Marriage, fatherhood, bringing up 100 games for the Highlanders - it has been all go so far this year.
Now is the chance to bring a first Super rugby title to the South - the place in which he was brought up - and win it for a team he watched when he was a boy.
Smith (29), the co-captain and the talisman of the side, said although it was a final, and obviously a big game, that did not mean a change in preparation.
''We've just done the same thing as we do every week. Just nail down our game plan and get it sorted,'' Smith said.
''We know the tactics we worked on last week won't work this week against the Hurricanes. We will have a good look at them and have a game plan worked out for this week.
''The guys are really up for the challenge. But in saying that, this is a good Hurricanes team. I am really looking forward to the game. We have to make sure we bottle it and unleash it on Saturday.''
''If we want to go out and get a result we've got to go out and do the same things we have been doing every week.''
Smith though knows it is a game that is far from normal.
Tickets do not sell out in under a minute for a regular-season game.
This is a final, and just the second for both the Highlanders and Hurricanes in the 20 years of the competition.
It is not a walk in the park. Smith, who has 38 test caps and played all over the world, acknowledges it is an exciting match to be involved in.
''This is right up there. The Highlanders are a team I'm really passionate about. Just looking forward to an opportunity to play in a final.
''I'm just really excited to get up there and to have a good crack, really.
''These are the games you want to play in. You've got to embrace the challenge.''
Smith was wary of a strong Hurricanes team which has weapons all over the field.
''They have been playing some outstanding rugby and we just have to adjust to how we play. They are a dangerous team. They use the ball and width quite well.''
Smith had not yet decided on what he would say to his team-mates just before they left the changing rooms but said the backing of the southern fans would give the team plenty of motivation.
''We really enjoy the support we are getting. You just have to go into town and see all the flags around. You can see people really enjoying the team. We really want to do it on Saturday. Not just for ourselves but for all our fans who have been with us all season.''
