In an instant—everything changed.

For months, I had a lingering feeling that the role I was in wasn't right for me anymore. So, I made the ask.

Let me explain.

When you're a W2 employee, you have what's called total compensation or total rewards. You see what's on your paycheck every month, but what the company sees is much more—they're covering your benefits, taxes, paid time off, and all the other expenses associated with having you on board. All in all, you "cost" much more than what's deposited into your bank account every two weeks.

With 20 years in Human Resources under my belt, I was well aware of this dynamic. So, on a scheduled call with my leadership team, I made a bold request.

Could I move over to a 1099 contractor role? They could pay me hourly instead of a salary, and they could terminate my benefits, 401k contributions, and other perks that made W2 employees expensive. And within 24 hours, they said yes.

Now, you might be thinking, "My employer would never go for this." But if you don't Do Something Different (DSD), you'll never get that different thing you're longing for in your life. And trust me, a peek behind the HR curtain reveals that many companies are more willing than ever to consider unconventional arrangements, especially in today's tight labor market.

If they say no, it could be the push you need to start your side hustle while continuing to work until you can replace your income. The options are endless, and I'm here to help you navigate them, even if you're not exactly sure what you want yet.

Remember, sometimes all it takes is asking for what you want to open up a world of possibilities. So, what are you waiting for? It's time to take the leap and make your dreams a reality.