Blog10 - Losing my Purpose and ‘WHY.’

My career break application was accepted and in 4 weeks I could leave. Yippee, I was soon to be freeeeee...

I can't tell you how good that felt. Despite loving being a police officer for the first 8 years, I felt after a struggling 2 year period, it was time for a break.

I am not afraid of change, change is good under the right circumstances and implemented at the right time and then managed :-)

I submitted a career break application and thankfully it was granted, 5 years off, BUT I knew in my mind I wouldn't EVER want to return but a career break is a safety net until you make that leap.

Just before my career break was granted my Sergeant at the time tried to offer me advice, she could see that I was struggling, she knew I wasn't sleeping because she caught me a few times sleeping in the police car on night shifts, head tilted, mouth open kinda sleep! After telling me about her own struggles as a working 'single' parent she offered some advice that worked well for her when her kids were small...

"You could move to a bigger house and move in an au pair!"

I know at the time she was only trying to help, she meant well and we were friends so it was all good!! I am sure that worked well for her but there was no way I was going to move in some random au pair to bring up my child. Ultimately share my life, daughter and home with this person and someone I was going to have to pay for!

I am sure this works for thousands of families and is a cost effective childcare solution but that wasn't the answer for me, my issue wasn't just about childcare anymore, it was so much more than that.

*I felt depressed and exhausted from being a police officer

*I wanted more time with my daughter

*I wanted to live a 'normal' life (whatever that is!!)

*I wanted freedom

*I wanted to work under my own terms

*I NEVER wanted to work over Christmas again!

In 2013 I started a network marketing business, an industry I hadn’t heard of before and when asked by friends they would respond ‘oh yea, is that one of those pyramid schemes,’ again a term I wasn’t too familiar with.  

I was now working on my part-time business and my ‘why’ for working on this business was to get me out of the police so I could live under my own terms around my daughter. I had a strong ‘why’ but not much time, but I worked as and when I could and almost on a daily basis.

This is when I was first introduced to ‘mindset work.’ The importance of having a positive mindset to assist you in achieving your goals. I started reading motivational books, watching motivational YouTube clips, completed a vision board, attended training's and surrounded myself with like-minded individuals. It was a breath of fresh air and this motivational work is something I still believe in and something I actively work on every day. I still invest in myself and truly believe your mindset is what will get you there, action alone isn’t enough.

#MindsetEducation

My ‘why’ was powerful and my plan was to leave the police and concentrate on my business but what I found was when I left the Police, I lost my ‘why.’

My last shift felt great. We went for a celebratory drink and then I went home, taking this photo as a reminder of my last day.

Reality sets in!

The first 6 months felt like a long holiday, loved it, but reality soon hit. My ‘side’ business was sliding because I lost my ‘why,’ and money alone wasn’t enough to ignite it. I lost my passion for this business because I couldn’t find a new ‘why.’ I couldn’t find a reason strong enough to continue in this business industry.

I lost my purpose. I was a police officer for 10 years and when I left I really lost my purpose. What am I meant to do now!

I decided to work part-time, I started off working in schools as a cover supervisor, my purpose definitely wasn’t meant to be working with children in a school environment!

I was a good cover teacher because I ‘policed’ them and didn’t take any nonsense!

I then found a permanent part-time office job which was great. This brought in some income and helped me adjust to a normal working routine.

I speak to so many people who feel like they have ‘lost their purpose,’ lost their ‘why,’ and they don’t know how to ignite it again.

Sometimes it’s best to go back to basics and re-evaluate what makes you tick, that may also mean finding a job until you figure it out, don’t feel like a failure if you do have to.

+ What is going to make you get up every day with a spring in your step

+ What work excites you

+ How can you earn money doing what you LOVE

It wasn’t long into my career break when I decided to hand my notice in and leave the police for good. I always felt like I needed closure and wanted to move on once and for all, so I did and it worked. It helped me move on.

Sometimes one door closing opens several other doors with opportunities you never knew existed but certainly make you tick.

Do you currently feel lost and unsure of how to ‘Ignite your Purpose?’ If so, get in touch, I have loads more to share.

My purpose - Helping people to ignite their purpose, achieve their goals and live the life they deserve. This is what makes me tick!

By the way, I still use FLP products, love the company and business model and believe in the industry, it’s just, things change, people change…

In the end, everything will be ok, if it's not ok, it's not the end.