A new week and a new page.  No need to worry about the things you didn’t manage to do last week.  It’s time to begin again and make a new list.  Why not make yourself a cuppa, find a comfortable spot and grab a little me time before the realities of what you should be doing detract from what you really want to do?  And remember to make a little time to congratulate yourself on what you’ve achieved in the past week.  I recognise that writing a journal isn’t for everyone, including me, although since we were advised to stay home by the PM back in March, I’ve got so much better at noticing what’s happening in the present moment.

Last week stepping outside my comfort zone, I attempted to conquer the camera and work with film. Clearly something to practise although I got to the end of my script with a smile (and a sigh of relief).  I’ll certainly take my own advice to practise out loud and in front of a camera, although it’s unlikely I’ll make BAFTA.  What did you do that made you smile?  What did you achieve?

What are your plans for this week?  I appreciate that for many a change of business direction is likely, while for others job search is high on your priority list or maybe for some, it’s both.  Whatever your focus today, try to live in the “here and now”, even if your holiday feels like “more of the same” or furlough is taking its toll.  Make a list of the things that you can influence and the things that you are able to change.  Remember to focus on the triumphs, rather than the disappointments.

It may help to break down this week’s challenges into bite-sized tasks and to adopt a “little and often” tactic.  If you know already that several hours sitting in front of your laptop and peering at the screen or squinting at your phone for too long makes you anxious, maybe it’s time to rethink your approach?  Although in part I share the view of a CIO client that job hunting can be a full-time occupation, I don’t recommend it.  Research a different sector or business each day and by this time next week you’ll have seven fresh ideas.  Communicate with just one person from your network each day and that’s seven new leads.  Remember to take some time out for yourself.  Do the things that you love

I frequently write about my love of the garden, so it’s hardly surprising that I lost myself for an hour or so in the garden yesterday afternoon.  It’s a small garden and there’s nowhere to hide, let alone get lost.  It was reassuring to relax and do nothing except watch the bees explore the agapanthus flowers.  That’s something I’ve learned to do more recently.  Without realizing it, I was with that bee lost inside one of those little blue trumpets exploring its botanical magic.  Always on the go, always pushing forward, it’s taken the challenges of recent months to get me to relax a bit more and appreciate working a little less.  What did you do that made yesterday stand out?

In May while writing about the future, I came up with the beginnings of an idea which could help my individual clients feel more confident and stand out in a difficult jobs market.  I’ve mentioned before that I don’t have a magic wand, just bags of enthusiasm, good ideas and shed loads of positivity.  My idea began to crystalize, and I launched, You. Refreshed.* in June.  Throughout June and into July I’ve been busy making more plans – networking, consulting, and collaborating.  The seeds of my idea are thriving, and I can’t wait to tell you about it.  Watch this space!

And now back to Monday, time to start over with this week’s list – what are your priorities?  What are you going to achieve today?  Let me know how I can help you.

*You. Refreshed is now You. Solved (after a refresh)