I had a real headspin moment recently.
For most of my working life, I was in admin and lower-level support roles. It was a conscious decision, allowing me to fit work in with the needs of my family, in a job that was close to home and only four days a week so I had some semblance of ‘work-life’ balance.
I might have been ‘only an admin’, but I took pride in my work and was good at it; I’d even relieved in higher duties officially for several months, before turning down the opportunity to do it full time. Who needed that sort of stress?!
Unofficially? I frequently did work that was far above my pay grade. I stepped up and filled the gap whenever there was a need. I’d been in the same organisation for years in various capacities. I’d also been in my section the longest, and was the one that other team members came to when they had questions or needed help.
Despite all that, I was ‘only the admin’.
As I sat tapping away at my PC, I often saw the Big Boys (and Gals) come into the manager’s office for meetings. Usually I was the one to greet them, and make the coffees. They were in a whole different league to this little black duck!
That was nearly ten years ago. I started working from home in October 2021 – it wasn’t a business at that stage, but I’ve come a long way since then, thanks to a LOT of hard work and the guidance of a great business coach! I might still be working from home but now I have a (virtual) team supporting me, I guess you could say I’m the boss – a new role for me!
The memories of my previous working life came flooding back to me recently when I visited a client’s office.
This time – *I* was the one greeted by the receptionist. *I* was the one ushered into the boss’s office, and politely asked if I would like a coffee or tea. As I sat down with two of the managers, it hit me. *I* was the Big Boy. The specialist. The expert. The managers had taken time out of their busy day to listen to my every word, and to ask my advice. What a headspin!
I still spend plenty of time tapping away at my PC.
But as the owner of a successful business and an expert at what I do – now I’m one of the Big Boys!
