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Blog

Blog - Page 13 of 20

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  • 5 signs it’s time to find a new role

    If ever you’ve experienced a sudden accident or diagnosis, a significant relationship breakdown or the loss of someone close, you know that such events can shake you to the core and change the way you view the world. Once the shock has passed, your real…

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    Posted in: Career
    Inspiring Clients Leah Andrews

    Leah and I met when she came to see me to talk about her snow globes business. Within moments of meeting her, I had the sense that she’s someone who will make a go of anything she sets her mind to. Full of energy and…

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    Posted in: Changemakers
    Inspiring Clients Lisa Beavan

    Lisa Beavan is my wonderful PA. Actually, she’s a ‘virtual assistant’ which is the same as a PA only she works at her place and I work at mine. We’ve worked together for over five years now and she has been an integral part of my…

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    Posted in: Changemakers
    Getting through a difficult patch

    From time to time, life is difficult. We don’t always maintain a balanced view of the world. Daily responsibilities and dreams for the future can feel almost impossible if you’re in the middle of a difficult patch. Everything feels hard. It’s like walking through quicksand to…

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    Posted in: Mindfulness
    3 ways to start creating a bigger life

    When I first read Tara Mohr’s articles about what playing big means to her, I was immediately taken by her message. Her kind of ‘big’ is for those of us who want to be successful while maintaining integrity, who have no hunger for power and…

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    Posted in: Mindfulness
    Your relationships matter most

    Coming together with family and friends can be both a blessing and a stress. Added to the general tiredness many of us feel as the year-end approaches, the pressure of buying gifts, crazy traffic and over-excited children, these gatherings can actually feel like hard work instead…

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    Posted in: Relationships
    Are you really ready for change?

    Most of us find it difficult to create change in our lives. Even when things aren’t going well, we find it far easier to stick with what we know. Your friends might tell you it’s time you found a better job or let go of…

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    Posted in: Life
    Is something calling you?

    I’m in Byron Bay having a few days rest after running our annual creativity and meditation retreat. This morning as Chris and I walked along the track towards The Pass, a guy was handing out leaflets for a film screening tonight in Byron. We got…

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    Posted in: Self-belief
    Be brave enough to ask

    My mum is pretty fearless. She’s one of those people who is great at fundraising and a natural saleswoman, which is pretty much the exact opposite to me. I’ve learned a lot from her though. She has taught me that if you don’t ask, you…

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    Posted in: Life
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    My end-of-year wish for you, your loved ones, and for all of humanity is greater peace. 🙏
    After posting some of our photos from last week’s trip, I thought I’d share one more that I took while we were exploring rock pools.Chris has always been good at going slowly. He has taught me a lot about being in the moment and even more about noticing beauty.This was a lovely reminder that lessons in presence are everywhere.An invitation for you this week – watch the people around you and observe the different ways they engage with the present moment. And see if there's something that inspires you. ✨#slowingdown #noticingbeauty #everydaymindfulness #presentmoment
    “The real work of the artist is a way of being in the world.” Rick RubinJust before we came away for the weekend, I started reading Rick Rubin’s 'The Creative Act: A Way of Being'. It was the perfect invitation to look at everything through the lens of curiosity and wonder.Despite rain being predicted, we decided to hike a section of the Great Ocean Road Walk and spotted this beautiful koala sitting quietly in a tree, watching us with its own sense of wonder.We’ve discovered the sweetest little bays, incredible sections of forest and a beach that at first glance looked mostly grey. When we looked more closely, we found all sorts of small wonders and every colour of the rainbow.Sometimes it takes slowing down to recognise the little miracles that exist all around us.They can change the way we interact with the world, make us more open to the innate creativity that exists within every one of us, and fill us with hope when we remember that the natural world is still full of the most exquisite beauty. ✨Thanks @chrisjamesphotos for the koala pic. 🐨#greatoceanroad #greatoceanroadwalk #mindfulliving #slowliving #creativeact #rickrubin #australianbeaches #naturelover #curiosityandwonder #mindfulmoments #everydaybeauty
    “Who would you be if you trusted the basic goodness and beauty that lives through you?” Tara Brach ✨#selfworth #selfkindness #confidenceforwomen #innerstrength #mindfulgrowth #personaldevelopment
    I’m in Byron this week, running my annual retreat. It always amazes me how different life feels here. The days are long and time moves slowly. It feels like there’s room to breathe.We meditate, do yoga and Pilates, walk along the beach and swim in the tea tree lake. We eat beautiful vegetarian food and there’s plenty of time to rest.I think all of us could benefit from a place like this, but when it’s not possible, stepping away from your everyday life can help you remember what’s missing.So here’s a thought for the week: make some time – even half an hour – to sit beneath a tree. Cook a wholesome meal. Walk slowly through your local park. Write in your journal. Make a mandala. Breathe.Let the rest of your life wait for a bit, and give some time to yourself. ✨#womensretreat #byronbayretreat #mindfulnessforwomen #yogaretreataustralia #meditationretreat
    I read a beautiful article last week about the concept of fragility, and how it applies in just about every area of life. I know this is true, but it also reminded me that when we're willing to accept our vulnerability, we come to discover our true strength.The way we keep showing up through moments of uncertainty.The way we stay open to love when we've been deeply hurt.The way we adapt when life throws us a curve ball.The way we stay hopeful, even when we're afraid.The way we find meaning in the smallest of moments.Fragility isn’t weakness. It’s part of what it means to be fully alive.When we recognise it, we learn to handle ourselves and one another with more care.To cherish what matters and to stay open to the life that we're living.✨#vulnerability #fragility #innerstrength #tenderness #selfcompassion #mindfulliving #emotionalwellbeing #personalgrowth #slowliving #healingjourney #beinghuman
    I've just finished listening to the audio version of Jacinda Ardern's book, A Different Kind of Power. What a beautiful book – and what a beautiful woman.For decades, I've looked for role models to show me how to be both a mother and a businesswoman, and I've struggled to find someone I can truly relate to. Until I heard Jacinda's story.As she writes in one of the final chapters, when asked about what it means to be a leader:“If you have impostor syndrome, or question yourself, channel that. It will help you. You will read more, seek out advice, and humble yourself to situations that require humility to be conquered. If you’re anxious, and overthink everything, if you can imagine the worst-case scenario always, channel that too. It will mean you are ready when the most challenging days arrive. And if you are thin-skinned and sensitive, if criticism cuts you in two, that is not weakness; it’s empathy. In fact, all of the traits that you believe are your flaws will come to be your strengths. The things you thought would cripple you will in fact make you stronger, make you better. They will give you a different kind of power, and make you a leader that this world, with all its turmoil, might just need.”This book is a brilliant read. I highly recommend it. Thank you @jacindaardern for sharing your story with such warmth, humility and kindness. ✨Image: @penguinbooksnz#jacindaardern #adifferentkindofpower #leadership #empathy #womeninleadership #kindness #audiobookrecommendation #personalgrowth #mindfulleadership #inspiringwomen
    After writing the first article about overfunctioning, so many women have reached out to say, ‘this is me’ and ‘what can I do about it?’.Later this week, I’ll be sharing an article about breaking the cycle of overfunctioning, but first, I thought it might be helpful to remember why we do this and why it can be such a hard pattern to break.Scroll through the carousel for quick tips, or read the full article (the link’s in my bio). And keep an eye out for the new article later this week where I’ll share more about doing things differently.This is something I’m working on myself, and I have to say that even with awareness, I don't find it easy. Those long-held habits can be hard to shift but when I can catch myself and go a little more gently, it makes the world of difference to how I'm feeling. ✨#overfunctioning #personaldevelopment #mindfulcoaching #selfkindness #selfawareness #wellbeingjourney #womenwhothinkdeeply #innergrowth #mindfulnessmatters #doinglessfeelingmore #confidencecoachmelbourne
    When I was taught to meditate, over thirty years ago now, the advice was very rigid. You had to practice twenty minutes, twice a day or you might as well forget it. For so many people who learned, this ended up being off-putting and often not realistic.These days, there are so many different approaches and it's much more flexible – which is exactly what we need.Almost everyone I work with is short of time, but they're still keen to be mindful. And the reality is, you can achieve this even in just a few minutes.In its simplest form, mindfulness is really about two things – paying attention and non-judgement. When you start there, you realise you can practice in so many small ways and the impact can still be incredible.You don't need to head off on retreat (although it is pretty amazing) or block out huge amounts of time to simply tune in and pay attention.Try one or more of these small pauses today:▫️ Drink your tea, coffee or water with your full attention. Slow it right down and notice what you taste, smell and feel – bringing a sense of appreciation.▫️ Take five long, slow breaths. Pay attention to extending your out-breath to engage your parasympathetic nervous system.▫️ Before you send an email or make a call, pause and think about your intention. What matters most in this interaction?▫️ When you're at your computer or using your phone, notice your breathing. It often becomes more shallow (or we hold our breath without realising).Small moments of mindfulness really do make a difference. A few simple pauses through your day can bring you back to calm, clarity and presence. 🙏#mindfulness #presence #selfawareness #mindfulliving #mindfulnessretreat
    © Kate James 2025

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