The following piece originally appeared with links to the You. Refreshed. area on my website. This has now been Refreshed and is You. Solved.

It’s time to own your own future. I’m encouraging you to take a little time out, to take a deep breath and to consider the opportunities available. I’m here to help you make changes and I’ve included some case studies to demonstrate how. You could be reading this as a business leader or as an individual (or both) – either way, you may be a little uncertain about your priorities right now. I’m ready to be your coach, are you ready to own your own future?

There’s much to celebrate right now, although I recognise that for many these past three months have brought sadness, loss and confusion. When life is challenging, it’s sometimes difficult to see any positives, although a short period of self-reflection (even meditation) can be refreshing. Today I’ve celebrated the sunshine (and boy is it hot), my garden (no surprises there), my family and friends. Looking too far ahead can be daunting. Who knows when I’ll be able to visit the gym or relax in the amazing pool at Ockenden Manor, but for now I’m celebrating some new associations and work collaborations? For now, I’m focussing on utilising my foodie talents and supporting new clients. Like so many, I’m celebrating life in the slower lane.

My husband and I have found fabulous farm shops tucked away in the Sussex countryside and right now I can’t imagine going back to the bustle of supermarket shopping. To satisfy my own amusement, I’ve become a bit of an egg aficionado – organic free range or simply free range, brown, white or blue? I’ve even made coleslaw with my own mayonnaise. And then of course there’s the jam making. I’ve swapped worry about an evaporating interim career with celebrations of tiny green tomatoes poking their heads out for attention as I walk past them.

I’ve read some scary articles recently which suggest that questions about coping with isolation will creep into interviews as a measure of creativity and resilience. Although I support the view that isolation has motivated many of us to get creative, I question the skill of some managers to dabble in the psychology of loneliness, bereavement, and fear of the unknown. Yet another example of when it’s time to press the pause button and do some recruitment research. Naturally, I can help you with that.

What are you celebrating today? Have you spent a little time reflecting on some positive achievements? And whatever tomorrow holds for you, I hope it delivers some light-hearted moments and opportunities for further reflection on all of the great things that you do. Sometimes when employment opportunities seem to be receding, it’s difficult to think outside of the box. But that’s just it, I’m here to help you to make that transformation. We’ll create some time and a safe space for thinking. Together we’ll come up with a plan. Let’s chat about how I can help you.