I have always believed you have to have a plan, and then you need a back-up plan. That goes both personally and professionally. A back-up plan makes you brave. When I entered Parliament in 2005, I left a job in recruitment that I loved. I really got a buzz out of understanding different businesses and then placing people into that business who would help them achieve their goals and fit their culture. So when I came in in 2005, I knew that if politics didn't work out for me, I could go back to something I loved. The worst thing that could happen is I would end up doing something else that I enjoyed. So I went for it. I gave it everything I had. With the help of some incredible people in those early years, like Murray McCully, Katherine Rich, John Key, Bill English, and a very smart, driven staff in the then leader's office, I took every opportunity that came my way—although help comes in many forms. I remember the first time I got to question a Minister in this House, I was terrified. My knees were shaking, voice was getting quaky. I'm sitting there; I'm literally sweating. The Speaker calls my name. As I'm standing up, McCully leans in and says, "This is big; don't stuff it up."—not that helpful.