Celebrating one year at my first “real” job (as my husband likes to call it) in 20 years, and it’s time for a recap. For all of my faithful blog readers – and I know there are thousands of you clamoring for another Beyond The Pickle blog post – I just couldn’t delete my blog off the planet simply because Megan Neher Public Relations went away. I’ve been writing periodic, rambling blog posts SINCE 2008 about a variety of topics – mostly work stuff and the occasional bee in my bonnet. So now when you go to MNPR.biz – pretty much all that’s left is the blog. We’ll see if I can ever let it go… (I might need to start a GoFundMe page to keep it alive…)
Since November 2022, I’ve been very happy in my new role at Heart to Heart International as Director of Marketing & Communications – and I’m not just saying that because someone from the organization may be reading this! I was ready for my next career challenge, and I’ve loved the change!
Top things I’ve learned in the first year of not being my own boss:
- It is no longer acceptable to simply walk from my bed to my computer and start working. I’ve never been more productive than when I worked from home for myself. I think it is a combination of the motivation of owning your own business (buck stops with you!) and my ability to hunker down and get my work done from home. My hybrid schedule is nice because I still get a couple of days a week WFH. There are definitely distractions in an office environment, but I’m working on how to deal with those. Anyone got some good tips? First things first – I absolutely need to revamp and update my business attire!
- I get to focus on the big picture now. I was a very tactical consultant – constantly doing! In my new role, I’m able to oversee the tactics but focus on the long-term goals to help define our strategy. I love this, and it’s so meaningful especially working for a humanitarian aid organization bringing healthcare to those in need throughout the world!
- Change makes life exciting! I’m someone who loves change. I know, I’m a weirdo! I think that’s why I love to move (really, just ask any friend who has tried to keep up with all of my address changes). I enjoy new places and despise going somewhere I’ve already been – especially on vacation. I can NOT order the same thing twice at a restaurant! I flourished as a consultant because my clients fluctuated, and no one day was ever the same. It was time for a big career change and as strange as it is to say: I appreciate the learning curve.
- I’m taking the dog for a lot of walks. When I leave the office, I leave the office! Unless it is by choice, I rarely have to work evenings or weekends. When you own your own business, you are always on the clock.
- From bookkeeper to technology repair woman to president to janitor. I hated wearing ALL of the hats. Managing the books, paying the taxes, creating the invoices, building strong client relationships, fixing my computer and oh yea… taking out the trash! In my new position, I can specialize and focus on what I’ve been trained to do – marketing and communications. I’m a lifelong learner, and I excel when I can put all of my attention into growing and strengthening in my craft.
- You get proper perks! Oh, how I’m basking in the glow of paid vacation days, professional development and even some frivolous perks like monthly staff breakfasts and daily cookies. Yes, I said DAILY cookies! 😊
- There’s no “I” in team. It’s such a pleasure to be a part of a in-house team. For many years, I made sure I had professional organizations, client teams and other groups to be a part of to combat my isolation. In my role today, I simply walk out of my office and have a built in support group of highly-qualified professionals to assist on any topic.
I will never understand the newish professional concept of “quiet quitting” or how to NOT be an over-achiever, but burnout is real and it takes a toll. I feel a real sense of balance and relief that I didn’t have with my old job. But I do miss my PJs sometimes…
