Tips from the Big Top

Tips from the Big Top

A newsletter for Mums @ Work

by Kirstin Barton at Alive to Change

Issue 3 - April 2013

Acting the Fool -

Clowning around!

As a mum who is juggling work and home commitments and priorities, perhaps you don't feel you have much time for the fun stuff. The Clown act is where you get a break from the more tense, focused acts - and the audience gets a chance to relax and loosen the grip on the edge of their seats.

Acting the fool might not come easily to us - at work we may want to be seen in a certain way, perhaps our colleagues are not people you can imagine having fun with, and we may not want to set the whole family off into fits of giggles right before bed time.

BUT , and here come the benefits of being ready to do your own equivalent of wearing clashing colours and a flower in your hair with a large cream pie hidden behind your back (we know where that is going to end up).

1. Laughter is a great connecter and relationship builder
2. Laughter is a great energiser
3. Laughter relaxes us and gives us a total physical and mental break
4. Laughter is good for you! Check out these 10 reasons why
5. We are more resourceful in a good mood - at work and at home!

Who can you have a good laugh with at work? What can you do to connect and laugh more often with them?

Who do you feel you can't share a humorous moment with? Are you really sure? Each individual has their own giggle triggers - if it's someone you spend a lot of time with, isn't it worth asking the question "what makes you laugh until tears roll down your face?" ?!

What makes your children laugh? And your partner? What are the things you laugh about together as a family? What can you do to make sure you're getting this fun time together?

And finally, think of a time that you remember being in total breathless stitches, laughing so much you cried and almost (or actually) wee-ed yourself (damn that pelvic floor). Enjoy reliving this memory for a few moments . . . . now how do you feel? Just thinking and talking about these incidents can put us into a more positive, powerful and resourceful state.

Go on - have some fun! (but don't put a cream pie into the CEO's face, however much she deserves it!!)

Welcome to the third issue of Tips from the Big Top, my newsletter for Mums who are juggling home and work commitments. My aim each month is to explore a different aspect of our lives and offer some timely reminders about the things we can do for ourselves to make our lives as working mums as fun and fulfilling as possible. I use the Circus Theme because there are so many great images and concepts we can relate to in the Big Top! And, our lives do feel a little like a circus act at times, do they not?!

A very warm welcome to so many new subscribers - it is great to see the word spreading in this way, and please keep sharing this with other working mums. And do let me know what you'd like to see covered in here.

If you want to keep in contact with Alive to Change between newsletters, please check out and like (and share) Facebook Page. This is where I post random ideas and inspiration, as well as details of forthcoming workshops.

I've set another date for the Beyond the Juggling Act workshop - Sunday 26th May, 9.30am-12pm. This is a wonderful occasion for sharing ideas, experiences, challenges, dreams - and to leave feeling motivated to tackle some practical next steps. And laughter is guaranteed - or your money back. I already have sign ups, so is you're interested in securing your place, please let me know, or sign up on the Facebook page (Event Page).

I am also getting increased interest for evening, weekend or virtual versions of some of the workshops I run during the day - over the coming months I will be exploring ways of opening up more of these slots in a way that is sustainable for me too as a working mum! Watch this space - and do let me know if you have any ideas or requests.

If you need help in any aspect of your own personal juggling act, and you'd like to find out whether and how coaching could help, I offer a free exploratory session (face to face or on the phone). I also offer coaching workshops in and out of the workplace, and, skill sharpener sessions in groups or 1-1.

I welcome any feedback you have on this newsletter - and any ideas for future topics you'd like to see explored.

All the best
Kirstin
www.alivetochange.com

PS: The next "work related" workshop I am running is Returning to Work after a Career Break, Tuesday 30th April in the morning in Leymen. If you have friends who this might interest, please let them know!

Alive to Change Coaching Services, 7 rue du Landskron, Leymen 68220 France
www.alivetochange.com