It is never too late!

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

  • 3 minutes

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

Behind-the-scenes: WEEK 33

Behind the Scenes - Week 33

Nugget of the Week

We sometimes hear that introverts are not good friends as they don’t communicate freely or honestly. We are accused of being anti-social, disinterested and disconnected.

I disagree. And here’s why.

This is just one of the myths around introversion that because we’re not speaking all of the time, we don’t speak when it matters. We do, provided there is a strong enough bond or an important enough reason. If not, then nah! I’ll keep my thoughts to myself.

When introverts have strong relationships, they can be the MOST honest ‘critical friend’. You know, the one who tells you not what you want to hear, but what you need to hear.

That’s the type of conversation I had with one of my best friends this last week. I held the silence as he digested my words.

I didn’t appease.

I didn’t change what I’d said.

I held the space whilst he reflected. It was powerful and we both commented about how we value that we can have these conversations without worrying about our friendship.

This approach plays to our strengths of listening empathically and not filling the silence, so give it a go.

This Sh** Really Happened!

If you’ve followed me and my work for a while, you will know quite a lot about Gladys and her antics. She’s a handful to say the least, and not in a good way!

I have done so much work to understand what she’s trying to keep me safe from (the role of all inner critics) and we normally have a great working relationship now.

BTW, don’t believe anyone who tells you that you can ‘turn’ your inner critic into a fan – it doesn’t work like that. Anyway, Gladys snuck up on me when I was least expecting it this week and her intervention knocked me for six. 

I started doubting myself and my work – was it making the difference I intended?

It was and it is as testimonials routinely demonstrate.

So, with the help of my brilliant team I thanked her for keeping a watchful eye and packed her off again, to enjoy the last of the summer.

Ice creams all round? Actually, make mine an Aperol Spritz!

Coming up, Buttercup!

As you know, at the House of Flourishing Introverts, we are celebrating August as the ‘Introvert Celebration Month’ – and as part of that celebration I am offering once in a life time, never to repeat again bonuses with my Flip Your Limiting Beliefs course.

I understand just too —a lifetime of feedback can leave us feeling ‘less than’ in some way.

However, we are far from ‘less than.’ When we recognise that we are ‘more than,’ we unlock our potential to create a life we love, to believe in ourselves, and to intentionally hold firm boundaries.

My course is designed to guide you on this flourishing journey, empowering you to take control and make meaningful, lasting changes.

If you’re tired of thinking you can’t and ready to say ‘watch me’, it’s time to consider the Flip Your Limiting Beliefs course.

Offer ends on August 20. Sign-up!

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Got a question? Contact my team at quietly@flourishingintroverts.com