Reframing

Hello Friends!

As I return from the summer holidays, I have noticed a desire to take the time to reflect on the year thus far. Not in an “I’m halfway to my goal – go go go!” kind of way. But in the way of musing on how this year has been going so far, and whether or not that is in alignment with where and how I wanted to be.?

One of my main intentions for this year was to focus more on the (seemingly all-too-elusive) work-life balance. To control my calendar, rather than let it control me. To be more present. I know that sounds all very buzzword-y, but truly these were things that were missing a bit previously and I’ve made a concerted effort to focus in on them.???

So this missive will be a bit shorter than previous newsletters: I wonder if you too are focusing on being more present and less distracted, by screens and scrolling for example?

Following are four quotes that have inspired and motivated me in the last weeks that I wanted to share with you:

REFRAME: SELF CARE...

Do you think of self-care as indulgent bubble baths and meditation sessions??This can be one part of your self-care. But this?reframe, courtesy of Mel Robbins, really stopped me in my tracks:

I am still a work-in-progress in this regard!

REFRAME: STRESS...

We often view stress as something purely negative. A feeling to be avoided or suppressed. But by acknowledging stress, it can become a signal that prompts growth and necessary change in our lives.?What a difference perspective can make. That second question can bring so much more insight than the first!

I am learning to take a closer look at my life when stress starts to take over.

REFRAME: REST...

We often view stress as something purely negative. A feeling to be avoided or suppressed. But by acknowledging stress, it can become a signal that prompts growth and necessary change in our lives.?What a difference perspective can make. That second question can bring so much more insight than the first!

I am learning to take a closer look at my life when stress starts to take over.

REFRAME: REST...

Is your idea of rest the moment you sink into the couch pillows after a long day??“Rest is when we stop moving and grow into the new space we’ve created”.?Cory Allen highlights rest as an active, essential practice for personal well-being. Disconnect from constant demands to restore balance and enhance focus, creativity, and productivity.

That’s exactly why I took August off and I came back rested and recharged!

REFRAME: ALWAYS ON...

Technology has us connected 24/7. We live in a widely accepted culture of always available, always on. When I took a break from social media in August, it was something that required an announcement and felt like reclaiming control of my right to switch off in an always-on world.???

“We all have the same 24 hours in a day. But time is highly elastic. It will stretch to accommodate what we choose to put into it.”

- Laura Vanderkam

Stepping away from technology in August helped me be more present and assess my work-life-balance. It allowed me to come up with the right steps and integrate them into my daily life now that I’m back.?

Have you tried mindfulness walking instead of mindless scrolling?

WHAT I'M READING...

I’ve been on a real mystery novel kick lately. The local library has a lot of them and the genre has really been calling me over the last few weeks. Is it because thrillers and mystery novels capture my attention so quickly?

And the stories consequently suck me in??Anthony Horowitz’s?The Twist of the Knife?was my favourite out of my recent mystery reads. The concept of the novel is so unique: the author is the main character in the story! Anthony Horowitz is himself – a successful author – but the rest of the characters, and the story, are fictional. It’s quite brilliant!

Fictional Horowitz has partnered with a former detective, Daniel Hawthorne, to write about crimes that the detective solves. In this case, a theatre critic has written an abysmal review of a stage play, and just hours later is found stabbed to death - with a ceremonial dagger belonging to our author! Horowitz is arrested for murder and needs the help of Hawthorne to track down the real killer. Quite brilliant!

[A personal appeal from me: despite the links, please do support your local book store or library if you can!]

What is your experience with reframing? Have you had success viewing these concepts from a more constructive perspective or managed to find the right balance? I’d love to hear what helped you if so!??

I’m wrapping up the?Leadership Circle Feedback (LCP)?portion of a 9-month leadership acceleration programme. Very much looking forward to sitting down with my clients to review their individual LCP 360 Feedback assessments!?Hope you also have some exciting professional moments to look forward to.

Wishing you a wonderful end to September!

Hugs,

Julia