As I tentatively felt my way back into the world of work, after a forced break of two weeks, my first two interactions made me feel truly alive again. Alive to the joy of work and the power of doing what I love.
A connection on LinkedIn, let’s call her Lucy, pinged me asking if a short chat was possible. I had no idea what it was about and was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be a new business lead that she was offering to connect me with. On a Saturday evening, a half-hour conversation exploring a new brief was how I returned to my work world. Unplanned. Unrehearsed but a wonderful re-entry. As I got my arms around the problem and sought to tease out the heart of the communication challenge, I was reminded why I love public relations. The width of the profession, the places it can take me and the creativity that can be applied all came racing back.
The other conversation was a coaching one. I am happy to report that my website is doing what it’s meant to do. Soul2solecoaching.com continues to connect me to souls in search of their “what next?”. I had a sample session with a new client. It left me and the client smiling. Energised and grateful is how I felt at the end of the hour. A Saturday well spent. Both my worlds of communication and coaching came alive again. I was tired but happy to know that there is much joy to be found in work. It took me this two-week forced break to work it out – I really enjoy the work I do. I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, at the intersection of these two worlds of communication and coaching.
I don’t think I had thought about the role work plays in my life for a long time. In all the busyness it got lost. Racing from one assignment to the next, I had lost sight of the enjoyment a job well done delivers. The forced break brought this back into focus. It is so easy to lose sight of the value I derive from the value I deliver. I have found that simple joy again. As the weeks fly by and the deadlines get tighter and the pressure builds, I will surely lose sight of this. So here is me reminding myself to stay connected with this truth.
After my joyful re-entry into my role as a communicator and coach, the week rushed by. I found myself late on a Friday evening in a meeting where there were lots of emotions. Views were exchanged. Problems put on the table. Sometimes tempers showed their frayed edges. Other times the humility and maturity of people shone through. As I navigated my way through this meeting, listening, offering a perspective, playing peacekeeper, and wearing many other hats, I had the self-awareness to remind myself to put on my hat of enjoyment. I reminded myself that I was gifted at steering such meetings, and instead of getting drawn into the drama, I could enjoy the fact that I was back at work, doing what I do best. Communicating, coaching and enjoying the journey.
Find a way to get back in touch with the joy in what you do. Hold on to that awareness and the days and nights become so much better. Enjoy.
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A trusted coaching and communications professional, Nikhil Dey is a certified life and leadership coach (International Coach Federation - ICF). Nurturing talent and helping clients achieve their goals is what makes him happy. He loves learning from students of communication, teaching courses and guest lecturing at various educational institutions. When he is not working you will find him on the tennis court or out for long walks with his family and four legged friends.
Previously he has held senior leadership positions at Weber Shandwick and Genesis BCW.
He can be reached on twitter @deydreaming
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