At the beginning of January I posted about my new business, my new chapter in my career, exciting times ahead. The support from my network has been amazing thank you! I received a few questions about what the white circle was on my arm in the picture I posted, fair enough, well drum roll... it's a blood sugar sensor. 10 years ago when I was a graduate living my best life in the bright lights of London, I was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic, meaning I need to inject insulin daily to keep me here. There's no sugar coating it (no pun intended!) The hourly, daily, weekly management process is intense.
Reflecting on my personal story with the disease got me thinking about my confidence in dealing with it. It's safe to say my confidence in managing my condition has fluctuated over the years. Some days I am nailing it and other days I haven't got a clue what's going on, why is my blood sugar too low or high? Do I need another jelly baby?! Argh! But one thing I have learnt during my diabetic tenure is that when I am clear I am more confident in my actions and the same can be said in business. So, without further ado, here's how I took control of my quest to eat less jelly babies and create more clarity and confidence in my actions.
1. Analyse all your data points, every. single. one
What is this data telling me? What are the trends, themes, insights?
Apply this to all your numerical data but also other data sources for example, when was the last time you spoke to your team, employees, customers, suppliers?
2. Talk it through
Create an opportunity to talk to fellow colleagues, people in the same line of work, a coach, partners, friends, family, the dog!
Just speak it out loud, this process helps to unpick things, inspire and crystallise the situation. Furthermore your thoughts and feelings are then not held in, a good thing that subconsciously builds clarity.
3. Ask questions to others and then to yourself
Firstly, ask others 'what would you do if you were me?'
Then ask yourself, 'ok what is the first step now?'
Once you make the first step the rest will follow and you will automatically feel clear and more confident.
I complete this process in what is a fairly unconventional way these days. I get a notepad, a load of coloured pens and plonk myself down outside of my normal working area, which at the moment is likely to see me sitting on the bathroom floor! My beautifully constructed notes then keep my jelly babies company on the bookcase, both sat there, willing and able to be my saviour next time I have a dip in my sugar levels, or my confidence.
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