Jayne Swanson Coaching

Focus when it’s time to focus. Relax when it’s time to relax. No in between. Fully present for both. ~ Lori Deschene

My new mantra. Spending some much needed time with family doing nothing much other than reading, playing cards and talking nonsense. Phone is going away for a while. Hope you get some time to step back - whether on a break away or just downtime at home.

Most humans are never fully present in the now, because unconsciously they believe that the next moment must be more important than this one. But then you miss your whole life, which is never not now. ~ Eckhart Tolle.

On my way home after a wonderful long lazy lunch with my lovely mum-in-law. A Birthday treat which I thoroughly enjoyed in part because we just sat and chatted. Phone on silent, no Insta pictures of the fab food, emails to be dealt with later. We gave each other undivided attention. And walking home I thought of the quote above which is a brilliant reminder to be present and how much joy is found there. Hope you’re having a fantastic Friday.

Ooft. It’s been a while. I haven’t fallen off the face of the planet, I’ve just been rejigging my priorities - it’s healthy and helpful to do that once in a while. I’ve mentioned before that it’s always good to focus on the real world, the place where you being there really matters. I’ve been busy, busy working with fantastic people doing lots of different things including helping charities and fantastic social enterprises to communicate effectively, looking at how I can contribute more at a community level, coaching, listening, learning. I’ve also enjoyed getting right back into my running and lifting, being there for my family, spending time connecting with old friends and sharing lots and lots of good times with family and friends.

I’ve been using my time wisely - have you?

Absolutely not an early morning person - can you tell?! But when I’m dragged up at an ungodly hour every weekend to fulfill parental taxi obligations it doesn’t take me long to appreciate the early start. By 7.30am this morning so much had been achieved and I was feeling smug knowing that I could relax, think about something fun to do and enjoy the weekend. Until tomorrow morning, when I start again with the early taxi duties…

Have a great weekend. Enjoy your day - whether it started ridiculously early or is slowly unfolding…

This morning was lovely and mild so I decided to walk into my meeting in the city centre. I was listening to the radio when a song called Don’t be so hard on yourself by Billy Lockett came on. It’s a beautiful wee tune and packed a surprising punch this morning with the simplest of lyrics:

Don't be so hard on yourself
And love every part of yourself
There ain't no shame in you asking for help
So don't be so hard
Do you pick apart the pieces of your body
And overthink everything in your life?
Do you compare yourself to almost anybody?
Don't worry, I'm the same
Oh God, we're all the same
But you can't forget the places you've been
And you can't forget the fire you bring
And you can't forget the little voice in your head saying
Don't be so hard on yourself.

I’m in a good place but this song made me pause; it’s just so true, we need to stop being so hard on ourselves. As the song finished and I slowed to look out over the water I clocked this lock on the bridge.

Hope you have a good week - let’s be a little less hard on ourselves. 😊

Happy Easter everyone! I’m in my happy place with sunshine, snow and brilliant company. I’ve also managed to steal some time for myself. As my son puts it, sometimes your social battery needs recharged… Hope you’re having a lovely weekend, whatever you’re up to.

I stopped trying to be perfect a long time ago - that was truly liberating! And I’d like to think I’m not a robot. But sometimes we all need this well phrased gentle reminder. Hope you’ve had a good week. 😊

In Edinburgh for a morning of meetings. It’s a city that holds a special place in my heart. I went to Uni there and didn’t leave for a while. I associate it with firsts; first job, first flat, first real taste of independence. I knew I wouldn’t settle there but it did its job as a brilliant backdrop to my twenties. Being back always makes me smile although I’ll never understand the Edinburgh habit of salt and sauce on chips over good old salt and vinegar! Hope you’re having a great week. 😊

I used to react and think later. It’s taken time and patience with myself to practice the pause. And I can’t recommend it enough. Just take a beat this week before you react, respond or judge and see the positive difference it makes.

Made it to Friday! It’s been a busy week doing lots of different, interesting things. I like wearing different hats - figuratively - I’m not mad on real hats….

This week I was part of an inspection team visiting a primary school. I got to speak with parents, children and staff. I love it. Naturally nosey, it gives me such pleasure to hear about great ways of working, learning and playing. A pupil was keen that I saw the daffodils. She called them sunny funny happy faces. Isn’t that fantastic? I’ll never look at a daffodil in the same way again. I hope that you’ve had a good week and have lovely things planned for your weekend.

At the gym this morning an older lady stopped me and asked for help with an exercise machine. She said, “You look like you know what you’re doing and I’ve seen you help someone before.” I have to admit it, I was chuffed - that she thought I knew what I was doing (most of the time I’m going with it with no real clue) and more importantly, she felt able to ask for my help. It led to a great chat about sport and rugby (she’s originally from South Africa) - she was hugely knowledgable and the more we talked the more her eyes lit up. It was a great start to the day for both of us. I’m always happy to help but I think I got more out of that chance meeting than the lovely lady did. Hope you’re having a good week.

Treat yourself with kindness, compassion and love.