As we look towards the end of the year, what can you see ahead of you?

As we look towards the end of the year, what can you see ahead of you?

We’re fully into November.

The clocks have changed, daylight savings has started on both sides of the pond, and the evenings are drawing in.

With just 7 weeks left (yes, really!), it’s a useful moment to press pause before we head fully into the darker months and the busy-ness of the end of the year. To reflect on what’s behind us, and what we can see ahead of us.

It’s something I always find it helpful - a way to gather the threads of where I am and what’s been going on, and re-orient myself for what comes next - often so hard to do in the busy-ness of my everyday life!

What needs to go back in the box?

What needs to go back in the box?

There’s always a time in a jigsaw puzzle when I have too many pieces out.

Ones that are useful are mixed in with ones I thought might fit somewhere or could fit somewhere or should fit somewhere. They end up stored around the edges and in piles - and turn into an overwhelming mess!

There’s simply too much on the table and I can’t see the wood for the trees.

It’s time to stop and have a giant tidy up. To put everything I can’t see a home for back in the box and focus on what’s actually useful.

Is there something you’ve been putting off starting?

Is there something you’ve been putting off starting?

Do you ever put off starting something because it feels like you don’t have time to do it properly?

Especially if you think it’s going to be a ton of work to get it right?

And you’re a little worried you won’t be able to do it?

Me too.

Over time I’ve learned what helps me is deciding to create a scrappy first draft.

What helps you come back to centre?

What helps you come back to centre?

You know those moments that knock you off balance?

Perhaps a conversation takes an unexpected left turn, or you receive disappointing news? Maybe a meeting doesn’t go to plan, or you discover a mistake that you’re not sure how to fix? Or a worry or challenge you thought was sorted reappears in a new way?

We can’t avoid them - they happen to all of us and are part of the natural ups and downs of life - but we can understand what helps us come back to centre when they do. It helps to be prepared!

Are you at the start of a change?

Are you at the start of a change?

There have been magical moments in my life when the penny dropped, the insight landed, the way forward became clear. I knew what needed to change!

I’ll never forget those moments, often sparked by an unexpected conversation with someone who unlocked the way forward.

Each one fundamentally changed the course of my life. They led to years out, travel, career paths, resignations, redirections and reinventions.

Which makes it sound like the changes were easy. If only!

Are you feeling unprepared?

Are you feeling unprepared?

When we’re feeling unprepared, unsure, or worried about something it can be tempting to push down the feelings and tell ourselves it will be fine.

If we share our feelings with other people a common response can be for them to tell us the same thing: Don’t worry! You’ll be great! Just be yourself! Go for it! They encourage us to relax, to have more confidence, not to underestimate ourselves.

And sometimes it is about mindset. If we have plenty of experience, evidence, examples that we are prepared and can do it, it’s absolutely time to take care of our safety instinct and that pesky voice of ‘not good enough’.

But sometimes the feelings fit the circumstances, especially if we’re doing something for the first time or stepping into a larger space - taking on new responsibilities, interviewing for a role that would be a stretch, thinking about making a leap.

What restores your energy?

What restores your energy?

It’s been a big September in our house; we are officially an empty nest! Our youngest has just started university while our eldest is spending their 3rd year studying even further away in Canada.

It’s brilliant, all is well, everyone is settled - and yet… I’m feeling the need for some personal TLC and recovery.

So, I’ve been treating myself to more time in energy restoration mode.

Are you stuck in a Zip-Boing loop?

Are you stuck in a Zip-Boing loop?

One of my most memorable coach training days was focused on Improv skills, and during it we played a number of games to stretch us in all kinds of ways.

One in particular really stayed with me. We stood in a circle and moved imaginary energy around and between us - accepting it and passing it on (Zip) or rejecting it and sending it back (Boing).

It took me back to a few university drinking games (with fewer after effects!).

At one point the energy got stuck in a Zip-Boing loop - bouncing back and forth, trying to move and then being blocked, over and over again.

The only way for it to get moving again was for someone to make a change, release the energy and break the pattern.

And, of course, it’s the same in real life.

Do you need a study buddy?

Do you need a study buddy?

I’ve had this book on a shelf for many years - one of those that I felt I should read, and wanted to read, but couldn’t seem to get around taking it off the shelf and starting.

And then, a month or so ago, the Time To Think approach came up in conversation with a friend. She was a huge fan, and hearing her perspective really inspired me.

Even better, she offered to be my study buddy.

What makes you tick?

What makes you tick?

I’ve always been fascinated by who we are and why we are.

For many years I loved a personality test, a type assessment, a quiz - any way to help me find out who I was and what made me tick.

Most of them were useful in some way - helpful lenses that showed me where I fit in someone else’s framework - but even more useful has been building my own personal understanding, from the inside out.