April's Reflection

I’m sitting here at 8 a.m. in a lovely coffee shop, enjoying my favourite mug of hot chocolate, a weekly treat I eagerly anticipate, while Christy Moore plays softly in the background. It's the 1st of May, and I sense this month's reflection might feel a bit different. April has been truly wonderful, so let’s dive in.

The month began perfectly, with a refreshing week away in Faro, Portugal, accompanied by two amazing people: my partner Billy and his mother. We arrived to forecasts predicting a week of rain, yet none of us were discouraged. As it turned out, the predictions were entirely inaccurate, and instead, we enjoyed beautiful weather, excellent company, a peaceful hotel, access to a gym, and a pristine beach with a scenic boardwalk.

It was a week filled with something we often overlook: time. Each morning, I woke early, either for gym sessions or an 11 km walk along the stunning beach, accompanied by music, podcasts, or simply my own thoughts. Afternoons were spent quietly reading, and evenings brought delightful dinners and laughter-filled card games. It was a rare gem of a holiday, allowing me to disconnect completely and recharge quickly, despite what the cost might imply (thank you, VHI!).

Easter also brought a lovely, peaceful weekend at home. It was a time of quiet simplicity: slow mornings, good food, and precious moments. Taking time to pause and simply be, felt like a continuation of the calm I had experienced on holiday, and it reminded me again of the importance of creating space to recharge and reconnect.

Returning energised from our holiday, I was thrilled to begin working with new clients. It's fascinating how often it takes a significant event, (a shock, loss, or tragedy,) for people to pause and reconsider their paths. They ask powerful questions: Do I want to be here, doing this same thing, next year? Can I spend more time with family, focus more on health, or grow a business less dependent on me? Or perhaps simply acknowledging they can't carry their burdens alone any longer.

This is exactly the kind of space I aim to create through my services, whether it’s the deep, personalised work of 1:1 Coaching (Clarity & Confidence), the collective wisdom shared in the Step Up Business Mastermind, or the strategic clarity provided through my consulting services like the Success Partnership, Financial Fortitude sessions, or Review & Roadmap intensives.

I feel incredibly privileged to support inspiring clients through coaching and consulting. This month, one particularly challenging session stood out: a client who was finding delegation exceptionally difficult, preventing him from achieving his goal of working fewer hours. After a deep, reflective conversation exploring what successful delegation would look like, his entire demeanour shifted, energy returned, clarity emerged, and a plan began forming. I’m excited to see his progress next month.

Listening and presence are everything in coaching. Sometimes, when clients articulate their thoughts aloud, they discover insights they hadn't realised existed. Other times, discomfort surfaces, signalling the need for deeper exploration.

Life has taught me its precious and fleeting nature, often through tough experiences. Years of relentless work and eventual burnout taught me the vital importance of delegation, trust, and building a strong team. Achieving my business goals was rewarding, yet true satisfaction came from deeper connections and meaningful experiences. When I sold my business, I was supported by 24 incredible coaches, something for which I'll always be profoundly grateful. But that's a story for another reflection.

Another milestone this April was delivering my first speaker talk at Ignite. Two lessons stood out immediately: first, always take photos! Second, not everyone will always engage fully with your message, and that's perfectly fine. Embracing feedback, even when challenging, offers invaluable growth opportunities. . Anyone who knows me understands that I value feedback, including constructive criticism, as it’s a crucial part of growth and confidence-building.

The PSA (Professional Speaking Association) event was another monthly highlight. Denise McGarry joined as my guest, thoroughly enjoying an inspiring morning featuring three exceptional keynote speakers (Paul Dornan, Peter Turley and Andrew Dobbin). The room was packed, the energy electric, and as always, I learned so much. Huge credit to the organising team for an outstanding event. Inspired, I've stepped further outside my comfort zone by signing up for my own showcase speech in May. It’s yet another reminder that personal development is a continuous journey, something I deeply champion for my clients too. If you'd like to attend as a guest, do let me know, I’d be delighted to invite you.

To beautifully conclude the month, my partner quietly organised a dinner with an old college friend and his wife, visiting from the US. It was a special evening filled with warmth, laughter, and meaningful conversations. Time flew by, filled with joyful reminiscences and heartfelt exchanges. We parted with hugs, plans to reconnect, and gratitude for the new memories made.

I must also thank Kate Rooney, for her monthly LinkedIn challenges. For April, I committed to walking, and despite not initially setting a specific target, I'm proud to share I achieved 264,925 steps, covering 211 km, averaging 7 km a day. For May, my goal is 220 km, alongside stretching every evening, habit-building at its finest!

Reflecting on April, I feel incredibly fortunate and deeply grateful for the wonderful people in my life, near and far, who enrich my days. Life is indeed precious, our time limited and invaluable, and it's the connections we nurture that truly make our journey extraordinary.

If you’re reading this and find yourself yearning for more clarity, connection, or growth in your life or business, know that you don’t have to do it alone. There’s immense power in stepping into spaces of support, strategy, and community, and it would be my privilege to walk that journey with you.

Here’s to making every moment count.

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