I wish someone had told me how to recalibrate without losing momentum

“I wish someone had told me” is a series of posts that feed into our inquisitive nature at CN&CO. From time to time we hear from someone in our network about something interesting or surprising that’s recently happened or occurred to them – or lessons they learnt. These blogs are a way to pay it forward and form part of CN&CO’s belief that the world can be a better place – and we all have a responsibility to make it so. This post is by Kurt Solomon.

For most of my life, I have thrived on being busy. Meetings, flights, events, birthdays, get togethers, projects… I loved the energy, the pace, the constant busyness. It felt like success. But in all that momentum, I sometimes lost sight of why I was moving so fast.

Since moving to Cape Town last year, I’ve had the chance to experience a different rhythm. More time to explore a new city, walk on the promenade, hike, take the dogs for a walk, hit the gym, the beach and spend quality moments with family. At first, I almost felt guilty for not being as busy, a conundrum as the last year has probably been one of the busiest, challenging and most rewarding all at the same time.  But I soon realised that slowing down intentionally doesn’t mean stopping; it means recalibrating, prioritising and making sure my energy goes towards what really matters.

This year has brought so much change and busyness, yet I’ve been able to embrace this more balanced approach without losing momentum. I’m still tackling ambitious projects and goals, travelling between Cape Town, Johannesburg and other cities for work, trying to be a good partner, friend, colleagues, brother – all while pushing forward with work I’m passionate about both with CN&CO, Gage et al. There’s still a lot to do, a lot to learn, a lot to give back and a lot to achieve. Recalibrating has just allowed me to do it more purposefully.

Slowing down strategically doesn’t mean losing drive. Walks, coffee with a view, being mindful about my health and exercising, saying yes more, but also saying no more. These moments recharge me and help me tackle challenges with clarity and energy. While I enjoy this balance, I definitely miss family and friends in Johannesburg, and that perspective reminds me that momentum isn’t only about work, it’s about life lived fully.

In industries that reward speed and constant output, it’s easy to forget that slowing down a little can actually help you go further. So I am very grateful for the people and colleagues around me,  who equally thrive on my success and growth. I do believe reflection and recalibration give us perspective, help us to focus, and sustain our energy (and health).

So, if you’re feeling caught in the rush, here’s your reminder: recalibrate without losing momentum. Keep moving forward with purpose, embrace the changes around you, don’t forget your tribe and your health, be kind, be lekker and remember it’s ok to prioritise yourself.