Kellie Newstead - A career transition story

I first met Kellie when we where both just starting out in our careers. We where both eager, ambitious young marketers volunteering for a committee called Emerging Marketers. Little did we know then (through all the networking events, suits and extra-curricular activities) that our career would take us on a different path.

Kel’s story of how she transitioned her career, the pivotal moments and steps she took to get to where she is now.. it simply inspiring. We all need stories of folk who have walked the trail we want to take, to give us a boost of encouragement and to prove it CAN be done. Kel has done that for you. She has taken you on her journey - she has taken her career from one direction and turned it on its head - WOW. Thank you Kel.

Tell me, what did you want to do at the very early stages of your career? What was your big career goal then?
Early on I had no idea what I wanted to do as a career.
The idea of being tied into one field or career scared the crap out of me.
It felt like and still does feel like a risk to be too tightly locked into one industry. As Tim Minchi says, if you’re always looking to your ‘goal’ you might miss the shiny thing out the corner of your eye.

My biggest goal was to be successful.
At everything… pretty broad really.
I once defined that solely as financial success but over time it has changed.
Now my biggest goal is to feel inner success by way of contribution.

Can you tell me how you started your career and what you could see was your career trajectory?
Very early in my career I worked as a researcher at the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute of UniSA.
I completed my masters thesis and concurrently worked on research projects with multinational clients. I had exposure to big brands and massive data. The path trodden by my peers was to either stay at the Institute and work into a life of academia paired with research. Or, to work as a marketing specialist in industry. Once I left the Institute I worked in sales roles for TV and later radio. I met some amazing people, learned heaps about sales, communication and the local industry. Again, the trajectory here was tied to the bottom line of major brands.

What are you doing now?
As of 2017 I started working full time for Power Living Yoga Adelaide.
My official title is: Studio Manager and Senior Facilitator.
However it’s currently Rona virus time (covid-19 - May 2020 when I’m writing this) so in the last 8 weeks; so much has changed.

Most of this still happens:
I teach yoga classes (of course!) and manage the biggest yoga studio in Adelaide. I create training programs, community events and connections. I manage staff, international guests, budgets, I’m part of our team that trains yoga teachers. I run workshops, events, our systems and processes, and I sustain relationships with our partners and our amazing community.

In the last 8 weeks:
My role has shape shifted and my job title is pretty non-existent. I’m working and up skilling more than ever. The best way to describe my job currently is: lead, teach, inspire, create and get shit done.

Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to change your career direction? Or what made you decide to change your career?
There were heaps of pivotal moments.

They came gradually, then suddenly (to quote Ernest Hemingway) over a year or so.
From my media gig I gradually became disenfranchised with sales and profit (only) driven businesses. I kept hearing sentiments that were less about helping people and businesses achieve their goals. I wanted my work to be something that I was passionate about. Sometimes paid work facilitates your passions and sometimes your passions are your paid work. Both are great; both have their downfalls.

As I kept getting deeper into yoga I felt like my values weren’t aligned with the day to day of my work. I’m in a truly fortunate position where I can consider self actualisation as part of my needs being met. My needs just weren’t being met at work. When I think about pivotal moments there are the obvious ones: when I decided to resign, when I told my parents I was going to resign, when I told the people I wanted to hire me that I was resigning and wanted to work for them full time, when I actually resigned, when I got offered my new amazing job etc..

But the biggest moments came before all that.

Talking to my partner was a pivotal; asking him for his support emotionally was enormous; what if I cried a lot? What if I sucked at this job and couldn’t make it work? What would our life look like if I couldn’t bring in an income for 3-6 months? What would our relationship look like if/when I worked weird hours? What if I hated it after 6 months? These were all pivotal questions for me, pivotal moments of looking for support and luckily - I found it.

The reality is that most people (excepting your support team) will not see the pivotal moments required when changing careers. They won’t see the late night study, the juggle of priorities, the parties you don’t go to because you have to get up at 5:30am the next day. What they will see is the email announcing your resignation. They’ll see it and say ‘gosh I wish I could do that’.

Of course, I have to acknowledge my privilege. I am sheltered, well fed, educated, financially secure etc.. I have a privileged life. We’re not all starting from the same spot.

Did you know it was what you wanted to do or did you have to do some exploring to find your passion?
OMG; I had no idea.
I’m still not great at articulating what I’m passionate about.
My best guess right now is : helping people.
In my youth there was an emphasis on knowing what you wanted to do: at 18 years old; it’s crazy!
Gosh I still don’t know.
No doubt as I age, grow and change so will my passions and so will my work most likely.

Was there any key steps you took to help navigate you towards your new direction?

Step 1.

The biggest thing I did was start.
I signed up for my teacher training in early 2016; not having practiced heaps the previous year.
I felt nervous, out of my depth and not ready.
I wasn’t ready; but I think with big things you rarely are.

Step 2.

I sucked at teaching for aaaaaaggesss.
I felt like a hot mess but kept at it.
Often we want to be at our highest level ASAP - as in, yesterday.
But when you’re getting into a new career, that’s often not the way.
As a recovering perfectionist, being average and often below average was hard yakka for me.
I had to accept that I had heaps to learn and that to learn; it had to get a bit uncomfortable and I had to see all feedback as an opportunity to get better.

Step 3.

Worked my ass off.
I stayed up late and studied. I read yoga books instead of fiction. I planned classes instead of going out. I asked for feedback from my peers and my teachers. I worked for free.
To make a new path you have to bash through a bit of forrest; it’s sweaty and challenging but bloody hell it feels good on the other side.

Step 4

I shared the load.
I shared my aspirations with Tessa & Triton (my now, bosses). I was explicit about the role that I wanted and the trajectory I wanted. I asked them to consider me for a job. Luckily they did and I still work for them! But even if it hadn’t eventuated then, I would have kept going.
I shared my ideas, plans and fears with my partner. Sharing the load meant that we could support each other.

What has changed for you since transitioning your career (feelings, well-being, life in general) - and what do you see yourself doing for the next 5 years / career goals now?
The biggest change has been my sense of fulfilment and contribution.
I feel like what I do matters.
I positively contribute to the people around me and that I’m a better person for it.
I feel like I am spending my time well when I’m at work; I don’t go to work waiting for the weekend.
I also feel like I’ve expanded what I’m capable of.

One of the biggest changes is how I don’t lament a shit sandwich either.
I read this great quote in Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic book:” You are going to have to eat a shit sandwich. You just need to decide what kind of shit you are willing to eat.”
My work is still work; there are days when I’d rather nap and read my book at home.
But, the bad days are a shit sandwich I’m willing to eat.

As for the future; I think the next thing for me will appear in my peripheral vision.
There will be something shiny that’ll reorient me again.
Right now; I’m incredibly happy working where I do and as I do.
I’m challenged, I’m more creative than ever, more fulfilled and grateful.

What advice would you give someone who is deciding to move through a career transition?
Go for it. Inspire yourself.

Craft small habits of success for yourself: do 1 minute of something that moves you closer each day. 1 minute; literally.

Also - in my experience, it’s unlikely you’re a savant. People who are good at stuff look that way because they’ve worked for it. For me the formula is pretty simple; the harder I work the luckier I become.

DID I SAY WOW. Isn’t that incredible. Doesn’t that just give you a boost of encouragement to take that extra step to move you towards your passion, follow what feels good and right for you, right now? So great.

Find Kellie on insta @kelnewstead
Photographer on insta @alexschumacher_

If you would like to have a conversation around how you can transition your career, build confidence in your direction with clear actionable steps, I would love to chat - you can find out more here