Why Moving Overseas Might Be Exactly What You Need 

As you’re reading this, I’m on my way to start a new chapter in a new country.

I’m moving to Thailand.

It’s a big move…

But it’s not my first big move overseas.

I’ve been thinking about that a lot recently…

About growing up in Australia…

About leaving my hometown behind…

And about how much living overseas has given me.

It’s challenged me.

It’s helped me become more resilient.

It’s helped me to grow as a person, as a partner, and as an entrepreneur.

But… it’s time.

Time to say goodbye to the place I’ve been calling home.

These goodbyes are one of the hardest things about self-evolution:

Leaving great things behind so I can greet even better things ahead.

But that’s the reality of self-development.

If you want to keep growing, you have to keep going.

Keep pushing your limits.

Keep finding new ways to:

• Get excited,

• Challenge yourself,

• Expand your horizons,

• Face your fears head-on, and

• Chase the life you always dreamed of.

This whole concept of leaving where you grew up to move overseas has been bouncing around my head for months…

So I wanted to write you this newsletter.

I wanted to share with you how moving overseas is one of the best decisions you can make for yourself…

(And might be exactly what you need.)

For your personal growth...

For your business…

For your dream life…

Sure, some people might think moving to somewhere like Thailand is “the dream”

And others might think it’s crazy.

But for me, it’s exactly what I need.

And it might just be what you need, too.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Moving overseas will, without a doubt, level you up.

Expect your personal evolution to skyrocket…

But you need to have realistic expectations.

Calling a new country “home” comes with a lot of good…

But there’s a lot of bad and ugly, too.

And the ugly truth about moving overseas is that people romanticise the shit out of it.

I definitely have, and you probably have too.

People think moving to a new country means everything is sunshine.

Everything is sexy.

Everything is simple.

But it’s also difficult…

And testing…

And frustrating…

And those hard parts are even harder when you bring ‘Status Quo’ thinking with you.

Thoughts like “I have to sacrifice now so it’s worth it later” or “When I have this, then I’ll have that” (read more about the ‘when-then fallacy’ here)

When you move overseas, unless you ditch the Status Quo… those preconceptions follow you.

They stow away in your luggage…

They tighten their grip on your mind and your actions…

They refuse to let go—controlling what you do and how you do it…

And the “sexiness” of a new country isn’t going to stop that.

In fact, it’s actually going to make everything harder.

It’s going to challenge you and make you uncomfortable.

It’s going to throw your Status Quo system for a fucking loop.

So, before you take the leap and move abroad…

You need to understand the reality of the challenges that are required for growth, and the tough questions you need to ask yourself.

“Am I content living the Status Quo right where I am?”

Or…

“Am I ready to grow and achieve my dream life by leaving the Status Quo behind?”

I picked the second one.

And I hope you do, too.

Because the benefits of moving overseas are endless.

The Three-Tiered Benefits of Moving Overseas

I said before that people romanticise moving overseas to places like Indonesia or Thailand.

While that’s definitely true…

The romanticised benefits aren’t necessarily “wrong.”

In fact, a lot of them are accurate.

“I’d love to live there, it’s so beautiful!”

Absolutely true. Indonesia and Thailand are both incredibly beautiful.

“Eating Thai/Indonesian food every day sounds great!”

Correct again. Both countries have damn good food.

“It would be exciting to see waterfalls and monkeys!”

Not wrong, either. Both places have picturesque landscapes and wildlife most people don’t get to see.

While none of those ‘benefits’ are inaccurate...

They’re just more suited to a holiday destination than a country to call home.

Would you move overseas for a touristy Instagram spot?

The benefits I’m talking about are bigger than vacation features:

1. Benefits for the Self.

2. Benefits for the Inner Community.

3. Benefits for the Business.

Let’s get into each of them.

Benefits for the Self

If you’re considering moving overseas, you might be wondering…

“Is it really worth it? Will it really be that good for me personally?”

And that’s a good question.

Most people will tell you about the beachy, vacation benefits.

The Instagrammable cafes where you can photograph your laptop and a coffee...

Or how awesome it is to wake up without shitty weather all the time…

But those aren’t the true benefits.

The Benefits for the Self are more… profound.

1. Expanded Perspective

Living in the same place your whole life can be dangerous.

It can limit you.

It can put you at risk.

Risk of having the same damn perspective your entire life.

If nothing you experience ever changes…

Your perspective is never challenged.

And that gives you a one-way ticket to monotony.

Living abroad challenges you and your thought process.

It puts pressure on your preconceived notions and misconceptions.

It highlights potential biases, easily flagging areas for self-improvement.

When you see the world from different angles...

You start to approach the world from different angles, too.

An expanded perspective is a strong perspective.

And it sets the tone for growth.

2. Cultural Awareness

To complement your newly expanded perspective, your cultural awareness will improve.

New languages and mannerisms.

New traditions and celebrations.

New foods and flavours.

New experiences.

Fully immersing yourself in a brand new culture means you’ll never stop learning.

You’ll constantly be thinking and trying and observing…

You’ll be tired… but a fulfilling kind of tired.

Prioritising new experiences and continuing your cultural learning means something else…

It means your awareness can transform into appreciation.

You’ll start to better recognise the beauty of diversity.

You’ll embrace new cultures with open arms and an open mind.

You’ll accept every learning opportunity with excitement and kindness…

And that’s something you can’t learn from the safety of your hometown.

3. Personal Transformation

So, what do you get when you:

• Expand your perspective,

• Embrace new cultures, and

• Figure it all out from scratch in a brand new place?

A complete personal transformation.

Starting from scratch in a new place is a gift.

A test.

An opportunity.

A catalyst for growth, forcing your hand in so many ways.

Forcing you to confront your own limitations… then dismantle them, one by one.

Forcing you to be flexible and adaptable…and then resilient when those things don’t work out.

Forcing you to identify and explore the parts of yourself that you know could be better…

And then busting your ass to become a more evolved, self-aware version of yourself.

Transformation can be messy and hard and uncomfortable.

Especially when you’re doing it in a brand new place.

But that’s the beauty of moving overseas and dropping yourself right in the midst of the discomfort...

You’re forced to do the work.

And when you come out the other side — you’ll thank yourself for it.

Benefits for the Inner Community

Now, I know we just explained how great moving across the world is for you…

But get this:

It’s not actually all about you.

It’s great for your Inner Community, too.

The friends and family back home.

And the found family you’ve met along the way.

Your innermost peers and loved ones, both new and old.

Your decision to take the leap and move overseas impacts all of them in 3 big ways.

1. Inspiration and Role Model

Think about when you lived in your hometown.

Was there someone who inspired you?

Someone who was a role model for breaking the Status Quo?

Someone who was doing exactly what you’re doing now?

When you move overseas…you become that person for others.

You exemplify what’s possible when you break free from the Status Quo.

You show others what it means to figure out what you want, and then make it happen.

You encourage others to take a look at their lives and think about what they could be instead.

All you have to do?

Make the move and follow your dreams.

That’s it.

Live the life you want and the rest will come.

You’ll inspire others without even knowing it.

2. Shared Experiences

Now, what about the people travelling with you?

Or the friends you make along the way?

That’s another kind of shared experience.

A new level of connection that helps everyone in your Inner Community.

Because shared adventures strengthen relationships.

And when that happens, everyone wins.

You learn from this part of your Inner Community by hearing their stories…

Experiencing new, different places through their eyes…

And then you return the favour with your own stories...

Sharing your own experiences, wins, and losses.

Your own wisdom.

Your own contribution to what will become an unbreakable bond.

3. Resilience, Independence, and Global Perspective

When you lived in your hometown, you were just one person.

Just one person, part of just one place.

You might have felt like no other place existed… but not in a good way.

Individual. Isolated. Indifferent.

But, while living abroad, you’re part of something bigger.

You’re constantly exposed to new people from new places.

A world full of people with different ideas and perspectives and experiences.

Millions of people that you never even considered because you were trapped in your tiny, hometown bubble.

And the “holy shit” moment that comes when you realise that?

It’s like nothing else you’ve ever experienced.

It’s an awakening to life’s infinite possibilities.

Moving abroad means never being “just one person” again.

And that’s one of the best damn things to be a part of.

Benefits for the Business

So, is moving abroad good for your personal development?

Check.

Is it good for your inner—and global—communities?

Check.

That leaves only one question left.

Is it good for your business?

No, it’s not good for business…

It’s fucking great for business.

Here are 3 reasons why.

1. Business Autonomy

Let’s say your business is based in Australia.

As the CEO, founder, and person in charge… moving overseas seems counterintuitive.

Why would you leave your entire team behind?

Isn’t that like leaving your business behind?

In my experience, it’s actually the opposite.

By leaving the day-to-day operations in the hands of your team — the very capable team that you hand-selected, don’t forget — you’re giving them power.

You’re giving them autonomy.

You’re showing them that you trust and believe in them.

That boosts morale… and, ultimately, results.

It might feel like relocating is paving the way for your business to crumble.

But it’s actually opening a pathway for your business to thrive in a new, self-reliant way.

Business autonomy benefits everyone involved.

Your business will be stronger for it.

And your team will be stronger for it.

2. Global Reach

Wherever your business is based…

And no matter how “good” business is…

I know you’ve thought about going bigger.

Going farther.

Expanding to places in the world you haven’t visited before.

I know you’ve thought about it, because I did.

When you move abroad, your business stays put, but you act as a satellite.

Spreading the word of what you do and who you help across the entire globe.

Your “Satellite Service Announcement” is global networking.

It’s connecting you to new people, new entrepreneurs, new prospects.

Your team becomes global…

Even if you’re the only one that got on the plane.

3. Entrepreneurial Freedom

Moving your business abroad gives you one of the most life-changing benefits…

The one you’ve all been waiting for…

And that’s entrepreneurial freedom.

The freedom to do business while exploring.

The freedom to innovate, to ideate, to be inspired…

And elevate yourself in the process.

Your business deserves the best version of you.

The most creative, innovative, and passionate version.

The version that entrepreneurial freedom will grant you.

That version is waiting for you…

You just have to make the move.

Your sign?

As I’ve been preparing for Thailand over the past few weeks, I’ve been reflecting a lot…

About my life…

My business…

My home — both new and old.

And despite the difficulties and the challenges…

I wish someone had told me to make the move sooner.

So, to all those reading this week’s newsletter…

I hope I’m that person for you.

I hope this newsletter is the sign you’re waiting for.

I hope my move is the nudge you need to start seriously considering what kind of life you want…

There’s growth waiting for you.

You might just need to pack up your things to reach it.

Stay awesome, stay powerful.

P.S: Considering moving overseas? Hit reply and I’ll coach you through it 🙂

P.P.S: Whenever you’re ready, here are a few things you might be interested in:

1. Advice On Starting Your Business: A powerful Youtube video where I answered a reader’s question on how to start a successful business.

2. 'How I Quit Alcohol' Podcast: One of my favourite interviews I’ve ever done. If you’re interested in learning how I came from rock bottom to create a life I’m proud of, you’ll want to listen.

3. Follow me on IG: Get bite-sized video content and behind-the-scenes of my nomad entrepreneur life

4. Join The Waitlist: We’re creating an exclusive online community of 6, 7 and 8-figure entrepreneurs seeking to become citizens of the world and achieve self-actualisation through business, lifestyle design, and personal evolution. I think you’ll love it: The Nomad Entrepreneur Network

And, of course, if you know other people who might enjoy content like this, please share this with them.

Your help in building this community will be forever appreciated.