Sometimes having a small goal can be seen as not much of a feat. I just wanted to be able to cycle with my daughter on my bicycle, whether it be to nursery or on a country ride. That’s it. It should have been easy. Or should it?

Over the past few months I’ve been playing with my habits, motivation and mindset. I’ve had triumphs and I’ve had setbacks, usually surrounding the same habit. What I now know that it is my lack of awareness of my habits and how to build and break them is the issue.

What I love most about reaching out is that you never know what will come of it. Having founded the LIVING MORE OF A LIFE podcast, it is almost like I’ve given myself the excuse I needed to be able to reach out to others who share similar values. With each conversation I find myself growing in confidence, inspiration, excitement and community feeling.

I am living a variety of seasons and cycles at once right now. A year ago, I’d have had no idea what this meant. I knew I needed to find a way to launch my own business in a way I wouldn’t burn out on my entrepreneurial journey. The last few months have been crucial in my progress to making that a reality.

Imagine my surprise when I woke up at 5am to the sound of stones pinging against my window. It would be worth mentioning here that we have been together for 8 years and married for 3, having known each other for 13 years. Today is our anniversary.

I have felt this pull to bring positive changes into my life each year during summer. I have a heightened energy, interest, excitedness and feeling of possibility. What I have failed to do in the past however is really harness these feelings by actively choosing to make long lasting positive change to my health and wellbeing, whilst understanding my motives.

Important lessons in life and business: People are just people and we are all capable of positive change.
I hugely admire Niall McCann's introduction of himself on this first podcast episode where he says "I'm Niall McCann, Dr Niall McCann to my mum".

Recently, I was asked by a family member whether I’d watched a video they had sent me yet. My initial automatic reply was, “I haven’t had time”. As part of my self-awareness journey, I’ve challenged myself to really look at situations when I give the excuse of “lack of time” for the reason I haven’t done something.

Today, my daughter walked into nursery and didn’t look back. No smile. No wave. No tears. No goodbye. She was just focused on what was ahead of her. It is her fifth day back at nursery since the COVID-19 lockdown and she is in her element.

I’d just like to start by saying how grateful I am that I was able to breastfeed. Before I became a mother I had no idea how many women struggle with not only being able to breastfeed their children, but the guilt and expectation around it.

The point of me writing this down and sharing it is to highlight the importance of the mindset I have given the day. If I had started the day as I usually would, I may have still got as much done. Although I doubt it.

This week, I got back on my bicycle for the first time properly since 2016. In December 2016 I came off my road bike on a mini roundabout, resulting in a serious concussion which affected me for many months afterwards.

Those who we surround ourselves with will affect everything about our life. To clarify, I’ve realised this point many times before, but not quite from this angle.

Although women have fought for more equality with men, we can forget that we are actually women, and our bodies dictate a lot about who we are.

Some may view this as brave or even stupid, but I feel that it is vital to highlight the importance of self-awareness when progressing in your career. If you don’t learn from your failures…