Lachlan Kirkwood – Digital Marketing Specialist

The doctor stood next to his bed. 

He looked at my family and told us it wasn’t good.

Fast flutters that lead to long pauses, all before the heart would try and find its stable rhythm again.

It left us in shock.

My not-so-old man had us worried.

 

A weekend trip away for a family reunion didn’t plan out as we’d hoped.

Going into the weekend, I’d fallen into a pause of my own.

After months of constant fluttering, I’d also lost my stable rhythm.

 

It was the end of May that I went out on a whim.

I left my full-time job and decided to pursue my own ventures.

After 7 months, I look back at this as one of the best and most challenging experiences of my life.

I wasn’t prepared for what was next.

The freedom. The loneliness. 

The highs and the setbacks.

Trying to find product-market fit, and eventually being unsuccessful.

7 months of time, determination, and hard work. 

In the end, I was burning myself out trying to salvage the last piece of hope.

I was fluttering from day-to-day.

A long pause was inevitable.

 

It was 5pm when I decided to wind down work for the day.

I normally like to kick back and read some articles.

Like any other day, I sat on my couch and opened TechCrunch.

Only something confound happened. 

I paused.

Out of my control, my mind went blank. 

I lost my concentration, my motivation, my purpose.

The days passed, but I still hadn’t found my new rhythm.

 

A week later, I sat next to him while he layed in bed.

We talked about life. Our memories, our goals, and plans.

It put my problems into perspective.

You see, I’ll have plenty of time to find a new rhythm in 2020, but I need to reflect on what I’d achieved throughout the time that I was fluttering.

Not all of your adventures will be successful, but it doesn’t mean you haven’t learnt anything throughout the journey.

I’d discovered unfound skills in product development, digital marketing, and growth.

I had plenty to show from my experience.

 

As I move into 2020, I’m excited to find my new rhythm. 

The first leg of my adventure was unsuccessful, but I’m looking forward to pivoting into unchartered territory.

As you start to set new challenges for 2020, remember to include time to take care of yourself.

Try and understand the warnings signs of a flutter, then triage ways to find your natural rhythm.

You don’t want to skip a beat.

 

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About me: 

I’m a twenty-four-year-old Digital Marketing & Conversions Specialist based in Brisbane, Australia. With a passion for all things digital and tech, I aim to connect and learn from as many like-minded digital enthusiasts as possible. If you have a passion for emerging technologies and digital practices, I’d love to connect and hear your story.