It’s been an interesting time being a Perth transplant living in Melbourne over the past two years. I moved to Melbourne almost seven years ago for work and the past three years has really seen me starting to lay down some roots. I’ve really grown my professional network, made some wonderful friends, bought a property and settled into being a permanent Fremantle Dockers Away Member (the boo-ing of the opposition still stings).
Who would have thought that in March of 2020 the whole world was going to flip on its head and I found myself living alone for the first time, working full time from my dining table, unable to see friends in my city, let alone my family who all live in Perth.
Working from home was a tough adjustment for someone who is a natural extrovert and does their best work when around people and collaborating with colleagues. Work became busier than ever which I am fortunate for, but I think combined with all the stressors of lengthy lockdowns, limitations on who you could see, and how long and far you could leave your home this contributed to a real malaise that really dominated my 2020 and probably impacted my attitude and ability to fully ‘show up’ to work.
I could have easily written off 2021 as another terrible year where life continued to stagnate and fail expectations, however as the saying goes in darkness comes opportunity. Coincidentally I had signed up to do a Half Ironman in Melbourne in 2020 (a long distance triathlon consisting of a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run) that was postponed to November 2021.
I decided to really dedicate my time and effort to sticking to a training plan in anticipation for November. From February 2021 I’d started on my training program, fitting training sessions in mornings before and after work. This kept me extremely busy and I wasn’t sure what impact this would have on my productivity at work. However there was almost nothing but upside and made huge difference in my perspective on life in comparison to the year prior.
It forced me into being more efficient during the work day, I didn’t have time to wallow too much in what was said in the day’s press conference, and daily headlines. Importantly I also had something else to channel my energy and focus into which wasn’t just work related. I was simultaneously in the process of submitting a business case for promotion and while in prior years I had been so attached to the outcome, as I had other activities going on in my life outside of work I was much less rigid about it and more resilient in handling work and personal related setbacks along the way. Even the race being deferred for a third time to March 2022 after almost a full year of disciplined training still didn’t faze me.
Despite 2021’s challenges one of the most valuable learnings I have taken away is how much it actually pays dividends to prioritise your work life balance and personal wellbeing as it ends up paying off in your personal and professional life. I am now 4 weeks out to my Half Ironman and feeling confident I will get through unscathed, my business case was successful for promotion and even though I am still working from home for a third year running - the sun is out and shining and I still have the best of Melbourne on my doorstep to enjoy and explore.
Who is Nacha Kirilak?
Nacha graduated from UWA in 2012 with a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies). She is currently an Associate Director in KPMG's Infrastructure advisory division, specialising in program portfolio management, supporting organisations delivering major capital projects in the set up and delivery of their portfolios of projects to maximise the likelihood of achieving project outcomes and return on investment. Outside of work, she is passionate about health and wellbeing and completed a qualification in personal training and fitness shortly after finishing her UWA studies.