The main thing is that I am a Badass. As a Dyslexic business owner doing a Level 7 (masters level) course was always going to be a stretch.
If you told 15 year old me, short, blonde, glasses. Always being told to focus more, try harder, well she would definitely not believed you.
Growing up I was the “pretty one” of my sisters, good with people, able to read a room and tune into emotion. My sisters however were super academic getting A’s in everything, and super pretty as well for the record!
I was told in my final year by my headteacher I was more likely to end up in prison than university. Well, I proved him wrong!
Believing I could achieve this was impossible. I was not smart enough to study. I would never pass! It would be too hard.
So why study?
I remember being a trainer in an Insurance Company. Everyone around me was qualified or getting qualified. The person whose jobs I wanted in 5 years had certain qualifications.
So my logical brain said – That is what I need.
My husband had done a degree in Veterinary Nursing. He said he would help me. So I went on a journey to find a provider. And make a start on this critical step forward.
Once the Level 5 degree started, it was better than I thought. I got more support, better results, and I was seen in a better light at work.
I finished my course in the November. And got made redundant in the January.
The first contract I applied for, required a degree in Learning and Development. And I had one and I got the job!
So why do a level 7?
Once the degree was done, I felt way more capable of studying. Knowing it was possible. So I decided after 1 year in business to start my level 7. With the promise of becoming a lecturer once I was done.
That’s a funny prospect now, because hindsight is wonderful. But humour me!
At the point of starting, I had an idea of what my business had to look like. I had an idea for who I had to be successful. And once I shattered that idea (thanks to bereavements, losing a huge contract, and shifting my business focus – read more about that here) I was considering stopping my level 7 completely because it was “no longer relevant.”
But I decide to carry on, it is not like me to stop something partway through, even if it isn’t exactly what I was expecting. So I thought I will stick this out and get it done. But it ended up being so important for my business, just not in the way I expected!
So what did I learn?
I can do hard things
This was a big learning for me. As someone that hadn’t pushed outside my comfort zone, even though I had achieved a lot, it had always been easy logical steps. So stepping up into something that made me nervous and pushed my comfort was great.
In business it is important that we know we can do hard things. These are the things make the most difference, they position you as the leader. Being willing to go first is inspiring to your audience.
I am sh*t hot at prioritising
Running a business and completing a Level 7 was challenging at times. But after a bumpy start to my level 7 I had a shift in perspective as to what was important (we had 4 bereavements in my immediate family in the year I started). So having to balance both of these big time commitments while not burning out was a great learning.
Knowing what was most important at the moment, setting clear expectations, and making sure I stuck to them. The use of my bullet journal was vital and this is now something I teach in my 12-week group coaching program – Blueprint to Business!
Self-care truly is the most important thing
When I started this journey, I was set on getting a distinction. Regardless of the impact on my life or wellbeing. You see I felt like I had something to prove. Having dyslexia, being told it was impossible for to even achieve, let alone thrive in this area. But as I progressed I realised I was looking at the journey all wrong! This wasn’t about the mark I got, this was about the learning, the growth, me coming out as a better more rounded person.
So I took the pressure off, I started enjoying the process. And the shift was amazing.
I then took this into my business, what if I stop giving myself pressure targets, and set goals that are about enjoyment. Well the shift was amazing. I hit my first 5 figure launch (Making £14,077.50) and my focus was on how much I enjoyed the process. Showing up in a way that felt good, helping the right customers and not feeling stressed.
Want to know more?
I am always aware that I can’t keep you in my blog forever! As much as that would be amazing. But if you want more, I have a treat for you. I have released my 7 Secrets to Business Success eBook. This will give you the 7 things I WISH I knew sooner in business to get to 5 figure launches. Check it out and drop me an email as to which is your favourite! Mine is number 7, but my client Stacey loved number 3 best! So I would love to hear yours!