What do you do when you get sick as a business professional?
Even if you work for a company that provides paid leave, you may find it difficult to let go and trust that everything will be okay without you – especially if you’re in a manager or expert position!
Last week, I got sick for the first time since 2018. I had a 38-degree fever, my nose was running like it was in training for the Tokyo marathon, and my throat was so sore, it felt like I’d been auditioning for a heavy metal band.
I was disappointed about canceling multiple engagements, including attending a Japan Board Diversity Network event, a photoshoot with the terrific TopTia, and a trail run (it would’ve been a walk for me even at my best) in Zushi.
But the toughest one for me to let go of was a #lessseffortmoreimpact presentation skills workshop that I was scheduled to deliver on Saturday.
I didn’t want to let people down.
And a part of me (the ego and prideful part) was reluctant to hand my baby over to someone else and not be involved.
Ironically, one thing I’ve been wanting to do now in my 12th year of running my own business is to train up other coaches in the Sasuga! methodology, so that we can help even more business professionals to do brilliant work without sacrificing their personal lives.
What a beautiful opportunity this turned out to be!
Heather Dobbin stepped up to lead the workshop wonderfully. I’ve seen the video evidence and already read some of the fabulous feedback in the participant survey. This photo says it all!
So my question to you this week – even if you’re not sick – is what can you let go of, so that you can make life easier for you and give someone else an opportunity to shine?
For women in business in Japan
The #LessEffortMoreImpact Movement for Women in Business is an uplifting community for growth-minded women in Japan and beyond to
- connect across industries and nationalities
- embrace selfcare as a success strategy
- encourage each other to step out of our comfort zones
so that we can do brilliant work, without sacrificing our personal lives.