There are things you cannot read your way to. Not because they are secret — but because they only reveal themselves when you are in the middle of them.
Here are six things I learned — or understood in a new way — during the first six months of By M Consulting.
1. The freedom is real — and demanding
No one tells you when to work, what to prioritize, or how to organize your day. That is wonderful. It is also harder than it sounds. Freedom requires structure — otherwise the important tends to be crowded out by the urgent.
2. Relationships are everything
Not networking in a transactional sense. But relationships are built on genuine interest, trust over time, and reciprocity. The assignments that have come have come from people who knew me — not from advertisements.
3. Uncertainty is not the same as instability
It is always uncertain what will happen next month. I got used to it. The uncertainty is not more uncomfortable than the uncertainty that exists even in a permanent position — it is just more visible.
4. The brand is me
What I say, how I conduct myself, what I write, how I handle difficult conversations — all of that is the brand. It concentrates in a completely different way when there is no organization to stand behind.
5. Competence is necessary but not sufficient
Man kan vara bra på det man gör och ändå misslyckas som konsult om man inte är tydlig med vad man erbjuder, vem man erbjuder det till och varför det spelar roll för dem.
6. Talking about yourself is also a craft
It feels strange at first. It eases. And when it is done with authenticity rather than effort — it lands.
If you have thoughts, questions, or simply want to talk something through — feel free to get in touch. I am happy to have an initial conversation with no agenda.
Right person. Right place. Everything changes.