You may have heard the term “The Great Resignation” floating around lately. It refers to an unprecedented number of people leaving their jobs. Some are leaving for better opportunities, some to stay at home, and others to start their own businesses. If you’re interested in sleep consulting, you may be wondering, “Is sleep consulting a full-time job?”
The good news is that many people have used a certification through the Center for Pediatric Sleep Management to say goodbye to their 9 to 5. And for those who aren’t ready to take that step, plenty of others balance sleep consulting and another job. One of the best things about becoming a sleep consultant is that it can be whatever you want!
The short answer is that it doesn’t have to be a full-time job if you don’t want it to be. Discover some of the best reasons why you should start a sleep consulting business.
Thinking about what goes into supporting a sleep consulting client, you begin to see how flexible the work can be. Discovery calls will usually happen during the day or early evening. However, they can be coordinated based on your schedule. Other tasks, like marketing and bookkeeping, can be done whenever you have a free moment, even in the middle of the night!
Building sleep plans can be one of the most time-consuming elements. However, much of this is done on your own schedule. Once the plan is in the client’s hands, it’s working for you even if you aren’t doing anything. You’ll need to find convenient times to follow up with clients and respond to their messages. Most of the job is something you can fit in as needed.
As you work with clients, you’ll get a sense of what time commitment is involved in each one and your work style, and you can build a schedule from there. If your goal is to work 40 (or more!) hours per week, you can take on a full client load and use sleep consulting as a full-time job.
This also means that you can decide to take on a smaller number of clients and work a much smaller number of hours. Depending on your schedule and needs, you can limit your client load and make your business work for your lifestyle.
Common concerns about work-life balance are much less of a problem for a sleep consultant. This is due to being able to set your own schedule. Whether you need to take into consideration your children’s activities, your postpartum doula business, or another job you’re working, you can find the balance that works for you. Unlike jobs with strict hours, you won’t have to miss important family events to work.
Sleep consulting can be a full-time job, a part-time job, or a side hustle depending on your needs. But ultimately, none of these have to mean working intense hours or missing out on family life. As long as you are bringing in an income to support your family and working within your boundaries, sleep consulting can be a part of your work and your life.
If you are interested in learning more about how sleep consulting can fit into your goals, you can join our Facebook group and hear from real graduates of the Center for Pediatric Sleep Management.