Look after yourself – look after those around you

(This is part of my 20 minute writing practice. I write for 20 minutes, check for typos, choose a pic if I’ve time – and press send!)

We had a Coach’s Journey* team meeting this week. There is a lovely moment at the start of each meeting, as we begin with – “What has Inspired you this week?” Isn’t that a brilliant way to start a meeting?

Yesterday, Neil McKinnon’s answer was around “Keeping on Showing Up”. He was inspired by the possibility of what can happen when you just, keep on, showing up, doing your best, regularly, consistently. 

I realised that I noticed a sense of recognition in me, an acknowledging of myself too, for “showing up”, time and time again, day after day, over and over, moving forward, when sometimes a big part of me just wants to stop, give in.** And in that recognition I noticed an elevation of how I was. It was an ‘internal referencing’ – oh! Yes, that’s what I do!” It was an unintended moment of self-care. And I was grateful of myself, and to Neil, for igniting that. 

AND importantly, because I felt better, I did better work, creating better conditions for those around me, for the rest of the day.

And then I thought about my coaching clients and my amazing team at Freedom to Learn. Some of whom are facing excruciatingly difficult circumstances, ones that could crush any of us. Yet time and again, they put in the work, they reignite their belief, they strengthen themselves, and they move forward more successfully. And leave me inspired of what we humans are capable of.

A perfect example came just this morning – I felt a surge of appreciation for a wonderful SEN Teaching Assistant I coach. During our conversation she came to a similar acknowledgement in herself – she went from self berating, doubting and feeling frustrated (old pattern) to a recognition that, actually, all this half-term she has been committing, turning up, every day of the week, doing her best, and not giving up. She found appreciation in herself (new pattern), and felt lighter, positive and more at ease with herself and therefore more ready and happy to embrace the day’s work.

So the learning? Maybe, just maybe…..

 to truly appreciate and look after yourself, is to look after and truly appreciate those around you too

-Neil noticed it in himself, helping me notice it in me. 

-My client noticed in herself, and then noticed it in her colleagues and her students.

And who knows the ripple effects from just those two tiny examples……

Perhaps you can take a moment, right now, and appreciate something in you that you know you have done, or are doing, that is positively contributing to the world around you. There will be something. And truly, feel grateful and appreciative for your efforts.

That’s it, time’s up!

*You can find out more about The Coach’s Journey Team of hosts here

**I am in the midst of navigating hugely challenging life transition you can hear a little about it here in my interview with Robbie Swale.