Currently...

Project Manager based in Fiji for http://www.madventurer.com/" rel="nofollow">Madventurer. Managing a portfolio of volunteer community sports coaching, teaching placements, building projects and adventure tours.

Projects run from February - September. After this, you'll then find me in my Fijian friend’s village, settling for the laid back Fiji lifestyle of kava drinking, playing rugby, farming, spear fishing and watching the world go by... reflecting on how this all happened!

Before I escaped...

I was an Island Manager for http://www.tribewanted.com/" rel="nofollow">Tribewanted - 18 months spent living and working on a beautiful, remote Fijian Island leading a cultural and sustainable tourism project.

Before that it was desk jobs in the UK - sales management experience across the fitness, automotive and music industry! Got a dusty marketing degree certificate from a very long time ago…

My moment of truth...

It’s all happened rather accidentally. I only came to Fiji for a 3 week holiday… that was 4 years ago. I realized that I was living the dream of many so I'm going to keep going as long as possible. Within 24 hours of landing in Fiji I realized there was more to life than a 9-5 desk job for the next 40 years.

It’s a beautiful place, has beautiful people, and an amazing, interesting culture. All around the world there are different challenges and different rewards but I have been given a great opportunity and I'm having fun.

Planning for it...

I was single, had no mortgage and no debts and had a seemingly unsatisfied subconscious ‘adventurous’ quality.

I was given an opportunity to work on a tropical island. It didn’t take long to decide. Moving to MAD gave me the chance on a new project with different demands and opportunities. You’ve still got to test yourself.

When jobs get easy they become less and less satisfying. MAD pay for my flights, and cover most living costs when on projects. The wage I get covers the costs of beer, boardies, flip flops and anything else. What bits I save cover the months when I take time out in the village, or if I head back to the UK for a ‘holiday’!

The worst and best bits...

Initially, living on a small island took some adjusting. Settling into the community and a new culture was challenging, but rewarding when you make the effort. Fiji will always throw up interesting working demands.

Though I'm working longer hours, with less pay, I have since found money is less important. It is about happiness and testing yourself. Managing Fijian employees is always an exciting challenge. The English & Fijian culture will sometimes crash head on… it’s how you respond and learn from it that matters.

A whole host of new opportunities open themselves up having done something like this. Pushing yourself into a new challenge and new culture, and being away from ‘the comfort zone’ will stand out better on a CV than any ‘work experience’. You are constantly learning.

It’s about life experience and adding ‘dimensions’ to yourself. I have met some amazing people and shared some amazing moments. Just have to decide which opportunity and adventure to follow next…

Best advice...

Network, network!! Social network sites, the internet, face-to-face…

Opportunities, support and advice are there, you just have to have a little search for it. You’ll be surprised what doors can open up.

The simplest conversation could turn into you achieving your dream. I’ve met so many creative, adventurous and inspiring people. The slightest spark is enough to chase a dream.

Challenge yourself.....and also attend a talk from http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/" rel="nofollow">Alastair Humphreys - the most down-to-earth, inspirational, and motivational bloke I have ever met!

Set yourself a plan, and go out and make it happen. A goal will keep you focused. 6 months, 12 months, 2 years, 5 years – whatever works for you. You can keep doing what you are doing, or you can go out and change it.

Don’t be afraid to try something different, even if it’s just for a year or two.