🌊Notes from the Sea Suite⛵️

Back in early 2021, in the midst of whatever wave of Covid it was, I noticed that my husband David was in a slump.

A big dip in mood was pretty unusual for him - he’s generally one of those people with a lot of perspective, not really phased by much. (A perfect balance for my more…ahem, variable reactions to life’s circumstances.)

Given the situation though, his current mood was entirely understandable. The business we’d launched in March of 2020 (🫣) was at a complete standstill. We were confined to our homes and the light at the end of this tunnel was not in sight yet. We were living a real-life ‘Groundhog’s Day’ - you remember it well, I’m sure!

For me, the stillness and space this period brought a tiny bit of inspiration as well. I felt an urge to finally take on the challenge of training for a triathlon - something that had been on my ‘someday’ list for quite a while. And with this new goal in mind, I was feeling a little jolt of energy and purpose. Maybe that’s what made David’s slump seemed quite pronounced to me.

Sitting at our kitchen table at the beginning of yet another day…that seemed remarkably similar to the days before…and the ones sure to follow…David sighed audibly as we drank coffee and watched BBC Breakfast.

Uncomfortable with his discomfort, I jumped into fix-it mode. ‘Babe, I think you need a project. I’ve got one and it’s made me feel just a tiny bit better…about everything.’

David stared blankly back at me.

‘What about…’ I fumbled through my brain for something that might be interesting to him. I instinctively went to known items on his bucket list (as I had done for myself) and blurted out,

‘I don’t know, what about sailing around the world? I mean, obviously we can’t do that right now, or even anytime soon, but THAT’S a project that is going to take YEARS to plan. Maybe even just starting the early research could be energising for you.’

*** DRAMATIC PAUSE***

Fast-forward nearly 4 years later and I find myself writing this edition of the newsletter from our boat, Pure Joy, currently in the Caribbean. In just a few days’ time, we’ll set sail on a 15-month(ish) journey around the globe.

I’m sharing this story with you because my decision to pursue this personal dream with my family is not at all separate from my professional dreams. Because I love the work I do and get so much from it, I will continue to work inside of my Leadership Coaching practice from the boat (albeit at a much reduced capacity). What’s more, I have a sneaking suspicion that this journey is going to teach me about leadership in ways that I cannot even yet fathom.

And that’s where the next evolution of this newsletter comes in.

‘Out of Curiosity’ is becoming…

Notes from the Sea Suite

I’ll still be reporting back to you on the best, most transformational leadership questions I’m discovering. I’ll just be doing it from our catamaran, and in a different location each time. I have another strong suspicion that this will bring different stories and new provocations to those that I’ve shared in the past. And so a new title felt appropriate!

Writing THIS (new) newsletter for the first time while sitting on our boat feels surreal. I can’t help but think about how a single conversation changed everything. Such a simple concept, and yet it’s too big for me to fully grasp at the moment. I’ll be doing my best to unpack this and so much more in the coming months - and I’m thrilled to be sharing all if it with you!

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CURIOSITY PROMPTS

A single conversation can change the trajectory of our lives and careers. Here are some questions to support exploring this topic further. (And I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on this - please feel free to hit reply with whatever comes up!)

1. What is a conversation from your past that comes to mind as total game-changer? (Professionally, personally, both?)

2. What about you (or how you showed up) made that conversation possible?

3. Experiment with having a crazy conversation with yourself, a friend or a team member. What’s something new or different you would do if you weren’t afraid?

BONUS CONTENT

If you are interested in following our journey around the world, feel free to check out the following

• Sailing Pure Joy Website - Tons more info on how this came to be and what exactly we are doing. And you can subscribe to our newsletter there as well.

• Instagram: @sailingpurejoy

• For Kids: My 8-year old son, Elliot will be reporting what he’s learning in each location via his vlog Elliot’s Excellent Expedition.

WRITE YOUR NEXT CHAPTER

NEW! I created a FREE 15-minute tool designed to support those who are in search of the headspace and energy they need in order to start writing the next chapter of work and life.

And, as I mentioned, my work as a Leadership Coach continues from the high seas! If you are thinking about how to write your next chapter, feel free to check out ways to partner with me HERE.

In all curiousness,

Joy

P.S. If/when the spirit ever moves you or you have questions - always feel free to get in touch and let me know what’s coming up for you!

P.P.S. Know someone who would enjoy reading this newsletter? Feel free to share!

P.P.P.S. Pointed to this newsletter by a friend and want more? You can subscribe to the newsletter HERE.