Issue #98

Cadence - Life & Work in Motion

“Resilience isn’t about becoming who you were. It’s about becoming who you need to be next."

~ Eric Barker

Hi Reader

It’s time for another monthly missive on business, life, and work and June has been packed with all three!

This month, I’ve had the privilege to:

Walk in the beautiful Whinlatter Forest, where this pic was taken.
Judge small businesses for BIBAs on Tour.
Assess MBA student presentations at University of Lancashire.
Speak at a Careers Conference on AI, Tech & the Future of Talent.
Help organise the Talks Programme for the upcoming Festival of Making.
Publish the final episodes of this season's Creating Cadence podcast.
And, of course, support my brilliant clients!

So yes, June has been fantastically full and fun.

But now, I’m welcoming the slower rhythm that July tends to bring.

Why? Because I need some space to rebuild my foundations.

There’s a lot of background noise right now - globally, politically, digitally, and emotionally. The quiet moments we usually use to pause and reset are feeling few and far between amidst relentless news rounds and pressure.

At times like these, resilience becomes a vital resource.

So I’ve been reflecting on what it means to build and sustain resilience, in myself, in my work, and in how I show up in the world.

Right now, I believe three things matter most:

1. Building more flexibility into how we live and work.

2. Strengthening our inner resilience and business / life foundations.

3. Deepening our relationships, whether with family, friends, colleagues, or clients.

With that in mind, this month’s 1-2-3 format is inspired by resilience, and a recent read by Eric Barker on research-backed ways to raise a resilient family.

Let's go!

One Action

Reorganise

When the external world feels wobbly, revisit your rituals, routines, and habits and restructure them to fit your current ‘normal’.

Reorganising your days, even slightly, can help reclaim a sense of identity and control.

Two Thoughts

1 - Master the Possible

When it all feels too much, shift your focus to what’s within your control.

What do you have the ability to make progress on? Take small, doable actions to ground yourself and gain momentum.

2 - Rebound, Not Return

After a tough period, we often long to go 'back to normal'. But we can't, as we're not the same as we were, because we grow through the experience.

As psychologist Froma Walsh puts it, we don’t bounce back, we 'bounce forward'.

Three Resources

1 - Resilience in Chaotic Times

Resilience starts at home and there are research-backed ways to help you and your family build steadiness amidst uncertainty, irrespective of what's happening around them.

The Secrets to Having a Resilient Family – Eric Barker

2 - Connection Through Confident Conversations

When we’re stressed or nervous, our communication suffers. There are cues that help improve clarity, presence, and how we’re perceived. (Highly recommend if you're a socially awkward person like me!)

Vanessa Van Edwards on Confidence - The On Purpose Podcast

3 - Sustainable Creativity

Creative thinking needs breathing room. I loved this episode on intentional ways to nurture your creative rhythm and protect your time, energy, and attention. Delighted to see cadence plays a role. (Hat tip: Ethan Blumen for the recco)