23.03.2022

How We Are Seen | Perfect | Being the Glue

Hello there! Welcome to my weekly LEAPS. 

You’re receiving this email because you subscribed to my weekly Wednesday feature or our mailing list. Every Wednesday, I share 5 things using our LEAPS approach: 

Learn: something new or an idea
Energy: something that’s creating an energy and positive impact
Action: something to do
Processing: a question to consider
Shout out: something or someone that I want to celebrate or acknowledge

Have you taken the GLAS Understanding Assessment
and received your free report?

LEARN
Something Worth Sharing

How We Are Seen

Most people worry about how they are seen by others - and have a negatively distorted view of how they come across. This is a natural feeling of course; we want to belong, be liked and be accepted by those around us.

We assume that if someone isn’t warm towards us, it must be our fault - we did something wrong or aren’t worthy, but the reminder I had this week is that a lack of warmth is usually more about the other person and the insecurities they have about themselves. We get so anxious about how we come across, we forget that everyone else is feeling the same way. People are far more likely to be worrying about themselves than judging us. If we could all remember this, we’d avoid a great deal of stress and worry, and would be far more compassionate towards each other.

ENERGY
Focusing on an emotion or positive energy; a stand-out word / s

Perfect

I spotted a social media post a few days ago that described someone as ‘perfect’.

The word PERFECT originates from Latin PERFECTUS which means "completed, excellent, accomplished, exquisite". It is formed from PER "completely" + FACERE meaning "to make, to do”. When we see that the true meaning is to complete something, and that there is nothing more to do or be needed, we realise that life can’t be perfect, relationships and work can never be perfect - there is always more that can be improved and worked on, learned and developed.

ACTION
Something small that you can do that might make a big difference

Compliment Someone

I’m reading a brilliant book at the moment - which I hope to share next week as a visual synopsis for you. The book focuses on the influence we have without realising it. The action I’m suggesting is taken from an experiment whereby researchers complimented a stranger’s t-shirt. The positive impact it had on those that received the compliment far exceeded expectations. I urge you to just make one compliment - to a stranger, colleague, friend or loved one. Make it genuine - think about something you admire about them, their smile, perfume etc.

Oh, and by the way…the research also found that most of us are uncomfortable about doing this! But give it a go!

PROCESSING
A question to think about and consider (you can discuss this with someone or write your thoughts down)

“How good are you at listening to others and being present?”

Most people would like to think that they are great listeners, but in a world of distraction this is increasingly challenging - and important. Here are a few extra questions to go with this week’s main question:

• How do you know if you’re listening fully?

• How do you know if you’re being listened to?

• What would make you a better listener?

SHOUT OUT
Who / what I think deserves recognition, my gratitude or to be celebrated.

The Glue

We had to attend a funeral last week - the father of one of my oldest and best friends. The service was both beautiful and devastating - which pretty much sums up life - but during the service, Martin was described as ‘the glue’. He was far more than my friend’s father - he had also been the accountant for my family’s business, a board advisor and confidante. In all cases, he was often the glue for us. Perhaps more significantly, he introduced me to my husband and once again was the glue for the start of our relationship. Being the glue - the person that holds things together and adds to them - is a wonderful legacy to leave. Here’s to everyone that is quietly being the glue - in families, teams, businesses…what would we do without them?!

Finally, perhaps it’s worth mentioning that this coming Sunday is Mothering Sunday in the UK - so here’s an extra shout out for mothers. They often play the role of glue for us.

BONUS GIFT FOR YOU
This week’s little extra for you - from me

This week my recommended book is one that I loved reading a while ago - this is Willpower Doesn’t Work by Benjamin P Hardy. It explores the influence of our environment and how it is often far too powerful, stimulating, addicting and stressful to overcome challenges / shifts through sheer determination.

The book provides some simple steps such as removing things that conflict with your values from your environment (like junk food, junk media, even junk people) and how to deliberately shape your surroundings so you can lead a more productive and happier life.

If you’d like to discuss having your ideas, business or culture captured visually - you can also let me know via email.

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LEAPS is a process used by our team and clients all the time - and even my own family on a daily basis. 

I’ll be sharing a set of LEAPS each week with you and encourage you to do your own version:

• L: what have you learned?

• E: what’s your energy / feeling word

• A: what’s one thing you need to do?

• P: what are you thinking / processing?

• S: who or what can you shout out?