2023 wasn't just another year for James Brett, director of Truly Finance – it was a rollercoaster of personal challenges and business obstacles.
Yet, Brett emerged not just unscathed but enriched by the experience, offering valuable insights for anyone navigating the ups and downs of life and work.
“Like most brokers, I have a mindset of constantly moving forward. I am not sure whether this is innate in us all, or learned through our experiences, or both,” Brett (pictured above) said.
“I think this is what makes us brokers unique as a community. When big issues arise, we keep on pushing through to the other side.”
The lowlight of the year came as a devastating blow – a family member falling gravely ill.
Brett’s mother almost died in ICU, comatose on ventilation for 11 days, after she acquired septicaemia in hospital following minor surgery.
“This was the first time dealing with something like this in my life,” Brett said. “It was incredibly tough, and I had never even imagined it.”
Brett said his way through it was to double down on being self-aware about his mental and physical state.
“Eating right, exercising right, and pulling myself back to reality when my mind would run off with negative thoughts,” Brett said. “I tend to go into a mode of telling myself what I would tell others. Relax, do what you can but accept the reality. Learn from the experience and control yourself.”
Thankfully, his mother pulled through. “Mum is lucky to be alive, and we are thankful she is,” Brett said.
“She is recovering well, in good spirits, and celebrated her 70th birthday. Dad was an absolute legend and super proud of his composure. As dad always says, ‘remember your ABCs – Always Be Calm’.”
In his professional life, Brett was also thrown a curveball after a business deal went awry.
“Basically, I overpaid for something,” Brett recalled. “But this is an awesome lesson for me in both my business and personal life.”
After worrying about it for a while, Brett pulled himself together and moved forward – better for the experience.
“This is what some people call wisdom,” Brett said. “Wisdom only comes from time and experience. You cannot teach it and you cannot learn it. This is what I tell my kids.”
Alongside the difficulties and their silver linings, Brett found plenty of joy and success throughout the year.
Personally, he completed three triathlons and raised over $1,200 for the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) – a cause close to Brett’s heart.
He treasured the little moments like his youngest daughter’s first day of school and coaching his eldest’s little athletics team whilst also giving back with his 50th blood donation.
Professionally, Truly Finance leased a new office and onboarded two new team members.
The team experienced online success with 33 five-star Google Reviews and managed to maintain consistency in marketing and messaging – an important goal for the brokerage.
This led to the team winning three industry awards, including Brett personally being named best newcomer at the MFAA National Excellence Awards 2023.
But Brett’s journey extended beyond accolades and personal feats.
He embraced learning, devouring books and enriching his mind. He prioritised giving back, volunteering his time and expertise. He cultivated connections, both new and rekindled.
“Reconnecting with some school friends for morning walks was a highlight for me. I don't have lots of friends after years of addiction issues and being less than an ideal person.”
Overall, Brett's year was also a tapestry woven with loss, stress, and hardship, but brightly illuminated by triumphs, growth, and the power of human connection.
While we often compartmentalise our personal and professional lives, the truth is, they're not separate at all. They're like branches on the same tree, nourished by the same roots and reaching for the same sky.
Brett said many of the lessons we learn could therefore be applied to both life and business.
“Both life and business are long term. Life is a people game, and business is also a people game. By game I don’t mean there are winners and losers, there is no winner of business and there is no winner of life,” Brett said.
“Problems occur in business and problems occur in life. Emotions occur in business and emotions occur in life. Don’t ignore either one.”
Brett said another similarity was purpose.
“In our business, our purpose is to help more people. We are not only in it for the money, but the money also supports our purpose,” Brett said. “In our lives, one of the most fulfilling acts you can do is to help people. A child, a friend, a family member, the community.”
“So basically, humans in life and in business have the purpose to help one another. This is how we achieve happiness.”
Of course, Brett said this was an overly simplistic answer, but it “probably forms the baseline” to most people’s purposes.
“It’s like what entrepreneur Naval Ravikant said: ‘Most smart people over time realise that possessions don't make them happy. You have to go through that. As you get older, you just realise that there's no happiness in material possessions’.”
With its twists and turns and ups and downs, life and business can be challenging – especially for those in the mortgage industry.
According to the 2023 Australian Bureau of Statistics Nation Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 42.9% of people aged 16 to 85 had experienced a mental disorder at some time in their life.
Mortgage brokers deal with increasing regulatory compliance, clawbacks, and other unique industry challenges. Throw in some personal difficulties, and you've got a recipe for stress and burnout.
Brett’s advice: “Talk to someone. And talk to someone else. And then talk to someone else!”
“What we find is that many of us are on the same journey, and many experience similar issues. A problem shared can be some immediate relief in itself. But talk to someone you trust, someone in your corner,” Brett said.
“And try to think long-term. In the long term, most things turn out well, after a period of pain or angst. Think about your most serious life or business problems. After they were resolved, did they turn out okay?”
Brett recommended reaching out to the support offered by lenders, which gave brokers access to services for free counselling for those in need.
“Remember, you are not alone. Reach out for help, share your burdens, and remember, even the highest mountains eventually lead to breathtaking views.”
If you need help, please use the numbers below:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
