Obstacle#2  Working Alone

Working on your own can be incredibly lonely and isolating. It can be really hard to stay motivated and inspired without a team around you for encouragement and support. Whilst my family and friends are supportive, it is still incredibly difficult to stay motivated at times.

Whist working in Italy this year, I was reminded just how much I love to work as part of a team and subsequently, that I didn't want to go down this path without the support and energy of others along the way. I opened myself up to the idea of somebody else coming along to develop and grow Holistica's work.

Since then doors have opened and my friend and colleague Joanna Foster has taken up my invitation to become a part of Holistica's story. It is absolutely wonderful it is to be working with Jo again and we are both excited about the possibilities. We held our first planning workshop last month, 'Waving Our Magic Wands' to explore taking Holistica to the next level. Our current focus is on creating a healthy working relationship and then completing a series of workshops designed to move Holistica's work forward. 

Welcome Jo, you bring great talent and skills to our team. 

Watch this space to find our more about the exciting developments ahead.

See the photos page for more pics of the workshop

It was over 2 years ago that I first dreamt of creating an organisation where I could work creatively in the areas I am passionate about, in accordance with my personal values and vision.

Combining purpose and values with profit is certainly something I aspire to and believe in but it is challenging work. I have taken some big steps but recently things seemed to be stalling. The vision was still clear to me but the path to get there a little blurry.

So I decided to practice what I preach and take some time out to reflect on how things were going. I wish I had done it earlier because it has given me great insight into the limiting fears and beliefs that have been holding me back. This is the first (and in my mind the most crucial) of several key obstacles I identified.

#1 FACING UP TO YOUR OWN FEARS AND DOUBTS

I am generally a confident, out-going person who believes strongly in my abilities but I have to say, when the going gets tough that little devil still appears on my shoulder occasionally and screams 'this is never going to work, it's too hard - give it up and get a real job!' The time spent reflecting on my fears about getting this business going has helped me to confront some important things about myself. I realized that I have a strong attachment to being 'successful' in other peoples' eyes. I worry far too much about what others think and I am afraid of being judged. In the past this has stopped me from reaching out to people and telling them about myself. One thing is certain - you can't run a sustainable business if you aren't prepared to fully commit, to believe in yourself and to spread the word about what you have to offer.

So what am I going to do about it? I reckon these types of realizations are just another step in a life-long journey of learning to live with my own insecurities and quirks. For me it's not about conquering or overcoming my fears and doubts but about accepting them, even celebrating them, as a part of who I am and learning to live alongside them. Sure, doubts are going to creep in every now and then but I know there are ways that I can quiet them down and move forward. Instead of keeping silent and in effect hiding who I am, I intend to speak up and be honest about what I stand for and what I have to offer. One of the ways I am doing this is through this blog. I'm making a conscious effort to hand out my business cards and start conversations about what I do. I have created my first newsletter, which I am sending out to absolutely everyone that I know. I'm working on my meditation practice because it helps me to stay positive, grounded and confident in my abilities. And I am choosing to surround myself with friends and mentors that support and encourage me.

Facing a different kind of fear! Climbing Crib Goch (Wales) this April

I know that as we speak, there are thousands of people out there embarking on a similar journey to me, or thinking of it. They are choosing to make a big life change, to try a different career, leave a relationship, act on an idea they've had, or leave their job to strike out on their own and become a business or social entrepreneur. Theirs are the kind of stories that inspire me and keep me going. I hope that by sharing in my journey you may also find some inspiration, ideas, tools or perhaps even laughter to share in.

Read about the other obstacles to business success that I am grappling with in the next Holistica newsletter -  perhaps less profound and more practical, but useful all the same!

P.s. I am new to this writing stuff, If you enjoyed the newsletter and/or this entry please leave a comment to say so! Likewise if you have suggestions, ideas or feedback get in touch, I'd love to hear from you. 

For many of us this time of year heralds a series of heart-felt resolutions and goals for the New Year, all of which should be celebrated and voiced as we dream of the positive changes we would like to bring about in our lives.

Whether reflecting on relationships, family, careers, spirituality, health & balance or a myriad of the other aspects of our complex Self, we can be sure of one thing - change is and will continue to be a constant force in our lives.

Yes, the people that know me well have had most likely had an earful about Open Space Technology.....but I just can't help but get REALLY REALLY excited about this innovative approach to people meeting and connecting with each other. WHY? Because participating in an open space meeting feels inspiring and best of all, it 'tastes of freedom!'   

Click here to find out more about OST and read success stories

Over the past few years I have had the opportunity to meet and learn from some facilitators, trainers and presenters. In recent times, many of these meetings have been transpiring online as I form virtual relationships with the RSS feeds of facilitators around the world.

These are people like Viv McWaters - an Australian facilitator whose blog caught my eye recently - and Jack Martin Leith, an Open Space event specialist with an excellent website.

I love this recent quote by Viv McWaters (Beyond the Edge Facilitation & Evaluation) as it captures beautfully the approach I aspire to take to my personal coaching and to my role as a facilitator and trainer. It is also the reason I believe so strong in Open Space and other participatory and whole person facilitation techniques. Thanks Viv, I hope to meet you in real time in the future!