10 years yesterday we chose a new beginning.

Today, 10 years ago, was our first full day in the United Kingdom. We left South Africa on the 6th May 2011 filled with hope, expectation, excitement and a sense of optimism. We were standing on the edge of beginning a new life, in a new country, with huge potential.

We were, in a very real sense, re-inventing ourselves.

Anyone who has ever emigrated to another country where they have no existing friends and limited family, no connections or network, no work or business set up, will likely understand what I mean. And mixed in with the optimism, excitement and expectation, was fear, trepidation and serious levels of discomfort.

What would happen to us if the people did not want us there? Where would we go if we couldn't get jobs? With limited funds and no assess to any public resources, how would we survive if it all went out to left field? How would we handle this new environment where the rules are so different?

Arriving at Heathrow was interesting. Although we had been to the UK on holiday a few years earlier, this time everything felt and looked different.

Coming to the UK on holiday was easy. We always knew we would be going back to something familiar at the end of a couple of weeks, but now we were going into something we did not know at all and in many ways, did not understand.

Although English is our first language (I don't think I have an accent! ????), our references were totally different. Very few people understood what a braai, a bakkie, a klap or slap chips were!

It was an interesting discussion when picking up our hire car, I asked the lady at the counter whether I turn left at the robots and then right at the circle to get to the highway! I then added unintended confusion by asking if the oke with the keys was coming soon.

I should have asked if I turn left at the traffic lights and the right at the roundabout to get to the motorway! But how was I to know that English is not always English!

However, despite our concerns about our bags being searched for illegal contraband (we didn't have any, but flying out of Johannesburg anything is possible), discovering that our visas weren't right, that the immigration officer was having a bad day or that our passports had miraculously expired overnight, we got through customs with barely anyone looking at us and headed to Exeter for this new adventure.

Spoiler alert! No, it has not been an easy ride, filled with acceptance, jobs, adventure, excitement and bliss.

Many times, over the past 10 years, it has been horrendous and miserable. It has been lonely and scary, to be honest.

From not being able to get a job because I was overqualified, under-qualified, not British enough, not European enough or that English obviously wasn't my first language, to being called a racist simply because I am a white, male South African, we have had it.

Fortunately, we have made some really good, solid friends and have developed some amazing business partnerships. We have learned so much about and from our neighbours and have been blessed to travel around this stunning country we now call home.

My business has taken me to almost all parts of the country, from London to Liverpool, from Lands End to Lincoln, from Halesowen to Hamilton. And the vast majority of people I have met have been absolutely amazing. Helpful, accepting and tolerant, even when they did not understand what the heck I was saying. (How could they hear dick when I clearly said deck! ??????)

Would I want to go back to South Africa?

For a holiday, yes. To live, no. This is home and we love it. Sorry guys, you are stuck with us.

Are there some things I wish I could change?

Absolutely.

But the experience and the lessons learned I would never want to change. All the ups and downs, I would not change one of them. Everything that has happened, good, bad and everything in between, has been a lesson in life and in business.

Are there anythings I would have done differently over the past 10 years?

Well, that is a no-brainer really. There are so many things I would have done differently. But the past is the past. The choices we made are the choices we made and we can't change them.

So here's to the next 10 years of personal and business growth. Here's to the next 10 years of meeting new friends and strengthening the bonds we have with existing friends. Here's to 10 more years of new business partnerships while continuing to develop existing partnerships. And here's to 10 years of transformation in thought, philosophy, mindset, action and results.

About Vic:

I help ambitious work-from-home entrepreneurs & SME business owners to create SHIFT in their lives and businesses through my unique SHIFT3 coaching program and the Audacious Tribe.

I am also a multi-award winning trainer and podcaster focused on Leadership, Management and LinkedIn.