During my career and business start-up journey, I have had many questions. Such as:

• Which path is the right one for me?
• How can I ensure that I’m successful in the future?
• Is it possible to be satisfied in my working life – while still having happy and healthy relationships with my children?

These questions are probably typical – for both women and men – for anyone who is driven in life.

Personally, as someone who always dreamed of a journalistic/communications career, I found myself stuck in a rut when my first job out of uni was a B2B telesales job – and I had no idea how I was going to get onto the path that I actually wanted. But somehow, from seeking internal opportunities to grow my skill set, I then moved onto an internal sales communications role where I worked on fact files, sales newsletters, and helped developed a sales intranet; skills that helped me to land my next job in a not-for-profit communications role. In the new role, I learnt further skills that lead to another job – marketing communications at a university. Then, in that job, I built more knowledge about marketing and social media, As a result, I ultimately built up the confidence to start Write Time Marketing!

As I like to tell those who have freshly-graduated from uni; never underestimate where you start out. Just keep looking for opportunities. For example, by starting out in B2B telesales, I learnt how to speak to various business people from Joe the Plumber to Jill the Accountant. I took pride in my sales communications with them and ensured that all of my emails were succinct and my conversations were professional. These days, I can speak to any type of client over the phone with confidence as the result of my experiences back then. So if you’re starting a business or thinking about it, remember all of the skills you have under your belt and use them to your advantage!

I guess what I’m saying is this: if you are thinking about starting your own business, have just started, or have been established in your business for a while, it’s always good to reflect back on your journey to where you are today. And if you have big goals for five or 10 years down the track – who says that they are not achievable? Once upon a time, you had to start somewhere upon graduating from high school or university. Why not treat your current position as though you are ready to start out again? Seek out opportunities and they will often fall upon your lap at the perfect time.

Don’t just let stuff happen and regret it later. Make the life you were meant to live!