Dreaming big
In 2011 I arrived back in my home town of Wellington after enjoying some fantastic years working overseas. Once I was back, I loved it. It did take me a little while to get back into Wellington life, but I always knew this blustery city would be my ‘forever home’.
With all that sorted I got back into the career I was most passionate about – recruitment.
My dream back then was to work hard, be honest, maintain good relationships and to start my own business at some point. I wanted to learn as much as I could, meet great people and somehow come up with a plan to do “something different”.
I was dreaming big!
Life’s curve balls
I’ve had a stable and secure role over these past eight years or so, which has worked really well. I had (well, my wife had) two kids, we bought our first home and all the other stuff that comes with having families – births, deaths, marriages and everything in between.
During these ups and downs, I often felt guilty when my head wasn’t completely in the workspace. However, I knew it was something I needed to just get on with - don’t let life rock the boat too much and just knuckle down. that was my reaction anyway.
Since taking a leap away from the corporate world and now doing my own recruitment and consulting business, I no longer have any of this guilt.
It’s been a rough start to the year for me personally and that’s meant I’ve needed to spend heaps of time with my family. Without any guilt hanging over me, I was happy to be there and wanted to be there with them.
Then it dawned on me – who knows what's around the corner in life? Sometimes you just have to do what you need to do.
Life/work balance
Meanwhile back at work, this first six months of running my own business has been an absolute rollercoaster ride!
I’ve learned a hell of a lot and have met some awesome companies who have already entrusted me as a partner to help with their recruitment, engagement and gaining clarity on their business.
Crucially, I’ve also spent heaps of time with my family – lots of golden moments. Considering and reflecting on all this now, it’s a wonder this blog post ever got published!
People get we’re people
What I have been particularly proud of is to work alongside like-minded people. We all get it. We all know what needs to be done. We are all experienced in our chosen industry, we are pragmatic and mature people who get that life throws curve balls.
It’s made me way more focused and the last six months has been a reflection of all our key values – Connect, Intensity, Instinct and Positivity.
All words that resonate well not just at work, but in life for me.
So, take life as it is. Work shouldn’t be the be all and end all. We’re only here for a short time, so make the most out of all your interaction with people and most importantly, have fun!
