Welcome
Hi everyone,
Welcome to my Stepping Off Weblog. Stepping Off is all about changing your life and improving the quality your life. For some downshifting is the way to change your life – for others they may want to be their own boss or just simplify their lives and start living life differently.
Seven yers ago I was a Chief Suprerintendent in the Police service. I was an Area Commander in charge of about 500 people, 5 police stations and a £12.5m budget. It was great fun, very stimulating, well paid and I enjoyed it. However I felt as though I wasn’t really living. I was a copper 24/7, dedicated to my job - on call most of the time and just had no life outside my work I had no time for my friends or family and certainly no time for me. One day I went out for dinner and I realised what a boring person I had become – my only conversation was about policing, about crime or the social ills of western society.
Some time later I came back from a 3 day interview to be assessed for the next rank – Assisant Chief Constable – on my return I went out for for a meal with a friend. As I was chatting all about the interview my friend said “Do you remember the smokehouse we visited in Penrith last year – well it is for sale” Oh really I replied and carried on with telling her all about the interview. At the end of the meal she said “You know that smokehouse that is for sale. Well do you fancy buying it”
It took me about 4 seconds before I looked up, looked straight at her and said “Yeah, go on then. Lets do it!”
Three months later I had left my career, left my pension, dropped my salary 85% and headed north to run a business I knew nothing about!
What a feeling – Feedom, fear, excitment, exilaration, panic -so many emotions- but one over riding feeling – I was in control. I had regained control of my life. I had got off the treadmill and had walked away. What a feeling!
Now 7 years later I have got an amazing life, where quality of life is more important than material things. I have a portfolio career, working in a number of areas, doing things I never would have done if I had stayed in the police. I live a simpler life, I want for very little and I have never been happier.
Jo Hampson