Now you've reflected on what might be holding you back from going fractional, it's time to take your first big action step.

It's time to define your specific goals and motivations for wanting to become a fractional executive.

In this exercise I want you to take some time to reflect on some guiding questions about the fractional journey you're embarking on:

• What is driving your desire for making this career change? It might be things like more money, flexibility, variety? Or you might have your own reasons why.
• What are your priorities in terms of work-life balance when working as a fractional exec?
• How much control do you want over your schedule and workload?
• Are you up for the challenge of regularly marketing yourself and finding new opportunities?
• What types of fractional roles appeal to you most based on your career experience?

I want you to reflect deeply on your answers. Discuss them with friends or family to help make sure you've thought through all the angles.

Fractional work may seem enticing on the surface, but it requires profound self-awareness about what you really want from your career and lifestyle.

When I was in your position in mid-2022, I can see from my notebook that three things were worrying me when I was thinking about why I was making the shift:

"How can I define goals as I don't know what fractional work really is like?"

"What if motivations/priorities change? Is this a one-way door?"

"Is fractional work really secure enough long term to make enough income?"

I'm sure you'll have your own concerns.

I've learnt that the key is to be honest with yourself about your current desires and concerns while accepting that your goals may shift.

Fractional working has given me a lot of flexibility to course-correct as needed, so you don't have to have every detail nailed down now.

But you do need to work through the areas I'm covering in the rest of this course to give yourself the best shot at becoming a successful fractional executive.