I see many South Africans (and Zimbo’s) come to Australia and think they have to start from scratch. They try and shrink into a position that doesn’t fit them, and then they wonder why nothing is working!
They’ve heard that you have to do your own housework and you can’t have domestic help, so they set about learning how to do their own mopping and ironing and mowing the lawn.
I returned a call from a CEO one Saturday morning – to find he was cleaning the toilet as he does with his family every Saturday “Housework” morning. This is how some families work, the jury is still out as to which is the most efficient way to keep our place clean…. Is this the life you imagined?
You go from having a maid who does everything, a gardener that also washes your car every week, and a team of staff in your business, to thinking that you need to start from the bottom. Vasbyt. Grin and bear it. Suck it up princess!
Why? Why should you start at the bottom when you’ve been at the top in another country? Who said that these are the rules? Is it what you’ve heard?
We all know that things are different in Australia – but who dictates what changes and what stays the same?
If you really want to enjoy living here, and thrive like you have (in another life), it’s time to decide what you really want. Ja, sure you think you know what you want – but do you really know, mate?
You wanted to move to Australia, and then after the major upheaval you wonder if it’s really what you wanted!
You could just hug Precious if you ever saw her again….
Then you look at the beliefs you have – about living here, about working here, about re-establishing yourself in a world where no-one cares what school or university you went to, or where you grew up, or who you know in the echelons of Joburg society nor that you lived in the northern suburbs or have a beach house.
It’s important to go through a process that has worked for so many others in your situation. Here are the four steps that I have tried and tested with clients and through research on successful people:
- Decide
Clear your head and tap into what you really, really want. Decide what you REALLY, reallly want. What YOU want, not what others want nor what you think others would be impressed with. Yes I know you’ve always had a good idea – and you’ve acted on them. Simply getting here is evidence that you can set goals and achieve them. Take it one step further and see what happens when you go into this in-depth. Every single person that I have a conversation with tells me that they get clarity that moves them into action. - Shift your Beliefs
You grew up in another country, a couple of years ago (let’s not say how many). You didn’t even have TV till you were 6, you remember Haas Daas when it wasn’t the SABC test pattern. Now you talk to your family on Skype and you can see them on your screen – how things have changed. The world has changed, but have your beliefs changed? Beliefs determine our thoughts and actions. Shifting those beliefs to ones that really serve you now, that will get the results you want. What you thought was right may need to be shifted slightly. - Get Connected
Get Connected to yourself first. You move with yourself – so if you weren’t happy in another country, you’re unlikely to be happy now. If you can’t live with yourself, then let me tell you how difficult you are to live with! Connect to the true you – the you that’s inside there. Listen to yourself, take your own advice, walk your talk. Are you clear on who you should be connecting to? You’ve left your entire network behind, or so you think. I see too many hi-flyers come here and think they need to connect to the bottom of the barrel (or try to prove that they are somebodies and failing dismally!). Then they wonder why the connections aren’t going anywhere. You are still somebody important, It’s just that things are a bit different in Oz. Do you have someone that sees your potential when you aren’t? Are you surrounded by big-picture thinkers who encourage you to keep going when you feel like giving up?
Getting connected to others starts with getting connected to yourself and your family.
Looking outside of you for resources and progress isn’t going to do it.
It’s time to look inside, acknowledge who you are and what you’re really good at. So you can stop doing the things that aren’t your core strength and stick to what you’re good at. What? You’re not sure if you actually were an expert in anything? You and I have lots of work to do!
I know that you are an expert in something. It may be in another field, in another country – but what’s in your head travels with you. - Getting connected to Spirit – whatever that means to you. I call it God, but others may refer to it as the Universe, Energy, Universal intelligence – it doesn’t matter what you call it, it’s how you relate to it. You know that there is an intangible something that is bigger than you. It’s also inside of you. You may even need to reset and re-examine your beliefs to see what serves you now. Tap into the quiet voice inside of you – the gut feel, the intuition or divine guidance that keeps you on track.
- Take Action
Thinking without action is about as effective as acting without thinking. It’s more about what you can stop doing, and how to clear out the noise that is stopping you from thinking clearly and getting the results you really want.
Having a clear way forward ensures that you get what you really, really want.
Moving countries is a great achievement. You have done well.
“I feel like I’ve taken 10 steps backwards financially” is a cry that I hear often. What you’ve really done is taken a giant step across the ocean. Now is your opportunity to capitalize on everything you’ve done and make it worth your while.
Start the process that will make a big difference to you!
If you’re looking for growth and advancement, start by shifting your attitudes, beliefs and actions.
Jill Hutchison
(Due to spam, I’ve had to change the way I display my email address on my websites. You can still contact me (if you can think through the way I’m telling you my email address!) – my address is jill at evolvedynamic.com.)
Jill Hutchison
0419194323
The Connection Coach – realigning you to your goals with purpose and passion.
For further information, please place your details in this box and I will contact you
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