Today is the 30th of December, the second last day in this decade. As I sit and reflect on the last 10 years I cannot believe all that has taken place. So much of it in many ways seems like a blur because it either came and went or it just seems so long ago. It took me hours to put this post together because I headed back in time (which was beautifully archived – thanks Facebook!), reading through some of my old posts and sourcing images that reflected my fave milestones. Though it took me a little while to combine everything, I really enjoyed the whole process.
Last October, I attended Tony Robbins‘ Unleash the Power Within conference in Sydney. Throughout the four days, the one thing that kept coming up was this: “Most people overestimate what they can do in a year and underestimate what they can do in a decade.” I 100% get where he’s coming from. As I look back on this last decade I can see how all the small steps I took throughout each year, once put altogether is something to marvel at.
10 years ago…
If somebody said to me at the start of 2010 that I was going to accomplish what I have now done by the end of 2019, I would’ve been totally overwhelmed. All I would have focussed on is this question – “How on Earth will I be able to do all this?!” But that’s just it, I didn’t need to know. I just went through life, ‘Dreaming BIG and Boldly’ whilst working towards my goals, taking each day as it comes, moving one step at a time. Now 10 years on, I can see how everything has come together, each milestone opening up another door to the next opportunity. Over this time I have learnt to NEVER underestimate what I can do over a decade and I suggest you do the same. As long as you believe you can achieve something, work hard, have faith and not give up, I truly feel in my heart we can accomplish all the goal/s we desire and become the person we want to be.
So what has this last decade taught me? Well firstly, each experience, each milestone I’ve gone through has taught me A LOT. I have always had the belief that everything (the good and the bad) happens for a reason – each experience occurs with a particular purpose in mind. It’s up to us to find out why they have happened and what we can learn from them. It’s our life quest and one I have embraced.
Lessons learnt over a decade
I caught up with my cousin and her kids the other day. Her eldest daughter, Zoe (who is 6 years old) saw a photo of me on a wall. It was taken around 15 years ago. She didn’t recognise it was me in the photo. For a little fun, when I revealed it was in fact me, I asked her if she thinks I look better now than I did back then. She responded by saying, “You look better because I don’t want to say you look worse.” I broke out in laughter. She said it so innocently. She didn’t want to offend me in any way. So I gave her the biggest cuddle and said, “You know what Zoe?! I know I look a bit older, but I don’t mind at all because getting older means I’m also getting smarter and wiser… And that’s awesome!”
It is true though. As I reflect on 18-year-old me at the start of this decade and now 28-year-old me at the end of it, I can see I changed a lot over 10 years, I evolved. I was a girl and now I’m a woman – I grew up. For starters, at the start of 2010 I commenced my journalism degree. I was 18, single and excited to have my car licence. I was finally independent! Yay! And now at the end of 2019, I’m a proud business owner, presenter, keynote speaker and life coach for young women and girls. I am happily married to my partner Brendan and together we’re home owners. We also have a gorgeous little fur baby, Pippa, who’s a King Charles Cavalier x Shih Tzu. I have travelled to more than 10 countries and just recently, have become the recipient of a small business grant which I will put to good use in 2020! Life is good. But does this mean this last decade has been an easy one for me? Definitely not.
What does success look like?
As the saying goes, “There is no such thing as an overnight success”. Any kind of success, achievement, milestone (you name it), requires an immense amount of passion, sacrifice, strategy, resilience, courage, patience, training and commitment. The list goes on. Like I said above, success happens when you believe in yourself and not give up. Success happens when you say “Yes!” to opportunities. Success happens when you put yourself out there, and it most definitely shows up when you stick it out, especially when the going gets tough. So when NYE hits in a couple of days time, whilst you countdown the hours, minutes and seconds to 2020, as you dream about what the next decade could unveil, be encouraged! For almost every single person on this planet who has achieved any kind of greatness would have started at ground zero and with time, climbed the mountain of their dream, eventually reaching the top.
I’m still climbing my mountain. I know I have a bit of a way to go, but I’m also proud to acknowledge how far I’ve come. Are you keen to know more about my own journey and what I’ve been up to this last decade? Here’s just a taste…
2010 to 2012
In 2010, I commenced a Bachelor of Media Communications degree at La Trobe University. At the end of that year I transferred into a Bachelor of Journalism (best decision I’ve ever made, as it was a great course). Also in 2010 I met my now hubby Brendan as he too was studying a Bachelor of Journalism at the time. That same year I joined the on-air team at community radio station, 88.6 Plenty Valley FM as their Friday Drive announcer. In 2011, whilst studying my Bachelor or Journalism degree, I was the first student in my course to have a story published in a newspaper outside of the university! It was a story I wrote about the survivors of the Black Saturday Bushfires in 2009 and how they’re rebuilding their lives whilst protecting the native wildlife, especially those injured in the fires. Then in 2012 I was given an opportunity to represent 89.9 LightFM, Australia’s biggest community radio station for a special memorial project they organised in Brunswick, the day after Jill Meagher’s tragic passing. I collated all the messages LightFM listeners wanted to leave for Jill Meagher and her family. I then wrote them down on the pavement with chalk. It’s a day I’ll never forget – an emotional one to say the least.
2012 to 2013
In 2012, Brendan and I celebrated our 21st birthdays and we also got to graduate from our Bachelor of Journalism degrees together too… definitely a year of celebrating! In 2013 I officially joined 89.9 LightFM’s on-air team, after a couple of years of volunteering, saying “Yes!” to any opportunity that came my way. I became a Weekend Announcer and on the occasion filled in as a Drive Announcer too. Then later that year I became the station’s Breakfast Radio Producer, producing their flagship show, Lucy and Kel, whilst being the show’s Traffic and Weather Presenter as well. I loved my job.
2013 to 2015
At the end of 2013, on the 21st December, Brendan proposed to me down the Mornington Peninsula! It was such a beautiful proposal, one I will never forget. In 2014, I was asked to cover the red carpet movie premiere of ‘X Men: Days of Future Past’ – my first-ever red carpet interview! Representing LightFM, I got to interview Peter Dinklage, A.K.A Tyrion Lannister on Game of Thrones! He was so lovely and incredibly down to earth. The following year, in 2015 I was offered an opportunity to become the Deputy Editor of a new online empowering magazine for professional women, I AM WOMAN. Our magazine featured the likes of Michelle Bridges, Kate Langbroek and Naomi Simson. I helped launch the magazine and worked on the magazine’s first 4 issues. Also in 2015, on the 16th January I married Brendan! #BestWeddingEver!
2016 to 2017
In 2016, I launched my first small business called Miss Savvy. From 2016 to the start of 2019 I contracted myself out as a content marketer. I worked with start-ups, small businesses and government agencies and my work included copy writing, videography and photography. Also in 2016, I along with Brendan were invited to Adelaide to co-host the live broadcast of ACYF’s online stream delivered via ArchD Radio. I also produced the show which ran for 3 full days and mentored the youth who also participated in the live broadcast. The following year in 2017, I launched a weekly show to empower young women, called The Promenade With Me Podcast. Each week I interviewed amazing women with incredible stories to tell and loads of wisdom to share. I also shared my own perspective on all things life and wellness. Also in 2017, I joined Australia’s leading self-esteem education provider for school-aged kids called Beautiful Minds. I was one of their Melbourne workshop facilitators, presenting my own workshops on mindfulness, gratitude and resilience. I worked with them for almost 2 years until March 2019.
2018 – Last Year
In 2018, Bridge Builders Youth Organisation, a charity who support at-risk youth in Melbourne asked me to join their Board. After presenting a couple of workshops for them at their annual UR Girls Retreat, I was so excited and grateful to be given this opportunity, as I knew I could be of value to them. I saw it as a wonderful way to give back to young people in need. Also in 2018 I was given the opportunity to present at a couple of events, including The Cool Career’s conference for VAMFF in Melbourne. I interviewed Sarah Spiker, the Projects Operations Manager for the Cotton On Foundation. Earlier that year I presented on-camera for Banyule City Council’s International Women’s Day luncheon, which featured Australian interior designer and ‘The Block’ judge, Shaynna Blaze. Towards the end of 2018, my weekly podcast, Promenade With Me hit 50 episodes – a huge achievement. I then decided to finish the show after 65 weekly episodes, with the aim I’d host another show down the track – #watchthisspace!
2019 – This Year
Now we’re up to this year – 2019! So what have I been up to? Firstly in March this year I launched a new business and website, one I am incredibly passionate about. Just in case you’re not aware, I am an Educator and Life Coach for young women and girls. I run 6-week coaching programs for both one-on-one clients and small groups. I also run 4 different workshops covering a whole range of topics that apply to young women and girls and these are delivered in youth organisations, schools and events. I’m also a Keynote Speaker and Presenter, which I love.
March 2019
Also in March 2019, I achieved a BIG goal. I organised and co-hosted a special event for young women to celebrate International Women’s Day called Let’s Flamingle. It was a wonderful event with 60 attendees held at One Roof Women in Southbank. I ran the event alongside Luisa Hocking from Honour With Fete Pop-Up Picnics and the day also featured singer-songwriter, Alyssa Agius, and presentations from One Girl and Fox + Hart.
August 2019
In August this year I was given the opportunity to run a couple of workshops for the Victorian Government’s Empowering Women Summit at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre – an event put together by the Department of Premier and Cabinet. The conference had around 1200 attendees, all women working for the Victorian Government – an opportunity I’ll never forget.
November 2019
And most recently, last month I became a recipient of Banyule City Council’s small business grant to put towards a conference for 500 young women I’m organising in 2020. I am SO excited! Which leads me to this next decade… What’s on the cards for me? Good question, right?!
So what’s next?
Like I said at the start of this post, at the beginning of this decade I had goals, but I didn’t know how everything was going to pan out. To be honest I achieved things that weren’t even on my radar. They were wonderful surprises! I’m so thankful they came about. The same thing goes with this next decade. I don’t know what the future holds and that doesn’t bother me at all. One thing’s for sure, I am ready. As Joe Vitale once said, “A goal should scare you a little, and excite you a lot.” This basically sums up my dreams, mission and vision going into 2020 and beyond.
So what are your goals for 2020? What are your New Year’s Resolutions? What would you love to achieve this next decade? Whatever they are, whatever you decide to do, always remember to ‘Dream BIG and boldly’. You’ve got this.
PS. If you’d love to read more about my story, including my childhood (not just what I’ve been up to the last 10 years!), especially why I LOVE working with youth, you can do so by heading to my ‘About Me’ page.
Until next time,
