Just back from a welcome break after a hectic start to 2024. As I head to my 60th Birthday (I am still only 59.5) I am taking time to stop and reflect again on my progress towards my ‘retirement’ plans. I need to make better progress this year!

So I spent the last couple of weeks taking some family and friends away who share a similar outlook on life and the definition of success. Ironically neither of them are on Linkedin. Obviously. Each of us have tried to take a path of a balanced and purposeful life avoiding the pursuit of accumulating stuff for its own sake. The others are much better at this than I am, but I am learning from them.

I have learned that people will forget what you said,

people will forget what you did,

but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Maya Anglou

My mind works at 100% trying to link multiple agendas and getting involved in too many things. I always 8-9 books ‘on the go’ and multiple tabs open on my computer.

It is Saturday morning and after 3 hours of DiY I feel the need to write and share my thoughts. Most of my thoughts are not original but I think I can help some groups I work with understand each other better.

This is what I need to get out of my haed and onto my screen today

Whether it’s for a class presentation in school or a speech at a wedding, public speaking can be nerve-racking. You can overcome a fear of public speaking, though, with a few helpful tips and a lot of practice.

Whilst I am not the greatest public speaker - I am no Obama or Mandela, but I have created my own style and confidence to carry speak in public events over the last 30 years.

Stop. Rest. Pace

I am a long time advocate for maintaining levels of activity so when I say you should follow these guidelines I mean it. Too many sports people and fitness experts on social media and elsewhere love this idea that you can always ‘push on/ through’ You CAN’T. I have seen the consequences of ignoring your body and that’s why we fought so hard against the previous NICE guidelines and want people to understand the importance of PACE

Most importantly, people who experience post-exertional malaise or PEM — worsened symptoms after physical and cognitive exertion — should be advised to rest and pace their activity. 

Unfortunately, many people with Long COVID are being encouraged to exercise and get back to work.