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Let me share with you my journey from being an actuary in the corporate world to becoming a successful consultant and business owner. I realized that I was not living my life as I wanted, despite my success on paper. I hope my story inspires you to step out of your comfort zone and make lemonade out of lemons.
For 25 years, I worked as an actuary, a job that provided me with financial stability but left me feeling trapped and unfulfilled. Even though I had achieved great success in my career, I was miserable. It was not until I was promoted to a global role doing HR workforce analytics that I faced my real lemon story. The role required me to work in an open office environment, surrounded by chaos, which was challenging for an analytical and introverted person like me.
Rather than succumbing to the chaos, I decided to turn it into an opportunity to reassess my life. I left the corporate world three and a half years ago to start my own business. I offered my services as a consultant, providing training, public speaking, masterminds, and meeting facilitation for small businesses and nonprofit leaders in their communities.
The journey was not easy. When I left my job, I was not sure if I was cut out for entrepreneurship. I struggled with self-promotion and branding. However, I took a chance and started building my business. Along the way, I realized that most of my life had been lived not intentionally aligned with who I truly was. I had made decisions based on what I thought others expected of me, not what felt authentic to me.
Through the process of going forward and backward, I gradually discovered who I truly am and what I want to achieve. I found my identity and purpose, and it has been essential in allowing me to create a business that resonates with who I am and who I want to help.
My journey taught me that finding clarity in knowing yourself is the key to success. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. Spend time reflecting on your passions, dreams, and values. Who do you want to be, and what do you want to achieve?
Clarity is the key to problem-solving, starting a business, and living a fulfilling life. When you know who you are, what you want, and where you want to go, the decisions become easier. You can align your actions with your goals, and success follows.
I’m not making as much money as I used to, but I’m never been happier with my work. As I become more authentic in my marketing and outreach efforts, I attract clients who are a better fit for me and my business. My journey shows that sometimes, the scariest decisions can lead to the most rewarding outcomes.
Living a life that’s true to yourself may sound utopian, but it’s possible. We live in a time when we have more options and opportunities to carve out the life we want. So why not take advantage of it?
In the end, I want to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, find your true self, and create a life that aligns with your authentic self. Don’t be afraid to make lemonade out of lemons. Sometimes, the scariest decisions can lead to the most rewarding outcomes. I hope my story inspires you to take the leap towards a fulfilling life.
About The Author
Steve Fredlund is The Safari Dude. As a professional actuary in human resources analytics, he uncovered surprising factors that enhance employee engagement, and work enjoyment; key elements for effectiveness, enhanced retention, productivity, and organizational success.
Minnesota to Rwanda, nonprofit to corporate, start-ups to Fortune 500 companies he brings to your event thirty years of leadership success. Steve’s personal safari mission is to help great leaders and their teams enjoy an epic safari by getting the right peeps in their jeeps and in the right seats.
