Embracing Life's Lessons: Navigating business and personal growth through reflection and connection
This year marks the thirteenth year since I registered by business and we celebrated the ten year anniversary of running Your Time Matters, a business community, The theme of the dinner was “creating ripples” and I have been reflecting why my business name, is so important to me as I shared a personal story at the event.
Lessons in Resilience and Legacy
I believe right here, right now, we have one life to live and that relationships are key to our success.
I have attended over 40 funerals, and whether it has been the funeral of a five-year-old child whose parents’ hopes and dreams were crushed, or the celebration of life of my eighty-five-year-old mother, ninety-five-year-old mother-in-law, or my stepfather and friends taken too early by cancer, or young adults taking their own life, or sons and daughters of friends killed in accidents … it is connection and relationships that leave an indelible mark, not the amount of dollars they made or the material things they accrued.
At each funeral I have always listened intently to the eulogy and how people do influence and impact lives of others.
This moment in time, has had me connecting dots and reflecting on an occasion when my own life was in jeopardy and who was there to save me.
Understanding Risk and the Importance of a Support Network
I remember a day that has deep down, left an indelible mark in my subconscious, and I know why your time matters.
I was about four, so my sister tells me. Funnily enough, she does not remember much of that day. However, I remember a few things vividly and reflect how that the day could have had a very different ending, without help and support.
My dad manufactured caravans, but he also had a love of boats and fishing. We rarely fished from our cabin cruiser, but used it like a caravan on water and with limited cooking facilities and four beds, we could stay a week or so at a time. My mother cooked simple meals in limited space and I can still smell her favourite recipe of onions, lamb chops and chips- Eildon special she fondly called it.
The sun was beating down and we had a full boat as there was another family spending time with us …so in total, 4 adults and 5 children. The boat felt crowded, but we were all enjoying the day and cooling off in the sparkling, fresh water of beautiful Lake Eildon, making precious memories.
The water in Lake Eildon is very deep in parts and adults and children always swam with lifejackets, so the morning had been fun and we were kept safe, floating about in our life jackets. Of course, there came a time in the day when we kids were hungry.
While lunch was being arranged, my dad captained the boat, my mother chatted with her adult friends while putting together lunch for us kids who were sitting out on the bow out of the way and drying off in the sun.
Have you ever worn a life jacket?
If so you will know how they can do get very heavy and cold when you been in the water for some time. Without permission, because I guess, I thought I knew best, I had taken off my life jacket, and laid it out in the sun on the bow . When we were called down for lunch, when we were called to lunch,somehow, I slipped and fell into the deep dark water.
If I close my eyes now, I can clearly see my hair floating like seaweed in the water and beer cans on the bottom of the weir. Now I doubt this was possible because we were near the wall, and it’s the deepest part of the waterway.
The problem was, I fell into water, but the boat kept moving forward.
My mother heard the splash and knew someone had fallen overboard, but had no idea it was me. The story goes that my father, without a moment's thought, jumped overboard. He too without a lifejacket, for time was of the essence. The other adult male, grabbed the steering wheel as the boat continued, but in his panic yanked the wheel so hard that the cable broke and there was no turning back.
I can only imagine how my mother felt when she did the head count and found her four year old daughter was the one overboard, and not a strong swimmer at that young age.
My sister, seven years older than me, came to the rescue.
Tide to the side of our boat was a dinghy and her quick thinking saved the day.
This could have been a major incident and perhaps that is why it’s left such an indelible mark on me as to the fragility of life and, how easily simple moments can change lives.
Most people think that when are adults are with their children their safe. But reality is that accidents do happen and having the right people, and safety measure in place is a must!
We must always be aware of others, who may need help and be there to support them.
Building Stronger Networks in Business and Life
Analogy is a powerful tool and is often used by speakers within my community to illustrate a point or prompt conversations ,
In this case, we can think we are all sailing along, doing what we enjoy, engaging with others , but need to recognise how easy it is to get tripped up, make the wrong move, and be faced with moments that can drastically effect relationships livelihood, and our future.
What I know to be true is that whether in life or business, we need to surround ourselves with people who can throw you a life jacket, or a safety net and pull you back to the surface when we are feeling as if you're sinking. You are not alone. Many face struggles and challenges but knowing you are surrounded by a supportive network and where you can find your “lifejacket” or “lifesaver” can make all the difference.
Your Time Matters .
You can be that lifeguard, you can make the difference, when you are willing to connect, contribute and think beyond yourself to provide or even identify and connect others with the with help and support they need.
Hello, I am Kerryn Powell, The Network Catalyst and founder of Your Time Matters and podcast host of Conversations and connections to amplify and inspire. I am a connection strategist, conversation starter who thrives on building communities and creating the right connections for those seeking strategic allies to make a positive impact through connection, contribution and community.
I draw on my diverse career portfolio, experience, skills and knowledge to encourage, support and empower business owners, professionals, teams and individuals to create true connection through authentic conversations that build real relationships, boost confidence and generate business and opportunities.
Since 2013, I have provided opportunity for more than 3000 business owners to engage in real life and online events through her business, Your Time Matters. BOOK a discovery call TODAY, and let’s have a conversation to see how I can help you and I invite you to follow me on my social media channels, too.