Update - month 5

After month 1, and although I was not working, I felt an intense, deep fatigue which continued for some time. June and July therefore became rest months. They passed gently as I sometimes slept in, had slow mornings, started walking again, watched an occasional movie -during the daytime - whoa - and spent time with my kids when they broke for school holidays.

?Observations/learnings:

• Not having anything to do was not easy to adjust to. I didn’t think it would be difficult to do but it was.? Having worked from the age of 18 it is really strange to have nothing waiting for your action.? Initially there was an anxiety from it and a continuous nervous feeling - like I had forgotten to do something and that is why I had so much time.
• I had attached a lot of importance to being busy and having "stuff to do".? It took time and conscious effort to stay with the feeling of having nothing to do, be at ease with it and then finally to enjoy it.
• Not being able to slow down and rest, really rest your mind, body and spirit does not seem healthy to me. We should be able to do that. We should be able to listen to our bodies and minds when we need rest and allow ourselves to take the cue to rest.? I think back to so many times when I knew I needed rest and said I would but what ended up happening was not actual rest.?
• Not being able to (properly) rest could potentially be indicative of something deeper.

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As July ended, I enrolled and started on the Positive Intelligence (PQ) Coach Grant Programme for Coaches. I was beyond excited and looked forward to sharing the experience with my accountability pod.? Our pod journey was brief but I appreciate you both Mike Wood and Katja Ratcliffe.

August brought with it the harsh reality that everything had changed. It hit me hard and there were days I had no idea what to do first and how to proceed on this journey.? I spoke to my family, friends and other coaches.? Suddenly it all felt so daunting. I was grateful that feeling did not last long.

Observations/learnings:

• As cliche as it sounds a greater power and the universe conspired as the PQ programme came at exactly the right time. As I worked through the programme, I started to gain a real sense of calm, direction and focus. By doing the programme I was in fact unfolding, for myself, what I should do first and then what I should next.? And what I should do after that.?
• Even though you are starting something new and from scratch does not mean you have to do everything from scratch. Others have come before us and we can leverage this.
• The PQ programme ran into September and by the end of it I knew I would continue to the next phase to be a PQ Coach.? Taking a leap of faith is sometimes the best thing for you.? And trusting yourself is crucial.
• There are people who will support you on your journey with no expectations. And there are those whose expertise you will need. There are also people who will support you in whatever way they can. Embrace this.
• Then there is your family.? Who stand by you, support you and are your strength.? My gratitude for them all overflows every, single day.? There are not enough "Thank You’s" for them.

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September arrived and I challenged myself to run a workshop to build community and “dust off” my facilitation skills.? The workshop was aimed at women who wanted to take a step back and reflect on what 2024 had been so far, and how to make the most of the remaining months by setting some actionable goals.? I ran the workshop twice in September.

• I knew it was not going to be easy as I had limited resources.? I did it anyway.
• I knew the approach may not land with all the ladies.? It didn’t.? It was a success anyway.
• I knew it was going to be rewarding and it was.? I celebrate this!

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It’s November and I've now completed an additional 6 weeks on the PQ programme focusing on my coaching business. ?With this brings so much potential, opportunity and ways I want to engage with individuals, teams and organisations.?

Observations/learnings:

• We are unique and no one is on the same journey as you, however, there are some things in life that resonate deeply within us and these things can be from someone else's journey.
• Having the PQ language, tools, communication channels, enabling technology and ways of operating - suited to today's world - has allowed me to immediately start impacting my coachees and those around me.

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So where to now...

• I will take each day as it comes.
• I will partner with individuals and organisations who want to be mentally fit so they can fulfil their true potential for both happiness and contribution.
• I will leverage the power of Positive Intelligence (PQ) and its various applications.
• I will continue to work towards predominantly using my Sage brain - the clear thinking, calm, creative and wise part of my brain by becoming PQ powered to unlock my own potential for happiness and contribution.
• I will remain curious.
• I will remain excited!

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To end I’d like to say a special thank you to Venessa Chetty and Stephanie Martinis. Your support means the world to me.? Thank you!

For more information on the PQ Programme visit https://www.positiveintelligence.com