Jayne Swanson Coaching

Focus when it’s time to focus. Relax when it’s time to relax. No in between. Fully present for both. ~ Lori Deschene

My new mantra. Spending some much needed time with family doing nothing much other than reading, playing cards and talking nonsense. Phone is going away for a while. Hope you get some time to step back - whether on a break away or just downtime at home.

Most humans are never fully present in the now, because unconsciously they believe that the next moment must be more important than this one. But then you miss your whole life, which is never not now. ~ Eckhart Tolle.

On my way home after a wonderful long lazy lunch with my lovely mum-in-law. A Birthday treat which I thoroughly enjoyed in part because we just sat and chatted. Phone on silent, no Insta pictures of the fab food, emails to be dealt with later. We gave each other undivided attention. And walking home I thought of the quote above which is a brilliant reminder to be present and how much joy is found there. Hope you’re having a fantastic Friday.

Ooft. It’s been a while. I haven’t fallen off the face of the planet, I’ve just been rejigging my priorities - it’s healthy and helpful to do that once in a while. I’ve mentioned before that it’s always good to focus on the real world, the place where you being there really matters. I’ve been busy, busy working with fantastic people doing lots of different things including helping charities and fantastic social enterprises to communicate effectively, looking at how I can contribute more at a community level, coaching, listening, learning. I’ve also enjoyed getting right back into my running and lifting, being there for my family, spending time connecting with old friends and sharing lots and lots of good times with family and friends.

I’ve been using my time wisely - have you?

Absolutely not an early morning person - can you tell?! But when I’m dragged up at an ungodly hour every weekend to fulfill parental taxi obligations it doesn’t take me long to appreciate the early start. By 7.30am this morning so much had been achieved and I was feeling smug knowing that I could relax, think about something fun to do and enjoy the weekend. Until tomorrow morning, when I start again with the early taxi duties…

Have a great weekend. Enjoy your day - whether it started ridiculously early or is slowly unfolding…

This morning was lovely and mild so I decided to walk into my meeting in the city centre. I was listening to the radio when a song called Don’t be so hard on yourself by Billy Lockett came on. It’s a beautiful wee tune and packed a surprising punch this morning with the simplest of lyrics:

Don't be so hard on yourself
And love every part of yourself
There ain't no shame in you asking for help
So don't be so hard
Do you pick apart the pieces of your body
And overthink everything in your life?
Do you compare yourself to almost anybody?
Don't worry, I'm the same
Oh God, we're all the same
But you can't forget the places you've been
And you can't forget the fire you bring
And you can't forget the little voice in your head saying
Don't be so hard on yourself.

I’m in a good place but this song made me pause; it’s just so true, we need to stop being so hard on ourselves. As the song finished and I slowed to look out over the water I clocked this lock on the bridge.

Hope you have a good week - let’s be a little less hard on ourselves. 😊

Happy Easter everyone! I’m in my happy place with sunshine, snow and brilliant company. I’ve also managed to steal some time for myself. As my son puts it, sometimes your social battery needs recharged… Hope you’re having a lovely weekend, whatever you’re up to.

I stopped trying to be perfect a long time ago - that was truly liberating! And I’d like to think I’m not a robot. But sometimes we all need this well phrased gentle reminder. Hope you’ve had a good week. 😊

In Edinburgh for a morning of meetings. It’s a city that holds a special place in my heart. I went to Uni there and didn’t leave for a while. I associate it with firsts; first job, first flat, first real taste of independence. I knew I wouldn’t settle there but it did its job as a brilliant backdrop to my twenties. Being back always makes me smile although I’ll never understand the Edinburgh habit of salt and sauce on chips over good old salt and vinegar! Hope you’re having a great week. 😊

I used to react and think later. It’s taken time and patience with myself to practice the pause. And I can’t recommend it enough. Just take a beat this week before you react, respond or judge and see the positive difference it makes.

Made it to Friday! It’s been a busy week doing lots of different, interesting things. I like wearing different hats - figuratively - I’m not mad on real hats….

This week I was part of an inspection team visiting a primary school. I got to speak with parents, children and staff. I love it. Naturally nosey, it gives me such pleasure to hear about great ways of working, learning and playing. A pupil was keen that I saw the daffodils. She called them sunny funny happy faces. Isn’t that fantastic? I’ll never look at a daffodil in the same way again. I hope that you’ve had a good week and have lovely things planned for your weekend.

At the gym this morning an older lady stopped me and asked for help with an exercise machine. She said, “You look like you know what you’re doing and I’ve seen you help someone before.” I have to admit it, I was chuffed - that she thought I knew what I was doing (most of the time I’m going with it with no real clue) and more importantly, she felt able to ask for my help. It led to a great chat about sport and rugby (she’s originally from South Africa) - she was hugely knowledgable and the more we talked the more her eyes lit up. It was a great start to the day for both of us. I’m always happy to help but I think I got more out of that chance meeting than the lovely lady did. Hope you’re having a good week.

Treat yourself with kindness, compassion and love.

I’m mindful I’ve been a bit quieter across social media of late but I’ve been spinning lots of plates and I’d rather the online plates crash than those in real life!

Interesting and exciting new projects happening, learning new skills, awakening old ones and generally having a moment where I’m feeling the fear and doing it anyway.

Like many, I’ve battled self doubt and self criticism but I’ve agreed to give myself a break, practice self compassion and remember who I am! So if you’re embarking on something new, or taking a leap of faith, do it with an open heart, confidence that you’ll find your way and actually, you’re really rather brilliant.

Kindness takes many forms. Getting breakfast made for you. A thank you card. A text checking in. Kindness doesn’t have to be big and bold, although that’s nice too! Hope you encounter some kindness this weekend or take the time to sprinkle some about where you can. 😊

Happiness is a headspace, not a physical place. ~ just a poet guy

But sometimes the physical place creates the happy headspace. This is one of the places where I’m happiest. The scenery. The quiet. The air.

Where’s your ‘ happy place’?

Quite a few of my friends and family are going through a difficult time at the moment. I’m often asked how to help someone. For me it’s about empathy, showing up and really listening. Sometimes that’s all that’s needed, not advice or your perspective, just a genuine listening ear. And sometimes you just have to ask, how can I help?

Start your Monday, your week, your year, believing in yourself. Have a great week.

So how was the first week of the New Year for you? December was hectic, cramming in what feels like a whole year’s worth of socialising into two weeks. For me, January is a chance to catch my breath, have a wee think about the fun I want to have this year. I hope that you’ve had a good start to the New Year.

Happy New Year to you!
I hope that this year is filled with happiness, fun and success - whatever that looks like to you. X

Sitting still in the dark enjoying some quiet time. Choosing to ignore the socials bombarding me with advice around how to get fit, lose weight, be more present, be more visible, be more me, a new me, a better me, skinnier me, stronger me, wiser me, more in touch with me, me. It’s exhausting. I’m turning off notifications just for a wee while. I believe that in the quiet you work out what you need to do. 😊

Wishing you all a very merry Christmas! I hope that you are getting to spend time with family and friends over the festive period.

My brother in law and family flew in from the States for a last minute pre-Christmas treat. I met my gorgeous niece for the first time. An excellent reminder that the best things in life aren’t things. I’d rather unwrap a cuddle and giggles any day than a chocolate orange or a sweater. 💕

Doing nothing. A precious gift this time of year. No guilt, just happy to lie in front of the fire watching telly. Doing nothing productive. Total bliss. Please find time to do a bit of nothing.

My take on a Santa outfit circa 84. My mum loved Christmas. Imagine her excitement when I was to be Santa in the school Christmas show. She fully committed to the costume making - gluing cotton wool onto my wellies with no regard for how I get the blooming fluffy stuff off afterwards! One of many great Christmas memories. I remember smelling the gorgeous pine of a real tree for the first time, the funny tradition of inviting neighbours in on Christmas morning for carbonara, fits of giggles playing fuzzy duck with elderly relatives tipsy on advocaat… I’ve got lots of fabulous memories about Christmas - very few relate to the gifts or the Christmas dinners. Something I’m reminding myself of as I look at the present and food list in front of me - more fuzzy duck playing and less stressing.

Soaked twice this morning as Glasgow does its best impression of 4 seasons in 1 day. Taking a few days off but still taking time out at the start of each day to work out my plan and priorities. And to sit quietly and have a breather. It’s a good habit to get into if you haven’t already. Have a great Tuesday.