David turns disaster to opportunity

Five months ago,I was working in a senior position for a large DIY company. I had been working for them for nine years and was becoming more and more swamped by the way it was taking over my life. I never seemed to be able to live the life I wanted. I was constantly at work and never at home.

I had an excellent work record during the nine years I had spent there, was proud of having gained promotion and I had never had one day off sick.

Disaster strikes …

Then, one day an incident happened which equally involved other members of the management team and disciplinary procedures followed on everyone. The results soon appeared and I was in disbelief at what I was hearing. I was demoted whilst my colleagues merely had warnings. I wasn’t even ultimately responsible for what had happened.

I was horrified. The decision was the wrong one. I was not guilty and believed it wholeheartedly,as didan abundance of colleagues, friends and relations.

For me to go back to work into a lesser position was going to damage my self esteem beyond repair. I believed in myself so much that I simply could not allow myself to do it. My morale, however had taken a serious beating. My self confidence had taken a nasty blow, but I knew I could not go back to work in that position.

I desperately wanted to move on but I didn’t know how.

Turning it Around

Fortunately, being a member of the Fiona Harrold website gave me the idea to contact Sue Clarke.

Since I made that decision, it has been the best thing I ever did. I can’t tell you enough how good it was to talk to somebody who really knew what I was going through. She is such a great listener and has been a tower of strength in guiding me through to where I am now.

After I made the decision not to return to work, what was I going to do? How could I make a living and keep paying the mortgage? I had some really scary thoughts and I was terrified. It felt like I was in a huge void and I just couldn’t see a way out of it.

Sue quickly got to work on my case and guided me through this void with a host of ideas for me to pursue. After a few weeks of trial and error, we came to the conclusionthat I shoulduse the skills and knowledge that I had gained over the years. I have horticultural qualificationsbut the creative side of me had long since disappeared in the job I was doing.

Guided by Sue, I set to spreading the word around that I was available to anyone who wanted a ‘garden makeover’. Friends and family loved it as they saw their gardens quickly being transformed.

Then I got my first client from a leaflet drop I did – and she was over the moon with what Idid for her.

A new Life

Now, I am gaining a whole network of customers, my creative side has been reborn and my confidence levels restored. I am even starting to specialise in garden design for barn conversions. There are plenty of them up here in Yorkshire!

The worries over how will I pay the bills never needed to have been there. I am now making a living out of something for which I have a passion and, unlike my old job,that makes it a pleasure to get up in the mornings. I can also work the hours that suit me.

I HAVE A NEW LIFE!

I have resigned from my job and concluded that it is their loss and not mine, and whilst reinventing other peoples gardens, I certainly have reinvented myself!

Thank you Sue…you’ve been brilliant.

David Shaw

Contact David
If you would like a garden makeover or a new garden design – talk to David! He works in the Yorkshire area and you can contact him by through his website.