Happy Monday everyone!
Here are some reflections over the previous few weeks of what’s been on my mind.
What I LEARNED
Last week I learned what it was like to throw myself into a new environment again, with a new and diverse group of people, who all had the same fears, anxieties and excitement that I was experiencing. It was strange being the new person again and throwing myself into something new, different, and outside of my normal daily routine of family and work, but I LOVED it!
Personal coaching and development of others is an area of my profession and general being that I get a lot of fulfilment from and helps to fuel my purpose in life. From realising that this is an area that I wanted to explore further in a more formal manner, last year I decided to research into courses in order to educate myself on how to coach in a more meaningful way. From this research, I narrowed my research down to one course that ticked all the boxes for me, at Henley Business School, and so off I went to learn and try something new.
I didn’t know what to expect. I was full of questions and a sense of ‘what have I signed myself up for!’ as I was walked to the first session on a grey drizzly morning of the first day.
What I learned about myself was that having the sense of fear and anxiety about the unknown was natural, and that some of what was going on in my head was the negative aspects of what ‘might’ happen, on the day. All of which was nonsense once I reflected on my first two days on the course.
Taking the first step is sometimes the most difficult step, but once you’ve taken it and realise it wasn’t as bad as you thought it was going to be, then who knows where you’re feet will take you. That in itself is exciting!
What I LOVED
Have you ever watched a sport or hobby and thought to yourself, I would love to try that one day! Well this is exactly how I felt about the relatively new sport (in the UK), called Padel.
Originating in South America but currently popularised in Southern Europe (Spain especially), the sport is like a cross between Tennis and Squash, two sports that I have loved playing in the past but never find enough time to enjoy.
So with half term last week, I took one day off to be at home with my son and wanted to to plan something different that we had both not done before. And so it seemed like the perfect time to sign up for Padel lessons.
Was it as fun as I thought it would be? Yes! We both loved it! The coach was great and explained the rules, tactics and methods to playing the game for beginners. In fact we enjoyed it so much we didnt want to leave the court.
On reflection it made me realise that it can be so easy to put off trying new things, but when we proactively find the time to try something new, it can open up our minds and possabilities, and change us in ways we maybe didnt realise. Its just about getting out there and giving it a go.
If you don’t go, you will never know!
What I LIKED
This might seem like a strange thing to like, but last week I waved my daughter off on her first overseas trip without me and the rest of the family.
This was the first school ski trip that she had ever experienced, but one that I hoped would help build her own character and expand her horizons on being independant and to learn what it is like to be in an unknown environment with a group of people that she would not normally spend that much time with.
I’ve always told the children that travelling is like the University of Life. The things they will experience from traveling can be difficult to explain sometimes, you ‘ve just got to do it. Put one foot in front of the other. Good or bad you will learn something from whatever the experience is like for next time.
So although it was strange waving goodbye to her on the bus as they spent the next 24 hours driving down through Europe to the Pyrenees, I liked (loved), the fact she doing it and putting herself out there to experience something new.
Final thought
I recently spoke on a Podcast regards my mindset of building teams and the things I try to employ to make work more meaningful for others. A few people have been reaching out to me to request the link listen to it, so please find below.
If you would like to read the latest Monday Morning Musings then subscribe here:
- Stories, Suppers, and the Small Joys of Learning – From 8th Dec 2025.
- Small Experiments, Big Reminders- From 8th Sept 2025.
- Adapting to AI, Moments that Matter & Living with Lions – From 23rd June 2025.
- Baking, Biking and Being Back in Touch- From 21st April 2025.
- Seasons of Change & Rekindling the Love of Learning – From 24th March 2025.
Monday Morning Musings 
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