Everyday Creative

Chapter ThreeA Radical Rebirth

Declare your intent,define your value

Somewhere in the back half of 2012, I had the opportunity to buy a 99-year lease on a deserted island in the Gulf of Thailand. (Seriously.) I was living in Cambodia at the time, running a beach bar, guesthouse and Mexican restaurant, while debating whether to return home to Australia. It was one of those ‘sliding doors’ moments. Presented with this crazy opportunity, I had to think: Do I go deeper into this bizarre beach-filled life? Get dreadlocks and never wear shoes or a shirt again? Or do I return home, and attempt to find and fulfil my potential back in the big smoke?

I chose the latter, and in early 2014 I found myself in Melbourne starting my life again, again. After I did a few gigs, and was feeling moderately unfulfilled, a friend sent me a job description for a role as the community manager for a co-working community.

It sounded interesting. Two floors of start-ups. Lots of hungry, funky people working on dreams to make a difference. Beans bags, ping pong table and plenty of craft beer. Could this be the perfect platform for me to explore a new career path beyond performing music or owning a bar?

The trouble was, this would be my first adventure into a more ‘traditional’ work environment.¹ I’d never written a résumé before. I’d never had to go through a standard interview process. And my ‘previous experience’ was far from conventional as you could get.

But I wanted it. And I could see that I was ...