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hello@thisisohyeah.comOh Yeah Manifesto
Oh Yeah Tool Kit
So what is jarring to you? ’Identifying what grates you can be a great motivator to help you clarify what environment and space you want to be in - and of course, what you don’t want. So scribble down initial thoughts. Don’t overthink it. It’s your notebook and space - pour it out. It may not sound nice but you’re just getting it out of your system, it may feel better to get it down on paper. I found it easier to do during the cold, grey days of winter: gives a bit more bite to it. Essentially, your own ‘Yuck’ list will reveal the WHYs behind the irritation:
By mid-Jan, I realised how this list was stacking up with my own guiding principles, creating a sharper focus whilst giving me more drive to invest in my own personal mission. That new energy was really welcomed in the sluggish, cold months, giving me much needed joy and purpose whilst intentionally creating space for myself and my own values.
Interestingly, one of my notes during this season read:
‘Change the culture with like-minded folks. Help women break old doubts and get on to a new path. And feel liberated and balanced back to their true selves. A collective reckoning via people’s own storytelling.’
Quite the statement - but noting it down enabled me to look back and help craft the future purpose for Oh Yeah itself.
Action: Riff and refine your guiding principles
Now go ahead and compare your ‘Yuck’ list to your current guiding principles. What can be refined? How has it evolved?
As an activity, be curious about the places, people or brands you follow and enjoy and ask why you are drawn to them. For example, is it their values and tone of voice, that they feel more inclusive in their approach to everyone? Or that it’s just a good energy vibe, much needed to encourage a more positive mindset? This can help shape your guiding principles further, as you start defining your identity and vision with more joy and excitement. It’s such a great way of using ‘indoor time’ during the greyer days of this season and another tool to help self-regulate those ‘down day’ emotions because you’re shifting your focus and energy towards clarity for your future.
Hopefully, by refining your principles through this activity, you’ll already spot the progress and clarity you’ve gained in a relatively short period.
Use the space below to jot down your updated guiding principles:
Season 2 listening inspiration: Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast with Dr Julie:
A fantastic episode between Fearne and bestselling clinical psychologist Dr Julie, author of ‘Open When…’ and ‘Why Hasn’t Anyone Told Me This?’. In this chat, they’re talking about the down days of human experience and how to deal with the emotions. What really struck me was Fearne talking about her days at BBC Radio 1 and her horror at the idea of being in a live radio studio now, which completely resonated with me. My live radio days were such an important chapter in my career, but they also taught me some pretty memorable lessons in setting boundaries and creating work-life balance. Fearne’s reflection on those days and the pressures of an always-on environment stuck with me. Have a listen and reflect on what else is no longer serving you and see if it cross-checks with your own ‘Yuck’ list.
Another listen is Helen McGuire in The Oh Yeah crew, author of ‘The Female Founder Formula’ and exited entrepreneur. Here’s a nugget of wisdom on allowing yourself to shift and evolve:
“There's no shame in changing your mind. You're allowed to explore different aspects of your personality. Your situation will change over time. And so there is no harm in reflecting that, in the choices that you make. Just do what works for you, no one's handing out medals here.”
a space for you here to jot down some notes.
use this space to write some notes
