Navigating Life's Twists and Turns: 15 Years of Leaps, Laughs, and Lessons ??

Hey there, want to take a trip down memory lane with me? This is a follow-up to my article from five years ago, celebrating my 10th year in business. Let's rewind back to when I was a 20-year-old, fresh out of school and having just completed my military service, which was compulsory in Austria at the time.

Imagine me as an engineer being called on pager duty at 2 a.m. to solve a customer problem. In those days, I often found myself wrestling with tape libraries in a dimly lit data centre room. Think of them as dusty bookshelves of data. An ancient method of data storage that used robotic arms to pick tape cartridges off a shelf and load them into tape drives to ingest data. Fast forward to today and I'm navigating a world that is as unpredictable as it is exciting. This is my story, sharing some personal lessons, choices and 'aha' moments that could be part of anyone's journey.

The Courage to Pivot: From Techie to Deal-Maker ???????

Have you ever felt like you're standing on the edge of a cliff, super scared but also kind of excited? That was me the day I decided to trade my technical role for a sales role. I took a deep breath and jumped. My technical skills weren't my baggage, they were my parachute and are now my special, not-so-secret, tools today. This blend of technical and sales skills didn't just open doors; it built bridges of trust.

As Anthony Robbins wisely said,

"Success in life is the result of good judgement, and good judgement is usually the result of experience. Experience is usually the result of poor judgement."

So take the leap. Your existing skills are not baggage, they are your parachute.

The Recipe for Work-Life Harmony: More than a balancing act ??

Work-life balance suggests a zero-sum game, but life is not just about balancing. It is about harmony. To loosely quote Stephen Covey, "Instead of prioritising what's on your schedule, start scheduling your priorities. If you don't schedule it, it doesn't exist."

Think of work-life harmony as a well-crafted recipe adjusted to your needs. Each ingredient - work, hobbies, relationships - enhances the others. For me, cooking is that secret spice, a ritual that enriches both my personal and professional life. Sharing a meal or a cup of coffee has created stronger bonds than any document or slide deck ever could. So find your "secret spice" that brings harmony to your life.

The Circle of Wisdom: Coaching as a Two-Way Street ??

Coaching isn't a one-way street. I've been on both sides, usually informally. Feedback is a gold mine. It can give you insight and even wisdom. It is also a matter of perspective whether you see a particular piece of feedback as positive or negative. Embrace it, it is often both. If you're at the beginning of your career, seek out mentors. If you're more experienced, continue to seek out mentors and offer to be a mentor. The exchange of wisdom and perspective will enrich both mentor and mentee.

The 'Aha' Moment: When the Stars Align ??

You know that feeling when everything just clicks? That was my 'aha' moment, when I realised that I was in not just a growing industry, but an industry that would redefine our world. Those 'aha' moments are like road signs that tell you you're on the right track, even if you can't see the whole road ahead.

Building a Legacy: More Than a Job Title ???

I've been lucky enough to be part of some amazing teams, but your career isn't just about the job or the company you work for. It's about the footprint, impact and legacy we leave behind. If you never commit to doing anything extraordinary, the good news is that you will never be criticised, rejected or made to feel uncomfortable. The bad news? You will never know if you would have succeeded. If you want to solve big problems, think big, especially if you don't have all the answers yet. As you find the way to solve the problem, don't forget that if we try to do everything at once, the opposite happens - we get nothing done. Look at what gets results. Do more of it. But also do less of everything else.

The Final Take: Change is the Only Game in Town ??

If there's one thing I've learnt, it's that change is the only constant - in life and in business. And change can only be observed over time. It's not a snapshot in time, it's like compound interest when you start to change. It's not just about what's happening around you, it's about what's happening inside you. Your perspective can be your greatest asset and your greatest limitation. So keep challenging and changing your perspectives. Sometimes it's worth going to the other end, around the corner and up a mountain to change your perspective completely. Also, instead of thinking about what you need to add, think about what you can subtract. Changing and having multiple perspectives is one of the best ways to navigate through change.

So what's next? Another 15 years of twists and turns and I'm there for it. Let's keep learning, growing, staying curious, and changing perspectives along the way ??.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and your own 'aha' moments. Have you ever taken a leap of faith in your career?

#LifeLessons #CareerWisdom #PersonalGrowth