Blue Sky Update – May 2020

A monthly recap of my life as a career coach, writer, and human being

Update – Friday 1St May 2020

It was good to share a laugh, and a joke with Tim (not his real name) at Fare Share this week while working at the supported housing project.

I happened to be on shift when he rang through to confirm the food order for the girls. He asked if we needed a few dozen packets of sliced ham and without thinking, I replied, ‘only if you can supply us with some sliced bread to go with it.’

Luckily, Tim had a sense of humour and laughingly reminded me that, ‘doesn’t work like that, Janice.’ To which I replied, ‘so no caviar, then?’

One tiny moment that made me chuckle, so this week I am giving ‘a shout out’ to Fare Share and the difference they are making with their deliveries of food to those in need.

And we still had a bit of a laugh.

So, what, who has made you chuckle this week?

Update – Friday 8th May 2020

I had a bit of a light bulb moment this week, while on a Zoom call with three long-standing colleagues from my days at Ford’s.

I have always preferred to either work one to one or with tiny groups. But often the figures do not stack up when you factor in room hire etc.

Now we are growing more used to working with Zoom and other online meeting platforms; I am looking at how I might bring small groups together over a period. At how it might make my coaching and maybe not just mine more accessible.

Something that allows me to work to my strengths while supporting others.

Now I am off to work up some details, put some flesh on the bones.

I might be a bit late to the party, but how are redesigning what you do, given the current situation?

Update: Friday 15th May 2020

This is the view I captured when I needed to walk off some frustration a few days ago. When I needed to get myself out, under some clear blue sky and gain a bit of balance and perspective, and it was all over a tiny miscommunication, something that would not usually register on my radar. But once again, the sea delivered. Being able to sit and watch the waves come in and the waves go out was enough to settle me down.

So, once again, I am grateful that I live by the sea. What have you been thankful for this week?

Update – Friday 22nd May 2020

  • Random medical box
  • Giant weed on decking
  • Blocked guttering

What do these three things have in common?

They are the first items we finally got around to tackling on our family to-do list last weekend. Things that we have been tolerating but not doing anything about for months, well maybe years ;).

It was my husband who suggested we put a list together, and our daughter who got us started. It has felt great to work together and get some of this stuff done and crossed off the list.

We are on a roll now, not sure how long it will all take. But I am already enjoying the sense of space and clarity dealing with some of these things have created.

So, what things would you have a go at tackling?

Update – Friday 29th May 2020

It is finally time to start racking up the rejections

I submitted to the Penguin Books, Write Now programme, the deadline is midnight tomorrow if there is anyone else out there interested in doing the same.

It would be far easier to sit quietly on the collection of stories I have been working on for the last three years. Far more comfortable to leave them gathering dust.

But now, and I can only put this down to the current situation I feel compelled to give myself a kick up the backside and get them out there to see what happens. Until now, my writing group, are the only people who have seen these stories, and they have had my back every step of the way.

So, on the 15th June when the results are announced, whatever happens, I will have made a start.

Wish me luck.

Until next time

Janice

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