AQW: Clarity
A QUICK WORD ON: CLARITY
🌠 I laid on my back, the top of my head touching the top of my son’s head, stared up at the stars and chatted topics big and small with him.
🤣 I sat on my living room floor with a couple of dear girlfriends I hadn’t seen in ages and laughed hysterically. (Crying-hard-to-catch-your-breath-laughter. I think a little pee came out. 🙊)
🏊♀️ I swam and felt every bit of the experience on my skin, in my muscles.
🎤 I sang at the top of my lungs while embracing people I love at three different outdoor concerts. (Not least of all the long-awaited Taylor Swift!)
💜 I did nothing at all - besides staring at the scenery and feeling the breeze on my skin and the movement of the waves below our boat - while holding hands with my husband.
I know I’m not alone in associating summer holidays with special memories. And when I remember to be fully present for these moments - as they are happening, and in recalling them later - I always feel fortunate and happy. Anyone who has a gratitude practice of any kind knows the value of this.
But have you ever paused to ask what (really) makes these moments meaningful to you in the first place?
What about the moment made you pause and take it in?
Why did it give you that little chill or thrill or maybe bring a tear to your eye?
Why did you make a promise to yourself remember it forever?
What did it represent? What was being honoured in that moment?
When I hit rewind and pause on the moments I’ve described, with the support of the questions above, the words that emerge for ME are:
True Expression. Connection. THIS. This is where I find meaning.
This insight begs the questions:
Where in my life does it feel like I’m lacking these? (Whether it be some aspect of work, a specific relationship or a daunting challenge.)
How might I create more opportunties to experience them in that area?
I don’t have crisp answers to these yet. But come September, I will. And I’ll be ready to hit the ground running. Because THIS is where I find clarity.
So, as you enjoy the middle or the tail end of your holidays, I’ll extend an invitation to consider that noticing and being grateful for your most meaningful moments this summer is simply the exciting start. There’s even more joy - and indeed CLARITY - to be found in pausing to get super curious about them.
BONUS CONTENT
If you are thinking about getting ready to write your next chapter (whether that’s a big move, stepping up or simply staying put in a way that feels more fulfilling), take this short quiz. You’ll come away with ideas on where to focus your attention as well as some tools for generating more clarity, belief and momentum.
WORK WITH ME
I support female leaders to hone their authentic leadership style and write the next bold chapter of work and life. It's the most rewarding work of my career to date and there are TWO ways I currently do it.
1️⃣ I run an online, self-paced course designed to support emerging female leaders in creating their unique and powerful gameplan for more progression, impact, fulfilment and FUN in their careers and beyond.
2️⃣ I support high-performing female leaders inside of bespoke, 1-to-1 coaching partnerships to produce extraordinary results by bridging the gap between where they are now and where they want to be. Please note: I have space for a couple more partnerships to kick off in September and then I will be winding down my 1-to-1 practice for a while. (Because adventure awaits!) If you are curious about what a coaching partnership with me could look like, now’s the time to get in touch.
Wishing you rest, recharge and many meaningful moments this summer,
Joy
P.S. In case you missed it, enrolment opens this month for Progress with Purpose. This is my self-paced online course designed to support female leaders to take ownership of progressing their careers in full alignment with their values and priorities. If this sounds remotely interesting to you, I highly recommend you join the waitlist.
P.P.S. Always feel free to get in touch if the spirit moves you or to share this with a friend if you think it might resonate!