A confession for you

Full confession to you here today. I’m right in that moment when you find yourself back in a familiar place, despite believing you've learned the lesson. If you know me, you understand that fluctuating energy levels and burnout have been constants in my working life. Over the past 15 years, with consistent investment in my personal development and self-awareness practices, I've gained a deep understanding of how I work best, what my boundaries need to be, what compels me to say ‘yes’ too much and how it’s way easier for me to prioritize others over myself. ?

I’ve learnt that although others around me can work longer hours and maintain higher energy levels, it's not my natural rhythm and it’s a fool's game to try and keep up! This realization led me to establish Clarety over a decade ago and sparked a personal mission to discover what truly ignites my passion and energy without leading to burnout. I've turned this insight into a business, supporting others to recognize unhealthy expectations and find the confidence to change the systems they are in to work in a way that optimises their strengths and well-being.?

Despite knowing all this I can still get ahead of myself driving for big dreams, falling into old over-working or committing traps and my body can falter when I ignore wisdom it’s trying to share. So full disclosure to you, I’m back after nearly a 4 week holiday and I’ve found myself sick with a head cold and cough, trying to navigate a ‘fast-start’ to 2024 schedule. I’m swinging in-between the emotions of frustration at my body, anger at myself for the decisions I made over the break whilst juggling entertaining family here from the UK and a few moments of compassion where I pause, rest and recalibrate. ?

I wonder if any of you haven’t had the break you planned or returned tired due to commitments or the way you approached the break...??

Sometimes we fail to learn the lesson until our body forces us to stop. Two weeks later, I'm still battling low energy and a persistent cough. I've realized I need to adopt a slower pace, despite my initial intention to ramp things up this year. The critical thing here is the importance of giving ourselves space and time to recalibrate and establish boundaries if things have gotten off track.?

I share this not only as a cautionary tale but also as a moment of empathy. Falling into old behaviors is inevitable, but the key lies in creating space for reflection, self-awareness, and recalibration. Whether this is ringing a few bells with you, or you are happy to keep playing along today, I encourage you, to reflect on your resolutions and intentions for the year with;?

Three questions to keep you on track with your goals for 2024:?

1. How am I tracking with my intentions and goals so far??
2. What lessons can I use to recalibrate my intentions for the year and the way I’m doing things??
3. What is my word or statement for the year that can keep me on track??

For me, my word of the year is still evolving, oscillating between patience, space, and simplicity—each requiring me to stay connected to myself and slow down.?

Two ways I can help you right now with your growth this year:?

First up, if you missed it, you're welcome to grab the replay of the visioning and goal-setting master class I conducted earlier this January. If you haven't yet booked yourself 60 minutes to focus on what you want for the year, then this will give you the chance to get clarity (excuse the pun). It will shine a light on what will create you a luminous year in work and life so please DM me with the word REPLAY and we’ll get it straight over to you.?

Second opportunity, the doors to The Luminous Leader? program are about to close. If you're ready to take charge of your leadership development and transition from management to leadership, email me back with the title 'LUMINOUS' via [email protected] to learn more about this 14-week intensive program and whether it’s right for you.?

One final thought to leave you with.?

One of the key challenges that I see that keeps people stuck at the station from making their big dreams and goals a reality is indecision. We get stuck in our minds going backwards and forwards on which route to take and it seems impossible to move forward. I speak from experience here. One of the very first coaches that I worked with observed me stuck in indecision because I wasn’t crystal clear on the right route forward and my confidence and energy dipped that I could make much needed changes. She could see I was waiting for it all to be perfect or for someone to swoop in and make that decision for me and she said to me.

“What if you trust yourself that you will always make the right decision because you can always make another one”. ?

Her message was clear. Just make a decision and get started. Go for it knowing if things don’t go according to plan, you can always make another decision!?

I’m channeling this today as I recalibrate decisions from last year based on where I am now with my health. I'm reminded that making different decisions is an essential part of growth. It just starts with pausing, getting clarity on what will work better for you, knowing this will be the right thing for all and, being brave enough to have conversations with those that are impacted. (Big shout out to my amazing clients for being so understanding about some of these changes!)

I hope all of these thoughts and ideas have been helpful for you today, Please reach out to me with how you are going, what may have worked for you or likewise, if I can help you more.?

Here’s to becoming even more luminous together in 2024!?