I’ll never forget a conversation I had with my first boss a week after he told me I was to be made redundant.
I used to work as a housekeeper for a large country house in Dorset, and part of my payment was accommodation in a cottage in the grounds of the house.
So, when they told me they were moving out in three months' time, they knew I would effectively be homeless and jobless.
I was pretty upset at the time of hearing the news, especially being a 20-year-old single parent of 3 and 4 year-old-boys.
I knew my parents would have us all back with them if I really needed them to, but I didn't want to rely on them any more.
As luck would have it, a similar job opportunity came up in another country house in a neighbouring village.
I was offered the job there as soon as I applied, but it meant I’d have to work two jobs for three months.
It was just about possible with some flexibility on their part on my hours.
It didn’t bother me that I’d have to pull some long days and work seven days a week for three months, because it meant I could move straight into a new cottage and feel secure again.
I thought the new boss would be pleased as I’d solved the guilt he’d vocalised about having to let me go, but I was amazed when he pulled me in for a meeting and told me how infuriated he was with his “neighbour” that I’d been poached by them.
(I mean, I thought I was his closest neighbour, but I realised that day the aristocracy don’t count all the peasants and commoners who live between their stately piles!)
He said, “You can’t work seven days a week plus look after two children. You’ll be exhausted and too tired to do your duties here!”
I assured him it wouldn’t be a problem.
What he didn’t take into consideration was that peasants and commoners are clearly made of sterner stuff than stately-home dwellers!
I won’t lie - those three months were pretty exhausting being the sole cleaner of two huge houses, but I got through it without complaints from either my new boss or my old one.
I’m generally one of those people who’s prone to bite off slightly more than they can chew from time to time.
OK, I still chew, but I’m prone to a bit of indigestion.
I think many small business owners are like that.
It’s OK to do that for short periods of time, but it’s not a sustainable lifestyle.
In the Judgement Index - my go-to assessment for coaching clients - there are several indicators that give me warning if someone’s in danger of burning out.
If you’re interested in seeing if you have any needs you should consider in that area, then DM me to get on the waiting list for an assessment.
I have some appointments available early next month.