Take the leap and change your life

Lisa Be
Lisa Be
Nov 5 · 3 min read

How my move to London made me believe in myself.

Mommy look, I can do this without hands!

It was a Wednesday morning 9.36 AM when I got that telephone call. “We have an amazing opportunity for you here, Lisa. Do you like to join our team in London?”, did Jo, my future Line Manager, asked me.

I always loved my job and my team in Frankfurt. I loved the responsibility and my flat that I shared with my friend. I loved my office and the view from the 33th floor over the city. However, when I sipped my coffee the morning before I asked myself “So now? Is that everything life has to offer me?”.

That this change is coming so quickly was unexpected. I knew I had to say yes, I knew that this is going to be that change that I wanted but I also knew that this is going to be though.

2 months to go

Ok. I have to get my documents ready, I have to tell my boss that I leave, I have to leave my flat and store my things away...

One thing for sure — there is no time when change is “convenient”. Change always happens when everything around you is shouting “NOT NOW!”.

If it is your friends, your parents, your co-workers, your boss — you have to be cold as ice and just be sure about your decision.

If you are clear about your decision, no one can hold you back.

1 month to go

Alright. A little bit overwhelming.

If you are like me, absolutely independent from your parents and you are earning your own money, have your own flat and do yourself make sure you get all information from other people or online.

1) Prepare

Research, research, research. And honestly, you won’t ever be 100% prepared. Firstly, book your flight. Once it is booked you have a fixed date and then you can start to make your plan. Secondly, make sure you have a job. That was for sure the best thing that could happen to me. Thirtly, make sure you have an accommodation. Airbnb is too expensive. Go to gumtree or spare room and make sure that you chose an alternative without agency (they pay you extra administration fee). Also, make sure that you get a contract with all conditions and read it carefully.

Prepare to be not prepared. Most things of this life changing transformation are going to slap you right into your face. Whether it is that you need a GBP 1,000 deposit to move into your flat (when you have exactly EUR 40 in your saving account) or whether it is that you didn't calculated that you need around GBP 170–200 a month to travel to work, you got this.

Through these moments you get creative. Believe in yourself, you won’t die.

2) Network

Make sure that once you arrive you get to know as many people as you can. Ask them about their life, their job, their family and exchange contact details or add them on LinkedIn. Connections always get you a job, support or advice. Don’t underestimate that.

3) Don’t stop

Again, you won’t stop. Your ego is about to prevent you to grow. Be prepared for that. Growing always starts behind your comfort zone. It won’t be easy peasy lemon squeezy but I can tell you for sure that it will be worth it. If you always plan in advance and always make sure that you do at least 5–10 things a day that brings you closer to your goal, you will be fine. Apply to 5 jobs, contact 5 landlords, make 5 phone calls to get you a job in between you find a better job.

Bonus tip

Meditation. I can not highlight it enough. If you give yourself time to focus on your breath or your body for 20 minutes a day it helps you to be more focused throughout the day. If you really want to do this on your own and change your life, you need to be highly organised, cool and optimistic. You can not afford it to drown yourself down into a bad mood. You need to stay high in order to achieve high. There is always an opportunity. Just put your mind towards the door.

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