When self-doubt leads to self-confidence

Sometimes, you're asked a question that makes you doubt yourself. When it looks as though your own professional processes have failed.

My first response to that is usually to run and hide but I'm learning to actually question myself, address the self-doubt (and perhaps the doubt of others) and come out the other side.

A couple of checks through the process and careful examination now leaves me knowing I did the right thing. I'm the first to hold my hands up if I did something wrong, but I won't do it now otherwise.

I'll still apologise if some part of the process has fallen down and caused embarrassment, but that's not the same as taking the whole guilt and responsibility on myself.

Questioning yourself can only improve how you perform. Running away in tears because someone has accused you of something you know was not your fault won't. Blame cultures can make you stronger, but don't add fuel to their fire.


Posted via my iPad

A cloudy weekend. Stunning sky.

I may be turning into a perfectionist

I've spent this afternoon learning to make videos. It was not as hard as I expected, but I realised I'm turning into a perfectionist.

I hadn't realised I'm no longer a young woman. When editing a video, that's a fact that's hard to escape.

My skills have developed exponentially today, but I'm still not ready to post online. Hair and makeup are definitely called for!

Now I've worked out what I'm doing, I shall begin a list of subjects to video about. Lots of ideas, but we definitely need more detail. Watch this space.


Posted via my iPad

Finding beauty - even in the shadow of the Shard

Learning from colleagues

Business communicators from around Europe came together at the London College of Communications. It was a very productive day (or two, for most people). Great talks and interesting people to meet.

Who's your latest inspiration?

If you're not finding inspiration, you may not be surrounding yourself with the right people.

I found inspiration recently when I met Michael McGrath. Regardless of the curved balls life has thrown him, he's impossible to ignore. I defy anyone to hear him talk or share a cuppa with him and not come away a better person, with plans to improve as an individual, in business and in life.

I hope we'll be working together on some interesting projects.

One of Michael's passions is his charity, The Muscle Help Foundation. Wasting muscles is precisely that - a waste of muscles. What Michael seems to do is find new muscles. Not necessarily in the same place, but his heart and his brain are doing just fine.

One of the charity's latest projects is Power of 657 - raising funds to deliver 657 life changing experiences for children and young people with muscular dystrophy. My muscles are all working fine so the least I can do is make a donation.

It's a small payment for the inspiration!

If you'd like to get involved, check out Power of 657 or #657Herts

If you want to be inspired, book Michael for an event with your business. He will change you.

Old and new. Side by side

One of the best things about the London built environment right now is the stunning use of brand new and renovated buildings.

I love this view behind Kings Cross station, which has been covered in a beautiful tarpaulin for months. Now there's new tower blocks alongside renovation projects. This used to be a part of London you'd avoid if at all possible. I hope the local residents haven't all been kicked out.

Flexible Friends

Some clients are easy to work with and accountants Base52 definitely come into that class.

I wrote a press release for them about their flexible work practices and this week it appeared in local paper The Comet. It was great to interview members of the team and get their views.

Base52 are an interesting business and it's not really like work. It's great when there's results like this.

A moment in time

For the first time, my home contains three voting cards, for me and the two adults my children have become. It's an exciting moment, made more so because I have no idea how they will vote next month. That's as it should be.

Both of them are taking an interest in the politics of our town and our country, which is all I can ask. They're my offspring, not my clones. I know they are intelligent and aware of their community and I hope they will use all that when they mark their cross.

Switch off and reset your brain

I'm a great believer in the reset for my brain. Basically, it involves completely switching off for a couple of days and forgetting about work. The result is a return that's much more fresh.

Of course, that's not always easy, especially with a few International clients who have completely different Bank Holidays.

That doesn't stop me trying. It's easy to stop my phone accepting emails and leave the PC off. I'll feel better for it on Tuesday morning.

Just a couple of hours to go ...

Despite the biting cold wind, spring has sprung

With no warm weather on the forecast, there's nothing for it but to stick the wellies, hat, scarf and gloves on and get out in it. A mild Easter would be good, but I'm happy to store up all the good weather for a hot summer.