Today I am thrilled to share an interview with someone who is incredibly special to me… my husband! Paul (or Mr K as he will be known on this blog!) has just taken a massive leap of faith, quitting his stable, sensible career in civil engineering to come and work with me at Do What You Love! He will be writing a regular column here on DWYL giving ‘the guy’s view’, but first I wanted you to get to know a little more about him…
Paul describes himself as “a newly married man in his mid thirties who, after years of coasting and watching life pass him by, has finally woken up!“
1. How are you leading a life ‘doing what you love’?
An interesting question! Ask me again in a year, as I am only in my first month on the job at Do What You Love! However what I am sure of is that is that after quitting my career of 12 years I have now given myself an opportunity to do what I love. I certainly feel as if I am on the right path to find fulfillment, pride and happiness in my work. At this moment in time I am fully focused and enjoying helping secure the future for my family.
2. What did you do before this?
I spent my childhood growing up all over the world, as my father worked overseas. I went to 12 different schools in Hong Kong, Iraq, Trinidad & Tobago, the Seychelles and beyond, before coming back to the UK for my GCSEs. Having spent so many years away, I then studied Civil Engineering and Construction Management at Leeds University and settled in Leeds where I have been ever since. I have spent the past 12 years building a career as a Civil Engineer.
3. What was you a-ha moment that pushed you to change your passion in life?
I don’t think there has been a particular a-ha or eureka moment, but there have been a couple of key episodes in my life which have subsequently prompted big decisions.
The first episode was when Beth (Founder of Do What You Love) walked into my life six years ago. Up to that point I had been cruising around in second gear, just doing enough. Watching and supporting Beth’s career changes, particularly the creation and building of Do What You Love, provided me with a reminder about what life should be about.
The second episode was when Beth and I took a sabbatical and lived in Kyoto (Japan) for six months last year. This ‘time out’ allowed me to readdress who I was and what I wanted.
Taking tea in a Japanese garden in Kyoto during my sabbatical there
4. How did you make it happen?
Once I had made my decision I took a deep breath and discussed the situation with Beth. The decision was obviously going to affect both of us. The support I received was nothing but positive and I will never underestimate the importance of this. We (this is important) decided and agreed on an escape plan.
Interestingly I still found it hugely difficult to hand in my notice. I am not sure whether it was male pride, stubbornness or fear of the unknown, but the thought of starting something completely new in my mid 30s was proving difficult to compute. I was considering giving up a good career and relatively secure income in a recession, just before I was due to get married! In the end I asked myself the question “Do I love or even like what I am currently doing?” The answer was a resounding “no”. The next day I informed my Director. A few months on I now know that without a shadow of a doubt it was the one of the best decisions I have ever made.
5. What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
I actually think my biggest challenge has been changing my career. Many close family and friends were not convinced that it was either sensible or correct. Maybe it wasn’t a sensible decision but every part of it felt so right. Interestingly, lots of my old colleagues reacted to my news of quitting with “Wow, I am so jealous!”
How did I overcome it? Knowing I had Beth’s unwavering support and blessing was huge. I was also pleasantly surprised to have complete support from my dad. I have to stress that my parents have been very supportive in everything I have done, but my dad is a Civil Engineer himself, and it is a career that he dearly loves. So to give it all up to pursue something I wasn’t 100% clear on certainly had an element of risk, and I wasn’t expecting him to be so behind me on my decision. Whose parents would not be concerned?
Since then I have taken everything step by step and I can honestly say that life seems extremely exciting again.
6. What is the best advice you have received?
Treat other people, as you would like to be treated yourself. (my Dad).
With my new wife (Beth, founder of Do What You Love) on our recent honeymoon in Tuscany
7. What keeps you awake at night?
Hoping that I can be a good husband and hopefully one day a good father.
8. And what gets you up in the morning?
To see what the day has in store for us and what exciting plans/decisions we will make.
9. What is next for you?
I have a few goals which I would like to pursue but I guess what I can say it feels like I have an exciting and full life ahead and I cannot wait to see how it unfolds.
Stay tuned for Mr K’s brand new weekly column, Life According to Mr K, coming soon to Do What You Love!
Click here for more interviews with inspiring people doing what they love.
