You could say that I was on good wicket.
I was eight years in to my Financial Recruitment career in Cape Town, clients called me and I knew their businesses like I knew the inside of my closet.
I was working 'smart' which meant that I was either up the mountain or horse riding just shy of 4pm most days. Coupled with my great work/life balance, I was also earning great money.
I was incredibly comfortable but, if I’m honest with myself, I was also incredibly stale. I had completely forgotten what it felt like to be challenged. The problem was that - as we all know - money couldn't buy me happiness. I knew that something drastic needed to happen.
My kind of drastic was selling up and boarding a plane to Auckland in a spectacular turn-around time of about three months. Fast forward six months and when I say that I am doing my best to work smart here in New Zealand - I mean the genius kind of smart. And no, that does not mean long lunches and leisurely walks along the Viaduct.
Here’s what moving 7,310 miles from home taught me:
Lesson one: Kiwis work hard - damn hard
Unless you’re willing to work even harder, you are going to struggle. Auckland is busier than you might think: It’s the third most diverse city in the world and home to the bulk of New Zealand’s corporates and start ups. Working here, you can feel the competition breathing down your neck. If you don't do a bloody great job, the guy next to you will.
Lesson two: Be prepared to sacrifice
Prepare to tighten your leather belt of lifestyle and know that career-wise, you will more than likely need to drop a few rungs on the ladder. Embrace this golden opportunity to re-assess what’s really important. Clean out your closet and make space for the new.
Lesson three: Leave your preconceptions at the border
Let go of every single preconception you have about the country and the people that inhabit it. Play dumb and ask as many questions and you can possibly conjure up. Believe me, no question is a stupid question. Make it your business to learn the lay of the land as fast as you possibly can.
Lesson four: Let curiosity keep you up at night
In fact, I would go so far as to say, pull all-nighters with your curiosity. You will make connections in the most unexpected places and you will learn so much about yourself. Become a 'yes person' – and soon you’ll be the one telling the locals where to get the best flat white in town.
Lesson 4: Your career is not something to be taken lightly
If you’re unhappy at the office, believe me; it will seep into every other aspect of your life. Make smart decisions and choose what is best for you and what genuinely makes you happy. I love my job, and the 11 hours I work most days during this period of establishing myself could be 20 hours – it’s just a number right now. Also, if you’re moving halfway across the world, it better be for a pretty amazing job!
Lesson 5: Never underestimate the importance of great people
Go on coffee dates with them, bounce ideas around in the boardroom, collect them obsessively. Nothing is better for you and your career than a 'meeting of minds.' Great leadership is the difference between failure and success. Enthusiasm breeds like wildfire - become the fire-starter.
Lesson 6: Authenticity and integrity go a long, long way
This last and most important lesson is one that I was taught at a young age, but value more and more as I get older. Authenticity and integrity are critical to success and happiness, no matter where in the world you are.
