Experiment a Little... with a Mid-year Tune-up
Leigh Morrison (she/ her)
Equipping leaders to navigate the ever-changing landscape of work | Leadership Coach | Career Mentor | Team Stewardship | Co-Head of Coaching Faculty at The Marketing Academy Australia
Welcome to winter everyone! I know you’re not all here in the southern hemisphere, but it feels like the seasons have changed with a bang with some significant temperature shifts. I personally love a few chilly months to hibernate and reset, ready to re-emerge when the spring sets in. So how are you doing?
Back in January I wrote about setting yourself up with an intention for the year. I selected ‘Ease’ and have been sharing some of my journey with calibrating this into my daily routine, choices and prioritising connection over productivity and efficiency in my life. It’s been a bumpy journey let me tell you. Even as I sit here typing I am using my breath to settle the speed and intensity of my thoughts towards ease and a gentle pace (before a deadline).?
What was your intention or word for this year?
I jumped on a call six months ago with two lovely people?to help them select their intentional words. I also got quite a few emails from you wonderful readers on your words for the year. It was an interesting (and unplanned) experiment to see that a lot of the words you all selected gravitated around courage, bravery, adventure, taking leaps or getting out of comfort zones. And from the coaching conversations I’ve been having since, it seems there have been plenty of opportunities for people to trial their intentions.?
Tune in to what has shifted or changed for you
I am feeling the call to check back-in with people. Winter is the perfect time for reflection, deep thinking and planning. Seasonally many indigenous cultures have used this time to hibernate, recalibrate and collect themselves. I invite you to tune in to yourself. How are you feeling? What is persisting? How have your needs been met, or not? Where has this year taken you so far? What insights and musing can you observe????
One potent insight I’ve revisited in the past few months is the ‘I get to’ framing for choices. I can so easily forget the power of choice when I feel pressure and pace start to intensify. My language and thoughts flick so quickly to all the ‘have-to, must-do, and should’s’. I didn’t write a business plan at the start of the year, which was quite controversial. I’m usually organised and have a plan, and given every piece of literature on ‘success’ is about goals, plans, vision and actions I really felt I should?have one but resisted. Instead, I trusted my 15 years of purposeful work will continue to generate projects and people I am aligned to working with. I really shifted towards appreciating what I get to do?every day. Just yesterday I wrote out a simple plan on a page for one initiative each quarter and reframed my purpose and ambition for be. Coaching. Most business purpose’s start with ‘To be…’ and I evolved mine to read, ‘I get to equip leaders to navigate the ever-changing landscape of work’. And it feels fresh, uplifting and more me. See if the small tweak to your thoughts and language being?‘I get to’ helps with the mid-year rut or boost you may need right now.?
The power of a consistent reflective practice
The ‘I get to’ insight came through a reflective practice. I’ve shared previously how to Harness the Power of Reflection to become a better leader. Coaching conversation have this critical element to them. It doesn’t have to be at the end as a wrap up and learning, at any point you can offer a reflection, “that seems to have resonated with you, what is that about?” Or “what are you aware of right now?” Or “that last point seems to have shifted your energy, can you share more?”.?
Reflective practices don’t have to be lengthy either, I encourage you to take 30-60 seconds each day or week during your commute or as you close the laptop down to ask, “what shifted for me today?” or “what stood out for me today?”. Then take a few deep breaths to soak up the awareness. There is an immediate shift in posture and commitment to persevere with an intention you’ve set.?
The seasonal shift will also bring a shift in your energy and that of the team. Feeling the winter in the southern hemisphere can indicate immunity is compromised or lowered, resulting in sluggishness. It’s an opportunity to tune into your wellbeing practices and slow the pace, here are five simple ways you can boost your wellbeing.
Here are some great resources to help strengthen your reflective practice:
The teachings of Buddhist Pema Chodron are globally well loved. She is sharing here how the key to personal growth is stepping out of our comfort zone. But we can overdo it - challenging ourselves to the point where we are overwhelmed and no learning can occur. In this clip from The Heart of The Matter Online Course, Pema offers us a tool for practicing self-compassion as we push ourselves into unfamiliar territory.
I’m a long-time fan of Deepak Chopra, I love his guided meditations on his app, and he collaborates with people like Oprah and Alicia Keys from time to time on specific topics. Here is a wonderful free 10 minute guided meditation, amongst the many available from Deepak on YouTube. These are simple and powerful and can work for all levels of experience.
HBS describe Reflective Leadership to involve self-awareness, introspection, and continuous learning and growth to make better decisions, enhance leadership skills, and improve team performance. This is a great article based on research and HBS have conducted and offers great how-to applications.
Experiment a little...?
Just sitting with your breath for a consistent inhale and exhale for the count of four seconds each, over three minutes has the power to shift your energy. It will move your nervous system into a parasympathetic state, which calms your amygdala in the brain away from reactive emotions. ?? ? I invite you to take 10 deep breaths as a starting point, and work your way up to three minutes of calm breathing day by day, or as you need it. Use the inhale to fill your body with fresh uplifting energy and the exhale to remove fears, anxieties and stress you no longer need. Tune in using your breath, before asking yourself?these five questions to reflect on and reset on your intention for the remainder of the year:
If you’re looking for more support on what you’ve like to achieve this year I’ll be opening up three more 1 on 1 coaching spots to commence in August. You may be keen to elevate your leadership, or get your career plan back on track. Feel free to DM me to set up a no-obligation 30 minute call to discuss how coaching with me works.?
I also have my Recalibrate online self-paced coaching program, which allows you to tap into the tools I use with clients, but move at your own pace towards the intention you set. I have videos, creative exercises and reflection tools for the entire journey so you won’t feel alone. ??I’ve shared testimonials below on what other clients have experienced from partnering with me.
“Leigh is an inspiring career coach. Her mission is to help others show up as their best selves in life, relationships and work, and Leigh does just that. She helps you to be your best version of yourself, navigate through challenges and create balance at work, and in life. I highly recommend working with Leigh.”
Imogen – Leadership Coaching client?
“Working with Leigh has been an absolute game-changer for me, and I cannot emphasise enough the positive impact she has had on my life. Leigh's kindness and genuine care is evident from the moment you meet her. She creates a safe and supportive space to pinpoint your core values and unleash a part of yourself you never knew existed. Leigh had an incredible knack for guiding me through self-reflection and introspection, allowing me to uncover hidden talents, passions, and ambitions. She helped me pave my own way and embark on a dream that I had previously considered impossible. If you're seeking a coach who genuinely cares about your well-being, who can help you uncover your true potential, and who will be by your side every step of the way, then look no further than Leigh. I am privileged to have had the opportunity to work with her.”
Marisa – Leadership Coaching client
Until next month, enjoy experimenting!
Leigh