One thing I’ve come to appreciate over the years is the profound impact of connection, creativity, and courage.
I’ve embraced key principles that have influenced my journey so far. I’ve shared these below which I hope provide you with a nugget or two to help you create the positive impact and fulfilling life you want and deserve.
Find joy in every day
When you feel happy and joyful you are so much more likely to share and give to others; as they say you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Joy isn’t reserved for monumental achievements however; it’s also to be found in the small, everyday moments.
I’ve found that by being focused on whatever you are doing can provide an immense amount of joy. Whether it’s warmth from a cup of coffee, seeing the sun’s rays pop out from a cloud, having people in your life you love, smiling at a stranger, turning on a tap and having clean water – just everyday things that are actually pretty epic!
Daily joy helps me be present and enjoy the moment – and all these moments that create our lives fuels resilience and makes the journey worthwhile.
Work should enrich your life, not deplete it
Considering that a significant portion of our adult lives is spent working, for me I wanted to engage in activities that would create something positive, enhance someone else’s life.
Identifying and pursuing your passion can transform work from just looking forward to the weekends or a holiday, into a source of satisfaction and purpose.
Who’s creating your story?
In your life story you are self-evidently the main character.
Yet when there are so many other forces that feel like they are dictating what happens to you, it’s hard to feel like you have any control.
I’ve met incredible people who have overcome so much, and they have done this primarily through how they have responded to the challenges. They didn’t just get lucky they worked hard to change the story.
That means taking ownership of your narrative because it empowers you to make decisions that align with your aspirations and values.
Build your tribe with shared values
They say you can go faster by yourself but further together. Not only that, it’s also much more fun with others! Indeed, surrounding yourself with individuals who share your values and vision provides an incredibly supportive and motivating environment.
In 2002 my husband and I created our 6 core values and these are still the foundation of why we do what we do.
Those values are: Inspire imagination; Nurture potential; Spark curiosity; Have fun; Give care; Ensure quality.
At The Creation Station our global franchise partners and support team share our common purpose: to nurture potential and inspire imagination. In fact, this alignment has been instrumental in our collective success.
Know and live your values
Understanding your core values serves as a compass in decision-making and interactions.
It took me a while to realise that my personal values were different to The Creation Station.
Unlike the Creation Station values, which we created to serve our purpose, I don’t have to create my own values. But I made a note of the type of things I did that made me feel most joyful and alive.
With that in mind my personal values are: courage; compassion; connection; creativity; integrity and joy. Moreover, I’verealised that these values are actually behaviours and actions that have consistently helped me cope with setbacks, to overcome challenges and create and seize opportunities.
Knowing your values is really helpful when you have to make decisions. It provides a framework or rule book, so you can check in and ensure that your decisions resonate with your true self.
Help others along the way
True success is never achieved alone. Supporting others not only fosters a collaborative environment but also enriches yourself.
A friend’s grandad would often say: “life’s for living but sharing and giving is the point”. I think this is a good reminder and it reminds us that there are many people and organisations that do this in so many ways.
At Creation Station we support children in a number of ways including: free school workshops. Meanwhile, the Helpbnk platform is a superb business that helps entrepreneurs for free, for example.
Commit to lifelong learning
Embracing a growth mindset and remaining eager to learn are hallmarks of effective leadership.
I used to find it frustrating that I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I just wanted to access the information so I could get on and avoid the pitfalls and learn the best way of doing something. But I’ve learnt that learning is also a journey as it can take you along many surprising paths where you discover things you just never would have imagined. And like with other things in life it is the journey itself that is most enlightening.
I typically have a few books on the go, a couple of business ones and a novel depending on how I’m feeling.
I’ll also listen to podcasts, audio books and interviews when at the gym, walking and running.
I also make notes on my phone, taking screen grabs of things that pique my interest and love learning about all sorts of things!
Finally, staying informed about industry trends and being open to new ideas enables continuous personal and professional development.
Practice gratitude
Building in time to acknowledge what we have does increase our joy and wellbeing.
Although I am a big goal setter and list maker – I also like to focus on the here and now. Having just spent a month travelling in India I am even more acutely aware of this.
It also means regularly acknowledging and appreciating that the positive aspects of your life fosters a positive outlook and enhances well-being.
Personally, I find that a morning and evening gratitude practice of three things I’m grateful for, helps me maintain focus on what truly matters and cultivates a sense of contentment and clarity.
It’s made me realise that most of things we may be seeking are often quite close by and accessible if we can only see them.
Don’t be frightened to fail
I love this acronym for FAIL (First Attempt In Learning).
Imagine if we gave up trying to walk as a baby because we fell down the first time we tried.
And as Thomson Edison said, he learnt 10,000 ways that didn’t work.
Doing anything new means stepping out of your comfort zone. And new is often hard!
But with perseverance, the right help, and the right mindset it is an incredibly exciting and empowering place to be.
If we do the same stuff we will get the same results, so if you want something to change you have to try new stuff.
At Creation Station we hugely value ideas and collaborate with our talented franchise partners to improve, innovate and stay at the forefront as the #1 quality creative experience provider.
We are constantly trying new things and new ideas. Not all of them necessarily work but when they do they can be game changers for The Creation Station team.
It’s why we have over 12 all year-round income streams and now provide creative experiences for adults and children.
Lead with integrity
Consistency between your words and actions builds trust and credibility. Leading with integrity ensures that your decisions and behaviours align with ethical principles, fostering respect and loyalty from others.
These principles have been pivotal in my journey, shaping The Creation Station into the UK’s most recommended activity company. By staying true to one’s values, embracing continuous learning, and fostering meaningful connections, it’s possible to create a life and career that not only achieves personal fulfilment but also makes a significant impact on others.
Gifting time to yourself
A few years ago, I wanted to write a book, but with 3 young children, whilst leading the UK’s largest activity company and doing talks I, couldn’t see how I was ever going to fit it in.
Then one morning I thought if I get up at 5.30am I can do 2 hours every morning before I’m needed anywhere.
So, for approx. 2 years I got up at 5.30 (excluding a few months break and weekends I started a bit later!)
My book ‘Creative Sparks -mishaps and hurdles’ got to number one on Amazon. And perhaps more importantly for me, I was proud that my focussed effort and plan had worked. I had written my book!
I went back to getting up later but when I decided I wanted to get fitter and do all I could to manage my health, I reclaimed these early morning hours again.
I’m usually at the gym or running at 6am and rather than a chore, I see it as a gift to me.
It gives me space to be grateful, think, day dream, solve challenges and set my intention for the day.
And as we know our lives are a series of days. If we can live each day like we would like our life to be, then I call that a day and life well lived.
