Recalibrating

I find myself making time this morning to recalibrate – which is a core part of where I coach, so it’s good to ‘practice what you preach’ (or rather, ‘create what you converse’ since there’s no preaching involved in my coaching conversations). The past two weeks have been tough as I deal with both the practicalities of death as well as try to find pockets of time to come to terms with losing mum. Throw half term in there, camping, kids and house of chaos and it’s easy to see how one could lose the plot.

But isn’t this what resilience is supposed to be all about? The ability to be adaptable in changing and unexpected circumstance? If it is, then I’m not doing too badly (today).

I surrendered to children-focus last week because that was an obvious priority – my role as mum will always take precedent over anything else (whether I like it or not). The kids needed some TLC, some mumtime, and to get away – and our camping trip proved to be the best healing and bonding experience for all of us.

I’m able to adapt my business, being boss of my own companies, and thankfully having amazing project support for the Arts & Wellness studio I run. My coaching will take a hit – I’ve capped my number of 121 clients for the next 6 weeks and adapted my current online offers to fit the reduced hours. I’ve also sat down and made changes to my quarterly strategy and considered how to best consolidate marketing efforts.

But it’s not just the reduced hours that need consideration here, it’s capacity – emotional capacity and energy is being zapped just now as we all go through this transition, and look to hold each other’s emotional space. Going slow, gentleness, eating fresh and sleep are the biggest self care gifts I can award myself just at this time. My amazing friends have also consistently messaged me uplifting and heart warming messages and reminders to eat, drink, be kind. I am so grateful to those.

So what does getting ‘back on track’ (also at the heart of my coaching) look like for me now? I have started to reintroduce the little routines that I know keep me sane – walking every night and running when I can (just a little bit), having an awareness of gratitude and practising Three Good Things at night, and trying to eat well – with the exception of a cupcake laden Jubilee weekend.

And a reminder that my mum’s love for us was immense, and that carries through us. The love has become embedded in my heart in a way couldn’t imagine possible, coming through in both my personal and professional life in subtle ways such as deeper listening, empathy as (even more of) a core value, and always having the time that someone is felt respected, valued and loved.

As I gently step back into my coaching role my life-purpose is reaffirmed, bounded by this deep reconnection - my mission to support leaders align life and work in a rewarding, non-burned-out way, for positive impact - absolutely fits.

We can all step #intoawesomeness

If you would like to enquire about how coaching can help you recalibrate and get back on track book a free chat.