Have you taken a break this year?
I love my work and find it immensely rewarding to work with leaders seeking to increase their impact and enhance their sense of fulfilment at work AND I love to take a break.
I have just returned from a fabulous month-long holiday in Europe. Having spent time in London, Dublin, and Sicily, with family and friends, I feel rejuvenated in mind, body, and spirit. Since I came home, I have been reflecting on the many ways in which this trip filled my cup and today I simply want to focus on one:
Gratitude
I’m immensely grateful for the health and vitality of my 84-year-old mum and stepfather. Their energy and enthusiasm for family adventures remind me of the importance of staying active and engaged with life.
One of the most precious aspects of this trip was the rare opportunity to be with my mum and siblings, all together for the first time in five years. I am grateful that my brother, my sister, our partners and all our kids prioritised family and came together. Those moments around the dinner table, filled with laughter and shared stories, brought me immense joy.
I’m also grateful for the lifestyle my husband and I have built, which allows us the flexibility and financial means to travel. I recognise the privilege in this and don’t take it for granted.
So how can I hold on to these feelings rather than let them drift away too quickly as holiday memories can?
Savour the moment
To make the most of these fabulous feelings of gratitude, it is important to deeply savour the feelings of joy, happiness, belonging when they arise and notice all the sensations in your body.
During those loud and chaotic dinners, I made a conscious effort to savour these feelings, to be fully present and embrace the love and warmth in the room.
And what does this have to do with being a better leader?
This holiday was more than just a break from work; it was a lesson in gratitude and the beauty of savouring each moment. So, whether you have been on holiday or not, I invite you to notice and savour all the things you are grateful for – you might be surprised by the ripple effect you create at work!
“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness—it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” - Brené Brown
If you are looking to be more effective as a leader then reflection is a critical element of your development and this is where executive coaching can support you so if you’d like to accelerate your development this year please schedule a call.
With love,
Sue
WHAT I AM READING
If you’d like to know more about the health benefits of practicing gratitude then check out this article from UCLA Health.
And for some tips on building a gratitude practice visit the Greater Good Science Center Gratitude Journal.
And being on holiday I focused on reading fiction – devouring both Brooklyn and Long Island by Colm Toibin, which beautifully capture the immigrant experience of a young woman in the 1950s and then subsequently in the 1970s, although the passivity of some of the characters drove me nuts!!
HERE ARE SOME WAYS YOU CAN WORK WITH ME
If you’d like to know more about any of these, please email me or set up a call.
I love my work and find it immensely rewarding to work with leaders seeking to increase their impact and enhance their sense of fulfilment at work AND I love to take a break.
I have just returned from a fabulous month-long holiday in Europe. Having spent time in London, Dublin, and Sicily, with family and friends, I feel rejuvenated in mind, body, and spirit. Since I came home, I have been reflecting on the many ways in which this trip filled my cup and today I simply want to focus on one:
Gratitude
I’m immensely grateful for the health and vitality of my 84-year-old mum and stepfather. Their energy and enthusiasm for family adventures remind me of the importance of staying active and engaged with life.
One of the most precious aspects of this trip was the rare opportunity to be with my mum and siblings, all together for the first time in five years. I am grateful that my brother, my sister, our partners and all our kids prioritised family and came together. Those moments around the dinner table, filled with laughter and shared stories, brought me immense joy.
I’m also grateful for the lifestyle my husband and I have built, which allows us the flexibility and financial means to travel. I recognise the privilege in this and don’t take it for granted.
So how can I hold on to these feelings rather than let them drift away too quickly as holiday memories can?
Savour the moment
To make the most of these fabulous feelings of gratitude, it is important to deeply savour the feelings of joy, happiness, belonging when they arise and notice all the sensations in your body.
During those loud and chaotic dinners, I made a conscious effort to savour these feelings, to be fully present and embrace the love and warmth in the room.
And what does this have to do with being a better leader?
- Practicing gratitude helps you develop a positive outlook, making you more resilient in the face of challenges and setbacks
- Gratitude reduces stress and promotes a sense of well-being, enabling you to maintain a clear and focused mind
- Learning to be fully present in your body with all your sensations helps you respond more effectively to your surroundings
- Being able to recall those feelings in our body can help you regulate your emotional responses
- By appreciating and savouring small positive experiences you can cultivate a greater sense of fulfilment and satisfaction in your role
This holiday was more than just a break from work; it was a lesson in gratitude and the beauty of savouring each moment. So, whether you have been on holiday or not, I invite you to notice and savour all the things you are grateful for – you might be surprised by the ripple effect you create at work!
“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness—it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” - Brené Brown
If you are looking to be more effective as a leader then reflection is a critical element of your development and this is where executive coaching can support you so if you’d like to accelerate your development this year please schedule a call.
With love,
Sue
WHAT I AM READING
If you’d like to know more about the health benefits of practicing gratitude then check out this article from UCLA Health.
And for some tips on building a gratitude practice visit the Greater Good Science Center Gratitude Journal.
And being on holiday I focused on reading fiction – devouring both Brooklyn and Long Island by Colm Toibin, which beautifully capture the immigrant experience of a young woman in the 1950s and then subsequently in the 1970s, although the passivity of some of the characters drove me nuts!!
HERE ARE SOME WAYS YOU CAN WORK WITH ME
- Individual Executive Coaching: This is a partnership between coach and client focusing on building leadership capacity.
- Workshop Facilitation: Strengthen team resilience and communication, especially for technically oriented teams.
- Keynote Speaking: Inspire excellence and authentic leadership through executive presence. Learn more here.
- Small Group Coaching: Join CFO Women's Circles for senior female finance leaders to develop and network
If you’d like to know more about any of these, please email me or set up a call.
RSS Feed