This week’s blog is a personal one.
Four weeks ago, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 HER2positive Breast Cancer.
This has come as an absolute shock.
For the last four years, I’ve seen my beautiful younger sister, Lyndelle, fight this terrible disease. She is now on the other side of it and facing more health challenges. I have had all the mandatory breast screening tests, with all tests being clear, even last December.
For a few weeks in March, I’d had a tender right armpit, thinking maybe I was run down. My intuition kept nagging at me to have it checked, so I asked my doctor on the way out of a check-up (lucky I did). After an ultrasound and biopsy, cancer was found in my right breast and 20 lymph nodes. It was my strong intuition to have it looked at, which resulted in numerous tests and a diagnosis within five days.
As I always say, always trust your gut. In this instance, it most probably saved my life.
I now face six months of chemotherapy (one down), surgery, 18 rounds of another chemotherapy and six months of radiation. This has turned my world upside down, as have my family and close friends. I still feel as though someone is going to wake me up from a bad dream. It’s something I thought I would never go through.
I am optimistic that I will beat this, and I have been overwhelmed by all the support and love from family, friends, and clients. My support network has been amazing, and I’m finally having to ask for a bit of help, something very unfamiliar to me, but I am getting there.
Being a high-functioning person, it’s taken me being very sick six days post-chemo to know things need to change. I am now working through unlearning the way I do work and life.
The first thing my team and I did was remove night events charity work and put a pause on the committees and a board I was on. International programs will now be run virtually (the gift of relearning in Covid), and I will be working at a slower pace the week after each chemo.
Some people have questioned this, and my response is that the work I do with clients I love gives me purpose and contribution, and I will continue to do that. Along with my amazing team, we will continue designing and running all our transformational programs and 1:1 Leadership and business coaching.
It’s easy to learn a rhythm of work and life; it’s more challenging to relearn the way we do this. In my case, relearning work and life to slow down and find more balance is the gift of this not-so-great experience.
In life and the workplace, the journey of learning is perpetual. However, what sets individuals and workplaces apart is their willingness and ability to relearn—to embrace new perspectives, skills, and knowledge.
“Relearning is the compass guiding us through uncharted territories, illuminating new paths of growth and discovery.”
Relearning is not merely about learning new information but involves unlearning outdated practices, working methods and beliefs while adapting to evolving circumstances.
I think relearning our personal and professional ways can provide transformative insights and growth.
Here is what I have gleaned so far:
Adaptability as a Key Competency:
In today’s fast-paced world, adaptability has emerged as a non-negotiable competency for individuals and workplaces. Embodying the concept of relearning fosters adaptability by encouraging openness to change and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
Individuals who value relearning are better equipped to navigate uncertainty, seize new opportunities, and thrive in dynamic environments.
Continuous Improvement and Innovation:
Relearning triggers continuous improvement and innovation, driving progress and competitiveness. When we revisit existing processes, methodologies, and approaches, individuals and teams can identify areas for enhancement and innovation.
Workplaces that foster a culture of relearning can create a dynamic environment where experimentation and creativity flourish, leading to breakthroughs and advancements.
Resilience in the Face of Challenges:
Resilience is built upon the foundation of adaptability and the ability to bounce back from setbacks.
The Gift of Resilience, which I share in my book Gift Mindset, is all about embracing relearning to equip individuals with the resilience to confront challenges and setbacks with a growth mindset.
Rather than viewing obstacles as roadblocks, individuals prioritising relearning perceive them as opportunities for growth and development, fostering resilience in the face of adversity. This is what the Gift Mindset is all about learning, from the challenging people and situations we encounter.
Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills:
Relearning expands our problem-solving ability by introducing new perspectives and approaches.
Through exposure to diverse ideas and methodologies, we can gain insights that enable us to tackle complex problems more effectively. By encouraging relearning, workplaces and leaders can empower their employees to adopt a proactive approach to problem-solving, driving innovation and efficiency.
Cultivating a Culture of Learning:
Embracing relearning fosters a culture of continuous learning where curiosity and exploration are encouraged.
Leaders, I believe, play a pivotal role in cultivating a learning culture by modelling the importance of relearning and providing resources and support for professional development. Workplaces focusing on relearning as a core value attract and retain top talent, as individuals are drawn to environments that foster growth and learning opportunities.
For years, I have worked within hundreds of organisations across multiple levels and teams, teaching people to learn, relearn, and constantly evolve their leadership of themselves and others.
My journey to relearning many things has only just begun and is and will be a transformative journey that transcends boundaries between personal and professional development. By embracing relearning, we can adapt to change, drive innovation, build resilience, enhance problem-solving skills, and cultivate a culture of continuous learning.
As we navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving world, the ability to relearn becomes not only a competitive advantage but also a cornerstone of success and fulfilment in both life and the workplace.
Relearning has an element of magic to it. It’s full of possibility, growth and a deeper connection to oneself and others.
I look forward to sharing my journey and I’d love to hear your feedback and thoughts on how you can foster a culture of learning within your workplace.
Lead to be limitless!