For years, I have learned ideas, training and knowledge on how to’s: how to sing, act, dance (this was awhile ago), do social media, build websites, write blogs, follow up leads, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera – as the King of Siam (Yul Brynner)

was known to say in the musical ‘The King and I‘ – basically skills for my job and business skills. The later not always fitting so comfortably in my personality.

I realised, I do not do 9 to 5 well – quite literally, I tend to feel a slow death when I work such a regulated life, so I came to accept this a long time ago. Since this acceptance any ‘outside’ entertainment jobs have avoided the ‘normal’ office environment, as I just do not thrive there. This is not to say I have never worked in an office – for years when I first arrived in the UK – I worked as a temp. I am very grateful for the skills I learned and that I know it is an environment I can do well in – skill wise that is, but does nothing to feed my soul.

I know some of you may be groaning with that last one, as you have managed to get past this, I just tend to get physically ill, not all of us are as tough as the ones who manage to make 9 to 5 work for them.

I have been lucky, I managed to do an 18 month business support course (Profitnet) (got the certificate and everything!), where I gained valuable skills and tools. Since then I have continued to do ‘top up’s on various business skills workshops – most recently on negotiation.

Best way to do this, I have found is through the Federation of Entertainment Unions. They offer free – yes that is correct – free workshops, with some that have minimal costs, for those who are part of Equity and other entertainment unions.

Also, my local council has offers on low or free workshops for people like myself, so the help is out there, just have to go out and find it.

Now, where is all this heading? Well, with all this training and knowledge you would think I would be brilliant at making things happen for myself, but despite all of this knowledge, when it comes to selling me and doing the hard core cold calls, I find I do not get very far. I can do this for others, but for me, I find it difficult.

So, once again, I am looking to hire an arts administrative assistant – my first attempt at contacting a local college which had a course in this ended up with 2 possible candidates – one unsuitable and the other got another job – ho hum! I can not say why it is so hard to come to terms with this side of myself – maybe it is because I feel I ‘should’ be good at this, seeing as I know what to do, how to do it and have done it for others. I do not really know.

It has been tough for me to even get to the point of looking again – seems a bit decadent from my humble position in life, but I will never know until I try. So… fingers crossed, my new part-time (very part-time for now) assistant will be found, will work out and I will finally see the other side of the hole I have dug myself into and get out and thrive in the profession I love.

See ya on the other side!

The photo is me in my Cardinal Outfit – find out more, how to hire me for your next event on the website! (never hurts to put a little plug in)

What sort of plugs do you use? Share below!