Chasing the Northern Lights

The Unexpected Journey to Discover What Truly Matters

Exactly one year ago, I found myself in Troms?, Norway, above the Arctic Circle. I had come to fulfill a lifelong dream: to witness the Northern Lights in all their glory. For as long as I can remember, this natural wonder had captured my imagination. It was on my bucket list, something I believed would mark a significant moment in my life. I had planned everything carefully - three nights to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis. Little did I know that the journey would not only challenge my expectations about the Northern Lights but also teach me valuable lessons about goals, perseverance, and the unexpected turns life can take.

The first two nights were carefully planned to maximize my chances of seeing the lights. I booked a tour literally named “Chasing the Northern Lights,” hoping that this would be my big opportunity. The plan was to go far from the city to escape light pollution and catch the aurora at its peak. I even booked the second night as a backup in case I didn’t succeed on the first night. On the first night, I even ventured across the border into Finland, believing that the extra miles would be the key to success. Unfortunately, despite all my planning and optimism, I was unsuccessful both nights. The skies remained cloudy, and the aurora stayed hidden. I remember feeling a sense of frustration - after all, I had come all this way.

But life, as it often does, has a way of surprising us when we least expect it.

On the third night, I had planned only a simple cruise around Troms?. I had no expectation of seeing the Northern Lights that night. And had accepted my fate of going back "empty-handed". The city’s light pollution would make it impossible, or so I thought. With no expectations, I boarded the boat and set off for a peaceful evening on the water. To my astonishment, the Northern Lights began to dance across the sky in the most vibrant and active display in years. It was so extraordinary that it made headlines worldwide. Not only was I able to see the aurora clearly from the boat, but it was also visible in many cities far below the Arctic Circle - places where people had never considered the possibility of seeing such a phenomenon.

The pictures I share here don’t do any justice to what I witnessed with my own eyes. I didn’t carry my GoPro, and all I had was my iPhone 12 to capture this breathtaking display. The colors, the movement, the sheer scale - it was all far more magnificent in person, beyond anything a phone camera could ever capture.

This was a moment of revelation. It wasn’t the dramatic chase I had anticipated, but the aurora borealis still found its way to me, proving that sometimes the most elusive goals appear in the most unexpected places. In the months that followed, there were more instances of the Northern Lights appearing in places far from the Arctic, showing up in people’s backyards and city streets. The very thing that I thought required a great effort - traveling far north, enduring harsh conditions - turned out to be something that could be enjoyed right at home.

But this is LinkedIn, and as you may have guessed by now, this isn't really about the Aurora. I had spent many years chasing what I thought were the most logical, most desired goals. Like many of us, I believed that success in my career meant climbing a clearly defined ladder - one step after another, always aiming for the next rung. In each of my last three roles over the past 20 years, I excelled at what I did, but always felt that I was falling short of what I believed should be my next move. I had a clear sense of where I wanted to go, but the path was often foggy, and I struggled to get there. Despite my achievements, there was always a feeling that I wasn’t quite where I was meant to be.

Yet, as I moved on from these jobs, I began to realize that the path itself was as valuable as the destination. Each job, each experience, led me to new insights, new opportunities, and new goals. Every career step that seemed like a detour or a missed opportunity was actually guiding me toward something greater. My “Northern Lights” wasn’t found in any one position or title, but rather in the sum of the experiences that shaped me. I started to see that, much like the aurora borealis, the journey to success often takes unexpected twists and turns - and sometimes, the most fulfilling moments arrive when we’re not looking for them.

In my last corporate role, I was finally on the cusp of something significant - a potential move to a leadership position. It was the logical next step, the culmination of years of hard work. But during this period, something inside me began to shift. I realized that the very thing I had been chasing - the next promotion, the next title - was not what I truly wanted anymore.

Instead, what I wanted was a different path, one I hadn't anticipated: entrepreneurship. It wasn’t a plan I had ever imagined for myself, but as I sat with this realization, it became clear that it was the direction I was meant to go.

On November 6th, when I unexpectedly saw the Northern Lights during that cruise in Troms?, I felt like the universe had sent me a message. This moment, unplanned and spontaneous, mirrored the shift happening within me. For the next 50 days, I wrestled with my decision—fighting doubts yet growing more certain of what I needed to do. On December 26th, after much reflection, I made the choice to step away from my corporate role and begin my journey as an entrepreneur.

I didn’t know exactly what was ahead, but I was resolute. I was done chasing the "Corporate Northern Lights." The experience, and the decision to leave, signaled the beginning of a new chapter - one that was far more aligned with my true calling.

The decision to leave behind my corporate career wasn’t easy. There was no roadmap, no certainty of success. But I realized that just like the Northern Lights - sometimes the most beautiful and life-changing experiences happen when you stop chasing them and allow them to find you.

I now find myself on an entrepreneurial journey I never expected, but one that feels far more fulfilling. It’s a path that was born out of uncertainty, but it has brought me closer to what I truly value. And just as the Northern Lights sometimes appear in the most unlikely places, I am finding new opportunities, new growth, and new challenges where I least expected them.

This journey of chasing and then letting go of the traditional goals in pursuit of something deeper has been a powerful reminder that the pursuit of success is not linear. Sometimes, the most profound achievements come when we stop chasing them and allow them to find us.

The Northern Lights, much like our career goals, are often elusive, unpredictable, and fleeting. But when they do arrive, they remind us that the beauty is in the journey, not just the destination.

Oh, and now that I have moved to Melbourne, there is a new item on the bucket list, Aurora Australis, the Southern Lights! Let's see where this dream takes me.