Tips from the Big Top

Tips from the Big Top

A newsletter for Mums @ Work

by Kirstin Barton at Alive to Change
www.alivetochange.com
www.facebook.com/alivetochange

Issue 6 - July 2013

The Strong Woman

How strong are you? The strong woman shows her strength by constantly lifting bigger and heavier weights. The audience gasps in amazement at these super human feats. And grimaces too as it imagines the sheer pressure bearing down.

How much are you carrying right now?

At work, or at home, when we take on too much all at once, we can quickly strain under the pressure. Yet when we take on a little more and then a little more over time, we somehow develop the ability to lift it all at once. We may not immediately notice how much we have or how heavy it is.

But others do.

How many times do people tell you that you've taken on too much, and how many times do you say "It's fine. I'm enjoying it. I love to be busy"? Then we train ourselves to take on more and yet more.

When you get the reputation as a strong woman, somehow more weight is loaded on - you attract new responsibilities, new projects, new staff like a magnet. You can cope, even relish the challenge.

Until you can't. And don't any more.

The strong woman operates from a strong core, great technique, a clear and absolute focus all supported by a fierce connection with the ground through her feet. These are her resources which enable her to do the muscle work to continue to lift and hold up this weight, time after time.

The strong woman also knows the power of rest. The essential rest that our muscles need to build their strength.

And the strong woman uses her inner strength. This inner mental and emotional strength is the real power behind her physical prowess.

There are different ways of being strong. We can be strong in our support for others, we can be strong in the face of crisis and we can be strong in our determination to create the balance we want for ourselves and our family.

And there are also times when we don't have to be strong.

How much load are you carrying? How does this feel to you? If it feels too much, can you imagine ways of rebalancing it, or reducing it? Can you find ways of strengthening your "core" to support it? What difference could a real rest make?

Perhaps you feel you don't have enough weight to carry, things are too easy right now? How can you take on more, yet in a sustainable way?

In what ways do you feel strong right now?

Thank you so much for all the great feedback about the last few issues - I really do appreciate it. If you enjoy reading this, why not forward to a friend?

A warm welcome to the sixth 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!

I've recently planned my Autumn Programme (Autumn Programme 2013) of workshops. Look out for the Open Evening (19th Sept) and the next Beyond the Juggling Act workshop (19th Oct) and do share with your friends / colleagues if you think they might enjoy these. I can arrange to deliver any of these workshops in the evenings or at weekend, given sufficient interest - so do just shout if you like the sound of something.

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.

Alive to Change has gone from strength to strength in the past year, and I've really enjoyed working with so many new people in workshops, privately and in organisations. Thank you so much for your continued support - as a small business, this means a lot and makes all the difference.

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'm developing my Life Audit into a Juggling Act audit, so, from September, I'll be offering this service too.

I welcome any feedback you have on this newsletter - and any ideas for future topics you'd like to see explored. Next issue is in early September.

All the best for a wonderful summer - whether working, resting or playing!

Kirstin
www.alivetochange.com

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