July 23, 2010 I wrote my first post on my Facebook page for Promise Consulting Group. I had been at Vistaprint for about a year, and had gotten my “free website for life”, which I proudly secured with www.promiseconsultinggroup.com. June 10 of this year was my last day at a “full-time job”. 6 years ago, the seed was planted. 1 month ago, it became real. It’s amazing how you can never plan for the unexpected. When I first created PCG, I had no idea what was in store.

That’s the good side of change. The challenging side is, well…never knowing. Clients can shift at a moment’s notice. Business can be booming and you have all these expectations of continued success and pride at how well things are going. Then, just like that, you get notice from a client. Now that’s expected – that’s how consulting works. But when you’re just starting out, you don’t remember that. This is what can make or break you. This is the point when you have to be tenacious and be creative, and search far and wide. Usually it’s just 1 that you need. Being in business development for many years, I know it’s a game of numbers. The more people you contact, the higher the likelihood you will secure a new client.

Also, this is why it’s important to diversify. This is true with anything in life. Some people think having a “real job” is more stable, but what happens when there’s layoffs and it’s your only source of income? Having multiple clients means you’re never losing everything all at once. It’s one piece here, one piece there, and you just need to be diligent and humble.

I share this post because it’s important to remember that not everything is as glamorous as it seems. It’s very easy to look at someone’s life, or job, or whatever it may be and envy it. Don’t. You are where you are for a reason. Focus on making your life the best it can be and everything else will fall into place.

Quoting Mae West, “I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it.”