Discover the people who make your tribe, hold safe spaces with them to share with each other.
This is key towards sustainable success and thriving.
Start normalizing all these true gifts in your life. You deserve it!
5. What are the biggest mistakes you see people make and how can they be avoided?
The first biggest mistake, that I fell into the trap years ago, is not prioritizing self-care. “I have no time for this” or “Yeah, but only after I’m done with this project” are things I often hear from people. The capability to power through and achieve is important. However, it shouldn’t be the only mode we know. Because otherwise, we would be running straight to burnout!
Caring for our long-term health and wellbeing is not a secondary, optional, nice-to-have thing. Our lifestyle, how we manage stress, how we make moment-to-moment choices for our wellbeing… are mandatory for our productivity. Include a lot of self-care moments and compassion in your plan for success.
So, make time. Create space in your agenda. Start saying no to what doesn’t nourish you. And start with the smallest thing you can do right now to give love to yourself.
Secondly, I want to emphasize that intellectual knowledge is not complete without the wisdom of our bodies. I observe that for some people, their “comfort zone” is in their minds through continual learning and absorbing information. If that’s you, my honest question is, “Could this be a block from doing the work?”. Someone can keep piling knowledge from reading or attending courses etc but may struggle to take a single step towards change.
So, start seeing yourself as a whole being – body, mind, soul. And start embodying what you know and take conscious action – consistently. Integrate that intellectual knowing into your life – gently. Diligent practice is your way to get there. This will be much easier when you embrace the body as your ally.
Our mind is powerful, and it’s never separate from our body. Our body is where we can tap into our innate source of creativity and resilience. Don’t leave the wisdom of your body to go unexplored. Start listening to what your body’s got to say.
Lastly, I notice a pattern in some people in the thinking that they have to struggle all alone. Perhaps because they’ve not yet experienced how it is to feel supported. Yes, self-reliance is a great virtue. Each one of us has to do our own work. However, I sometimes see how this view is often taken to the extreme, that no support from others should be accepted.
We are always interconnected with the people in our life, our surroundings, our family history and so much more we may not be aware of. Even if we don’t like to acknowledge it, we co-influence each other. The journey might feel lonely. But it doesn’t have to be.
It is true that no one else can do the work for us. But in allowing trusted souls in our journey, we become so much richer and more empowered. Life is the practice. Having a supportive tribe strengthens that practice.
6. How do you plan on further growing your business?
I am growing my group programme, which I call the Healing for Impact Tribe programme. It is a nourishing space for mental health advocates and wellbeing champions from any walk of life. Nourishing in both the senses of co-creating healing together and supporting each other professionally.
(More information on https://bit.ly/healingforimpact )
I plan to bring this tribe feeling into more companies. I’ve been helping wellbeing champions inside the company to facilitate more human connection, trust, and community feeling. The personal wellbeing of each individual and psychological safety in the collective are necessary building blocks for healthier company culture. I love to work with leaders who understand this, to innovate their approach so they get concrete and lasting results from their employee wellbeing programme.
7. Where can the readers find you?
Connect and say hello to me on Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/irenevanjava/
Check upcoming events on my website: https://expat-wellbeing.nl
Find me in our Tribe of mental health advocates and wellbeing champions: https://bit.ly/healingforimpact
