Kindle Transformative Coaching

Today I was fortunate to travel through the beautiful, pristine Milford Sound. I flew over snow tipped mountains and cruised through the pure clean water, surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Fjordlands National Park. I noticed some clear areas on some of the mountains and the guide told us that given the sheer slope of the mountains, there is no top soil. Lichen and moss cover the mountains and trees interweave their roots with the lichen and moss and as more trees grow, they interlink their roots to sustain them all. None can survive without another. But, if the tree at the top falls, it gathers everything in its path and everything is destroyed, taking around 100 years to rejuvenate.

If the tree at the top falls... It got me thinking about leadership and how the person at the 'top' has so much impact on the people at the lower levels. The person at the top is no more worthy of nutrients, love, growth and connection than the people below, but if the person at the top does not value themself, does not invest in their wellbeing , how will they be able to sustain the rest of the mountainside?

My new 5am read!

18 pages in and I've reached for the highlighter (could easily have started that on p14!)

Much of the pressure we feel isn't created in the moment. It comes from the quiet but heavy weight of the expectations we carry with us.

Expectations of who we should be. How we should show up. A wise friend taught me to stop "shoulding on myself"; it's hard not to!

I have two vivid childhood memories that come back to me from time to time along with a feeling that I let people down by not fulfilling them. My late father telling deeply politically interested 10 year old me that he thought I could be Australia's first female Prime Minister, and my beloved year 7 teacher Mr Crowhurst's comment that "I can't wait to read a book you write". Neither were overt expectations, but they stuck with me, more as possibilities, but there still lingers a faint feeling that I should have. My skin is not thick enough to be PM, a book though...

Sometimes the bravest move isn't to try harder to meet others' expectations, but to lay down what was never yours to hold and take the next step forward guided by what matters to you.

What might be possible if you allowed yourself to move forward on your own terms today?

Elana Robertson

oh, and Jacinda Ardern's "A Different Kind of Power" was also a great read.

This morning's routine was extra special thanks to the soul-gift of Jacinda Ardern's memoir, A Different Kind of Power from the Louise to my Thelma.

Here's to the power of kindred spirits, courageous women and friendships that feel like home. Thank you Lou ❤️

"Every dawn is a new chance to make a change" one of my favourite lines from a song (Addicted, Bliss'n'Esso).

I'm back - with a gentle reminder for us all.

It's been a little while since I've been here. Over the last few months I have been navigating some family matters that needed my full presence and care.

Sometimes life will tap is on the shoulder and say, "this is what matters most right now". And when it does, we pause, we tend, we re-centre.

If you've also had times when life has pulled your focus elsewhere, know this: It's okay. You are not behind. You are not doing it wrong. You're human.

What matters most isn't how consistent we are with doing, achieving, posting, but how kind we are to ourselves when we can't be.

So here's to honouring what's important, letting go of guilt, and returning, whenever you're ready - with purpose and grace.

I'm looking forward to reconnecting with you here ♥️

Stepping into my final workshop of my IECL Level 2 Organisational Coaching Accreditation. Love the aha moment during a coaching session I had in 2022 which started me on this path. Thank you for that moment Robertson 🙏🏻

A long deep exhale 😌

I love the gift of the Easter weekend. This year it's warm days (at least to start) and cool nights. A lovely time to rest and restore after a busy start to the year. The cooking and baking can wait just a little while I take this moment. ❤️

Beautiful sunrise as I set up for week 8 of Leading Yourself Mindfully - today it's about connecting mindfulness to decision making.

During week three's session we looked at mindfulness practices for enhanced effectiveness and action. Participants shared what they do now and took home a list of simple but powerful actions that they can practice during the week.

I love being high up in the clouds; it gives me perspective. Focussing on my breath slows everything down and ideas arrive sharper and with greater intensity. I'd love to hear what works for you

Week 2 generated a lot of rich conversation as we talked about self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

Leaders who cultivate self-awareness and EQ create stronger teams, better workplace culture and lasting impact.

Lead yourself first, because how you show up matters.