Month: October 2022

Absorbing responses

by growingtakata
How work events can make us feel

I am the result of the messaging drilled into women of my time.

‘Nice girls keep the peace’

So unhelpful in the work setting when you are basically lying to people by not telling them the truth.

It has taken me years and a lot of frustration to realise that sometimes the value I bring, is in making other people feel uncomfortable, even pissed off.

So, speak up, say what you are thinking and why. You are not wrong, ‘they’ are not wrong. It’s just different angles.

From today, promise yourself, I will say what I mean and absorb the response. Based on the evolution of the benefactor of your wisdom the results can sometimes be ugly! That’s on them, not you.

Who have you been talking about and not to, that you need to correct? Do it today!

Act Different

by growingtakata
Delicious

There are simple (not easy) things we can do to be the best version of ourselves.

I am sure you know most of them.

Here is a list of what I am working on:

  • Cold water dip (I detest the shower version so have a cheap-ass tub in the back garden full of ambient temperature water) every morning – feels amazing!
  • Sunlight as soon as possible (sleep with curtains open, do exercise indoors or outdoors then get outside)
  • Reducing meat consumption (have been a vegan and vegetarian and now don’t put a label on it) by eating more vegetables
  • Focus on four areas of my life to ‘grow’ or ‘improve’ (currently: brain, body, business and buddies)
  • Keep a tracker of all the great things I do in a day/week/month
  • Drinking more fluid (sparkling water for me please) each day (means I don’t quench my thirst with alcohol)
  • Exercise every day, increasing slowly so I don’t hurt myself (difficult with my all-or-nothing nature)
  • Wake up naturally as often as possible
  • Track and manage my net worth to reach my financial goals (I know where I am going and how I am going to get there)

If you’ve not brought cold water dips into your life, I would recommend giving it a try. I tried cold showers having been inspired by a friends friend I met camping. After a few very challenging weeks followed by giving up, I listened to a video by Russel Brand which helped me realise I can manage cold water by jumping in a tub of water. I have been doing it daily for about two months now, I throw a few ice packs in but it is essentially ambient temperature. As the months get colder I can feel the difference, BUT, my mood has improved and I react less angrily to stimuli. I travelled for work and ran a cold shower to keep it up, it’s not as nice but I feel the benefit immediately – woken up – and over the long term – I can do anything!

How do you make sure you are moving in a good direction?