Growth can be pretty uncomfortable. You’re stretched and not sure you can do something, perhaps on unfamiliar ground, certainly a bit out of your depth. It’s scary to commit. Pushing on with what you don’t want to do might feel very similar. There’s discomfort and uncertainty. Your commitment is probably lacklustre. How to discern if you’re growing or merely troubling yourself? Ask if it lines … Continue reading The right discomfort
I’m paying an expensive therapist weekly, to embed me firmly in the process of living by my values and engaging with the present. It’s thoroughly worthwhile and a sound investment for the future. So much so that I’d love to speak with my younger self and encourage learning the ACT framework before any difficulty, to get more out of life and give more to the … Continue reading The Therapist and the Alchemist’s Tales
Every now and again I’m reminded I have an audience. That prompts some reflecting on what I tend to write and if I could write more with the gallery in mind. Without a doubt, I could. Listicles. Attention grabbing, tag-friendly, en vogue content. Eurgh. I could write something with mass appeal in mind, or with a very tailored audience in mind. I choose not to, … Continue reading Playing to the gallery
As I’ve gotten older I’ve gotten less and less afraid of saying “I don’t know”. To friends, colleagues, and even bosses. It’s okay to acknowledge that you don’t have all the answers. If you’re expected to have an answer and you don’t yet, the sooner you acknowledge that and seek it, the better. Hiding ignorance isn’t a long term strategy for success. Neither is prevaricating, … Continue reading Don’t know – at least not yet
In my thirties I came to recognise that contentment was more important than chasing happiness. In my forties I’m slowly, I’d say reluctantly, learning that feeling sufficient is more important than striving. That’s not to become a miser or forsake ambition – it’s being grateful for what we have and to recognise when enough is enough. When we’re always aiming for just ‘more’, it’s easy … Continue reading Happy, enough
To get from feeling exhausted after a 3 mile trot, to feeling a good buzz after 30 miles, I had to put the time in to train. To get from answering calls on a service desk, to being trusted to run a Covid related national service, I spent time developing the skills. It’s obvious, surely. But all too often I, and I see this in … Continue reading Developing yourself, and others
I was recently in a gorgeous Elizabethan house and overhead a few couples exclaiming just how clever the owner must have been to accumulate such wealth. Not to take away from shrewd business decision making, but we might all be better off by recognising the value of expert help. Of teams of experts. And luck. Stunning estates and great organisations aren’t the work of one … Continue reading Must’ve been clever, must’ve worked hard
I used to think I learned in order to be more certain. I’m increasingly sure of only one thing, that I’m learning to ask better questions. Continue reading Learning and certainty
For a lot of my posts I use, and I’m sure to credit, stock photography from Unsplash. On my Instagram account, where I post this blog and more, a photo is an obvious necessity, but I started daily blogging here on WordPress where I only need to write. Choosing a featured image added another dimension for me though, even if most readers never see it. … Continue reading Consent and corrections
Sometimes You Learn 