Saying ‘yes’
Perhaps it’s my stage of life, or perhaps it’s just a need to be more proactive, but I’ve been doing a lot of grasping the nettle over the last couple of years. Taking my chances. Saying yes.
I left the world of employment and set up my own business, got more involved in local politics, was elected as a local councillor and then to Cabinet Member… it’s a lot! And I realised recently how much of my time I now spend WAY outside of my comfort zone. Establishing my business (which is basically marketing myself), building my campaign ahead of elections (which is basically marketing myself) – it all feels like I’m living life with my head ‘above the parapet’.
It takes a lot out of me, I have to admit, and I’ve had to really focus on what conscious steps I can take to be able to sustain. So let me share a few of those lessons, in the hope they might provoke some useful thoughts;
I’ve learned to rope in some support – not to do the looking after, but to make sure I’m doing the work to look after me…
I work really hard to detach my sense of self-worth from my political self and my business-owner self. Which is tough, because all 3 exist from the same values base! It’s taken a long time and a lot of reflection to be able to differentiate those aspects of life, and to realise that doing so doesn’t compromise my authenticity in each sphere.
I’ve tried to adopt a ‘storytelling’ approach. Stories make me happy. Marketing does not. But it is essentially storytelling, so thinking of it like that helps that differentiation. (Thank you to Donald Miller, author of ‘Developing a Storybrand’ for that invaluable perspective!).
I’ve begun to consciously embrace opportunities that help these endeavours. And those that help to ‘refill my cup’. Sometimes that means continuing the Yes and accepting a speaking engagement, sometimes it means saying ‘Yes, kids – let’s make a cinema in the lounge this weekend and have film night in our jammies’.
Critically, I’ve also tried to pay attention to practicing what I preach and reflecting. I stop and note what I’ve done that’s refilled the tank each day. (OK, not every day. But most). Catching that has helped me to notice, refine and be creative about what genuinely helps. Alongside that, noting down the rewarding, positive, grateful stuff helps to keep my dynamo going. No matter my frame of mind, I know this is necessary time well spent.
On which note, time to take the next step forward and keep on learning and adapting! For all that I’ve focused on the discomfort here, it’s a fun and fulfilling journey – make sure yours is too, and I wish you all the best for it!
