The Best Advice I Was Never Given

And I wish I had learned this sooner …

I worked in a multinational business for over 20 years, and I gave it my all. I was all in:

• I worked crazy hours
• I worked like I owned the business
• I delivered great results
• I always took on more work
• I mentored and coached people

I was completely absorbed by my corporate career. I was fooled by the illusion of security thinking that my loyalty would be rewarded.

And it was … until it wasn’t.

The business restructured. I recognised that I was no longer fulfilled. So, I left. I left without having anything to go to. I had no plan B, no back up and no idea what I would do next. I was starting from zero.

I had so immersed and submerged myself in my career, that I had little, or nothing, left to give to anything else. I gave too much without fully calculating long-term risks.

I was reminded of this during a recent conversation with an ex-colleague. He had prepared himself much better than I had. He had his back-up plan in place long before he needed it which allowed him up to make different choices. He said to me:

“What every employed person should realise is that they work for someone else, and the company will always come first. You should always give your very best .. but don’t give everything”.

Don’t give everything to a career that can disintegrate at any time.

Instead, diversify your portfolio. Pursue other passions. Build a life that can continue after you leave your corporate career, whether you leave by choice, by outplacement or retirement.

Be all in to give your best to yourself. You are the business you should focus on. Don’t be afraid to dream big — and create your beautiful, inspiring and rewarding life.

Time is fleeting … what will you do?

Sally Egerton is a consultant, coach and writer with +20 years corporate experience and a passion for empowering and enabling performance and growth in people and businesses

"It is doesn't terrify me, it's not the right step to take"