Hello Spring!

The first act was a reconnection with one of my most valued clients from Siren, the remarkable and ever-inspiring Jo Rzymowska (@Jo Rzymowska - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorzymowska/), who reached out from her new venture, Jovolution (@jovolution - https://www.jovolution.com/), to catch up and share her unstoppable positive energy. For some ten years, Jo was a key client and instrumental in Siren Comms' success. She acknowledged my role and validated our collaborative work, highlighting how the team, led by Sarah Rathbone (@Sarah Rathbone - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahrathbone/), significantly supported her achievements.

Jo’s call and meeting was perfectly timed, reminding me of the positive impact our work at Siren had for her and others, and shifted my disappointed outlook to a more optimistic one. Jo recommended a compelling podcast – slightly addictive – Avivah Wittenberg-Cox’s "Life in Four Quarters," reminding me that in navigating my own Q3 (50-75 years old), I wasn’t alone and that many Q3 women are navigating their own paths successfully. She emphasised that we lead through action, and despite the business world’s perception of Q3 as ‘done’, this isn’t the case and there’s much we Q3ers can offer to the workplace. In fact, if we don’t offer it and keep working, our economy will suffer. So, a massive thank you once again to Jo Rzymowska—a true force for good! Do check out Jo https://www.jovolution.com/ if you can.

The second amazing event was booking a "Nature’s Boardroom"—a day of renewal for myself and my business in nature—with another trailblazer, (@Jannine Barron - https://www.janninebarron.com/). This was encouraged by (@Genette Dibsdall, https://www.linkedin.com/in/genette-dibsdall-ba-ma-64301172/?originalSubdomain=uk) whom I met at the generous Good Fest gathering last September.

Jannine and nature truly delivered. We met at the stunning Lost Gardens of Heligan (@Lost Gardens of Heligan - https://www.heligan.com/), a place I’d longed to visit since arriving in Cornwall. We were blessed with sunshine all day, which was especially welcome after leaving Newquay in heavy sea mist. The sun warmed us all day, almost coaxing me out of winter and into the light.

Jannine’s work is based on the principle that business can be guided by nature, intuition, and intelligence, if we allow it. This is one of many ways to work with Jannine, and I benefited immensely from her ability to create and hold a safe space for me to unravel, unblock, and plot a better path forward. I also benefited hugely by being in nature, feeling the beautiful Heligan Gardens’ spaces, moving through the different zones, all the time sending signals through the nine senses—who knew there were nine?—which we drew on all day. (For those interested: sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, plus temperature, proprioception, balance, and inner awareness. A powerful set of resources to draw and take inspiration from.)

My day wasn’t just a leisurely walk. Working with Jannine involved walking discussions, nature-inspired coaching, probing, debate, and truth-seeking. It was an intense day, but I left feeling more connected to myself than I have for some time, clearer, more focused, and more confident about the path I’m working towards.

Thanks to Jannine, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and to the robins, bees, insects, crows, woodpecker, Giant’s Head, Mud Maid, magnolias, camellias, and rhododendrons, for reconnecting me with myself and my love of nature, especially woodland, as a safe and inspiring place for thinking and working.

So …, two incredible connections, both Q3 women, both working to fulfil their dreams and continue with their purpose and passion. Thanks to both, and to the many others out there who continue to fly the flag for positive impact on our world, for reconnection with ourselves, and to support a reconnection with self.

Watch this space; the journey to me continues. I’m not done yet!