Oh shi.. I'm almost thirty!

So if you read the title and thought 'Hey, that's me..', well, this one's for you!

Naturally we associate with friends that get 'us', right? Our peers that are considered on our level with similar interests and a lot of commonalities. You're all the same sort of age, you probably frequent the same pubs and clubs, live in similar sort of areas and have an understanding of where each of you came from - and where you want to go.

There's nothing that bugs me more than seeing endless reports on the news, social media and the like about how the youth of today is struggling moreso than our parents did, how different things are and how the gap is widening in socio-economic perceptions. Rarely do we see positive news about what we have going for us; what we have achieved and what, quite frankly, we can achieve. The glass is always half empty on the media front, leading to a pessimistic outlook as opposed to a positive expectation for our futures. Hopefully this will challenge some of your perceptions and you'll wake up tomorrow with a fresh idea on what you can change to make things happen.

I'm too busy... but I know precisely what's going on in Eastenders...

Too often we wish away the time we've got. We never find time for things because we're "too busy". We can't ever "make time" because making time is impossible, right? Perhaps not...

I've had to learn a lot of pretty intense lessons in the past few months. I've turned 25 and with it entered a new career that has developed my character and completely changed my responsibilities. Six months ago I was somewhat responsible for looking after a catalogue of thirty or so HGV drivers in the Eastern part of Kent, yet I now see anywhere between 8-15 clients per week, each of them at least three times each in guiding them through the mortgage process from start to finish. If you can't quite work out what I'm getting at; I manage my time far more effectively because time is precious, and if you'll excuse the cliché - time is money. If any of my former colleagues are reading this I guess I owe you an apology because I undoubtedly wasn't working as hard as I could've been!

Make every minute of your professional and personal lives count. Time is a too precious a commodity to be wasted, twiddling your thumbs and thinking to yourself "there must be something better out there for me". If there is; you'd be better off spending your time finding it.

Do what you love, and love what you do.

I entirely appreciate that there's incredibly few jobs in the world that just about everyone would enjoy doing. There's only 20 teams in the Premier League and although I'm completely making these numbers up, it's pretty safe to assume somewhere in the region of 80% of men would consider playing professional football for a living given the lifestyle it provides and less than 1% of those are actually in such a position. Equally, I've only read one news story on a woman that gets to test the Ann Summers catalogue pre-sale, and I'm sure there's a lot more women in the world that wouldn't consider it a bad job! (Tongue in cheek ladies, try not to take offence!)

That said, I'm incredibly confident that if you spoke to anyone considered 'successful' in their profession; they would be genuinely honest in enjoying what they do for a living. We often make the mistake of forgetting that we're so, so, early on in our careers. Chances are we'll be working up to somewhere between 65-70.. I've got at least 40 years left to carve out what I want from life; and you're no different. I haven't even been alive for 40 years which speaks volumes in itself, but I don't plan on resting on my laurels and waiting for success to land in my lap. I can't win a lottery I never play and despite the amount of hours I put in to my poker game, realistically, can't see myself turning up to the World Series and taking home a $13million payday. Not any day soon anyway.

If you're not as happy as you could be, then be honest with yourself and find something that will work for you. Lamenting in the same office everyday that fails to inspire you means you'll never discover nor strive to achieve your full potential. Don't be afraid to re-train - the harder you graft in the short term makes life a lot easier in the long run.

You're only young; but there's no harm in starting early.

When it's time to move on..

What an insane, slightly ridiculous yet exhilarating few weeks its been. Sometimes I leave it a little too long between blogs and feel like I have to cram too much in to really elaborate on what's been happening, delving into the conversations I've had and the situations I've been in. It's safe to say, there have been almost too many changes going on recently, but all for the best, so I guess now is as good a time as any to elaborate.

Moving On To Pastures New

Undoubtedly the biggest decision I've made recently was leaving Swanstaff after being approached by someone (my new boss, ironically enough) regarding Mortgage Broking. Apparently it's an industry that requires a strong grasp of figures, a spoonful of empathy and buckets of charisma; naturally I'm flattered that they were recognised during a Thursday night session at the poker table!

Before I elaborate on the new job, I'd like to tip my hat to Swanstaff. Having no real previous experience in recruitment from my time with Arcadia, it was a slight risk in taking me on in the first place. Apparently winking at the interviewer wasn't the best idea on first impression but hey, a little over a year later and I'd like to think I've walked away with bridges firmly intact and a couple of friends for a long, long time. Without my time at Swan, it's safe to say I would never have the opportunities I do now; and I'll forever be grateful. If any of you are reading this - sincerely, thank you for all of your support throughout my time and I wish you all the best be it with Swan or elsewhere. Everyone in the company has the potential to be largely successful - hope you realise that.

So, after a week off I ventured off to Sidcup for my first day with Mann Countrywide. The new Regional Manager has been busy putting together a new team of Mortgage Consultants since his appointment (and return to the company) in July this year, so naturally it's an incredibly exciting time to become part of it. Most of the branches have seen different consultants split their time between branches, which in turn has led to inconsistency and a huge opportunity to make a real difference in the area dynamic. Having met two of the new starters on the back of their 5-week training programme which I'll be starting next week, its really interesting to see the various influences and backgrounds that are forming the team. Safe to say the one thing we have in common is a demanding ambition to perform and a hunger to succeed. I can't express enough how excited I am to meet the rest of the team on Thursday and start turning meetings into mortgages come November. I've set myself some financially related goals in direct correlation to my position which I won't reveal on here, but it's something positive to define my successes by.

And Re-Discovering Ventures Once Forgotten

Going back a few years, my social life was pretty entwined with my relationship - the social circle just 'fit' as a collection of couples and mates - safe to say I've had my funniest and quite frankly filthiest nights with them (anyone remember Matter at the O2? Mess...) However circumstances changed and with the ending of my relationship, the group dynamic wasn't the same and I moved on. Recently, there's been some old faces and slipping back into their company has been easier than I'd ever considered. Given more than half of them are heavily involved in fitness, weight training and the slightly more extreme, cage fighting - it's given me a new incentive, drive and ambition to really take note of something I've always preached: you can never be anyone else, forever be your best self.

In a few short months it's become somewhat a reality, the concept of joining them at Tough Mudder / Spartan Races over the next year or so. It'll be hard graft, but there's nothing more rewarding than waking up the morning after an intense session with a burning sensation running searing through your limbs, yet feeling like you can conquer whatever challenge wants to step in front of you for the day. In more ways than one I feel like I'm taking on several efforts, not to change who I am, but to improve who I am. There's nothing better than the support of those around you in doing the same - and there's never a time I don't look forward to taking on something that's quite simply, designed to break me.


Less Diary..

Ok not just yet! I planned on writing a peace about ambition, believing in yourself and making the most of opportunity but I've been ridiculously tied up with learning material relating to CeMAP, mortgages and insurances (as below.. It's a *lot* of reading) so it wouldn't get my full attention. Definitely something I've got a lot to say about though so I'll save it for next week when I haven't got an exam waiting for me in the morning!

Until then...

A Day to Remember

I don't think I've ever really appreciated what it would mean to me to see my brother getting married. Not being religious I always saw it as a 'process' of sorts, almost devoid of any real meaning, and almost always more important for the bride than what it would be to the groom.

Safe to say, Sunday 25th August 2013 was the day that changed.

I think Ben was incredibly clever, and I was pretty lucky that he met, fell in love with and married Gem. She prepared pretty much everything for the wedding and left me with the tidying up to do alongside the organising everyone on the day - including distracting Ben when she turned up at the venue early. I'll openly admit even I was a little choked when she stepped out of the green VW camper (a very personal touch, kudos Gem) in her custom-made dress, Father of the Bride in tow beaming with pride.

Before all of that however, I was actually rather relaxed. I'd made a point of not once asking Ben how he was feeling, opting to keep him upbeat, smiling and laughing - a plan well executed until Dad decided to question Ben about every minor detail merely two hours before the ceremony. To be fair I had a few choice words for him before departing, and it wasn't long before the photographers had several shots of anything and everything from our pocket squares, cufflinks and the pre-ceremonial cigarette for the nerves that were finally starting to kick in.

Guests started arriving and naturally, as the best man, most of my time was spent meeting and greeting relatives from both families, close friends and ushering them towards the bar. I was still on a strict alcohol ban (not that it stopped us the night before...), quite disappointed to say I've never turned away so many offers of a drink! As Gem arrived, everyone had begun filtering in to the ceremonial conservatory, the registrar has been through our duties as Groom & Best Man, so we waiting eagerly at the front for the Bride's official arrival.

Despite my calm demeanour, Gem entered the room on her father's arm, greeted by a harmonious drawing of breath with nods of approval and it certainly wasn't long before a couple of guests started with the tears. At this point, nerves probably got the best of everyone with some form of duty on the day; Ben's face had lit up as the registrar began the ceremony and it wasn't long before Gem was giggling.. despite the seriousness of the occasion it lifted the room and the atmosphere suited such a spirited couple. It wasn't long before I was on my feet again to hand over the rings, at which point my hands decided to shudder - naturally it was only the most significant 'official' role of the Best Man. Thankfully I held it together, the rings made it into the not-any-safer hands of the Bride and Groom, so I took my seat again. The formalities continued, the guests kept up the tears and Ben was still smiling throughout. Simply put, the occasion was quite frankly, beautiful.

After pictures within the conservatory, everyone filtered out into the garden for their first champagne flutes, plenty of hugging, well-wishing and so on.. unfortunately behind the scenes, the Best Man is then scampering around picking up different groups of people for different photo requirements and so on. It sounds simple but I don't think I've been as stressed in a long while! I didn't need reminding either, but it was pointed out at every opportunity that the next big thing for me to do, was the speech. Specifically, the one I'd written on Saturday morning. Nothing like preparation eh?

So again, rounding everyone up and having them seated upstairs for the meal, champagne was served and before long, the first glass was tapped to introduce the Father of the Bride. Glynn had obviously had his speech well prepared as he delivered exceptionally, kindly pointing out that he didn't need to be charming or witty given that was my job - talk about a tough act to follow. Ben expressed his thanks in a short piece and then it dawned on me. I hadn't had the slightest bit of nerve about delivering a speech to ~50 or so people, but in taking a sip of the bubbly infront of me, standing and turning to address the audience - nerves were nothing short of overwhelming.

As if it wasn't bad enough, Dad was on hand to capture the moment from the most flattering angle, and in turn I'm opening myself up by sharing it on here. In hindsight, I'm generally pleased with the message I was trying to convey and to see it lasted 4 minutes felt like a pretty reasonable time! Having watched the video myself a couple of times, I've also become acutely aware that I stroke my nose when I'm nervous and trying to avoid just reading off of a sheet leads to a lot of 'erms' when you can't remember precisely where you're supposed to be picking up from again. Anyway, enough rambling, enjoy...

I'm pleased to say that following the meal (which was exquisite and I'd highly recommend eating there to anyone in T.Wells), the reception went off without a hitch and I struggled through several glasses of wine, countless JD & Cokes with an interesting mix of Jager and Skittlebombs until gone midnight.

As soon as the professional photo's come back, I'll either add them here or link to FB and hopefully expand on details about the venue and so on.

Hope your Bank Holiday weekends were as eventful as mine!

Follow your...

I recently found myself in conversation about this blog and the direction it was being taken in. Initially I set it up on the back of my 2012 New Years Resolutions (probably best forgotten about, given I can't for the life of me remember what they were, and I don't intend on shaming myself!) but it kind of progressed as an online diary of sorts which wasn't the objective. Infact, the objective was pretty much undecided and it just developed naturally, but I did find myself under the criticism that although some of my posts really challenged people and gave them food for thought - my latter ones, much less so. With that in mind and on the back of recent events, I figured I'd write something a little more 'challenging', at least I'd hope so.

For anyone that hasn't come across LinkedIn's influencer posts; they're generally written by successful, established businessmen and women, including the likes of Richard Branson, James Caan and anyone from the realms of recruitment, entrepreneurism (I don't think that's a word but bear with me) and secure, global businesses. There's a wealth of material to read, no matter your interests. I highly recommend checking it out, and when you read something you can really relate to - follow the influencer. No doubt they'll have a lot more to say on topics later on.

As for this blog, I wanted to address a couple of issues I've come across recently, be it within my social circle, career or whatever else. Hopefully you'll take something from it!


Honesty is the best policy; always has been, always will be

All too often I see people trying to dig themselves out of holes they shouldn't be anywhere near in the first place. Society has drawn itself into the terrible habit of not considering other people's reactions or feelings and thus the consequences behind their actions.. worse still, there are some that completely appreciate all of the above, yet don't care. I'm pretty sure most women would agree this is a fatal flaw predominantly linked to men; although I certainly wouldn't say they're not capable of it too.

I previously mentioned How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carniege, and re-visited it on my week off last week. One of the earliest chapters is so relevant to this topic. Readers are challenged to consider how they treat others, from how they speak directly to people and also about people. When someone does something differently to how we would do it, or perhaps 'wrong', we're very quick to judge and criticise when in reality; it would be far more effective to find positives in what they have done, and how they can improve going forward. I still catch myself being overly critical and counter-productive on occasion but if it's a method you adopt with a honest and genuine approach - both you and the other party will feel much better in both the short and long term. This is particularly relevant in a working environment, so naturally, let's look at the personal side.

Friendships and relationships are built on the foundation of trust. Ironically, it's incredibly similar to recruitment in terms of being so difficult to establish initially, yet incredibly easy to lose in the blink of an eye. It only takes so many niggling, harmless lies to accumulate the point in which someone can come to completely distrust you; feeling let down, offended and disappointed. People make mistakes, often on a daily basis - but the best means of remedying them is to have accountability for your actions, accepting you've done wrong and making an apology for it. Sweeping things under the carpet or hiding them in a catalogue of lies will never achieve a positive resolution. Taking responsibility is the harder option of the two, but ultimately the most rewarding.

You don't always need a reason to do something

Recently I made the point that doing the right thing doesn't require thinking about. You do it, because it's the right thing to do. Instinct is a powerful tool and often the driving force behind more of our positive actions than negative. In emergency situations, no matter who's involved, I imagine most people will do what they think is best at a risk to their own safety for the benefit of another individual. I was directed to a group on Facebook called The Motivational and it wasn't long before I began to appreciate the content. They released a video in which apparent strangers threw themselves onto train tracks to save people that seemingly had no idea where they were, run under escalators to catch falling toddlers and demonstrate exceptionally quick reactions to save dogs from rising elevators.

Sometimes there quite simply isn't time to digest, analyse and dissect a situation - simply doing the right thing doesn't require thinking about, nor should it. Similarly, you don't always need a reason or an ulterior motive to text / ring someone. Saying hi for the sake of it can pick up people when they're down, because it's nice to know that someone somewhere, is thinking of you. Being a little spontaneous and a little bit thoughtful 'just because' can really make a difference. Try it.

Learn something new every day

This is something I definitely didn't appreciate not so long ago. Like many others, I always thought the monotony of school, scripted lessons and the act of being 'taught' was a part of my life I couldn't wait to get away from. I had that phase of long, boring days at work, wishing I was sat back in a classroom with my mates - certainly something you don't have the pleasure of every day when you're working, but then started to reflect on what it actually meant to be working.

Essentially, every day that you don't learn something is a day wasted. Everyone at the very top of their profession who may seem to have nothing left to prove, nothing left to achieve, would probably tell you that there's never one little thing they don't do differently on a day by day basis. Success is marginal. The difference between the great and exceptional is the finest of adjustments - being out of bed before the alarm rings, not having that 'cheeky pint', the sort of differences that the large majority of people will never appreciate, and the precise reason why they will never be the very best in their field.

Learning should be enlightening, ambitious and proactive. You don't have to learn something truly significant every day, but every day learning a little might just make enough of a difference across your lifetime.

Express yourself

Being open and unguarded without a sense of rationality is foolish. Being too open is often condemned. Yet being emotionally shut off is detrimental and destructive, not only to yourself but also those around you, and those closest. We're often guilty of assuming that we'll be approached about the frown we're sporting and expect everyone to know what's going on - after all, we've probably been moaning about it for a little while. In reality, it's easier for everyone to avoid confrontation and probe into the reasons we're not quite feeling ourselves; for them to uncover our issues could be a recipe for disaster, especially when they're not aware just how far the rabbit hole goes.

I'm pretty sure everyone has some form of outlet, be it a best friend, a partner, a parent, mentor or diary. It's not a sign of weakness to have some kind of dependant. In reality, there's probably someone else, if not the same person, that depends on you to pick them up during the difficult times. In relationships particularly, if trust is a foundation - what is a relationship in which you can't be open with your partner? One to be reconsidered perhaps... 


Follow your head? Or your heart...

I found this to be a really interesting concept and given it some thought. Initially, I always thought I was firm believer in following your heart, given that to succeed at anything requires passion, dedication and perseverance. Without heart, you'll never find the drive to keep pushing yourself for the sake of something you believe in.

To spin this theory on it's head however - would you carry on doing the same thing day in, day out, if it meant you were struggling to live the life you wanted? Ultimately, logic plays a huge part in how you conduct yourself and progress in terms of a career. There's no point in ignoring logic for the principle of always being 'true' to yourself, because you'll forever hinder your progression without being able to exert yourself in your chosen field.

That said, perhaps there's an argument for putting logic to one side when it comes to relationships. It's often claimed that you can never choose how you feel, or who you feel it for. In this instance, letting go of something that means you might not make the most logical decision could be almost unfaithful to yourself.

In closing, the logic / emotion conundrum is difficult to judge. Those that are emotionally driven may miss spotting opportunities for progression and a smoother ride to success, yet those that rely too heavily on logic risk fulfilling their full potential for happiness. Consider how balanced you are, and maybe take a moment to sway the other way.

Hope you enjoyed..

Life is easy...

... until you let emotions get involved.

If you're reading this, I guess you chose to given I decided against sharing it like I usually do.

So I've had a pretty weird week to reflect on. I caught up with a couple of people I haven't seen in a long time, had a pretty significant achievement to note which I'll go into at a later date. It's been rounded off with one of my favourite films; Hitch. Naturally sooner or later I ended up thinking about far too much and it culminated in a plethora of thoughts that I'll express here.

When I was younger, a good friend of mine introduced me to a community, a philosophy and a structure relating to social interaction and how we develop friendships, relationships and whatever else we want from those around us, or indeed those we want around us.

At first, it was a revelation. Like anything with a multitude of levels, I took an interest in it and put the theories into practice. In honesty, I achieved more than I could have ever have expected and thought I'd found a place in which I was incredibly happy - my social circles grew, I was far more confident than I ever considered I could be and the only thing I wasn't content with, was my job.

Nine months down the line, I've found myself in a career that I'm passionate about with opportunities to progress moreso than I ever had previously. This week I was presented with the chance to step up to a consultant role in Chelmsford. It's my first real challenge, which will allow me to demonstrate my abilities and become a real reflection on what I've learnt and how to apply myself to my own desk. I'm incredibly confident, slightly anxious and beyond excited to get started at the earliest opportunity - there's work to be done and rewards to be had at the end of it.

So, with the job in line, being the only thing I wasn't entirely satisfied with, you could safely assume I'm on tip top form without a care in the world...

Unfortunately, circumstances change. With relevance to the title, on paper, everything is going well. Beneath the surface however; everything I studied, learnt, analysed and developed kind of fell apart. My social circles are still as they have been, I still meet new people on a regular basis, still have the same close friends I've always considered as such, but emotions certainly got in the way.

I've always been a firm believer in following your heart over your head. When it goes well, there's no better feeling; the euphoria is almost indescribable and despite the lows being almost unbearable at the worst of times; you struggle through them because you know coming out the other side is better than you've ever experienced before. Sometimes your head is frustrating to the point of telling you that everything isn't as it should be; or not quite what you want. Suddenly things aren't as simple as they should be because what you feel is clouding what you think. Perhaps however, it should be considered the other way round.

Back to Hitch, and a quote or two I want to end on..

"Because thats what people do... they leap and hope to God they can fly! Because otherwise, we just drop like a rock... wondering the whole way down..."why in the hell did I jump?" But here I am..."

Perhaps more relevantly?

"When you're wondering what to say or how you look, just remember, she's already out with you. That means she said yes when she could have said no. That means she made a plan when she could have just blown you off. So that means it's no longer your job to make her like you. It's your job not to mess it up."

Identifying your mistakes is the first step to rectifying them. How to do that exactly? Well, I'm working on it.

Inspiration

Those closest to me, and some of those a little further away could tell you a few key things about me.
    1. I'm terrible with money. The more I earn, the more ways I find to spend it unnecessarily.
    2. I like using fairly complicated words when occasion calls for it and I tend to develop insightful phrases at every given opportunity.
    3. I'm incredibly opinionated, expressive, challenging and generally unmanageable. Decidedly unapologetic too.

I touched on my last blog about having people in my life that I find inspirational and that I'm quite lucky in the sense that I have them in abundance. After a lengthy conversation with a friend of mine about her career prospects, ambitions and goals; I found myself immersed in the topic of inspiration and ultimately decided that I'd share my thoughts.

What does 'inspiration' mean to you?

As part of my developing role at work, the question was put to me; 'What are your ambitions, how much will they cost you and what will you do to succeed?', followed by a simple spreadsheet prompting a response to what I want to have and what I want to do. The general feedback I had from others that had completed the same spreadsheet was an uplift in motivation and a sudden passion to begin performing to their maximum potential. Money is obviously a significant motivator, but somehow, I don't think it had the desired affect when I sat down to consider the possibilities.

In turn, this made me consider what it is that drives people to get out of bed, to go to work, to envision their future and to consistently develop themselves as people in order to get where they want to be and own everything they've ever dreamed of. Perhaps in my opening paragraph I should have listed number 4 to highlight my cynicism, but in reality, I don't think the two are strictly hand in hand.

I find it hard to define myself between the boundaries of optimism, pessimism and realism. I think I'm guilty of falling into all three categories dependant on how I'm feeling and what it is I'm contemplating at the time. When it comes to ambition however, I very much think I fall into what I'd consider the middle category, realism. Truth is, I have no real drive to spend endless hours immersed in scenic locations or to be photographed next to historic landmarks. It doesn't mean they're not things I wouldn't enjoy, because undoubtedly I would - but naturally, I could live without them.

My short term goals predominantly focus on clearing my debt, somewhat minimal yet also needless. It only exists due to excessive expenditure and poor money management, so ultimately, I have to refocus my finances and learn to make better financial decisions. Decisions that I should really stick to, because I've created multiple spreadsheets tracking my out-goings, prioritising my payments and precisely where I should be distributing my income. Unfortunately I'm heading towards the age in which I should be suitably independent; I know this, and I've probably known it for a few years now, yet I've failed to acknowledge it.

Following that, I want to be in a position to buy myself a new car, overhaul my wardrobe (far too many Burton tags still in there for my liking) and then reconsider my options going forward. In truth, my long term ambitions are probably relatively straightforward; marriage, kids, a comfortable home in a good area and so on. If that makes me distinctly average? So be it. I don't think there's ever been a price on happiness.

To be inspired is great, to inspire is incredible

Referring back to the discussion that got me onto this trail of thought...

The friend in question is already in a stable, well paid career, a happy relationship and looking to buy her second home. She asked my opinion given my recent position in recruitment regarding a change of career, possibly as a 'career break' but essentially without sacrificing her current salary, with interests in management, law and teaching - three fields in which she has little experience of and no formal qualifications in. Typically, you'd assume the barriers to entry are far too prominent to overcome, but I think this can be challenged. We're fortunate enough to be in the midst of a technological era in which social networking opens opportunities that wouldn't be available to us even ten years ago, possibly less. "If opportunity doesn't come knocking, build a door" - this couldn't be any more relevant than it is today. We live in a world in which we have opportunities to contact people across the world in any given industry.

Following this, she also expressed an interest in psychotherapy and hypnotism, to which a course was available for a reasonable yet not excessive fee. Doing this would give the opportunity to work for herself, and realistically? The financial rewards are limitless. Again, social media and 'viral' internet material opens the world to a whole host of clientèle to work with to the extent that selling anything is far more possible than it ever has been. In closing, I left her with the same sentiment that I'll end this blog with:

If you're passionate about it, you'd be silly not to do it.

If you were to do it and fail, you can at least be proud for chasing your dreams.

If you never even started, you'll forever rue what could have been.

I know which option I'd rather not have to live with.

I hope if you've taken the time to read this you'll at least consider what inspires you and how far you can explore your own potential.

Only a fool would ever give up on something worth fighting for..

I haven't written a blog since October 29th, 2012. I'm still struggling to work out if that's because I haven't needed some kind of outlet, motivation, direction... or I'm just getting a little bit more reserved. Maybe things would be better than they have been if I'd have written something sooner, who knows? That being said, things are far, far from bad, hence the blog.

The Wonderful World of Recruitment

So I've been in recruitment for just over seven months now and I honestly am yet to have a day I look back on and think "Why didn't I stay in retail..?". I've never been as disappointed, disheartened, frustrated or stressed in the same way I am by recruitment on almost a daily basis. The nature of the business is so unpredictable the old saying of "No day is ever the same" rings true more so than I've ever experienced previously. Fortunately a new challenge every day keeps me on my toes and having to deal with a multitude of personalities will never get boring. It's often said that sales people aren't in a 'real job', but the reality is that there's no successful business that didn't start by selling something, be it a product, a service or an idea. In a relatively short space of time; I think I've found a career with limitless opportunity, and for all of it's frustrations, an environment in which those that want to, will thrive more so than in any other industry.

So what does the future hold..?

Rome wasn't built in a day, nor was anyone's future defined in a moment. I recently sat one of the most difficult interviews I've ever undertaken (I've only had six in 24 years, so I didn't have much in terms of experience to rely on), and I probably couldn't think back to a time in which I've been more nervous. I'm sure when I stand up, mic in hand at my brother's wedding in August I'll feel something similar, but at least I'll be a little more prepared; or so I hope. After being subject to a line of questioning I really wasn't prepared for; what events in my childhood shaped who I am today? How would my best friends describe me and what examples could I give? How do I handle rejection?

Ironically they're all questions in place not so much for the answers themselves but rather how they're handled and the thought processes behind it. The interview was more a judge of character than it was extracting knowledge. Ultimately, I know I could've done better but in the same respect I've landed myself on a training course this week with a view to progression in the immediate future; I'm still a touch disappointed, sometimes 'doing enough' isn't quite as satisfactory as exceeding expectations.

Following the interview I had a lot of time to reflect, think and meditate (you read right). The latter is a new process; I often find myself too caught up in my own head and over thinking / analysing far too frequently. I was introduced to the idea two years ago but never really took it seriously until a culmination of suggestions, philosophies and ideologies tied everything together.

I've been incredibly lucky recently to have people around me that are quite frankly inspiring in their ambitions. I don't think I need to mention names, but to anyone that's given me insight whether it be relating to work, poker, relationships and friendships; thank you.

For anyone else that's interested in challenging their perceptions and improving their abilities in dealing with people, I can't do more than recommend "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carneige. I'm only a few chapters in but I've already found it incredibly influential and I'm sure my next blog will elaborate on how its affected me, and how it can help you.

Enjoy :)