You may be a Slasher and not know it!
Career Management June 28th, 2008The term ’slasher’ is new to me! First of all, what is a slasher? Marci Alboher, author of One Person/Multiple Careers: A New Model for Work/Life Success, and also the freelance journalist/speaker/coach who coined the term, “slash-career,” says it’s someone who moves between two or more careers and professional identities at the same time, somehow making it work.
Who is slashing?
- Lianne Raymond, a high school teacher/librarian and yoga instructor in Courtenay, B.C., discovered she coaches teachers at school and decided to run her own life coaching business. “I’m the kind of person who can’t stand doing the same thing over and over again. I get bored really easily. I need novelty,” she says. So this year she taught one semester and took the second semester off to focus on starting the coaching gig.
- One gentleman, an owner of the swank Four Seasons Restaurant in New York, is also a dedicated yoga instructor. “People from the yoga world have no idea about his other identity,” she says.
- John Lyons, who calls himself a wedding photographer/graphic designer/business owner/husband/dad in Chatham, Ont. Says, ‘,”I’ve diversified my own income,” says John Lyons working about 40 hours a week for his design company, Bulldog Design, and at least another 20 on the wedding photography side. Saturdays are 12-hour days and then there’s usually 10 to 12 hours of photo processing work in the evenings.
But all this suits Mr. Lyons just fine. Both businesses are lucrative, generally pulling in matching profits. His typical bride drops about $6,000 on wedding shots and Mr. Lyons shoots at least 20 weekends a year.
According to Kira Vermond in her article about slashing, who wrote about the above examples and also shared, “Demographically speaking, baby boomers make up a large portion of employees turning hobbies into work. Knowing retirement is on the horizon and wanting to be ready, they’re launching the less taxing sideline work in preparation for the big leap away from the office. Until then, they’ll keep two balls in the air. “
If you’re a slasher, how is it working, or maybe not working for you?
I’m passionate about people enjoying Monday morning as much as Friday afternoon. I need to let you know that what I do may not be for you. I’ve been very effective in helping many people, but that doesn’t mean I’m a universal solution for everyone.
What I typically like to do is spend 5-10 minutes over the phone where you and I can share some questions and answers to determine if career coaching you is a good fit for both of us.
Packages are offered on career exploration, job search strategy, effective communication, strengths identification, career branding, networking, résumé & cover letter expertise, interview preparation and jump-starting a new position.
For more information, go to my website at summitviewcareercoaching.com or email me at terri@summmitviewcareercoaching.com.
In the USA, coaching fees are typically tax deductible since they are considered an expense for continuing education undertaken to maintain and improve business and professional skills. (See Treas. Reg.1-162-5. Coughlin vs. Commissioner, 203F 2d 307) Your tax consultant can provide you with further information.
Enjoy Monday morning as much as Friday afternoon!
