Inwards, onwards & upwards
A journal of invitations, ideas & inspiration to keep you moving from where you are to where you want to be
The one thing that will make difficult conversations easier
We all want to have a good time at work. And most of us want other people to have a good time too.
Which is why we don’t like difficult conversations. Because they are not fun.
But the truth is, we cannot avoid them.
So how do we have these difficult conversations that we don’t want to have but have to?
Above all else, we can do one thing: stop seeing them as ‘difficult’ in the first place.
Move Mountains with your Mind
A few years ago, when I was Joint Artistic Director of Paines Plough, we were exploring the idea of building a pop-up theatre and looking at where we might tour it to.
On a tip off, our Producer and I set off one wet and windy November morning to visit the once-thriving seaside destination of Margate.
It’s okay to be on the edge of things.
At least, that’s where I’ve come to realise I’m most comfortable.
And arguably where I do my best work.
For me, a life-long introvert, the middle feels exposing.
Somewhere to lose control.
To be consumed.
Exciting? Yes.
But ultimately satisfying - for me - no.
Sometimes, every day feels like climbing a mountain.
Sometimes, every day feels like climbing a mountain.
Because some weeks, every day is like climbing a mountain.
Someone said this to me when I was leading and it stayed with me.
For a start, It helped to have my feelings validated. And I was reassured by the fact that it is supposed to be hard. But most of all, I was reminded that the challenge was there to be relished - and surmounted.
Because, in fact, I like climbing mountains. There’s only one way to climb them: One step at a time.
Fall back in love with amateurism.
Don’t get me wrong; turning pro is great.
Being paid to do what you love is a privilege. The pursuit of excellence in your chosen field is meaningful. There’s deep pleasure (as well as great pain) in striving for mastery.
After all, if you’re going to do something, you might as well do it to the best of your ability.
And if your ability to do something is significant enough that other people will fund or pay you to do it, then congratulations; you’ve just turned pro.
But that’s a strange moment.
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