Enough’s enough – it’s time for change

If you’re still reading you must be pretty intrigued by this not-just-another-accountant-dude who seems to be breaking all the rules. So, OK then, stalker. Here’s how I got here.

In 2018 I turned 50 and Infinite Possibilities Limited turned 10. Up until then, I spent my life trying to fit in. I wanted to make everyone happy. I truly thought it was possible. I now know I was WRONG.

Because, I’m not the same. It’s ok to be different! So, I’m not going to try to modify myself to fit in. Any. More.

To try to fit in, I used to have rules. Lists of rules. Thousands of them. DOs and DO NOTs. It’s exhausting.

I now have one rule above all the rest:

Brydon has one truth for all times and places: being fully Brydon.

At home, at work, as a dad, as an accountant, as a small business generalist. (And yes, Brydon sometimes refers to himself in the third person.)

1968

Arrived via human female Shirley Siemonek in Te Aroha

1981

Got my first job, delivering newspapers. Got my first paycheck. Was introduced to the tax man. Not impressed.

1984

A big year: beat all the girls in typing exams – threw in the paper run for packing groceries.

1986

Bought my first car – an aqua coloured Mini. Classic.

1987-1996

Moved up the accountancy ranks through firm-hopping and studying. Stuart Robertson, Cronin Collinge, Ernst & Young, Spicer & Oppenheim

1996

Went to the USA to represent University of Waikato at a business strategy competition. Almost won. Also finished the obligatory degree. With honours. Cos you know, if you’re going to do a thing… Might as well do it well. Oh and then there was the Hamilton to Whangamata Bike Rally. Why??

1997

In May I sat my final accountancy qualifying exam. Was so sure I’d failed I literally jumped out of a plane. Nothing to lose, and so: 3000ft solo parachute jump. I lived. I also passed, came 2nd in the exam, and became a Chartered Accountant.

1998

Got picked off the street to do some modelling. As you do.

1999

Left NZ to chase love in England. Learned to snowboard in Austria. Came home with no love and no money. Went to Papua New Guinea to work for Deloitte. Interestingly, watched a bank robbery from my office on 12th floor (robbers stole helicopter and landed on roof of bank next door).

2000

Won Accountants and lawyers SP inter-firm touch footy tournament and the next 3 years too. Fun times!

2004

Moved to Auckland and started work for BDO Spicers, was diagnosed with Arthritis – Anklylosing Spondalitis. Life ground to a halt. 24/7 pain meds, no cure. WTF. Went on holiday to Spain and New York.

2006

Kicked the arthritis in its ass. Proved to myself specialists/experts don’t know everything!

2008

Cut off hair and established Infinite Possibilities Ltd

2009

Moving house and business, bun in the oven, signed contract to purchase new home 1st December, daughter born next day, don’t do things in halves!

2010-2018

Nothing exciting: running and growing business. Trying to be a good dad. Trying to be a good husband. Trying to stay sane. Got 2 hernias – getting old. Damn.

2017

Learned I was Asperger’s and qualified as a member of Mensa with an IQ of 142

2018

Turned 50. Realised I’m probably closer to death than to birth now. Going to try things my way now!

2022

Marriage ended – Didn’t plan on this … but life goes on, so focusing on how best to keep building my better world despite this ‘setback’ … as well as how to be the best dad I can be for my daughter despite no longer being married.