21 Coffee-date Reflections
In June ’22 I became full time brilliant (a phrase that makes my kids cringe!) as I navigated career change, out of a full time role and into running Brilliant Thing full time. Of course this was a beginning not a destination, and at the beginning of things, opening up to possibility is vital. Tunnel vision on a goal might get you there quicker, but you’ll miss out on all the beautiful sidetracks, interesting detours and exciting potential destinations.
As I was in the transition phase, working my notice period, I wrote a diary then developed this into an intimate email series full of self coaching tools and reflections Navigating Career Change. My diary illuminated that I make my best decisions and have the most powerful insights and ideas when I open myself up to diverse perspectives. So I set about a Coffee Date Challenge.
Now, I’ve had 21 coffee dates, in person and online and its been the richest, most fun experience!
Ive had chats with dancers and doctors and conversations with community café owners and charities, discussing everything from wellbeing to Lego-play and moving cities to stand up comedy!
Here are 21 reflections and nuggets of good stuff that have given me a bigger, brighter view of the world as I develop Brilliant Thing.
1. Sometimes the box is just too small for you- get a new box
2. We encourage best, when we have been there ourselves
3. Seek the opportunities in changing plans
4. Micro conversations are as important as bigger work
5. It takes time, build slowly
6. Match your environment to your intention, find a beautiful space to do deep work in, a buzzy space for ideas, a walk to process
7. Pass on ideas, they are only yours for a moment, if you hold on too tightly they will disappear
8. Find time for yourself and double it, invest in yourself and double it
9. Go out of your way to say thank you, be memorable, say what you’re thinking, mean it
10. Notice where the work is being driven from, who calls the shots?
11. You can exist in a difficult environment, if you make sure you are also spending time elsewhere
12. When its hot, take an hour off to read, when its cold get in bed and read, hell just take an hour off to read just because!
13. Nourishment means balance and boundaries as much as what we devour
14. Acknowledge personal shortcomings, create spaces where humanity is welcomed by being the first to share your human-ness
15. Norms cannot be learned they must be modelled
16. How do we increase belonging AND embrace diversity?
17. Messy is vulnerable, vulnerable is connection
18. Remember the jampan! (a street sharing a huge pan to make jam in/ community ownership)
19. Need to create a safe pipeline for leaders
20. Designing a courageous life vs taking brave leaps, design as a gameplan
21. Emotional experiences and sharing stories creates ripples of change
I highly recommend trying out a coffee challenge, I think Im going to do it every other month to keep my ideas fresh, have brilliant conversations and add value to my coffee dates day too!
