Morning!

Good weekend? Ready for world domination like the dungaree-wearing Minion above?

Okay, maybe that's asking too much.  Let's start more gently, why not make your favourite cuppa and decide on one important task you're going to achieve today, plus how you'll treat yourself when you’ve accomplished it (If you're a coffee-fiend, maybe it's another cuppa).

Should anything knock you off course, read the tips on bouncing back from a bad day.

There's also a really short article on imposter syndrome and an uplifting story about the generosity of inmates in Texas prisons.

Have a great week and if you do achieve world domination, let me know as I have a list of things I'd like you to address (people who talk in the cinema, people stopping at the bottom of escalators, socks that keep slipping down in your shoes, you know, the big important stuff).

Toodle-oo!

Julie

julie@pressurevalve.co.uk

www.pressurevalvecoaching.com

www.pressurevalveprojects.com

For development and tips:

How to bounce back from a bad day

This topic came up with two coaching clients last week.  When we have a set-back or disappointment, it can be hard to get back on track, replaying the situation over and over in our heads.

I've just discovered this website 'Unstuck' (expect to see more of it in future HFMs!).  These tips on bouncing back from a bad day are interesting and have echoes of mindfulness.  Accepting that bad days happen is crucial, as is taking a moment to check whether you are blowing things out of proportion.

Like previous HFM tips, I'm not saying this will be a magic wand and you'll be skipping around the office in minutes, but it can help you recognise this is just how you feel right now, it's not forever.  It can also give you some perspective -  there are people around the world, or possibly even next door to us, who'd gladly swap their bad day, with ours.

For development and more tips:

Imposter syndrome

Imposter syndrome comes up in so many coaching conversations.  I really like the approach in this mini-blog from Seth Godin.  Rather than reassure us that we all deserve to be in the roles we are in, Seth says:

Everyone who is doing important work is working on something that might not work. And it's extremely likely that they're also not the very best qualified person on the planet to be doing that work.

How could it be any other way?... You've been getting lucky breaks for a long time. We all have.

Yes, you're an impostor. So am I and so is everyone else. Isn't doing your best all you can do? 

For a smile:

Generosity from prison inmates

This story was in the press a couple of weeks ago, but this is the first chance I've had to include it.  Following Hurricane Katrina 12 years ago, prisoners in Texas said they wanted to do something to help those affected, particularly in terms of funds.  The Texas Department of Justice, set up a system so that inmates could donate some of their commissary accounts (normally used for snacks etc,).

When Hurricane Harvey hit, inmates asked for the scheme to be re-opened.

'In about one month, officials say 6,663 inmates donated $53,863 for Hurricane Harvey relief - an astonishing sum considering many of the offenders typically have less than $5 in their accounts'.

We can all make excuses as to why we can't afford to donate to charities and campaigns, of course it's your choice but why not take inspiration from these inmates and go without a small treat for yourself, to help make a big difference to others.

What do you do Julie?

Glad you asked, I'm a coach, helping individuals and groups with a range of work and career-related challenges/goals. I'm also a contractor, providing interim management of teams, plus, project management for learning, development and recruitment projects.

So, as an example, last week I:

• Co-hosted a networking event with a fun, smart and purpose-driven leaders.
• Coached clients on challenges including - resilience, avoiding burnout, new bosses, stepping up to the plate, managing relationships when a peer is promoted to be your manager, dealing with aggressive customers.
• Created training sessions for a charity.