7 things you’ll learn when you move abroad

On this day seven years ago I began the Australian chapter of my career. Moving abroad was one of the best decisions I've ever made and below are seven things you’ll come to learn when you move abroad…

1. You redefine work/life balance very quickly

The more time you spend in another culture, the more you remove yourself from you pre-set notions of what 'life' should be. For me, it was the notion of 'work/life balance'. As a fresh Londoner who'd just touched down, I found myself wondering:

• Why the f*ck is everyone getting up so absurdly early?
• Why is everyone so unbelievably fit and healthy?
• Why is everyone so fussy about their coffee?

People down here work just as hard and the output is just as good, but the hours in the day look different. Work hard to establish your definition of what a healthy 'life balance' looks like and stick to it.

2. You'll feel like you're on holiday, everyday

I'm incredibly lucky. I've achieved my dream of living by the beach in a country I love and every weekend is an adventure. Even in hectic working weeks I always make 15 minutes to 'take a holiday' in my day. For me, this looks like a quick dip in the ocean. But wherever you are, make 15 minutes of 'you' time happen in a place that gives you peace with your phone switched off and be totally present.

3. You will super charge your personal growth

Being dropped into a new country forces this to happen very quickly. You’re hit with all kinds of random challenges that seem like a pain in the ass initially but it actually puts you in good stead over time because they’ll compound and you’ll unknowingly become a lot more resilient - just remember to approach every challenge as an opportunity to learn no matter how big or small.

4. You’ll accelerate your career

Different country = Different ways of doing business. For me, Agency and Client teams are a lot flatter down under which meant more exposure to very senior people much earlier than my peers back in London. You’ll find yourself professionally maturing a lot sooner in these environments.

5. Your reputation will follow you

People don't remember what you say, but they remember how you made them feel. Make good impressions from the offset. Be the person you wish to do work with and most importantly don't be a dickhead. Your industry is smaller than you think and people have a hard time forgetting people who made life difficult. I was amazed at how many people in Sydney knew folks back in London for good and bad reasons.

6. Your network becomes your net worth

It sounds cheesy but there is so much merit in it. I still have a habit of meeting one new person a week and reaching out to someone I haven't spoken to in over a month, every month. It doesn't take long, it fills your cup and you never know what opportunities will come out of it.

7. Life has a way of being delightfully unpredictable

When I resigned from my London agency, a Senior staff member told me that "you're throwing your career away" by moving to Australia, and now, seven years on - that person is now a non-specific business coach/guru based in Slough. Let's just say his words don't keep me up at night.

If you're currently thinking "Should I?"

I urge you to bite the bullet, book the ticket and go after it. Current me is very thankful I took the plunge seven years ago. Wayne Gretzky said “You miss 100% of the shots you don't take” - and if you happen to work in advertising and want to work in Sydney, then hit me up because we're hiring!