Helen attended our ‘One Step Beyond’ Full Day workshop in April 2007. She was extremely unhappy with her management job with the local council and her work life balance and it was clearly affecting her whole outlook on life. Her role was also under the threat of redundancy due to restructuring but Helen could not see a way forward so came to our 'One Step Beyond ' Full Day Workshop to help find inspiration and focus.

 It became obvious to all of us at the workshop that Helen had many skills which she could utilise to her benefit and that maybe self employment might be a good option, which could also help her achieve her work-life balance goals. Helen did not have the confidence or belief that she could possibly run her own business.

In fact, the very thought of starting her own business frightened her so much that she came up with every reason 'why not to'!

The rest is history and her story is an inspiration to us all. This is her email she sent to us a few weeks after attending our 'One Step Beyond' Full Day Workshop:

"After the workshop I spent some time thinking through the outcomes of the day, talking with family and friends. The workshop had clarified that I was really a round peg in a square hole with the council and that I was actually relieved to be being made redundant !
 
I came up with some options, talked them through with family and friends and started making enquiries while waiting for the council to sort out when I would be made redundant"

 "The council suddenly decided that it would try to redeploy me to another role and redundancy would only happen if the redeployment failed! The new role was definitely not for me but under council policy since I had the requisite skills I would be expected to take the position.

At that point I decided that enough was enough -  since redundancy seemed unlikely and the amount I would be entitled to receive was minimal  - I resigned. 

I have considered a number of options and am down to 2 to start with - firstly I am going to set up my own soft furnishings business - curtains, cushions etc and along side this I am starting a City & Guilds in Soft Furnishings so I have a formal qualification in the 'trade'. 

Secondly I am going to study an OU course for 10 months.  In the meantime thoughts and ideas of horticultural options are in reserve for now until I see how these ventures go, but if a plant nursery comes up for sale in the local area......who knows!"
 
So, in summary, your workshop.....

• Helped me to realise that I had not been happy in my job for a while and that me and the council 'were not suited'
  
• Gave me the confidence to realise that there were other options I could take up, could enjoy doing and do so without compromising my family
  
• Gave me the confidence to take control and walk away from the council
  
• Helped me realise that I could use my interests to take me forward to doing something I enjoy
  
• Helped me realise that I didn't have to do 'just one thing' and could have a 'portfolio career'
  
• Has given me back an enthusiasm for what I want to do and a belief that I can do it
  
• Since I resigned my friends comment that I 'seem much happier and back to my old self'. I had not realised how badly the job had affected me over the last 6 months!
   
  So..... THANK YOU and I will keep you posted!
   
  Helen O'Dell