Early on in my career I decided to make a move to one of the Big 4 professional services firms. This was an aspiration of mine from an early age. To realise this dream turned out to be one of the best decisions I made. Counterintuitively, within the first couple of weeks of starting, I decided it was time to move on from the organisation, I felt I lost my identity and authentic self by following the path that so many others follow. I was so used to autonomy, free thinking and being able to steer my own ship that the culture did not suit who I was. This is no way a reflection on the organisation, but a reflection on being true to myself.

I never once thought this was a bad decision. As I understood so much more about myself after this experience. It was just part of my learning process to which I embrace everyday. I always look to take the positives out of any experience.

That is not to say there haven't been difficult times. In fact, my perspective shifted significantly because of those difficult times including the loss of several people close to me and the inevitable business challenges along the way! It is through these experiences why I have learned to own my shit and to focus on the Now! We only have one life and you can't change the past - so why worry!
 
I have been involved in over a dozen current and past business ventures whether as founder, co-founder or angel investor to varying degrees of success. Each venture continues to shape how I think and success is a result of persistence, patience and having the fire inside to get up and go again....and again.

Life and Leadership is all about taking risks - we all have a different risk appetite just like every single organisation who I have ever worked with. Organisations can spend so much time procrastinating and deliberating about risk appetite!

For me both at an organisational and more importantly a personal level - this is an art that changes every second of the day! We can't let our future decisions be impaired through inaction and the inability to take a risk because of the past.

We need a reframe!

It is shifting ones' perspective to not just learning from the past - but Learning to Unlearn! This is what really can hold us back. If I am now presented with similar decisions, I would always be open to making a different choice!

And hell no I am not going to shy away from making a choice and taking a risk. The moment we do is the moment we choose not to live our fullest and most authentic version of ourselves.

Feel free to connect with me:)