Changing direction.

What do you do when you’re stuck in a job you don’t love?

For the past five years, I’ve been more fulfilled than ever working with people, projects and places that light me the f*ck up. How did I do it? 

My career has been anything but traditional. I studied Environmental Ecology at the University of Otago. I didn’t really enjoy it and I finished it without a clue what I wanted to do. I’ve worked in retail for AS Colour, did a stint in the mines ‘using my degree’, got made redundant, traveled the world, then settled back in Melbourne consulting for one of the big four. 

Things looked great on paper. I was working in a sector that aligned with my degree. I was well traveled, and I had an email signature saying Senior Environmental consultant - Climate Change and Sustainability. Working 12-hour days for a meaningful cause, though I was still miserable and unfulfilled.

It was through these experiences I acquired an uncanny ability to connect with people almost instantly. This soft skill has been my superpower throughout multiple job changes, industry jumps and side projects.

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I recently came across the term allostasis in the book Master of Change by Brad Stulberg. Allostasis refers to the process of Order, Disorder and Reorder.

When I’ve been unfulfilled in a job or life situation (order), I act by changing to a new job or creating a new project (disorder), then establish myself in a new position (reorder).

The attributors of changing direction are action, reflection and growth. Growth doesn’t come without action, reflection is always needed to understand what has been learnt. I started listening to myself on what I enjoyed and what I didn’t. 

More opportunities started to come as I put more things out into the world – ideas, conversations, projects, myself. The more I put into the world, the more I got back. That run I had with a stranger in Auckland, turned into Subspace and a beautiful friendship, that walk home through a different route ended up with a conversation with an old friend and a new dream job at lululemon.

In my element amongst the chaos at the lululemon FURTHER 6-day Ultramarathon in Palm Springs earlier this year.

I worked on things that were unique to me, things that I enjoyed and trusted that more opportunities would come my way. Yes, there is a lot of hard work, luck, ups and downs, and consistency is key. It all pays off when that opportunity comes knocking.

Over the last 10 years, I’ve worked in two different sectors, started and sold out of a business, had multiple injuries, failed more times than I can remember and bounced back. I’ve had order, disorder, and reorder constantly. I got curious and got out of my comfort zone.

Multiple side projects, dead ends and creative ideas that may or may not have been delivered. It's all about the process

I’m excited to share a new side project with you www.mattwillocks.com. I’ve been surrounded by many inspiring artists, business leaders, creators, thinkers, and doers, that shit rubs off on you. I’m putting myself out there yet again.

I read somewhere that your next client is already in your network laying dormant, waiting to connect. If you are wanting to bring your idea to life, let’s chat, create and make some magic together.

One final note, I’ll leave you with a formula for doing what you love everyday. Assess what lights you up in your everyday life. Do more of it. Find a way to be in service to people that adds value and build a personal brand around it.

I appreciate your time and attention for getting this far in my Substack. If something landed for you leave a comment. If you wanna chat about creative projects, this is your sign to act.

As always, move with curiosity.

Willocks x