If I’m honest, I want to do both

I’ve concluded that I want to do more of the things which I love, and for me, that includes working at the things I enjoy.  There are some people who thought that I might retire after my last assignment completed last December.  That’s probably because I had almost retired previously and put my trading business into mothballs prior to being offered the six-month assignment which became 23 months.  So, what’s new?  A little embarrassing to say but I think that I’ve finally worked out what I want to be when I grow up.  And yes, I know that for some of those friends reading this, me as a grown up is hard to imagine!

Before I get into the work stuff a few words on what I love.  It’s all about helping others achieve their ambitions and sometimes that’s organisations and other times it’s individuals.  More recently I’ve finally recognised that I need to make time to achieve my own ambitions as well.  I’ve never been good at balance – all or nothing probably best describes my natural style, although the working girl strives to appear less extreme.

So here I am looking at one of my passions, my garden, as I write and wondering whether I’ll get to create another little gem.  The house move is still on the cards, although the waiting is tedious.  And it’s made all the drearier by the storm which swept through Sussex in the early hours.  I suppose writing is sometimes my personal procrastination.  Ordinarily I’d be out there collecting the debris and inspecting the damage, but somehow I’ve moved on already.

I’m surrounded by a host of souvenirs depicting some of the other pastimes I’ve tried.  In my efforts to conquer the “me” time and in the knowledge that it’s good to keep the brain, as well as the body active, I tried a jigsaw puzzle.  1,000 little pieces of confusing cardboard gifted to me by Mr. Watt at Christmas.  I’ve begged him not to repeat this generosity.  Of course, my dogged determination won the day although it was a sense of duty rather than pleasure which spurred me on.

Sometimes it’s this determination and duty which transcends any pleasure from work.  Some assignments begin with a puzzle to be solved yet some of the colleagues who need most help seem to somehow get in the way of progress.  They hide vital information or experiences just like the little jigsaw pieces which you find hiding in the box or on the floor for several days.  What began as a transformation challenge to be enjoyed becomes business as usual.  And that’s why I need to remain a disrupter … I’m simply not a good follower.  I love consulting, managing change and supporting transformation.

Marmalade made and jigsaw completed, I’ve turned to knitting.  Some of you may remember my Mum’s knitting talents which I shared just prior to Christmas.  A combination of Mum’s achievement and seeing what a friend had mastered in just 12 months were my motivations.  I think the last time I knitted was more than 20 years ago although it’s a skill that once mastered is never forgotten.  My Gran taught me to knit outfits for my Tressy doll (her hair grew) when I was around eight years old and a couple of years later I was proudly making outfits for my baby brother.

So, here’s the challenge, do I actively seek another HR or Resourcing assignment or indulge my creative hobbies?  If I’m honest, I’d like to do both – who wouldn’t?  But I need to stay focused on my ambitions to lose more weight, become more active (remember dancing on the table) and finish knitting the wonderful lime green jumper that’s sitting beside me.  There’s an armless felt rabbit in the cupboard which I began to sew in lockdown and the bones of a tapestry on the frame but in a work context I can assure you, I really am a completer finisher.

There are so many different things we could be chatting about so why not get in touch and start the conversation Let’s talk.