Mellissah Smith

I woke up this morning and hopped in my car with a colleague and my niece, and headed for the beach. I felt good. In fact, I felt great. The sun was already blistering hot and after a cold winter in Melbourne, I was soaking up every bit of warmth that Sydney has to offer.

With so much to do today, I decided that I would spend the morning changing things up. That meant the Bondi to Bronte walk, followed by breakfast at Indigo Double Bay and then a trip to the office. I wanted to pinch myself. A healthy start to the day, sunshine and my favourite city in the world, was making me deliriously happy.

I've had the month from hell - in a good way. Each morning I wake at 4am and I do social media for a client for the first hour, then connect with the US for the next hour - all before hopping in the shower.

Like many other's, I have been reading bits and pieces on the Harvey Weinstein scandal and I have to say, that it's great that things like this have come to light. However, he is by far not the only person, and not the last to use his power and influence to get what he wants.

When I grew up, my parents taught me wrong from right. They also empowered me to never put myself in a situation where I would be uncomfortable or in danger.

As I embarked on a career, there were times when men of power would 'hit onto me'. From sending me gifts, to outwardly touching my behind or leg. I was given a room key from a television station manager in front of others at a bar, and another time a celebrity from the station followed my taxi back to my apartment. At no stage did I feel like I was not in control or didn't have the ability to say no. The room key, went straight in the bin, never to be discussed again. In fact, I never thought about it again. Likewise, when the taxi stopped I ran up to my apartment and locked the door. He didn't know my apartment number (of course, because he had never been there), and I felt safe as I was at home.

There comes a turning point in life where you ask yourself: "Is this the best way to spend my life?"

If the answer to this question is "I don't know" or "I don't think so" then it's time to make a few changes.

Everybody dies, but not everybody truly lives is a statement that many of us should have posted everywhere around our offices and homes. Working is not living. While we may get a thrill out of the next deal or feel accomplished by achieving something we set out to achieve, it's not what defines us. It's not what is going to ultimately make us happy.

On the 28th of August, I celebrate another year, and for that I am forever grateful.