I have always enjoyed gardening – planting a seedling and watching the new growth appear.  I love my lemon and lime trees - I’ve had them in pots for about 10 years and each have provided an enormous amount of satisfaction (and fruit) as I have tended them, re-potted and provided extra nutrients when needed.   I use this analogy to demonstrate how I have nurtured myself to grow and expand my knowledge about avenues of expertise.

I clearly remember as a teenager being a leader for a patrol camp and learning about language.  We were camping in the bush when I asked one of the team to get the frozen peas from the esky and place them in the stew on the open fire.  Upon checking a while later you can imagine my face when I removed the lid to find both packet and peas in the stew.

Gratefully, from this experience I have learned to give better instructions including removing the peas from the packaging before placing in the stew.  How many times have you given instructions and wondered why the receiver did not follow your words?  Are you and I alike and assume that the person will do what we perceive?

A turning point in my training was when I attended an Effectiveness Training for Women – I immediately put into action the learning of setting goals utilising the SMART acronym (goals need to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic with a set Time frame).

I took more care with my appearance – I was a young mum with two boys and had very little ‘me time’. Wow, how things have changed.  Now  I  know that if I put myself first – that is, spend time working on me, making time to get my exercise and sleep, the best result is that my friends and family benefit from their interactions with me because I am happy and well.  It may just seem like words but I can testify that discipline of taking action each day on yourself clearly benefits not only you but all those with whom you interact.

In the last ten years I have experienced an enormous personal growth in both learning and work experience.  I have invested the time, energy, effort and money to improve and build on my education.  I look after myself the way I look after my plants – with love, care and by taking time to enjoy life – moment by moment.  When did you last smell the roses?

Anne Poole partners with business to provide people and process solutions. She holds a Master of Human Resource Management, Dip Bus Mgmt, Performance Coach and has 20 years experience.    
Ph 0406 860 899  
www.InspireforLife.com.au