Time for a break

I feel the need... the need to please! Yes I am using the famous line from that movie to highlight a concerning by-product of the pandemic. People are so grateful to have secured a new job, some after almost a year of applying, that they overcommit themselves in fear of losing that job and end up overworking in order to please... and prove themselves. This not only creates an unrealistic expectation of the workload assigned to the role, it also leads to an overwhelming feeling of helplessness, stress, lack of sleep, eating at the desk and generally exhausting themselves. Then everything suffers... quality of work, relationships, personal fitness and wellbeing, particularly for those working from home where colleagues don’t stop in for a quick chat or coffee break. While there are many practical solutions including time management courses, prioritisation techniques, the most important is to take a break, 5-10 minutes every hour or so to breathe, look out the window, walk or stretch or have a nutritious snack. I encourage my clients to use one of the apps that not only remind you to take a regular break but guide you through the process. The benefits are real...clarity of thought, physical and mental refresh, all of which can reduce the feeling of overwhelm. #careercoaching

Gratitude

Gratitude... the game changer.

As we reach the end of an extraordinary year, I want I to express my absolute gratitude to those who trusted me to help them on their journey... seriously talented and skilled individuals who just needed someone to ‘metaphorically hold a mirror up’ to reflect how amazing they really are. I have posted before how using both Extended DISC profiling in combination with the #ikigaicoachinginstitute process to find their purpose, we have clarified who they are and where they belong. I am so happy for them all as the difference in their confidence level is significant and as a result, they are truly magnets for what they are seeking... in come cases an abundance of roles being offered to them. So you may have heard of the concept of an ‘attitude of gratitude’ and how it can change your energy levels, well I can absolutely say from my own perspective on the side-lines cheering them on, as all coaches do, that they deserve all the success they have achieved.
A challenging year... with some bright spots for which I am truly grateful. Have a great New Year’s Eve wherever you are and my wish to you is for a happier, healthier, kinder and better year ahead. #gratitude #professionaldevelopment #careercoaching #motivation

Congratulations!

Congratulations!! to two of my clients who were just appointed to their ideal roles. I see my task as their coach/mentor to put the mirror up and reflect back to them who they are and the value they bring and then work with them through the job search process. But ultimately it’s up to the individual to put in the hard work and that’s exactly what happened in both cases. Using Extended DISC profiling to identify their natural abilities, skills and work preferences, together with the Ikigai® Coaching Institute approach to identify their purpose and ideal role – we were able to review all the potential jobs advertised and select those that fit the brief. Over the past few weeks and months I have worked with them drafting CVs, Cover Letters, LinkedIn Profiles, styled professional photographs, coached on Zoom interview techniques, listened when roles did not eventuate, supported through disappointment of not hearing back from positive meetings and motivated to keep going through a gruelling series of psych tests and interviews. The result is that now both clients have their new roles that suit them perfectly... and as their coach/mentor, I couldn’t be happier. Huge congratulations to you both!!! #coaching #professiondevelopment #trustedbyprofessionals #motivation

Ikigai Coach of the Month November 2020

One of my favourite quotes is “ there are two great days in a person’s life - the day we are born... and the day we discover why.
Last week I was interviewed as Coach of the Month by Paul Donkers founder of the Ikigai® Coaching Institute and to keep the video brief, one question was not discussed in detail and that was the concept of discovering our ‘why’. I believe there is an increasing eagerness for people to clarify their purpose when everything around us is changing. More people are reaching out for support to help them on their journey. The greatest surprise has been to find that, with a great sense of kindness and compassion, people are reaching out to me to support those close to them who they see struggling, particularly those questioning their career choices now that some of those careers no longer exist... or that are on indefinite pause. To see my answers to the other questions, here a link to the short video https://lnkd.in/g9Egipe

Expertise vs Experience

People often comment on my portfolio career... publishing, luxury brands, industry associations, law, accounting firms & universities. So I explain that while the experience, may be different in terms of environment and terminology... my expertise (business development, branding, marketing and communications) is the constant aspect of my career.

Skills can be transferrable, we need to think differently and have courage to look beyond the predictable same/same career lane where jobs may now no longer exist.

Elizabeth Gaines CEO of Fortescue Metals Group during a The Australian Financial Review Reshaping Australia Dialogues Webinar reminded us that while Fortescue is an iron ore company, they have villages housing thousands of people requiring food, accommodation, transport, education, health care, hospitality – all essential services provided by people skilled in those areas.

My new Laneway Project mentoring individuals seeking employment encourages them to think about changing lanes to explore different opportunities that could utilise their valuable expertise...just in a different environment. You would be surprised at what we have found. #trustedbyprofessional #thinkingdifferently #lanewayproject #professionaldevelopment