Balancing the Grind with Adrian Mezzina, Marketing Consultant at Adrian Mezzina + Co

Adrian Mezzina is a Marketing Consultant at marketing consultancy Adrian Mezzina + Co, produces and executes tailored and targeted strategies.

1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?

Sure thing – an epic and at times crazy 20 year career to date via hospitality marketing, media and the music industry, owned venues and produced festivals, founded an agency and a loyalty startup in my late 20’s.

Did that for eight years, exited and for the last three years have been working as a consultant across a range of industries including property, lifestyle, tech and legal. Together with my network of partners, I produce and execute tailored and targeted strategies, offering all of the services of a traditional agency.

I am also a partner in Twin Palms Barbershop and currently working through the MVP stage on a new tech product.

2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?

Recently, I’ve been trying to beat the sunrise as often as I can. Walk or a run in the morning, back early enough to have some breakfast, watch morning news for a daily snapshot of what’s happening in the world.

On the tools by 8am, and my work days are a mix of working through tasks for my clients, business development along with some time dedicated to my other businesses. Lots of calls, zooms, meetings. Lunchtime tan at the beach never hurts (summer only), either does the odd business lunch.

3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?

My role is based on a flexible work life. I exited my previous agency business which had two offices and a team of 20 staff back in 2016 and have been living the laptop life since. So the remote working situation that a lot of businesses have had to adjust to over the last couple of months during Covid has actually not impacted my work life, but has enforced it.

4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?

I was lucky enough to realise in my 20’s that if you enjoy what you do for work, the work-life balance concept really isn’t a thing. It’s a constant cycle on a day to day basis and for me, achieving a flexible work life, on my clock, choosing to work with people that have similar values, respect and drive has meant a happier life overall.

5) In the past 12 months, have you started/stopped any routines or habits to change your life?

Sure, the sunrise thing is new to me. I’ve always respected the early risers and the value it brings to setting up your day. However since uni and then working in bars and clubs, I found it difficult to cut back from late nights. So it’s been a refreshing change with a stack of positive outcomes. I try to mediate regularly too, but haven’t mastered that just yet.

6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?

I’ve had a few on rotation over the years but Seth Godin’s daily blog has been the winner, well-rounded bite size piece of wisdom that I always make time for. Great mix of business with psychology. Also following some great IG accounts gives you a well rounded mix of content across your day when scrolling through the feed.

7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?

Laptop life crosses over with iPhone life as you are moving from meeting to meeting. It’s pretty amazing that you can run multiple businesses from the palm of your hand – really not much you can’t do. Google Docs, Slack and Asana are my day to days, and can’t forget Xero, as a very wise person once said to me, numbers never lie.

8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?

Not sure if there is one in particular but i’m definitely focusing a lot more on mindset and inner-work over the last 12 months to try to keep balanced. Easier said than done of course.

9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?

Make sure you’re passionate about work and what you do with your life. Surround yourself with positive people. If you haven’t found real purpose that makes you tick and keeps you moving when things get tough, keep searching. Also, you are never going to love everything about what you do, so toughen up and get through your list. The reward is always worth it, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the time.

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