How to Quit and Stay Out Of Your 9 to 5 with Christine McAlister (BMM EP012)
Dec 09, 2023
"Allow yourself to dream boldly and be honest about your desires. What do you truly want in your career and life?"
Ever catch yourself daydreaming about swapping your 9 to 5 grind for something more freeing and passion-filled? If so, this one's especially for you!
In this podcast episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Christine McAlister, a gem of a business and success coach. We dove into the mindset shifts and practical steps needed to say goodbye to the traditional rat race and hello to a life driven by passion and purpose. Here are some golden nuggets from our conversation that I think you'll find incredibly valuable:
- Mindset Magic: From "I Can't Afford It" to "How Can I Afford It?"
Christine and I couldn't stress this enough: the words we use shape our reality. If you're stuck thinking, "I can't afford it," you're closing off possibilities. Instead, ask yourself, "How can I make this happen?" Open-ended questions invite creative solutions and opportunities. Trust me, shifting this little piece of your vocabulary can work wonders.
- Dream Big and Be Honest: What Do You Really Want?
Christine's advice? "Cut 'can't' and 'I don't know' from your vocabulary." These words are like putting up roadblocks on your path to success. Allow yourself to dream boldly and be honest about your desires. What do you truly want in your career and life? Write it down, say it out loud, put it on your vision board—make it real!
- Invest in Yourself: It's Priceless
Suzanne shared an eye-opening example about paying for concert tickets in installments. If you're willing to do that for a night out, why not “meta-concert” (yep, I coined that one) your personal and professional growth? Think about investing in a coach or a course as a ticket to the best performance of your life—where YOU are the star!
- Strategize and Simplify: Focus Like a Laser Beam
Christine emphasizes the importance of simplifying your approach. Instead of juggling all the strategies, focus on one main strategy that aligns with your goals. Dedicate just an hour a day to this—tailored to fit around your busy life—and you’ll start seeing real traction. Bye-bye overwhelm, hello clarity!
- Pricing with Confidence: Know Your Worth
One of the roadblocks many of us face is undercharging because we're stuck in our 9 to 5 mindset. Here's a tip for pricing your offers: calculate your hourly rate from your job, multiply the hours for the service, and double that amount. You are worth it, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
- Build Relationships: Focus on Connections Over Perfection
Both Christine and Suzanne highlighted that one of the keys to successful business-building is relationship-building. Forget spending hours on perfect Canva designs; instead, focus on building genuine connections with potential clients. The return on that investment is priceless.
- Consistency is Queen: Keep Going, Keep Growing
We also tackled the myth of overnight success. Spoiler alert—it almost never happens! Consistency and persistence are your best friends on this journey. Don't be discouraged by the slow days; keep showing up, and the results will follow.
For those of you fired up and ready to take the leap, Christine has an incredible resource to help you get started: a detailed guide on how to go from 9 to 5 to fully self-employed. You can snag this gem at lifewithpassion.com/seize. And, if you’re looking for personalized coaching, pop over to my website for some fantastic opportunities.
Ready to turn those dreams into deeds? I believe in you and can’t wait to see what you accomplish!
Cheers to passion, persistence, and the perfect margarita! 🍹
OTHER RESOURCES
ABOUT SUZANNE PROKSA, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, HHP
I'm Suzanne Proksa. A SHRM-SCP and SPHR certified Human Resources and Business Strategist, IAWP Certified Wellness Coach, AADP certified Holistic Health Practitioner, fierce supporter of women, and autoimmune educator + advocate. My focus is supporting, coaching, and creating programs for women, people-focused organizations, and online businesses so they can positively impact their own lives and those of others.
In my time as an online strategist, I've helped thousands of women gain confidence, establish clarity in their businesses, get visible and drive audience growth, create simple strategies and automation to grow their businesses, crush their tech challenges, and start making sales. During my time in HR, I have launched and led multiple initiatives to enrich and improve company culture and the employee experience. I've had my hands in business nearly my entire life starting when I was a kid selling my creations in my neighborhood. My business Bliss Candles was a Featured Seller on Etsy, featured in the book “How to Make Money on Etsy,” and a community favorite - and also a trailblazer in online marketing for small business.
My work has been published and featured in the Huffington Post, Medium, Thrive Global, the Amazing Women of Influence Summit, and on my beloved podcasts.
I've been honored with nominations for the MISHRM Human Resources Lifetime Achievement Award, the HR Unite! Inspire Award, and the HR Unite! TA Trailblazer Award.
When I'm not loving on my business or being the best HR leader I can be -- I'm lifting up people however I can, strength training, studying all things women's health, geeking out over technology, attending networking events, and working/living in the beautiful oasis I've built at home.
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