08/05/2026
Friday Feel-Good Feedback is ... discombobulation. Tricky to pick a topic this week. Lots going on in business and life and hard to beat last Friday's news.
For 6 years now, I've done this Friday post, sometimes sharing, sometimes just journalling. The intention - to end the week with a positive word of feedback, learning or gratitude.
I think today needs to be this.
My 2nd of 3 children finishes school for ever today, with A levels starting next week.
My kitchen cupboards have revision notes everywhere, the diner chalkboard wall is crammed with equations. She's working hard but there's clearly tension in the air.
I see my job now to bite my lip, be a verbal punch bag if needed, be cheery even when I'm not, offer food, smiles and empathy.
Add to this, child 1 doing med exams, child 3 being a teen boy, hubby, parents, family politics, worry about friends and some killer work projects that scare the crxp out of me, and sleep isn't coming easily. Though stuff may be out of our control, it doesn't prevent us feeling nervous and discombobulated.
So why does this relate to work, or networking even, and how the heck is it Friday positivity?
Well, I guess my points are these.
1. Everyone has their stuff going on, big, small or indifferent though you or they may deem it to be, and despite any gloss you see;
2. You may be a working parent but even if you're not, you may know some or work with some or have young people in your life. Be conscious of this time of year, that life may be stressful at home for folk and cut some slack if you can; and
3. If you're juggling life and work in any way - is that not all of us? - then use the power of your network to support you. And support back. People will make the difference to everything! Those met through networking can become your tribe.
Today, my day wil be the result of networking.
I'll start my day at a TED talk breakfast club. Ever grateful for this fortnightly brain food, company and chat offered via networking.
This afternoon, after work, I'll finish early. I'll go to a boxing session with someone met via networking. Ever grateful for the physical and mental therapy that gives me.
And to end, I'll spend time with one of the best wellbeing levellers I know - Elizabeth Edwards of Koyo Wellbeing - who ran my TEDxWarrington speaker wellbeing programme and whom I've known since 2012 when she looked after my business whilst I took a few weeks mat leave. Met via networking!
Working parent or sympathiser, keep up the great but hard work you're doing.
Let that network in to support you.
And good luck with school leaving milestones and exam fever.
