One Small Thing
Are you superglued to your job?
Dr Lucinda Homer Coaching
Hello there,
I have been reflecting on my career change this week and many of the things that kept me stuck in place for so long. My blockers were common to many of us, and acted just like superglue even when I knew that I was unhappy. After burnout, recovery, and a return to work, I got to the point that I felt my only solution was to leave my job and try something new.
I know that so many professional women get to their 40s and 50s feeling burnt out and in a workplace that starts to value them less (ageism is rife in many sectors). It can be very hard to see a way forwards and sometimes the only option feels like putting your head down and plodding on until you can retire.
Then there are the countless women who leave high powered roles because of perimenopause and menopausal symptoms. I know that my confidence took a battering in my mid 40s and I had no idea that it was the hormonal changes of perimenopause. When I was at medical school, the menopause was a definition in a text book and not much more was taught about it. I didn't join the dots until menopause became a bit more mainstream and more information became available for all women.
Leaving my former role and reinventing how I worked as a doctor was absolutely the right thing for me to do. I then had the capacity to see a way forwards and develop my portfolio career.
I know that is not practical for many of you to leave your job, but changing how you work might be. That can still feel like a tall order, and working with a coach can help you to uncover your blockers to change. I have some spaces in my diary for new one to one clients in 2024. So if you would like to be in a different place this time next year, you can book a discovery call with me here.
For all of you, who are hanging on by your fingernails, willing retirement to come, then please listen to the podcast suggestion this week. It will help you to reframe how you think about the next phase of your work/life balance. It is from Avivah Wittenberg-Cox's 4 Quarter Lives, and you can find her Substack blog Elderberries here.
The article suggestion is a refreshing take on mentoring and might well help to break down some of the ageism we face in the workplace.
Remember that just doing one small thing might be all that you need to have a positive impact on your week.
Something to read...
"How reverse mentoring could help you tackle imposter syndrome at work"
Ellen Scott for the Stylist
“In the dynamic landscape of the modern workplace, reverse mentoring emerges as a revolutionary tool,” Patrice Gordon, the founder of Eminere and the author of Reverse Mentoring: Removing Barriers And Building Belonging In The Workplace, tells Stylist. “Reverse mentoring flips the traditional mentor-mentee relationship, encouraging knowledge exchange where under-represented individuals mentor senior counterparts.
“This approach, especially in diverse and inclusive workplaces, fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of different perspectives, breaking down hierarchical and generational barriers.”
Prefer audio? Then check this out...
"Redefining life, work and age"
4-Quarter Lives podcast - Avivah Wittenberg-Cox talks with Lyndsey Simpson, the founder and CEO of 55/Redefined, an organisation connecting the UK’s active over 50s with tailored products, services and advice spanning jobs, finance, and lifestyle.
This podcast made me think. Retirement, Holy Grail or poisoned Chalice? We get to write the future, and even if you think that retirement is a way off yet, remember that you are NOT your parents and can expect a very different retirement.
Coaching Prompt
"What went well this year?"
Instead of focussing on what did not go to plan this year, I invite you to think about what went well. Celebrate your successes even the micro ones.
3 songs long
I chose 3 songs for the playlist because it lasts for 10 minutes (ish). That 10 minutes is the perfect length of time for you to either listen, relax, do an exercise snack, walk round the block, or do anything you fancy to music (go wild with your imagination). You can listen to my playlist or make one of your own.
One of the things, that I think is so important, in my pillars of wellbeing is to choose something that works for me and to try and do one small thing every day.
Try it and see what happens.
That's it, have a great week.
Lucinda x
P.S.
What else?
Not sure about coaching? I have an online course that will help you to make, what might be, one of the best decisions you make for yourself next year. It's called "Making decisions that feel good" and you can find it here.
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