Intention Over Money Mindset

When I was asked by Sav to do this blog post, I felt honoured. It’s as if I had been knighted into the secret service, only this is way cooler and less likely to put me on the FBI’s most wanted list.

The fact that Sav was willing to allow me to showcase my creativity through my profound use of my ABCs had me gobsmacked. I had so many ideas as to what I wanted to make my mak mark on.

I hummed, I huh’d, and then I thought, “Well, Mak, why don’t you write about how we got to writing this blog in the first place?”

Pack the car and put your seatbelt on, folks; we’re going for a ride down memory lane.

Turning Back the Clock

I landed my current fabulous role of Sanico Software’s Business Operations after transitioning from the pits of misery mining industry. I survived 4 years in an industry that isn’t built for creatives or those who want to open Pandora’s box for all the right reasons. The realisation hit me quite early on in my career that it wasn’t a place I saw myself in long-term. Like the majority of folks who fell down the rabbit hole of big dreams and the necessity to provide for themselves and their families, I too followed Alice into Wonderland.

If you’re unfamiliar with the mining world, it’s an industry where people chase money no matter the circumstances. Because, to be honest, there is plenty of money to chase there.

If you’re familiar with the industry, I’m sure you’ll know that there is an even bigger price to pay than your 10k monthly salary: you pay with the dissipating conflict of putting your dreams or hobbies aside to make coin.

I fell head first down the rabbit hole. Thanks to some incredible people, I was able to get my foot in the door. Even if it meant starting from the ground. I literally mean I started on the ground, scrubbing floors on my hands and knees. I began as a contractor cleaner, walking at least 30l steps every shift. It was gruesome. I can’t paint this picture any clearer for the readers. I had blisters from gross steel-cap boots, I would be covered in chemicals and then finish my shift with an aching body. That’s not even the best part though. I’m that lucky, that I got to scrub human faeces off the walls and ceilings some days.

So now you can see through the mist a little clearer as to why I worked like a horse to climb the corporate ladder. It wasn’t all that bad at the start. Being a cleaner meant I had access to all the offices, especially the managers. It opened up doors for me just from having a small chat with the big dogs. When I tell you the level I climbed to in a short time, you’ll understand that this is the power of networking.

Now this isn’t a bashing of the mining industry. I’m thankful for my time there. I’ve walked away with massive growth in my skillset, sat next to the desks of some incredible humans that I’ve absorbed invaluable knowledge from, and I’ve be in the same rooms as extremely successful individuals.

Now I use that word successful with the slightest touch.

Why, you might ask? Because success looks different for us all. I know for me it does.

My idea of success is how I’m able to write this blog.

Let me unpack this.

Opening Pandora’s Box

If someone asked you, “Can you afford, in this constant state of rising living costs, to put the big pay check down and chase your dreams?” What would you say?

Depends on who you ask.

If you were to ask me, heck yeah!

I was willing to jump off the cliff of the corporate world and dive into uncharted waters. It’s a lot more complex than that of course, but for the sake of losing my readers in the tide, we’ll stick with that.

So I stepped away from the corporate world and took time to chill out. When I say chill out, I’m talking about long walks on the beach looking to the clouds for answers on my next move.

It’s a necessary step to take when you’re deciding what’s on the cards. It’s what I did in order to find my way here. I had to hit the pause button and re-evaluate what it really was I wanted to do.

“But, Mak, how do you know what you wanted to do?” Well, keep reading, and I’ll tell you…

But first! Let me break down the journey of figuring out how to recognise what you want to do by moving forward with, drumroll please…intention!!

First steps on the yellow brick road

Digging deep and finding what you love to do is hard in today’s society.

We’re so saturated in the “hustle culture” that we think working hard in any job will fulfil us with purpose and belonging, as long as we make enough to keep the midnight fridge light on (the most important aspect of the fridge).

If there’s anything hustle culture is doing, it’s driving the younger generations towards chasing fulfillment and contentment rather than mid-management and executive roles.

That’s a win for the upcoming generations but, perhaps, a loss to those who think if we’re not working ourselves to the bone, we’re not contributing meaningfully to society. Boring! That’s such caveman thinking. Actually, not even cavemen. I would rather chase a sabre-toothed tiger than compile a statistical report for the man in his Range Rover. The outdated concept of what is perceived to be “contributing meaningfully” is a pie to the face for creatives or those who look beyond the scope of a gruelling 9-5 job.

We (yes, we; I’m a Gen Z here now) have never wanted anything more than to be happy in what we do. The world has changed; it’s always changing.

With the introduction of artificial intelligence, the world has become even more interesting. It’s thrown a spanner in the works for human evolution.

How will we handle this?

Who is liable for AI’s capabilities?

Who knows?

There are people who have somewhat of an idea of what that will look like… It’s not me, that’s for sure.

My point I’m making is that no matter what you think you’re good at or your family/friends tell you you’re good at. If what you’re doing isn’t being actioned with intention and bringing you fulfillment, you’re never going to reach destination happy.

Complacency, perhaps, but not happy.

As I mentioned a few scrolls up, I’m speaking from real-life experience here.

I wasn’t happy. I was miserable. Pigeonholed, micromanaged, and led astray down a corporate path I didn’t want to walk on anymore.

So I threw my peace sign up and decided to walk away from the big coin.

Okay, fine, my departure was much more formal than that, but it sounds badass; let’s stick with the peace signs here.

While chilling out, I still had ex-colleagues reaching out for help. Great for your ego, terrible for your boundaries, people. Instead of turning their requests away, I decided to hand over my baton of knowledge to them because I knew the systems and development processes like no one in the company ever could.

Although it wasn’t all for the sake of inflating my ego. I did it with the intention to help alleviate the stress they were experiencing. I knew what the stress looked like; I was their leader, and these people were my friends outside of the company. The type of stress you experience in a mining role is like no other. I mean, Boxing Day sales is probably the best way I can explain it. It’s fast-paced and intense, and the majority of the time you work reactively instead of proactively. It was a no-brainer to help them.

Then I had a lightbulb moment…

From helping them, I realised I’m good at supporting people to reach their goals and nourish their dreams. Not a sleeping coach, but a streamliner.

A manager of one, as Sav would like to say.

Putting moving pieces together and making the car move faster and stronger is something that has always brought me joy. I say that in a metaphorical sense of being good at getting other people’s shit together.

Remember how I said to do something that makes you happy? Well, here comes the best part of the blog. If you’ve read this far down, I must’ve sung a note that you like the sound of. Stay for the finale of my composition.

Frolicking into the garden of the Software world

Fast forward a few fun and flowing interviews with Sav and Dom, and I’ve landed in the world of Software.

The view is nice from where I’m standing. I’m in the back making moves and gluing together the moving pieces to help Sav and Dom run an already well-established business.

My goal for now, you may wonder?

I want Sav and Dom to step back from the worry of being engrossed in mundane operation tasks and spend more time doing what they love in the software engineering space.

If you’re reading this post, you will have seen the vision that Sav and Dom have breathed life into. Isn’t it glorious?! I’m not just saying that because I work for them. I mean it.

The very reason they started this business is why I wrote a super groovy cover letter (in my mind it was groovy). I guess it was good enough to get me the role, so I’m doing something right here.

Working for them has affirmed my decision that walking away from the big money and standard corporate BS was always the best thing to do. I walked away with intention. Yes, I know I’ve mentioned this word again; it’s in the title, give me a break. I walked, knowing that I can help nourish their vision of helping businesses in the software world.

That right there is what makes me happy: being of service to people!

Now what’s the plan?

Fast forward to the present day, and I’m in a new industry that helps change people’s lives and businesses.

The bonus is I get to work with a great team, and for business owners that understand the importance of having a human on the other side of the screen.

I’m learning so many new skills, and sometimes I get to do it in my Oodie!

That’s an inside joke for us here, by the way, or for anyone who reads our job ads, enjoy that reference.

If you’re looking for a sign from the universe to quit your job and lean into what makes you live, laugh, and love, then this is kind of it. Think about how your job makes you feel, and if it’s helping keep the lights on and put fuel in the car, I get it.

But, in 30 years, when you look back at your life, did you do what you wanted to?

An astronaut, lawyer, artist, or zookeeper? The sky is the limit!!

Look at the pros and cons of what it looks like to take a leap into the unknown.

Address the barriers, then make your next move with my favourite term, ready?

INTENTION!!

If there’s enough plausible evidence that you can walk away from what no longer serves or brings you joy, then jump.

You’ll land on your feet eventually. It’s a journey; ride the wave.

Besides, who knows what could happen?

It could be your blog I’m reading next.