Why are you not doing it already? Why are you waiting?

Looking back I have noticed that while working on a project or comfortable in a job we don’t look after our side hustle or the professional you. We are often too busy, too tired or afraid that what we post will breach some sort of company policy or go horribly wrong.

When we have to transition from full time to business owner/entrepreneur or to that next contract, there is a flurry of activity. The "flurry" always seems to follow the journey: Update CV, update LinkedIn, take professional photos, create a personal email address, design a logo and get a website.

It's not a bad place to start but it should not be the place you end. This journey should be continuous. If I had to talk to my younger self I would give them the following advice:

Start now:

Get your profiles on LinkedIn up to date (it does not mean that you are looking for work or new opportunities), it just means that you are getting prepared. Today's world has highlighted the fact that things can change so rapidly. By starting now you are creating that history.

Take good photographs that reflect you now (Recently I was in a zoom meeting and the photograph was a professional photo – it was beautifully done. Then we turned the cameras on and the person in front of me was not who was in the photo (I would not have recognised them). To me, the funny thing was my feelings of FRAUD! How do I trust you when you come in disguise?

Design your company logo now (go onto a site like Fiverr and get someone to put it together for you – it really does not have to be expensive and you learn what Fiverr is).

Choose your colours/theme now that reflects who you are (have fun and let the creativity start bubbling up).

Create a website or blog site now (even if you do not necessarily do anything with it). Choose a platform (at least one that is professionally recognised).

Create and post content, for some of us LinkedIn, Facebook etc are just to much trouble. It does not have to be, at the very least make sure that you one account and that you are posting something at least once a month (or hire me to do it for you). I see so often how this is ignored then the proverbial hits the fan and suddenly the community is rushed with posts. The most brilliant tool is scheduling – I schedule my posts in advance (then when I get tired or not creative at least my posts are still going out). I can definitely work with you in designing content and getting that first month up and running.

Keep adding contacts (new colleagues, people you meet at conferences, follow people who are the gurus in the industry

Develop your pitch – make sure that you can sell yourself in 30 seconds (if you can't explain it, how will they know to buy it). I recently had the most amazing opportunity to work with Sarah Bauling (www.sarahbauling.com.au). If you are not a natural salesperson this pitch specialist will work with you to create that perfect elevator pitch.

It is scary and time-consuming but worth it in the long run. In today's time, we have to learn to pivot and just get out there. So what are you waiting for?