The Sunday Spotlight

A 3 minute read.

3 things. A learning, a win and a thank you.

Let's see where this takes us....

A lesson. ??

This week has been tough. Nothing terrible has happened, in fact quite the opposite. But that doesn’t mean it’s been easy.?

My wife, Laura, has spent the last six days on an amazing silent retreat in the North York Moors. I know it’s amazing because I had the privilege of spending a week there in silence last November and I’ll be returning again later in the year. But her week of nurture and restoration was in stark contrast to my week of controlled chaos and continual action.?

First off all, hats off to single parents! Juggling the school run, dog walks, homework, clubs, mealtimes, bedtimes, washing, cleaning and myriad other daily tasks with a full-on work schedule was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I hadn’t realised quite how much Laura and I communicate to make sure everything happens at the right time and how much I rely on her support to facilitate my hectic work schedule.?

Nell and I still managed to have some quality dad and daughter time and there was lots of laughter and smiles that I will cherish forever. However, my feet have hardly touched the ground.?

For me, the biggest lesson in it all was the power and importance of resilience and recovery.?

To fit everything in I was up at 06:30 each morning and if I was lucky I fell into bed around 23:30. But I stuck to the things that I know reduce my stress and increase my wellbeing. Each morning, before I got ready, I spent 3 minutes in the cold plunge (10°c in case your interested. Brrr!). I took my 20 minutes of mindfulness and meditation each day. I got out into nature to walk the dog, morning and evening. I ate well, I didn’t drink alcohol and I limited my screen time before bed.?

Life is rarely linear. In my experience there are times when things seem to tick along nicely and others where it feels like you’re on a runaway train. Whether it’s an important meeting, presentation or project at work, or picking up the slack at home when life throws you a curveball, we have to learn to tilt and flow like a tree in a storm. Otherwise we snap.?

Developing your resilience and recovery toolkit is vital to your success. Notice what works for you in the quiet times and then don’t compromise when the heat is on.

An important lesson.

A win. ??

Despite all the madness, I still made time this week to make some progress on the new book. I’m trying to narrow the focus and make sure I'm speaking to my target audience so I’ve spent time writing a synopsis for potential publishers. To help, I’ve come up with a one line summary. A “hook” if you like, to guide my thinking and my future marketing.?

This is where I’ve landed:?

A step-by-step playbook for perfecting your pitch or presentation then delivering a winning performance.?

I’d love to know if this draws you in and makes you curious. Is this the sort of book you’d want to pick up and read? What do you like or dislike about it?

It feels great to be able to narrow things down and articulate what I’m trying to do in a single sentence. However, all and any feedback is greatly appreciated.

An important win.

A thank you. ??

I’ve got three thank yous this week.?

Firstly thank you Laura for all that you do for our family. I’m so glad you’re home!?

Secondly thank you to Nell for being so easy to look after, for making me smile and for reminding me where we needed to be when.?

And lastly thank you to Brae, our 2 year-old golden retriever, for making me leave the house twice a day come rain or shine to take a walk in the great outdoors. If anyone’s looking for a resilience coach he accepts cheesy treats and tummy rubs!?

Thank you team Colenso.?

I hope this was useful in some way.

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Enjoy the week ahead. Talk next Sunday.

Dominic