Here I sit here looking out at a large expanse of immaculately mowed lawns, edged with beautifully cared-for conifers, perfectly shaped hedges, and winter’s skeleton trees.  It’s 10°C outside, calm with a light misty drizzle.  It’s serene and beautiful. 

Inside, there’s a crackling fire, and our space is shared with 13 (yes, thirteen!) Maine Coon cats!

We’re also taking care of 6 very woolly white sheep, 3 fluffy alpacas, and 20 red-gold coloured chickens, and I can't help but think about how often we limit ourselves by sticking to what feels familiar.

House sitting wasn't something my other half and I ever planned to do. In fact, if you'd asked me a few months ago whether I'd be spending nearly two weeks caring for a small farm in Ohakune (an alpine village famous for its carrots!) while running my website business remotely, I would have said, ‘yeah… nah!’ 

But sometimes the opportunities we never go looking for turn out to be the most rewarding.

Running my website design business gives me the freedom to work from almost anywhere, whether that's my home office back in Auckland or at a stunningly gorgeous country lodge at the foot of Mount Ruapehu.

More importantly, it reminds me that growth often happens when we take a chance and step out of our comfort zone.

Every new website project brings its own challenges, and every business owner I work with has, at some point, taken a leap of faith to build something of their own.

It's easy to get comfortable doing things the way we've always done them. But sometimes saying ‘yes’ to something unplanned for can open doors to experiences, opportunities and perspectives we never knew we needed.

So here's my question for you:

What's one thing you've always wanted to try in your business or personal life, but haven't quite been brave enough to say yes to yet?