Hi Reader,

6 weeks ago, I walked away from a six-figure contract with a corporate client.

A big name, a big contract, guaranteed recurring revenue. On paper, exactly the kind of thing you don't walk away from.

But that’s only part of the story.

Because, I signed that contract at what was one of the hardest moments of my life. I was just coming out of what I now know was postpartum depression. I’m the sole income earner and was terrified about how we'd make ends meet.

So when this opportunity fell* into my lap, I couldn't say no. Again: big name, big contract, guaranteed revenue (at a time when I had none). It was a lifeline, and I'm genuinely grateful for it.

But somewhere along the way, it stopped being a lifeline and started being a cage.

Every month it took more and more time away from the part of my business I actually love, the part that brings me joy, the part that fills my soul. It was my version of golden handcuffs - just enough money that I couldn't justify leaving.

I actually tried! But they wanted to make it work, so I stayed. And everyday, I felt myself burning out just a liiittle more. I was miserable. I wasn't present with my family and found myself constantly stressed about what I owed that client and how to also keep growing the core part of my business.

Then my coach asked me a Final Push Question. (you know - the thing that finally pushes you over the edge?)

I was spiraling about money, the mortgage, daycare starting, health stuff for me and my husband, wanting to invest in my business, all these new expenses. And I told him I was scared to leave that stable, recurring revenue.

He stopped me and said: "Shouldn't you actually be more scared to stay?"

What I hadn't let myself see was that contract had capped me. I had no more hours left, making the max amount that arrangement would ever pay. For nine months I couldn't grow past it, because every hour was already spoken for.

The "safe" choice was actually keeping me stuck.

So I left.

And 6 weeks later, I've closed $130k in new contracts. I blew past the monthly ceiling I'd been stuck under for what felt like forever.

My husband said this weekend, “Where’s this energy coming from?!” I’m not constantly thinking about all the things I still need to do. I’m present again.

I’ve put my energy back into the work that fills my cup. And it turns out, the thing that fills my soul also fills my bank account.

The stability I was so afraid to lose was the very thing holding me back.

So here's what I keep thinking about, and maybe it's worth sitting with yourself: what "safe" thing are you holding onto that's capping you? Sometimes the scarier question isn't "can I afford to leave?" It's "what is staying actually costing me?"

Toodles,
Natasha

*Earlier I said the opportunity ‘fell’ into my lap, but it didn’t actually. I created it.

P.S. How’d I’d close this big corporate client AND close $130k in new contracts in the last six weeks?? Using the exact system I teach my clients. The one that's all about building real relationships, not chasing the next big logo or the algorithm or fancy funnels.

That system is the REALationship Growth Method. Want to your next opportunity to fall into your lap? Reply “LFG” for deets.

New here? Hi - I'm Natasha! I go on lots of LinkedIn tangents (and a few motherhood/entrepreneurial ones, too). My goal is to help make your experience on LinkedIn empowering AND profitable. Seriously. It's totally possible. Subscribe below! See you in your inbox! Subscribe! ​