When the apple dropped

Two weeks ago I was standing in front of a white board at my house wondering why I was in such a funk.

Post its from when Genny was visiting were still strewn about, and I looked at them with a feeling of guilt. We’d made huge progress to get things moving, what was going on? Why was I dropping the ball?

I had been working on the value proposition for our world changing B2B software product, and out of the corner of my eye I noticed the headline value proposition written on the board.

Create the conditions for health and alignment at any scale

At that moment, the proverbial apple fell on my head.?

Here I was feeling sorry for myself, pushing myself to make this software a thing. Alone, in my house.?

Had I created conditions for me to succeed??

The whiteboard marker came out.?

‘Conditions where I thrive.’?

I thought back to situations where I enjoyed myself and made big things happen and started making a list.?

There was a clear theme - I am better when there are people around me. I had been pushing myself to excel in a situation (alone in my house) where I struggled to perform.

I am an office person. GASP.

And just like that, I reached out to people and I started coming back to life.?

One friend came over and co-worked from the Lego room. Another Australia based friend is now a ‘body double’, we work in intentional 45 minute blocks with chitchat in between. I’m scheduling in time with friends and old colleagues - groups that are becoming one and the same. I’m offering time with old colleagues impacted by restructures to help them refocus and figure out the conditions where they will thrive.?

The only thing I haven’t changed is my focus and desire for space in my days.?

So now, as I step even further out of my comfort zone and begin user testing product concepts with business leaders, I feel resourced to do so.?

You often hear me talk about regenerative business - which means a business that makes a net positive impact on the world. Funnily enough, regenerative business is about creating the conditions for your people to thrive and make inspired decisions. While I knew it theoretically, it landed hard when I realised the conditions for this business of one to thrive weren’t there.?

So I invite you the next time you’re in a funk to really consider if the conditions around you are supporting you to be your best in that moment.?

An invitation?

If this resonates and you’re keen to learn more about creating conditions to thrive I would love to invite you to Systems Thinking for Professionals from 7 April.?

This is going to be a fun journey together where we learn and apply systems thinking and patterns in nature to working in large organisations. ?

I hope you can make it!

And another invitation

Now that I know I’m an office person, my Lego room office is open to those who are keen to co-work or collaborate with me on the start up.?

Reach out if you're keen to spend some time together in Whangaparaoa.

And one last thing!

If you know of any 2 day a week Auckland based product coach gigs, I am open to (very specific and values aligned) work.

One of the conditions for this start up to thrive is having the financial resources to make it a thing - I’m looking for a two birds one scone situation where I can use the skills I have to support a product function to thrive while getting my office connection fix and funds to extend our runway. If you hear of any opportunity that fits the bill, please reach out.

Thanks for reading! I appreciate your support as I continue to take leaps of faith with this business and share the ah-ha moments along the way.