Career change - time to open a blank page?
The newsletter that starts with a question
It’s been a while crocodiles! Thanks for sticking around for a new issue of my newsletter that explores career change through asking questions and sharing stories. The theme here is opening a blank page, which is what I’m doing here and I know it can feel really vulnerable. But I also know it can be a really exciting place to explore when you’ve lost your sense of direction. You might think what if I have nothing to write or create? But it’s amazing what can happen in that space!
How can you create space to explore ideas, opportunities, and your imagination?
We often think we have one or two options/solutions to things, but actually there are many more that we just can’t see! Sometimes we need to step outside of our current circumstances to experience a different view, and to open our minds to other possibilities. I often feel that sensation when I step out of the Hope Valley and walk up on to the hilltops. Being up there expands my view for miles, and it gets me away from the everyday stuff that clouds my mind.
I’ll leave that question with you, and if you’d like to share what you discover then please email me sarah@sarahventurer.com. There will be a new question in the next issue, so please subscribe to join in.
“I’m still struggling with workaholism”
This was a very eventful day recording an interview with Rachael Shaw, which included a walk, a trailrun, and a wildswim. Isn’t it amazing how summer can give you so much energy, even on a blistering hot day?! I’ve received really positive feedback about this episode of my podcast About The Adventure. I think a lot of people can relate to the topics she talks about, which include getting totally burned out with work stress and not knowing how to get out of the habit of working too much.
It’s been out for a while, so you might have listened to this one already. At the time of recording, Rachael was a self-employed Business Consultant. Since then, she has paused her consultancy work and started a part-time job at Mind, a mental healthy charity. Mind is an organisation where she was keeping an eye on roles for around 5 years and this felt like the right place, right time, and right role for her. She felt that running a consultancy was too much too soon.
During the interview, Rachael shares the personal experiences that led towards her career change, how working with a coach helped, why running has an important role in her life, what things have changed since she left her full-time job and what she still struggles with, and how she enjoys spending time in nature.
Read more in the blog post below, or tune in right away!
What’s been happening at About The Adventure HQ?
I’ve been working on a few things that you may have already seen if you follow me on social media. Here’s a little summary of what I’ve been up to!
I’ve started a new podcast project in collaboration with The Northern Project and supported by the Peak District National Park. I am interviewing guests about why they love Kinder Scout, what makes the landscape special and unique to them, and how their personal experiences relate to a sense of connection. You can find out more on my blog and the links to listen.
I’m still working towards my Hill & Moorland Leader assessment which I recently postponed because I caught a cold. It will have to be next year now, so I’ll be heading out with my map, compass and torch as much as possible this winter.
I’ve taken on some additional freelance work including managing the Sheffield Digital Mentoring scheme, delivering short courses on topics such as “moving beyond fear”, and some other mentoring work with the Sheffield Creative Guild. Luckily this can all fit around my coaching work.
I went to the Lake District for a few days and enjoyed walking up some mountains, including Great Gable which was incredibly beautiful!
Would you like to share what you’ve been up to? I’d love to hear about your creative projects, new ideas, and your adventures of course! Email sarah@sarahventurer.com
Featured coaching session
It’s very exciting here in Edale at the moment because when I step outside I’m not quite sure whether I’m going to get caught in a hailstorm, blown about on the hilltops, or sink my boots into thick snow. The whole lot in short succession is indeed possible! So, heading out there means being prepared.
I always plan coaching sessions according to the forecast and provide a kitlist, even if it’s just a short session. That’s why my hill and moorland training on the Mountain Training scheme is so important. If you haven’t got all the gear, don’t worry because I carry extras!
Here’s an idea I’ve been thinking about for a while! A sunrise or sunset coaching session. At the moment sunrise is at about 8am and sunset about 3:45pm, so it works out pretty well! That’s if you don’t mind an early start for the sunrise of course. Although I can’t promise snow, or a clear sky, it’s still great to be up in the hills at that time.
And if you don’t have a headtorch then no worries there because I have a spare one that you can borrow. Just this morning I went for a sunrise run and it made such a positive impact on my day. I actually met someone else up there to my surprise and we enjoyed some sunrise chat as we stood in the fresh cold air. It feels like a real adventure when you head out in the dark, and before you know it the light emerges.
Good idea? I’m going to add it to my website soon, but if you’re interested then just send a message to sarah@sarahventurer.com
Coming up…
There’s already another podcast episode ready, an interview with Karen Weir who changed career from working as a management consultant in London to becoming a personal trainer, and a running and triathlon coach. Find out more in this blog post.
I’m planning to record an interview with Jon Hyde next, who I’ve known since I was a kid. He has recently moved to Sheffield and we’ve met up a couple of time for walks together. I’m going to ask him about why he started designing and crafting leather goods, and what it’s been like moving his small business to a new city.
In addition to the career change stories featured on my podcast, I’m thinking about inviting people to be interviewed who have been in a particular career for a long period of time and who really enjoy their work. I think this would provide really valuable insight into work that feels meaningful and enjoyable in different ways. What do you think?
Gift a coaching session
A couple of people have recently asked me if they can buy a coaching session as a gift, so I’m now offering to create e-vouchers which you can email or print out. These can be online or outdoors, and booked at any time without any expiry date.
These can of course be personalised, and there’s no set rate so you can decide how much you spend. As always, I offer discounted rates for people who can’t afford my coaching sessions. Just email sarah@sarahventurer to enquire.
Thank you so much for reading my newsletter - I’m really glad that I opened up the blank page and shared this with you! Are you going to open your own blank page now? What can you imagine for yourself?