Hi all.
I am writing this, a mini bottle of wine in, on the way to Hull to deliver a workshop. And I'm VERY much looking forward to doing some real, live, in person work again tomorrow. I actually can't believe how excited I am to be going to Hull. No offence meant to the inhabitants of Hull - I'm sure it's a lovely place - it's just that I have really missed the face-to-face connection and haven't particularly enjoyed working out of a single workspace (no matter how lucky I am to have that space). The work is with the NHS too so that is giving me an extra spring in my step. And I'm travelling first class. LIVING THE DREAM, I tell you...
Anyhow, how are you feeling as we get into September? In contrast to today's anticipation, I was dreading it. I had the Sunday feeling multiplied by 1000. And I'm keenly aware that I've spent a lot of time figuring out my purpose in the world and designing a career that fits around that. Yet even with a business that has given me the deepest sense of purpose and fulfilment, I was close to tears on holiday at the thought of 'going back to work'.
I share this because, through my coaching this week and last week, I have discovered I am far from alone. And unpicking it for myself and with my clients, I have discovered something important. We are not returning back to how it has been for the last 18 months. I almost think our bodies and unconscious thoughts are telling us, 'Get ready for Winter 20/21 again' when (cross everything) we are heading to something a bit different. It's like I am having to constantly remind myself that the past 18 months are not an indication of what the next 18 are going to be like. The last Winter of work is not, God willing, what the next Winter will be like. And this applies beyond work too... The way my relationship with my partner has been in the past 18 months is not an indication of how it will be in the next. And school. Fun. Friends..
I usually have a huge bias for action. If something feels broken, go fix it...! But I find myself rumbling with staying put. For myself and for the people I work with. The next 18 months are going to be different. I'm not sure how, but I know that they will be. Let's not make big, life decisions using our level of fulfilment during the past year and a half as our key metric. Let's instead use the energy to work out what we want more of. For me, that's a return to face-to-face connection and travel.
Keep reading to find out what we're looking forward to this term.
Rox x
What’s coming up?
Hiya! We've got loads to share with you for this term. Here's what we've got coming up...
New E-learning Module
Behind the scenes, our e-learning guru Emma has been working hard on our new Gender Expression and Identity in the Workplace e-learning module.
It's designed to help you to understand transgender identities, the prejudice that transgender people face and equip you with the tools to become a better trans ally. And (hooray!) it’s now live on our website here.
We had the pleasure of co-writing this new module with Sophie Cook, one of our brilliant consultants. She’s a writer, speaker, broadcaster & photographer, mental health campaigner and transgender.
FREE Webinar
To celebrate the module going live and Inclusion Week, we are running a free webinar on 27th September at 12pm – In Conversation with Sophie Cook.
In this webinar, Rox will talk to Sophie about her story, touching on themes of gender dysphoria, mental health and courage. It promises to be a powerful and emotional session. Definitely not one to miss!
Join us by registering here. If you’d like to attend but can’t, register anyway and there will be a recording to share with you after the event.
MIW 2021
International Men’s Day is also approaching this term on 19th November. To coincide with that, we will be running our 4th Masculinity in the Workplace event alongside our partners at Token Man.
Allyship has been such a buzzword recently and this year’s event - ‘Allyship and Beyond’ - will explore what it is to be an ally as a man but also what comes next, and how allyship can be used as a tool to build a better future when it comes to gender equality. We’ve got Tim Samuels, broadcaster and author of ‘Who Stole My Spear?’ and Iman Amrani, journalist and documentary maker, speaking at the event as well as an exciting panel discussing the topic.
We’re really looking forward to it and would love to see you all there! If you’re interested, here is some more information and where you can buy tickets with 15% off.
And there’s more…but not quite yet! Watch this space for other updates to our e-learning module suite and new content we’re getting ready to share with you.
Liz