There are four good reasons to become a consultant and plenty of very bad reasons. The key is knowing what your primary motivation is and align your actions and strategies to match.
Between the previous article on timing and this one about North Star(s) you're onto something.
Truth to be told, I started consulting by accident and it shows: most people would think it was hard at the beginning and then it became easier over time.
It didn't: I benefited from entering the consulting market in a period of frenzy, and when that waned off (last two years) things became more difficult – and a lot of experienced and "accidental" consultants are learning this the hard way, not only the newcomers.
I'm not sure those North Stars should be considered as mutually exclusive though: I treat them as cardinal directions of sort, you weave through them as you go along learning a bit more about yourself and the business, instead of choosing one and sticking to it.
Income maximization could come as a temporary opportunity and not being something you can do at your exclusively because you want it badly, whereas building a business might be something that you constantly underestimate or even ignore at your own risk (that's me, for example).
You might have lots of freedom and discover that you don't know what to do with too much of it and as for making an impact, well, I've found people have a very subjective definition of whatever "impact" means for them.
I know you mean independent consultant when asking 'how did you become a consultant?'
But like Davide mentioned in the previous comment, there are "accidents". Even happy ones.
I became a consultant when I worked with one that really impressed me. We became good friends.
When he wanted to retire early he recommended me as his replacement in the company. Win-win.
I became a consultant because I wanted professional growth (learn more and more often of the things I liked), work on cool project and implement cool new tech , and sure, make more money.
I became a consultant in a consulting firm.
And that style of operation stayed with me. In my boutique digital marketing agency I use a consultant approach, not a sales an approach.
I do independent consulting now, but it didn't start like that.
Different paths to the same road.
However it happens for people, I loved this:
"Pursue Your North Star Unapologetically.
Whatever you select, make sure you align your actions do it and pursue it in good conscience."
Between the previous article on timing and this one about North Star(s) you're onto something.
Truth to be told, I started consulting by accident and it shows: most people would think it was hard at the beginning and then it became easier over time.
It didn't: I benefited from entering the consulting market in a period of frenzy, and when that waned off (last two years) things became more difficult – and a lot of experienced and "accidental" consultants are learning this the hard way, not only the newcomers.
I'm not sure those North Stars should be considered as mutually exclusive though: I treat them as cardinal directions of sort, you weave through them as you go along learning a bit more about yourself and the business, instead of choosing one and sticking to it.
Income maximization could come as a temporary opportunity and not being something you can do at your exclusively because you want it badly, whereas building a business might be something that you constantly underestimate or even ignore at your own risk (that's me, for example).
You might have lots of freedom and discover that you don't know what to do with too much of it and as for making an impact, well, I've found people have a very subjective definition of whatever "impact" means for them.
I think a lot of people start after a layoff or drift into it by dumb luck.
Success certainly isn't linear - I've found it comes and goes over time.
I definitely agree that a lot of consultants right now realise just how difficult it is - especially if your marketing isn't strong.
I'd say treat the north star framework in whatever way works best for you :-)
I know you mean independent consultant when asking 'how did you become a consultant?'
But like Davide mentioned in the previous comment, there are "accidents". Even happy ones.
I became a consultant when I worked with one that really impressed me. We became good friends.
When he wanted to retire early he recommended me as his replacement in the company. Win-win.
I became a consultant because I wanted professional growth (learn more and more often of the things I liked), work on cool project and implement cool new tech , and sure, make more money.
I became a consultant in a consulting firm.
And that style of operation stayed with me. In my boutique digital marketing agency I use a consultant approach, not a sales an approach.
I do independent consulting now, but it didn't start like that.
Different paths to the same road.
However it happens for people, I loved this:
"Pursue Your North Star Unapologetically.
Whatever you select, make sure you align your actions do it and pursue it in good conscience."
Thanks Richard.
I really love this comment so much - thanks so much for sharing Ramos!