It is never too late!
Nugget of the Week
You are never too old and it is never too late to understand and pursue your ‘why’.
Let me say that again because I know firsthand how easy it is for our inner-critic to tell us otherwise. Mine, who you know is called Gladys loves making it about herself and enjoys sending me on self-doubt trip.
So for you, and for myself let me say it again and loudly (yet gently) that You have not missed the boat. You are not too old.
In meeting up with a group of business women who were all part of a Mastermind about 8 years ago, I was reassured that even though I am the eldest, the rest are not far behind me in age, and you know what? We are far from done yet!! (and can you hear the sass in the voice of my words?). Absolutely all of us are flourishing in our so-called Third Age.
We are discovering, evolving, and stepping into our passions with confidence and determination because when you feel fiercely passionate about your why, you take it up as a mission and you advocate with all you’ve got.
Sometimes, it may take a little longer than you thought, but once you recognise the one thing that sets your soul alight, your inner voices says, ‘THIS is what I am meant to do!’; and you own it with pride.
You become an advocate. You become the voice and force of the mission you take up. And oh it feels good. And we all know the best chapters often come much later in the book. Right?
This Sh** Really Happened!
Believe it or not, my children’s book ‘Quiet Is Fun Too’ is now listed on Waterstones. YAY!
No literally, this one is a big deal for me. My book just got listed in Waterstones; one of the biggest and most prestigious bookstores of UK. This is HUGE!
I am not taking this for granted. Being in Waterstones really is next-level credibility.
Although, aspirational as I am I’d like to see my book at the top of their page in ‘Waterstones Children’s Book Prize’ shortlist. Now that is something I look forward to.
Would you rally with me in sharing the word about the book, buy copies and gift them to schools, libraries, playgroups in your community?
Let’s normalise inclusion of introverts from their early childhood, together, as parents, caregivers and educators, what say you?
Coming up, Buttercup!
It is happening. The ‘Not Just Lip Service’ podcast is coming soon to your ear pods.
I am very excited that we are starting to record our brand new podcast, Not Just Lip Service, with my colleague/friend, Intention Strategist – Szebastian Onne G. S.
We all know, now more than ever we need leaders to go beyond lip service as the anti-DEI wave is trying to sweep through the boardrooms, of course led by broligarchs who it seems would love nothing more than to return to the ‘old’ ways when women belonged in the kitchen and others forms of discriminations were acceptable.
We truly need to double-down on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with genuine action, to prove that we the inclusive leaders are committed to inclusion and a meaningful change on the ground, not just papers.
Szebastian and I bring unique perspectives and communications styles rooted in shared values and aim to challenge the status quo because empty words are just not going to cut it.
Speaking of behind-the-scenes, let me share the challenge I faced this week. It was the weather, because I am a bit of a SAD Sufferer and don’t do well without sunshine. Because of the constant grey and rain, I haven’t moved enough this week. Thankfully it looks like the sun is going to shine brighter today so I am looking forward to that.
Thankfully though, the best thing that happened for me this week was reconnecting with the women leaders I met in the mastermind that I mentioned earlier. We all agreed that meeting each other was the best outcome of the mastermind.
On that note, I hope you found this week’s reflection useful and these behind-the-scenes sneak-peeks uplift your spirit and help you flourish in your journey. I wish you a very Happy Valentine and a beautiful weekend.
Quietly, and gratefully yours,
Joanna
Cage Rattler & Bias Shifter – Helping organisations unlock potential by shifting extraversion bias | Coaching quiet leaders | TEDx Speaker | Trainer | Founder, CEO – Flourishing Introverts | Host – The Flourishing Introvert Talks and (dropping) Pebbles in the Pond | Author – The Flourishing Nudge | Co-Flourisher, Co-Founder – Intent to Flourish
I’ve never felt so humiliated or incompetent, so it was a good thing it was only in my dream! I mean how could ALL of my commissioning clients have been in the same event? That would never happen.
Trust me, the team and I had different choice of words but we’ve toned it down for the faint hearted.
In the past, when things have angered me on social media which is usually opinions stated as fundamental truths, I feel the anger and then move on once the feelings have subsided. 
This left me absolutely livid and spitting feathers because that’s now millions of people (that’s how many followers he has) who now are misinformed which will set our cause back considerably.
While this photo may depict a happy mask with a sad face, and I will share what one of my senior team members said – I’m absolutely delighted to announce that on 18 December 2024, Szebastian Onne G. S. and I will be launching our collaborative audio event series, Not Just Lip Service (NJLS).
I’ve been shocked at some of the questions asked in many of the introvert groups on social media this week and it’s reinforced why I wanted Introvert’s Corner to be very different. The questions posed demonstrate clearly just how much misunderstanding there is about what introversion is and isn’t including the regular conflation of concepts and issues. 
Back in the spring of 2022 based on the recommendation of someone I really trust, I booked a photoshoot with Brigitta of 
This week, for the Buttercup segment, I give the stage to Szebastian, my colleague and co-founder of our brand ‘Intent to Flourish’. – 
This became really relevant for me this week as a good friend was clearly struggling, but reluctant to ask for help as they didn’t want to trouble anyone else.
Now why might I not be flattered? Well, as a change agent, facilitator and coach, I want people to feel confident enough to apply the learning, and if they feel they need me in their back pocket or on speed dial, my job is not yet complete.
It took me a few years to educate my nearest about how draining I found the whole ‘festive season’. I’d developed a number of ways to keep myself from feeling overwhelmed one day ate a time and they turned into my popular Seasonal Sanity Savers. I mean, why keep something to yourself, when they can help other people.
One thing I have noticed is that if I feel a little fear or anxiety about an invitation, it’d be all too easy to immediately decline and use my need for replenishment as a reason (or excuse).
I thought I was being sensible, but there were several factors that I hadn’t accounted for. Lots of road closures and my driver – Alan.
Impending insanity because we’re now firmly into the so called ‘festive season’ but that’s not how it feels to many of us.
Because the stress and pressure of social, workplace and family expectations lasts for the whole month, so it makes sense to have support for the whole month.
If you’ve been in my world for more than a moment, you’ll know that I’m a big fan of noticing, so the whole experiment started well for me. Dr David encouraged us to notice simple examples of kindness, like when someone lets you stitch in the queue of traffic or holds the lift door for you.
Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t asking for or looking for validation, but when an eminent strategist, author and successful business person says that, I have to admit to feeling more than a tingle of excitement.
Clinton Jordan 
The reality is that the longer we leave things the more difficult they become. If we’re leaving them hoping they will improve on their own, more often than not we’ll be disappointed.
How will we even be able to value diversity if we’re intolerant of difference? Before you get all huffy with me and insist I don’t understand, but do any of us really?
What’s fascinating to me is that I can see very clearly when others are in the grip of these drivers, but it’s so much harder to hold the mirror up to myself. But here’s what I’ve realised, as I notice it in others, it’s the nudge I need to take a quick look at my own behaviour.
We often mention that a failure to listen is the biggest problem in communication, but I think for we introverts, it’s more likely to be a failure to signal our intent.
When that happens, I hold my emotions back, hold them in and hold myself together. These are some of the bioenergetic holding patterns that I personally guide my Frustrated to Flourishing travelling companions through during our journey.
They said that although they were a little unsettled at walking into the room and seeing someone other than me, the trainers were very helpful and the training was great.
True presence isn’t about volume ; it’s about value. 
