Getting the gift of the gab

If only it was as easy as kissing the Blarney stone at Blarney Castle! I certainly don't feel blessed with any eloquence since......!

It's different now

I withdrew from the Leadership Programme. The leadership journey started fantastically well. Learnt so much. Was invested in tremendously. Was honoured to meet inspirational people and not just from the corporate world either. Sharing the journey with my peers who are so different yet with the same ambition in mind, who encouraged and motivated me along the way. They showed me the different flavours of leadership and a peek into what leadership in the future looks like.

So why this decision? Selfish as it sounds, I think I have grown as much as I can from this journey. As much as I enjoyed it, I found that the opportunities I have been given were because of me. Not because of the Leadership Programme badge. The things I enjoyed about the programme can be enjoyed regardless of whether I'm on the programme. Various other factors which I won't go into here. In the various unsettlements, I also felt I was not able to contribute as much to the leadership program. Importantly though, I looked at my priorities in life and decided it was the right thing to do now.

It's different now. Career was and in a way, still is important to me. But I realise it shouldn't occupy the huge chunk in my life that it used to. (Actually still does, but I'm working on it...!) Most times, I am my own worst enemy but I am happy that in the past few years, I have proved to myself that I am able to achieve this if I want to. At this point in time, it's not my number one priority.

I still want to do an excellent job. I will continue this journey in my own time and my own way with the continued support of others. The Leadership Programme is one way but not necessarily the only way. With changing priorities, the end goal may not be the same as when I first started out on the journey, but it's ok. I won't be stressed about that anymore.

I realise that there's nothing wrong with just doing your job well. Like my Partner said a few months ago when I voiced my unsettlement, it's ok not to reach for the stars all the time.

It took me nine months to come to this decision. The umming and arring right even when I voiced my decision flew out the window with the great swoosh of relief I felt when I got agreement. There are more decisions to make, on a larger scale....if this took nine months, I wonder how long those would take???

Taking to the seas

So year after year, I intended to join our firm's Sailing Challenge. And year after year, I thought-about-joining-then-forgot-to-join. Until this year. And what fun it was! I knew and still know zilch about sailing but thanks to a great team and fantastic skipper, we still placed 10th in the race. Despite messing up on the first race with the wrong strategy. (Something about staying closer to the shore to take advantage of the tide? Beats me!).

Anyway, I had a go at the helm in safer waters (and not during the race or we would have been placed in the 30s!). Otherwise, my tiny contributions were clambering over side to side during tacks (and I have 12 bruises on my knees to show for it), gybes, bear-aways and heels. Oh, and I got to help with the hoist spinnaker during the Fun Race. Big drama there when the spinnaker got caught and twisted (strangely enough, it was not my fault). In the process of 'untwisting' it, a team member was nearly thrown overboard as the wind decided to pick up at that very point (when frustratingly, it was light wind all the way till then!). That was definitely the biggest panic moment. Coming a close second was the unexpected gybe a few mins before when I was underneath the main sail! Never before have I reacted so quickly in my life! So we lost 2nd position to drop out of the race altogether whilst the spinnaker was untangled.

Cramped living quarters for 2 nights... But the sailing experience... Also, just having leisurely breakfasts and drinks onboard whilst basking in the sun (with major SPF30 slapped on before and sunnies perpetually on!) was oh-so-lovely! Such is the life.....

Docking at the pontoon on the first night

Sail up and ready for the race!

Team getting ready for the regatta dinner on the second day

Regatta dinner

Continuing drinks onboard after Regatta dinner

The other Brizzle boat during Fun Race on third day

Spinnaker up! A few minutes before it twisted and panic began!