but just in a different sequence, thousands people were making fortunes.
I then realised that having things under control meant that I was not going fast enough. Having a full-time job, a new franchise and 2 kids clearly did not ring any alarm bells. In a heartbeat, I opened my purse and maxed out my credit card to learn about digital future.
Starting an online business is not a quick buck scheme. I have never felt such a feeling of overwhelm and despair before. When nothing made sense and everything seemed senseless. But step by step, with support and guidance of dedicated coaches, support teams, community members and friends I managed to overcome a lot of the hurdles. When I look back now to where I started and where I am now, I am proud that I did not give up, as regret at doing so would be a lot harder to bear.
Having been a marketer and franchise owner for the WHOLE 4 months I came to the conclusion that my passion and purpose were to bridge digital marketing with spirituality. The Driving Miss Daisy franchise fitted this model as I could see the impact it was making on the lives of our clients. Starting a new business is not an easy task, especially since I had no prior experience in sales or marketing. It was not the hours spent on admin, keeping social profiles up to date, blogging, delivering leaflets, servicing clients that were challenging. The biggest struggle was to fill my mind with positive thoughts and create the changes in my life I wished to see.
Despite the financial challenges I faced, there was this familiar feeling of excitement. Without my cushy 6 figure salary contract (which I know quit), how could I afford marketing, pay salaries, not to mention school fees and mortgage? But I had this blind faith, the burn in my gut and just kept reaffirming ‘Universe always provides’. It always did!
I have met so many inspiring, honest and impactful people on this journey. I do now truly believe that it is not the destination that matters, it is what we learn and experience along the way.