Have you started consulting but are wondering why everything is not going as you expected it to? You have back-to-back failed projects, a lack of understanding between you and your clients, wondering if you are doing the right thing and are even thinking about going back to full-time employment. Before you pack your consultancy bags, here are a few tips on making it work.

Be adaptable

As a consultant, you will probably work with different clients requiring different needs. This means you need to be a quick learner, be willing to adapt, take chances, grab opportunities and be very good at taking critical feedback and actioning it. Remember, it is a learning process and the faster you can get your feet on the ground the better it will be for you.

Ask for help

You can’t do everything at the same time. You also don’t need to know everything. Learn when you need help and make sure to ask for it always. When you don’t ask for help you will experience burnout, overextend your working hours, your quality of work may not be what is expected, or you won’t be able to perform at the level you that was expected. Learn who your client and the team are - who knows what you don’t. Make relationships and connections with them and ask for help whenever you need it.

Find a hobby

You can easily be working for more than ten hours a day as a consultant. It’s important to recharge and find something that will occupy your free time and has nothing to do with consulting work. This will help you take your mind off work and help you achieve a work-life balance bringing you joy as a buffer between your personal life and your work life. It could be art, drawing, painting, photography, travelling, going to the gym or sports activities such as golf, basketball, football or tennis. Whatever you enjoy doing outside work, do it.