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Cadence - Life & Work in Motion
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“A basic condition of life is the creative adaptation to changing conditions—and you, my friend, are alive and living.
Trust in your own (and others’) ability to respond to unforeseen circumstances with inventiveness, playfulness, and ingenuity.””
~ Mandy Brown
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Hi Reader
So, fellow striver, have you made it past equinox in one piece?
On my work front, March has been full of lovely things. From helping to host an International Women’s Day campaign, and attending the Convention of the North, to giving talks on sustainability in different forms. Plus podcast amazingness - more on that at the end.
But, life in general has seemed way too uncertain, unsettling, and upsetting due to world events. It feels like we're juggling a LOT.
This is what happens when paradigms shift, patriarchal systems start to fall, and tyrants and dinosaurs try to grip too hard to what they’re losing. Unfortunately people get hurt.
We have to find ways to creatively adapt to our situations so we can endure, and maintain momentum in the other parts of our lives.
If you’re struggling, you might find hope and guidance in this inspiring essay by Mandy Brown about making life possible despite uncertainty. (Hat tip to Linda Wattier).
In the business world this month, the “people” part of our businesses also got more exposure.
Changes are coming. So 3-2-1 let's go!
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Three Resources
1 - People Are Your Business Differentiator
Organisations where productivity is booming are doing something different from their competitors.
They treat their talent as an investment to maximise, rather than an operating expense to minimise.
Training and mentoring opportunities, wellbeing offerings, flexible working practices, and much more, help employees to activate more of their potential. The returns are paying off for companies who place their people first.
2 - Flexibility Beats Pay
Work-life balance has surpassed pay for the first time (by a lot), as a key factor for the majority of the 26,000 workers surveyed for the recent Randstadt Report.
The World Economic Forum's research also shows that employees want to work with purpose-driven businesses that align with their values, plus plenty more interesting stats to consider.
3 - Flexi Boost for Population Growth & Gender Equality
Tokyo is turning to 4-day working to address Japan’s challenges around their older working population.
Falling birth rates and gender disparities when it comes to housework, childcare and elder care are also driving these changes. It's especially impacting women who literally do not have enough time to raise children due to their work load. (Hat tip to Kelly Berry).
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Two Thoughts
I'm generally a fan of AI and the possibilities it brings. As a company of one, these tools help me be more efficient. But there's a few areas I draw the line regarding creative output and authenticity.
It seems I'm not the only one...
1 - Outsourcing Our Meeting Presence
AI Notetakers are invading our privacy and tramping on meeting etiquette. But their use is also raising questions about the actual need for having a meeting.
What's the point if you’re outsourcing your presence in it? Is that wasting everyone else's time? And do you even bother reading the meeting notes afters?
2 - Auto-Writing Our Emails
Reading handcrafted messages feels sincere. Virtual written comms take more energy and effort to convey that same authenticity. So automation can make our messaging feel inauthentic and superficial.
Pre-programmed emails dilute the connection you may be trying to make with a prospect, client, or friend. The consequences and implications affect trust, negotiations and customer satisfaction.
Bottom line, don't let AI write your emails.
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One Action
Scaring Your Mountains Into Molehills
It's a default survival response for us to procrastinate on tasks that scare us, as they feel difficult, new or uncomfortable. With stress levels out of control though, everything feels scary, including the random (often quick) tasks that are not urgent, but which our minds feel will take ages.
Gain momentum on all the little things by scheduling “scary hours” to power through those annoying tasks that fall off the radar. Tackle the simplest scary task first and work your way up.
With this hack, I like the novelty of acknowledging the things we fear doing by labelling them scary. We can then see the heebie jeebies for what they really are ... just tasks that need to get done. Allocating a time for them reduces their scary hold on us. 👻
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Other Stuff
Creating Cadence Podcast
1) Season 12 of the Creating Cadence Podcast concluded with two more lovely episodes.
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In episode 76, Celia Gaze (founder of the Wellbeing Farm, a BCorp events venue) spoke about legacy, sustainability and being more conscious in your business.
- In Episode 77, Mark Shayler (author, sustainability expert and brand innovation specialist) shared insights on regenerative practices and attunement - for ourselves, business and the planet.
2) Magic Mind has signed up for another season of podcast sponsorship, yay!
In the meantime, take advantage of their special offer and get 20% off a one time purchase of their mental performance shot with this magic link: magicmind.com/CREATINGC20.
Season 13 starts in mid April, so stay tuned!
Until then, here’s to more time frolicking in sunbeam-laden daffodil fields to help us manage the stresses of our lives!
And to developing our ability to “respond to unforeseen circumstances with inventiveness, playfulness, and ingenuity.”
With courage, curiosity and cadence,
Mich x
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You can find me and my work at these places.
The Cadence newsletter is part of the Creating Cadence brand. © Bondesio C&C
9-10 Cross Street, Preston, Lancashire PR1 3LT
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