Last Friday, my brain told me to work, but my heart said no 💛
Do you remember Nigel Marsh’s TED Talk on work-life balance?
I had my own version of that last Friday. 💫
I usually spend Friday mornings working on the weekly updates with my team — you know this because you receive them!
But this Friday was different.
It was half term. Although I’d technically taken the week off to spend time with my 8-year-old, I still needed to spend some time in the week working on live projects.
My coach has helped me see that it’s OK to mix in some work during holidays — and not feel guilty about it — as long as I make it clear, to me and to others: this is when Mummy is working, and this is when Mummy isn’t.
So Friday morning was scheduled as a ‘work morning.’ But when it came, Sophia asked if we could go to the cinema because – you guessed it – our local cinema had a sing-along screening of KPop Demon Hunters 🎤 for two days only.
My first instinct was to say no – I need to get the updates out. But then I stopped. It’s the other way around. 🔁 This was the time to be with my daughter; the updates could wait.
So we trotted off to the cinema. We picked up some Halloween chocolate 🎃 and grabbed a quick sushi lunch 🍣
Sophia was bubbling with excitement talking through all the KPop Demon Hunters songs she loved and why, then she stopped, looked over at me and gave a huge smile. She said:
“You know? I think this could be one of the best days of my life. Sushi! KPop Demon Hunters with Mummy! Halloween!”
I had tears in my eyes it was so sweet. And there you have it. The small things are the big things 💛
So now you know the full story of why there was no update last week 😂. But also: reflect today on this: What are the small things in your life that are in fact the big things?
This isn’t a nice-to-have.
We’re entering a new era for business and human rights and just transitions. You’re all seeing it, you’re all living it.
One in which the fundamentals are being questioned. One in which structures are being dismantled. One in which our grounded strength is more important than ever.
So next time a loved one wants some of your time and you’re tempted to say no for work - pause. Maybe that moment is exactly what will help you bring your best to the work that follows 💫
Anna 🌍 💛
