We’re delighted to share a guest blog written by our friend Martyn Sibley. Martyn is CEO and co-founder of the Purple Goat agency, an inclusive marketing agency that represents and communicates a narrative in and around disability in everything it does. We first met Martyn when we ran our Future 20 programme in 2019 for inspiring tech-for-good start-ups in the UK – he is regularly voted in the top 100 influential disabled people and is an amazing entrepreneur.
Why did we ask Martyn if we could share his post? So many of us feel a bit overwhelmed by things at the moment – the climate, busy jobs, emotional or physical health, cost of living, world politics etc… to different degrees of severity. And while we continuously push ourselves to carry on day to day, sometimes it can all become too much and take its toll if we don’t take care. We read Martyn’s post and it resonated – in our team we have now made a ‘pact’ to keep an eye on each other, and make sure we take time out before we crash and burn. So, hats off to Martyn – thanks for the inspiring words.
Life seems to go in waves and cycles
Have you ever noticed that life seems to go in waves and cycles? That certain elements of health, social activities, work projects and many other things have an ebb and flow? The way our energy, motivation and productivity have different rhythms?
It’s something I’ve been aware of for quite a few years. In particular I remember Chris Cusack and I both having a tough spell a few years ago with care assistants (another part of my life that undulates) and he unforgettably said to me “life has equal amounts of sh*t and sunshine”. I loved his humorous wisdom like this.
More recently I’ve become aware that I’m ending a few cycles lately. There’s been a few life events that seemingly conspired against my preferred wishes, over a period of time. Namely, but not only – starting, and beginning the growth of, a brand new business – challenges around finding awesome care assistants – adapted home considerations – financial pressures – the actual and perceived risks from the pandemic – all resulting in stress – resulting with challenges in my physical health – resulting in anxiety and knock on effects to my self esteem and confidence. Uff!
Bit by bit, I addressed the tangible elements of the above. Both for my inner and outer world. So my reference to a wave/cycle/chapter ending speaks to how in recent months all of the above are in a much much better place. Thankfully. Most importantly relating to my physical health and getting back to my usual happy go lucky self.
“sh*t and sunshine”
I’ve certainly learnt a lot more about adversity, my inner resilience and how life does indeed serve up both “sh*t and sunshine”. It’s all given me a lot of perspective and clarity on what’s important in life. Something I’ve become really grateful for now.
Excitedly, this sense of new beginnings and new chapters has offered me the chance to do something that I have missed. That being – dreaming big! All of my past successes came from dreaming big and diligently working towards that dream.
This weekend I’ve had that ‘new idea energy’. Something I’ve always loved the feel of. Nothing earth shattering or ground-breaking. But yet really fun to play with and a sign of new beginnings.
So I thought I’d share some of my new/renewed goals in no particular order:
- to do some newer exercises for my hands and arms (my existing routine focuses more on stretching my legs)
- a couple of new nutrition products (Amway bars and Huel drinks), particularly for the days I’m out all day working and tend to eat crap food
- pause more each day, to give myself time to reflect on what are generally full on non stop days/weeks (the power of mindfulness and meditation has major scientific benefits)
- be even more present at social events (historically I’ve had a tendency to think about work a bit too much)
- travel more! (I’ve booked my first flight in 2 years for my upcoming 40th birthday)
- create more content (I’d blocked myself unnecessarily and dearly missed publishing more about my ideas)
- to advise, mentor and teach others from my experiences
- to continue steering Purple Goat to further success, alongside the awesome team we now have
- to appreciate the sunshine and ironically learn to embrace the future sh*t too
I’m acutely aware we’ve all been affected to greater and lesser extents by the turbulent world we’ve found ourselves in. I’d love to hear what you’ve personally learned from these recent times, and any new ideas and plans you’re working on. I sense, but I’d love proof, that people are done with this pessimistic nihilism and ready to co-create a better world together.
