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hello@thisisohyeah.comOh Yeah Manifesto
Oh Yeah Tool Kit
Before this season kicked in properly, I spoke to a coach who I had worked with previously. Our session took place around about the same time I’d made up my mind to change direction, but was nowhere near my plans being ‘baked’.
I opened up our session with a bit of an outburst and rolling of my eyes; ‘How can I get through this year now?! Argh, the day-to-day!’
Slightly bemused by my wind-sock of a face, the response from my coach was delivered like a bullet:
‘Think of what can feed into your plan from TODAY. Don’t wait or waste it away!!’
(I think she’s done this before)
The wise coach continued whilst I scribbled down her advice:
-How can you use your time to really foster transformation, to actually walk the walk and get that energy?
-What are the ways I can use the time for my own transformation?
With that clear direction, I took this brilliant advice and started identifying small, but consistent ways to adjust my daily routines and rituals. I started reconnecting with good folks and experimenting as part of the re-shaping of my ways. I had to tend to it, like watering a houseplant regularly, knowing some discipline would go a long way.
Below is a list of things I did, as a springboard to help you find ways to reconfigure your approach in Season 4:
You know these folks. People you’d previously worked with or met a few times and got on really well, had a good vibe, but got out of touch due to life or moving jobs? Reach out - drop them a text, see how they are. I started doing this more and, it was really affirming just to hear back from them, creating a little beam of light cutting through the ‘everyday-ness’ and reminding me of good times. This soon became my time to reconnect with a crew of great people. And guess what, they were in the same spot too. Turns out, everyone needs that hit of good energy away from the daily grind! Leon Trayman was one of the first ones I reached out to - it had been 4 years or since we’d hung out IRL. And we met up! Lunch! Local cafe! Sun was shining! All the vibes and exclamation marks! We literally picked up where we’d left off (and you know who those people are in your lives). It was just so brilliant to open out my usual circle and routine and I found it so uplifting.
During this time, I found a number of my friends going through the same thoughts. A need for something more, a need for real change in the life-career. It was particularly interesting that those in ‘high status’ jobs had been grappling with everything that I’d been going through in Seasons 1, 2 and 3.
I also found the same sentiment shared from a few acquaintances and colleagues. Once you know what this type of ‘fatigue’ looks like, boy, are you able to spot it in others. You seem to create an invitation for others to start opening up about life-career wobbles. Having done some of the work yourself helps create that space for others to feel safe to have candid chats, giving permission that the feelings are ‘normal’. And it’s been reassuring to know that I wasn’t on my own in this journey.
During this period, I leaned into a few courses, dabbling with a mix of new learning. Some were provided by work – and for some of you this will be readily available. I checked out a few online courses like Domestika, which was focused on creativity. Even if I didn’t finish the course, it increased my sense of the world, and a life beyond my long-term career.
My real sanctuary was attending some holistic workshops. Creating that space, just for a couple of hours, really helped me to keep balanced and nourish my own being. The wonderful Emily Aitchenson, Gemma Felix and Poonam Dhuffer helped me to focus on my own needs and feelings, and it was just delicious. In particular, I got out of my comfort zone to attend ‘Temple of Joy’ with Poonam Dhuffer, one Saturday afternoon in August, which encouraged me to get creative with my hands again, with art paper, pens, colour in a way I hadn’t really done since school. Wow, re-discovering the joy of imperfect creativity and pure focus really helped ignite my thinking. My own ‘venturing beyond’.
Those were my three things I experimented with over the playful season. So what ways can you venture beyond to help build further confidence, support and connection?
Jot down what could spark that energy a little more. Take advantage of this season’s energy, where you’ll feel more inclined to ‘venture beyond’. Remember, none of your ideas or connections mean that you need to spend more of your time or energy than you want. It’s about experimenting and taking a chance first, sussing out what whets your appetite to explore more, trusting the transformation and re-shaping you’re going through.
