Jacynth Ivey tells us how to maintain peak performance and a sustainable work-life balance.
Editor CAROLINE PAIGE
Jacynth Ivey is a transformation coach. She helps organisations to create peak performance environments and sustainable work-life balance initiatives. Balance that supports inclusion in service delivery and employment. She’s also a non-executive director for Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. And has decades of experience working with successful business owners and leaders on their health and wealth.
Previously a successful director in the public services, Jacynth didn’t quite feel she fitted in. She felt she needed to do more and be more. Aware of injustice and poor practice, she felt unable to affect or influence real change. So, she made a huge change in her own life and set-up a business providing coaching and consultancy to change the lives of others. Her book, It’s okay to be different: Reignite your passion, fulfil your dreams, helps readers recognise their brilliance in seven steps.
We met when Jacynth was speaking at an event in Manchester. Her engaging talk opened with a mission statement that she wants to help us be the best we can be.
Here’s my summary of Jacynth’s seven steps to achieving your brilliance.
1. Acknowledge that you’re different
Jacynth’s parents came to the UK – from Jamaica – during the Windrush era. It was the start of the post-war immigration boom and their experiences shaped her story. Your story shaped you and is unique to you.
Most people aren’t where they want to be. Many have limiting ideas about their own abilities. Those beliefs are based on our experiences and the experiences of those close to us. They form our ‘story’ and they’re connected to emotion. What emotions are holding you back? Identifying them will help you to move forward. What’s your story? What brought you here?
2. Discover your reason why
Discovering your reason why is like programming a destination in your GPS. You’ll know where you’re going and what you’re meant to be doing along the way. Discovering your why gives you a sense of purpose.
3. Be clear about where you want to go
Focus on where you want to go and then work out how. Don’t focus on the how until the why is clear.
You can encounter potholes that affect your journey (such as prejudice, toxic environments or ill-health). When you fall into one of these potholes, you must get out again. Don’t give up when you experience a barrier. Think of a way to get over or around it. Jacynth’s career as a nurse was hilly, but she found other ways to get to her destination. She became one of the first black directors of nursing in the country.
Sometimes you need to rest on the journey and reflect on what has gone well, what you need to improve, and what you need help with. Concentrate on getting to your destination.
4. Choose to take action now
Many businesses have action plans. Many businesses don’t act on them. Once you have a plan, make a start. Concentrate on making the first step
5. Guard your mind
Don’t hold yourself hostage to negativity in your life. We are not our thoughts. We can choose which to listen to and which to ignore. It’s important to be able to recognise thoughts shaped in our childhood – and other times in our lives – that no longer serve us. Guard your mind and be aware of where feelings of self-doubt may come from.
6. You're measured by what you do
Measure. Measure your goals and the work you do to achieve them. If you don’t measure, how do you know what you’ve achieved or what you need to do to improve? Recognise and celebrate successes (there will be many) and check you’re still on course for your goal.
7. Reignite your passion and fulfil your dreams
Training and networking events feed your mind and – if you nurture the connections you make – provide community. Have people in your network who are experts, who can influence, open doors, advise, and even help in an emergency.
Dream in Technicolor. Dream in detail. This will give you the passion and momentum to grow. Feed your dreams by meeting people and learning more. This will feed innovation and change for you and your business.
Let us know if Jacynth’s story and advice sparked a new idea for you.
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