Flexibility, performance and behaviours

How do you deal with a boss who might think you’re not committed if you have outside interests that might need flexibility? I was asked this question recently at a networking event I was speaking at and love that people are thinking about and challenging this mindset.

For those of you who don’t know, I’m well into my Masters in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health. I’m studying at King’s College London (by distance) as they have onsite research at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN). Yes, it’s every bit as hectic as it sounds but I’m really, really loving it.

So I just finished a session with my amazing personal trainer Iker. Many people say it feels like their trainer is like a trainer and therapist in one. In our case he is the trainer and I play the role of therapist!

Late last year, I was having one of the most awesome weeks – clients were getting back to me, meetings were happening, I was back at training hitting levels no one was expecting, my family was happy, and my parents had offered to look after our daughter for the weekend. And it was shaping up to be an all-round awesome weekend as well…

It started with my closet. I have always known that sorting out my clothes leads to easier days when I’m under pressure, as choices are clearer and I can see what I have to work with. I think I “sort out” my closet twice a year at least. However, this year I’ve come across the concept of “essentialism”.

I’ll admit that I like my weekends to be fairly free and easy. Basically I don’t love a lot of rigid plans, so for anyone who has done the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator that puts me very firmly in the “P” camp.

Every person I work with ultimately ends up seeing the link between what is happening in their home lives and how that is impacting them in their working worlds, and vice versa. Once that link becomes clear, it also becomes easier to understand how to shift something that isn’t working for them.

Spring is finally here, which means we can hopefully start folding up the blankets and putting away the jumpers. If you made it through winter without getting ill, virtual high-five to you – that’s awesome!

Hands up if you’ve ever worked your butt off to go on a fantastic holiday you’ve had planned for months…..only to get sick on the first few days of leave? Yep, you’re not alone. Most people function like this on a daily basis, focusing on just getting everything done so you can relax on that […]