I’ve spoken with hundreds of people who’ve found themselves at a crossroads—unsure which path to take, feeling overwhelmed, and trying to work out what really matters. You don’t have to stay on the same path and you’re certainly not alone.
So many of us find ourselves needing a change—after a life event, a shift in priorities, or simply because something deep inside is whispering, ‘this isn’t quite right anymore’. I know the feeling well. In fact, it’s why I wrote my second book: ‘How to Change Career in 6 Steps’.
Years ago, I was a successful catering manager in London. I had a degree in catering and nutrition, worked in amazing venues, and had a role that looked great on paper. But it didn’t feel right. Deep down, I knew I wanted something more meaningful—something that lit me up.
That decision led me to retrain, explore different avenues, and eventually set up The Creation Station, now the UK’s most recommended activity franchise.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve written a practical and uplifting toolkit to help others find their path—whether it’s a new job, retraining, or launching a business.
At the heart of the book is the C.R.E.A.T.E. Method, a six-step approach to help you find clarity and take positive action.
Here’s a little overview to help you get started:
Step 1: Clarity
Before updating your CV or searching job sites, pause. Ask yourself—what truly matters to me?
This step is all about understanding your values, your lifestyle goals, and the impact you want to have. When you’re clear on your “why,” the “how” becomes much easier.
Try this: List your top six values. Mine include courage, connection, and creativity.
Step 2: Reflect
Look back at where you’ve come from. What roles energised you? What drained you?
Think about your transferable skills and moments where you felt “in flow”. That’s your spark.
One of my favourite tools is drawing a timeline:
- Put today in the centre
- Reflect on the last five years: what did you love or dislike?
- Look ahead: what would your dream five years look like?
What are you going to write on that future timeline?
Step 3: Explore
This is your time to dream and explore what’s out there. There are so many career routes today—and franchising is one of them. You can run your own business with a trusted brand, full training, and ongoing support.
Many of our Creation Station franchisees had never considered franchising before. Now they’re running after-school clubs, holiday camps, birthday parties, workshops for adults, and even creative sessions in care homes! Take Kam, for example—a former teacher who realised her passions had shifted. She invested in her own Creation Station, gradually moved out of teaching, and is now running her creative business full-time, doing what she loves.
Step 4: Assess
Now it’s time to weigh up the options. What fits with your life, income goals, and sense of purpose?
This step isn’t about finding the one “perfect” choice. It’s about finding something right for you now—something you can grow with.
Try this: Create a simple scorecard. Rate your options based on values, flexibility, income potential, and that all-important gut feeling.
Step 5: Take action
This is where change begins. And no—it doesn’t need to be a huge leap. It could be a conversation, a short course, or saying yes to an opportunity. My son Sam once said to me, “You miss every shot you don’t take.” He’s right.
Many of our franchise partners say they wished they’d started sooner. But once they took that first step, momentum built quickly.
Step 6: Evaluate
Change isn’t a straight line. You’ll learn, grow, and adjust as you go.
- Check in with yourself regularly
- Am I heading in the right direction?
- What small tweaks could I make?
And don’t forget to enjoy your progress. Every small win counts. This is your journey.
When you find a career you love, you’re not just changing your job—you’re creating a life that lights you up and all those you connect with.
Wishing you clarity, courage, and creativity on your next chapter.
