weston culture » noosa women

What. A. Week.

trish — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:27:54 +0000

It’s a rare event for me to be lost for words but this week has been so intense, I can’t even write about it yet. Here’s the synopsis – and I hope to get back to fill in the details later.

The week begins with a hissy-fit meltdown brought on by neglect of self-care. Mucho meditation later, all is good.
Diary is covered with red dots (clients)
Invitation to do retreats
Invitation to lecture in South America
An article I wrote a year ago gets published in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph
I get interviewed about said article on radio 2UE
Confab conference line falls over – 2 hours of rescheduling and re-writing guidelines for new system
Frabulous movie night catchup with the girls (always better when wearing 3d glasses)
Ping pong and drinkies with the noosa chicks (perhaps 3d glasses may have improved my game)
Much laughter
Lots of great wine

And, now, ready to start again…

This (Blogless) Life

Toodle pip 2009. It was swell.

trish — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:44:56 +0000

The following piece was written at the beginning of the month for Design Notes. I’ve added a post-script to bring it up to date.

REFLECTING ON 2009

December is the time of year when we reflect on the previous 12 months. It’s a time to acknowledge what we’ve achieved and what we’ve learned, to celebrate, to let go of that which no longer serves us, and identify the knowledge and peace of mind to move into a new year with wisdom, hope and enthusiasm.

What have I learned this year? What’s worked? What hasn’t worked?

The year of Twitter Less is more. It’s been the year of Twitter – a world of instant gratification, news and encapsulating life in 140 characters. I’ve, um, quite enjoyed it and look forward to seeing how it evolves.

The year of Needs What do people need? This is the question that’s driven me (and my work) this year. The financial crisis may have been reportedly ‘bad’, but I think it stripped away a lot of bloated artifice of modern life and many got to consider what was really important.

The year of Hair Samson was onto something. For the first time in 20 years I let my hair grow out. It was weird. It was also nice to not get tapped on the shoulder and told that I’d mistakenly entered the ladies toilets.

The year of 40 “Don’t ever worry about the numbers” is what my 83-year-old mother told me on my birthday this year. 40 came with so many expectations, it passed and I got on with life. I quite like it now.

The year of Noosa Women Possibly the most successful thing I’ve done in my life – this vibrant, emerging group gives me so much joy. I searched so long for ‘my people’; little realising that I just had to stand up and ask them to join me.

What did I learn from what didn’t work?

Write for myself And get an editor. Early in the year I started writing for others (rather than myself). The tone, enthusiasm and quality of my writing bottomed out and I’d fairly much stopped writing by the middle of the year. Not really great when one of my 2009 goals was to shift from coaching to writing as my main work.

A longer version of this article first appeared in the December 2009 edition of Design Notes, the newsletter of the Work/Life Design Program. You can find out more about Design Notes and the WLD Program at www.worklifedesign.com.au

POST-SCRIPT TO REFLECTING ON 2009

31 DECEMBER 2009

Since writing the above article, I’ve done a wee bit more reflecting and, probably more importantly, I’ve spoken with many people – friends, family, colleagues, clients, the lady in the fruit shop – about 2009.

Allowing the fallow times

What became clear to me as I spoke about the year was how it emerged as my ‘fallow’ year. I wasn’t singularly focused on achieving things, I just took them as they came and hopefully made the best of the opportunities that came my way. I can understand why I did this – 2008 was very intense and I was wanting to move in a new direction – but it only really made sense in retrospect.

Things that happened when I wasn’t looking

I was looking through my notebooks and journals yesterday while preparing an article on new year resolutions and came across references to some other things that I wanted to bring into my life in 2009.

Women’s Film Club One thing I wanted was to start some sort of local women’s film club. Tick. Actually, double tick if you include me finally joining Cinema Pomona – which is full of family.

“Win a Big Ass TV” Another thing on my list for 2009 was “Win a big ass TV”. I’ve always wanted a BATV but have never been able to justify buying one. So I thought winning one would absolve me of any responsibility of contributing to the global destruction of rainforests, um, etc. While I did not win any BATVs this year, I was given one. (Thanks Karen!) Actually, two. (Thanks Tan & Gretch!) It could have been three if I had found six burly blokes and a ute (not something I’m used to looking for every day). So there you go, a double tick for the BATV and a reminder that sometimes you just need to ask the universe for a big ass TV and she delivers – in triplicate.

Now I’m starting to sound like The Secret, so I will stop there.

[Oh, and Caro has advised me to put in a little note here informing you that I only came to possess two BATVs because one of them stopped working after we hauled its 5-tonne ass into the house. If you would like a decorative (read: non-working) BATV, please let me know.]

Nine None for 09? I was also surprised to find many references in my notes around this time last year to my “Nine for 09” (ie nine priorities for 2009) but I couldn’t find any such list. Imagine what the year would have been like if I’d actually put nine things out there?! So this year I’m doing my Ten For 10. Catchy huh? Actually it’s now at 11 for 10 because I keep thinking of “essentials for 2010”. As Simplicity is one of my priorities for 2010, I just need to whittle the list down to 10 for its framed version on the wall. [Yes, this is where you back away slowly from the crazy lady ... Hey, it works for me.]

Just a couple more year end questions and I’ll feel ready to move on

I’ve also just received a copy of David Allen’s End Of Year reflection questions. Okay, I don’t get as excited as some by his Getting Things Done approach but he’s a savvy guy and I like these…

After reviewing your 2009, name:

Your biggest triumph?

Smartest decision?

One word that sums up your year?

Greatest lesson learned?

Most loving service performed?

Biggest piece of unfinished business?

Most happy about completing?

Three people who had the greatest impact on your life?

Biggest risk?

Biggest surprise?

Most improved relationship?

The compliment you would have liked to receive?

The compliment you would have liked to given?

What else do you need to do or say to be complete with 2009?

[Source: David Allen]

He’s also got some neat 2010 planning questions that you can check out at the original post.

And, the last word on 2009, I swear…

I’ve found the shift in Facebook statuses (from doom-and-gloom-the-world-is-fucked to woo-hoo-bring-on-2010) over the last few days fascinating, as people start (literally) looking forward to 2010.

Hmmm. Imagine how different life could be if we let our positive futures inspire us everyday.

Happy new year all. See you in 2010.

This (Blogless) Life

trish — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 23:56:32 +0000

It’s very sad but I think my relationship to blogging has entered the “old friend” realm. You know, the one where “we really must catch up” is something that’s said with much feeling and good intention but rarely followed through.

You may have noticed that the blog posts at WestonCulture have become few and far between over the last few months. Yes, it was intentional. My writing had all got a bit “spit out the words and publish” and I didn’t feel I was writing (or posting) what was most important. I was carried away in the inanity of the online world.

While still enamoured of online inanity, I have relegated such things to their rightful place: Twitter. Interestingly, that has created more conversations than my blogging. People really seem to read and respond to those 140 character missives.

But alas, there are some things that require more than a pithy pun or trite sentence, and I intend to get the longer writing happening again. Whether I post it or not is a different story…

So what’s happening in the land of WestonCulture?

Lots.

An Affordable Coaching Program For All?

Rather than spending hours writing blog posts that no one reads, I’ve been developing a new coaching program. Yes, surprise surprise, coaching has lured me back. I’m developing it with other coaches and it’s quite possibly the most radical step I’ve taken in my coaching practice: Making high quality coaching affordable to anyone who needs it. Launch is imminent so I will keep you posted.

Noosa Soloists

On other fronts, I’ve started a group for solo business owners in my area. I’m not sure where it’s going but I am connecting with some lovely people (all of whom are women, interestingly…). Just goes to show you that business doesn’t have to be hard-nosed and dull. There are no suits and briefcases at the Noosa Soloist meetups, just talented people passionate about what they do.

Noosa Women

I’ve also started a social group for GLBT women in the Noosa area. Again, I’m getting a chance to meet more of “my people” locally. While I do have a bunch of dyke friends where I live, it took years to cultivate, and is teeny tiny compared with my network in the city. Leaving the “ghetto” of a big city queer culture to go live in paradise is often bittersweet. I get to live in this beautiful peaceful place, but it’s a challenge to find people who share my values, interests, or life experience. I know I’m not alone. I’ve spoken to many who have sea/tree-changed (gay and straight) who say the hardest thing is rebuilding social networks. So, seeing as no one was going to do it for me, I’ve decided to do it myself… There’s so much more to say on this but perhaps I’ll leave it for an article…

Being Home. Doing Nothing. Talking to cows.

The last few months have also seen a lot of travelling. Two trips out west and a lot of time working in Brisbane have made life very full. So much so that I’ve really appreciated being home when I’m here. And that’s a very nice feeling.

I’ve watched way too much tv recently. I have been totally addicted to Grand Designs (all 9 seasons and extras!) and Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations. Hmmm, I wonder what that’s saying?!

I swear, it’s all research.

And music! So much great music is flowing over the itunes airwaves at the moment. I’ve been listening to a fair bit of UK Top 40 (pop), trashy dance comps, and the latest releases from La Roux, Florence and the Machine, Sarah Blasko and Black Eyed Peas.

Anyway, must be off and get through some of my Monday morning madness. Have a brilliant week and don’t forget to say hi if you’re in the neighbourhood.