Well this has come around very quickly! I’m sure, like lots of people, two years of COVID lockdowns and disruption has left me with a very warped sense of time. But still – this month marks eight years since I set up WorkLifePsych.
Wow.
I decided to go out on my own and set up the business to focus on my passions. Helping people at work be their best selves. Helping them establish and maintain the routines, goals and behaviour change that support wellbeing, productivity and interpersonal effectiveness.
Eight years later, I can look back at a whole raft of projects where I’ve done just that.
That’s not to say it’s all been plain sailing. All the times I’ve experienced the kind of self-doubt that stops you in your tracks. All the new initiatives that just didn’t work out. All the pitches that were rejected.
Ugh.
Moving forward
So much of the coaching and team development work I do is rooted in the skills of psychological flexibility. From a psych flex perspective, we can look at the options in front of us as either ‘towards moves’ – behaviours that are in line with our values, moving us closer to the kind of person we want to be – or ‘away moves’ – the things we do to avoid or minimise psychological discomfort.
I think it’s fair to say starting your own business is a pretty major towards move. I wanted independence, the latitude to focus on my core passions and skills, and to turn down the kind of projects that eroded my enthusiasm for work. While aligned with my values and goals, it comes with heaps of psychological discomfort. Worry, anxiety, disappointment, uncertainty. It’s a pretty long list of psychological states I do not enjoy.
Along the way, I’ve tried to keep the concept of towards moves firmly in my mind. Moving towards a sustainable approach to planning work. Moving towards putting my ideas in front of clients. Moving towards saying ‘no’ when it was important to me and my boundaries. Sitting in front of a camera and recording videos for YouTube.
It’s not been a straight line to this point, and there have been plenty of ‘away moves’. But rather than beat myself up, I try to see them as opportunities to learn more about myself, the world of work and how I can navigate challenges more effectively.
What’s next?
The very boring answer to this question is that I want to keep doing what I’m doing. Bringing evidence-based psychological methods and approaches to the workplace to help people thrive. I want to be a better psychologist and coach. And I want to help even more people.
The less boring answer to this question is a follow-on. How can I help even more people?
This autumn, I’m going to be launching two really exciting initiatives.
Firstly, I’ve taken note of the training that so many of my organisational clients have been interested in. So I’m creating some online, self-directed versions of these course. This means anyone, anywhere in the world, can sign up and complete WorkLifePsych training wholly online and at their own pace.
Secondly, it’s fair to say that not everyone has access to quality coaching or training in their organisation. Not everyone can take the time to join a residential course or step away from the day job to focus on their development. With this in mind, I’m creating a new level of membership within our WorkLifePsych Club, where members will be able to access masterclasses, technical experts, time with me and countless other resources to support personal development. All for less than the price of a pizza each month.
Interested in learning more? Those of you who know me will realise I do my best work when I’m accountable to others. So this is me serving notice on myself. Now that everyone else know about these initiatives, they have to happen! So keep an eye on this blog for more details in the coming weeks.
Want to help me celebrate?
If you haven’t already, you can:
Subscribe our fortnightly podcast, ‘My Pocket Psych’. Every two weeks, with my co-host Pilar Orti, we look at workplace topics, trends and challenges and try to share insights that can help our listeners. It’s available on all the podcast platforms and direct from this very website.
Check out our YouTube channel, where I elaborate on topics we’ve covered in the podcast. The latest video is all about the factors that can stop us from delegating.
Join our online community, WorkLifePsych Club. Regardless of the planned new paid-for level of membership, we’ll maintain a free membership level forever. This includes our monthly meet-ups, online chats and all the usual resources we share there.
Finally, some thanks
This hasn’t been a solo enterprise. I’ve had enormous support from family, friends, colleagues and clients. Special thanks to my partner Frank for his support and enthusiasm from the outset. To Pilar Orti, from whom I’ve learnt everything I know about podcasting. To my very talented team of associates who’ve helped me deliver high quality work on multiple continents at the same time. To my fellow occupational psychologists who’ve been so supportive and collegiate over the years, sharing knowledge and experience. And to the many clients who I’ve worked with.
And now? It’s time to get back to work!
