Why I’m interested in time.
Let me take you back to a particular moment in time that changed the trajectory of my life…
The phone ringing downstairs woke me up. I glanced over to my alarm clock – it was after midnight. No-one answered it.
My dad’s mobile started ringing shortly after.
I knew straight away why it was ringing... mum had died.
I was 19 years old when my mum passed away; she had ovarian cancer.
Losing my mum as a teenager is very much part of my story and what led me to be the person I am today.
I was mid-way through my pharmacy degree when I lost my mum. All of a sudden not only did I have my university classes to attend, exams to study for plus my part-time job as a lifeguard, but now I had a household to manage too - meals to cook for the family, laundry to wash and a home to clean.
My dad hired me a life coach, and some of the first areas that we tackled were how to prioritise my to-do-list and manage my time.
Organisation and planning became an integral part of my identity, and I wholeheartedly believe that it has been these skills that have allowed me to flourish both professionally and personally.
I knew that retail pharmacy wasn’t for me, and so after my degree I went on to complete a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences with a view of working in the industry instead. I niched into project management, leveraging my strengths in organisation. In my most recent employment with a global pharmaceutical firm, I climbed the ladder to Senior Director of Program Management, responsible for project management teams across Europe and the US.
During this time I got married, I had two children (my son is now 13 and my daughter 11)... I also got divorced (I did not expect to be a single parent at 30 years old with two children under 3!).
As a single parent, managing my time well became even more crucial.
“Turkey Bolognese” I shouted.
“We don't all need to know your lunch order, Sarah” my boss replied.
It seemed that my mobile phone had come off mute just as I was shouting out to my kids what we were having for dinner that evening. I had the phone in one hand and a wooden spoon in the other, as I frantically tried to multi-task my corporate work call with the States, making dinner for myself & the children as well as helping with their homework at the same time.
Over time, I began to resent my work and was disliking what it had done to my home life.
And then the Covid pandemic struck. What a huge wake-up call that was for me.
All my work travel ceased, and I was forced to stay at home as I was in the shielding category due to medication that I take for Crohn’s Disease.
Work was still crazy busy, but I was safe at home and had more free time than ever before. I used it well, investing in my personal development and I hired another life coach.
My coach challenged my thinking and encouraged me to dream big.
I knew that there was more to life than my current existence.
It’s perhaps unsurprising that I’m acutely aware of the limited time that we have.
At the age I am now, my mum only had 10 years left.
If these were my last 10 years, how would I want to be spending them?
Our time is precious, we won’t ever get it back…
In 2021, I made the decision to leave my employment.
Nowadays I work as a conscious time management coach and mindfulness practitioner, helping small business owners get more time for the things that really matter.
I’m super grateful that I had the courage to take the leap, and I’m excited to be able to share my wisdom and learnings with others through individual coaching, group programmes and workshops.
My signature programme, Project Manage Your Life, is opening soon for enrolment. Click the image below to join the waitlist and get priority access when the doors open.
