Client Case Study Andi Fairbanks - When I Grow Up

Client Case Study Andi Fairbanks - When I Grow Up Um, do you know that Ive coached hundreds of women since I started offering dream career guidance in 2008? And that these women are freakin rock stars, leaving soul-sucking jobs and traveling the world and launching creative, grown-up businesses and simply doing work that fits their lifestyle goals? Well ya do now and youll hear their stories firsthand in my  Client Case Studies series!  Andi Fairbanks was one of my classmates in musical theater at NYU, and we worked together in 2009. We bartered coaching sessions for karate lessons back then! Shes the best. Why did you decide to work with a creative career coach? I found myself in a similar situation to Michelles before she made the switch to coaching. I was trying to be an actress, I had wonderful training, but I was spending more of my time working day jobs and feeling bad about myself for not making a living as an actress than actually working. I had a lot of anxiety and a lot of doubt that I could keep my spirits up for another 10 years of doing what I was doing. What were you doing work-wise when we started our sessions? I was teaching martial arts and doing some office work at the school and halfheartedly auditioning. What was your biggest takeaway from our work together? My favorite Michelle lesson was to do something every day that moves me forward towards my life/career goals. It could be reading for 10 minutes, it could be making a list, it could be taking a class just something that connects me to why Im doing all of the supporting non-dream work. Was there anything else you tried to do as a career between the time we stopped our program  and what you do for work now? If so, how did it inform your current career? I fall into the multipotentialite category, and I have done several thingsand Im still working on getting to that perfect fit. I see these stepping stones differently now, though: I have something to learn or an opportunity from each job Ive had. Ive had flexibility to train and coach runners. Ive gotten paid to write. Ive had my masters degree in adult education paid for. Ive had paid vacation time to use to connect with people I find inspiring while doing things that challenge me and move me forward. Not every second of the day is fulfilling and motivating, but every day has something to offer. What would you tell someone now that was in your shoes when we first started working together?  Whats your best tip to allow them to make a grown-up living doing what they love? Let your expectations ebb and flow. You might pick a direction and it might not be right for you, but the fact that youre opening yourself up to try is just one step closer to finding the right thing. Also, be open to there being many right things along the way. Sometimes you have to say yes to the money job and find ways to craft it. Ebb/Flow, Give/Take. Whats on the horizon for your career? I am currently preparing to take the tests I need to get my teaching certificate, and I am working with a frientor (Michelles note: I love Andis made-up word for friend mentor!)  of mine as a co-host on her monthly running podcast and as an ambassador for her online running program. Im envisioning a life in which I can continue to ebb and flow with family, educating/coaching, and using what I have come to appreciate as my ability to creatively support and promote ideas I love. Id like to write more, Id like to coach again, and Id like to play more at work these are all things Ill be looking for ways to do in the next 5 years. I have learned that I am not an entrepreneur, but I have a knack for being the bridge between the entrepreneur and the audience. Im a work in progress for life!   Wanna work with me one-on-one like Robin  did? Check out the details here.  There are just 2 spots left for an April start, and I opened up my consultation calendar to have free 30-min chats this month!