At FURTHER, where the focus is on building people as much as building impact, these human moments matter. They are often small and sometimes invisible, yet they play a significant role in how individuals grow, navigate challenges, and sustain themselves over time.
We spoke to three members of the FURTHER team, Lindsay Cilliers, Yamkela Zimela, and Amohelang Matekane, about the habits, mindset shifts, and personal insights that shape their work and their journeys.
Creating space before the day begins
For Lindsay, showing up well starts before the day has a chance to take over. She prioritises meditation first thing in the morning, even if it is only for five minutes. For her, consistency matters far more than duration. She follows this with box breathing, where she inhales through her nose for four counts, holds for four counts, and then exhales through her mouth for eight counts.
This simple practice helps set the tone for the day, especially on days that are expected to be busy or stressful. When she begins to feel overwhelmed during the day, she returns to this breathing technique to reset and regain focus.
Lindsay has also had to unlearn certain beliefs about work. Early in her career, she believed that she had to prove her value by working constantly, taking on more responsibility, and pushing beyond her limits. Over time, she realised that this approach leads to burnout and unhealthy habits. She has since replaced that mindset with one rooted in self-awareness, understanding her limits, and recognising the unique value she brings to her work.
The power of intuition and expression
For Yamkela, one of the most important skills she has developed is not something that is easily listed on a job description. It is the ability to trust her intuition.
Working closely with people has taught her that many things are felt before they are spoken. She has learned to notice when someone is misaligned, overwhelmed, holding back, or on the verge of a breakthrough. Over time, she has also learned how to communicate these instincts in a way that is grounded and professional. Instead of relying on vague feelings, she expresses them as observations, which allows her to bring both intuition and clarity into her work.
Outside of work, journaling plays a central role in helping her reconnect with herself. She describes it as a powerful tool for releasing thoughts, organising emotions, and making sense of internal experiences. Whether she is writing in one of her journals or quickly capturing thoughts on whatever is available, the act of writing brings structure to what can often feel overwhelming.
Journaling also allows her to reflect on how far she has come. Looking back at past entries gives her perspective and reminds her of her growth over time. It has become a consistent way for her to reset, reflect, and move forward with clarity.
Growing into the journey
For Amo, one of the most important lessons she is learning is that a career is a journey that unfolds over time. It is not something that can be fully understood or mastered all at once.
At the beginning of her career, she felt pressure to have everything figured out. However, being surrounded by individuals at different stages of their professional journeys has helped her shift this perspective. Seeing how others have evolved over time has shown her that growth is not linear and that it is normal to learn as you go.
She has also developed small habits that help her show up with energy and confidence. One of these is taking the time to get ready in a way that makes her feel good. Wearing something she enjoys, adding simple touches like earrings or makeup, helps her feel more prepared and motivated for the day ahead. Even on days filled with meetings, this small act contributes to her overall mindset and energy.
The work behind the work
Across all three reflections, a common theme emerges. The work behind the work is not only about outputs or performance, but about the internal shifts that shape how people show up. It is about choosing self-awareness over overwork. It is about learning to trust intuition while communicating with clarity. It is about accepting that growth takes time and allowing space for that process to unfold.
These are the skills that are often unseen, yet they are essential to building sustainable, meaningful work. At FURTHER, this is what the human journey of work looks like. It is not only about what we do, but about who we become along the way.
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