WorkStyle Tip - ideas worth spreading

Many merrymentality clients know that I don't work on Friday afternoons. This has been part of my WorkStyle since merrymentality was created 10 years ago. After a busy corporate career it was a real gift (and quite a struggle at first) to take this half day off for myself. Now I can't image working on a Friday afternoon at all! I use this time to read, listen and general stimulate my brain with rich content. A favourite resource is www.ted.com where inspirational speaker share the latest in Technology, Entertainment and Design in no more than 18 minutes.

For my upcoming sabbatical I have a CD and memory key full of TED's to take with me. Here are some of my favourites:

• Jill Bolte-Taylor's stroke of insight (thanks to everyone who wrote sharing their interest in The Brain following May's wbd)
• Hans Rosling's jaw dropping statistics on third world poverty (be sure to watch right to the very end)
• Benjamin Zander's passion for music and leadership
• Dave Egger's pirate shop teaching kids to read (Dave won the TED 2008 prize)

Next time you desire inspiration, visit www.ted.com - it is a treasure chest of ideas worth spreading.

Spotlight on... Meaghan Smith

My name is Meaghan Smith and I am currently in the process of working on my next career move. Until recently I worked in administrative and event management roles for an International Investment Bank. In my next role, I’m determined to create a WorkStyle that reflects my true, authentic self and one that is in keeping with my passion for making a difference in the lives of others by inspiring them to discover their potential. A trip to Paris, spending time with my family, going to an AFL game, a great meal with friends, and being surrounded by beauty, all contribute to what makes me happy.

How would you define your WorkStyle? (work + lifestyle = WorkStyle®)
My WorkStyle of the past is very different to how I anticipate it to be in the future. In my previous job at the bank I worked in a very stressful, loud, negative environment. To fit in with the large personalities and feel accepted, I performed a particular role. I became and acted the way I thought they wanted me to. As a result I was not being my authentic self. Most days I worked long hours with few breaks. I was constantly overwhelmed, lacking in energy and enthusiasm. My new WorkStyle will be focusing on creating a career that represents my values and priorities, and inspires me to get the most from myself.

How did you discover your WorkStyle?
To celebrate recently turning 40 I took a trip to Paris, which proved to be a defining moment in my life. Not only did I get the travel bug, but I noticed how alive and invigorated I felt being there. I realised how much there is to see and experience in life and sitting in my grey, miserable Collins Street, office was not where I was going to find it. After years of “shoulding” I decided it was time to start really living life.

Coincidentally, the position I held for 22 years at the Bank, was made redundant at the start of this year. I knew it was a blessing and decided I would take time to rest, rejuvenate and start designing the life I wanted. I made a conscious decision to not jump from one job to the next. It was my intention to be still for a while, spend time exploring opportunities and learning what was of most importance in my life. By doing so, my real loves and passions started to emerge. I began to believe that the future was full of possibilities, potential and opportunities.

Has it changed over the last few years? Why?
I have always been very organised and professional in what I do. However, being a perfectionist meant I rarely felt satisfied with what I did and as a consequence it added a lot of stress and anxiety. I worked in an environment which often involved shouting, abusing, large egos, I often felt overwhelmed by the workload and felt like I rushed through life. I had a constant battle going on in my head, feeling like I “should” be putting more hours in at work, but then at the same time, I “should” also be exercising more and spending quality time with those important to me. The last few months have seen a significant change in my relationships because when I feel now when I see them I am more present and relaxed. Myself and my lifestyle have become my number one focus.

What has been your biggest shift?
There are many, but probably my biggest shift is the realisation that I don’t need to work and live the same way I’ve done for the past 22 years. In order for me to earn an adequate living, I don’t need to be in the corporate world. This has come about by meeting some wonderful, inspiring women (in particular Belinda) who have helped me to see through the way they live their lives, that I can be successful and fulfilled by my work, without working ten hours a day, five days a week - that lifestyle is as important as working.

What one WorkStyle practice has had the most impact? Why?
Managing my time. I ask myself what are the things that matter most to me each day, and what are the things that matter least. By doing so I can prioritise my time to ensure I am spending my time doing what I really want to, rather than doing things because I feel that I “should”. I draw up a weekly worksheet that displays what my roles are, and then what my goals are for each of the roles for the week. I then list my daily/weekly priorities and commitments.

What are or have been the biggest issues for you around WorkStyle?
Having self belief and confidence. Believing that I am capable of achieving success and having a career doing what I love. Having the confidence to take risks and step out of my comfort zone.

What tips would you give others to improve their WorkStyle?

• Work with a coach to help give you focus, steer you on the right path and give you lots of support and encouragement.
• Always make time for exercise.
• Plan, prioritise and schedule. Determine each day what is the most important thing you need to achieve that day.
• Have fun, relax and smile more.

The Truth About Sabbaticals

Sabbatical, n: any extended period of leave from one's customary work, especially for rest, to acquire new skills or training, etc.

There is much myth about sabbaticals so in the few minutes you take to read this, I hope to explode these myths and inspire you to plan your own sabbatical. By exploding myths (busting limiting beliefs) we can start to realise our vision... in this case the vision of having a sabbatical.

Myth One: Sabbaticals are for 12 months and I couldn't possibly take 1 full year out of my workplace.
Bust: Sabbaticals are for as long as you like (the 1 year belief came from the original definition of sabbatical which was for academics to take 12 months out of their usual environment to explore new ideas).

Myth Two: My organisation will not support me having a sabbatical.
Bust: Have you actually asked? These days many organisations do support time out for their employees to re-create. If you work for yourself, it may seem impossible to leave your business - read on to find out how we do this.

Myth Three: I have to study something important on a sabbatical.
Bust: Your sabbatical can be whatever you want it to be. Set yourself a goal for your sabbatical - from as sophisticated as studying Quantum Mechanics to as broad as regaining optimum health. See my own goals below in Update From Belinda.

When I first coached lawyer (now coach) Martin Wilson to his 2004 sabbatical, I didn't know how to spell it. Next week I'm heading off on my own sabbatical .... 5 weeks in Bali, Indonesia, with my boyfriend Don. Typing that sounds easy, but it wasn't so 12 months ago...

Martin used the formula: Trust + Decision + Action = Sabbatical
I used the slightly amended forumula:  Decision + Action + Trust = Sabbatical

Decision
I had been wanting to walk my talk in regards to a sabbatical and it was last year that the seed was planted. I was having dinner with Don, when he mentioned he would soon qualify for his 10-year long service leave but wasn't looking forward to it as he has no-one to travel with. Right there and then I had an insight (see How You Can Use Both Sides of Your Brain - WorkStyle by design May 2009) for more on insight. Out of my mouth came 'I'll come with you'. It was said before I had even thought about it.

Action
Only driving home from dropping Don off at the train station that night did it occur to me that it will be 10 years since merrymentality was incorporated on 21 July 1999, right when Don was planning his long service leave. Thus, the timing started to gain clarity.... get away from our southern hemisphere winter. July and August it was. Then where to? At one stage we thought we might take Don's three boys with us for part of the break, however subsequently that wasn't to be, so we needed to be somewhere close to Australia for ease of flights and distance. With our handy globe nearby we looked and dreamed and eventually settled on the paradise island of Bali. It was a simple as that... look at a map and choose given our parameters of time, distance, money and weather.

Trust
Of course I have to trust that merrymentality will continue to prosper before and after my sabbatical - if current billings and prospects in the pipeline are any indication then all is well. I also had to trust that the merrymentality team would be able to handle things professionally while I'm away. Fortunately I have been attracting and growing a terrific team over the past few years: Mark at The WEBSQUAD to oversee web publishing and communications; Virtual Admin to manage administrivia and bookkeeping; Peter my accountant at Cursio & Co ; and dog sitting for India, merrymentality's stress management consultant!

Update from Belinda

Goals for my sabbatical:

1. learn about philosophy (so I have hard books, audio books and of course TED clips)
2. learn how to surf (stand up on a board and ride a wave in)
3. learn how to cut up a pineapple in the Asian style (so I don't throw half the flesh out)

On top of these specific goals, the overarching intention is to rest, rejuvenate, recreate and relax and spend quality time with Don.

PS - So, do you want to see how stressed you are?  If so click here.