On the road again! This time it is different.

October 24, 2021

In the famous words of Willie Nelson, this week I am on the road again! I used to say whoever thinks business travel is a perk doesn’t do it.

Woman on the road again behind the steering wheel of a car
Hitting the road

I remember the first time I travelled from Toronto to Montreal for the day only. I felt so cosmopolitan; travelling thru the airport in my dress clothes, with just my laptop slung over my shoulder. By the 7th or 8th trip for a particular project, the novelty had quickly worn off.

When I worked for our provincial government, I flew to St. John’s for 4-5 days every 5 weeks or so. Occasionally, I drove to Grand Falls-Windsor for an assignment, or flew to Happy Valley-Goose Bay. I became quite familiar to the folks at the check-in counters at the airport, car rental agency, and hotel. I had my favourite seat on PAL flights.

That’s when I came up with the idea that business travel is definitely not a perk.

Travelling as a business owner

This month, I have been travelling extensively as a business owner. Somehow this travel, as intense as it has been, is very different than my travel days as an employee with one organization.

I think the difference lies in the fact that I am travelling with different clients, for different purposes. Each trip is unique. In the month of October I have travelled for my clients, the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing and Homelessness Network, the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture, and Qalipu First Nation. By the end of this week, I will have stayed 9 nights in 5 different hotels, flown round trip to St. John’s and Goose Bay, and driven well over 3000 kms.

In Happy Valley-Goose Bay with the NL Federation of Agriculture

As I pack up today to get ready to go on the road again tomorrow, I realize that as a business owner, business travel is not a perk; it’s a privilege. Thank you to my clients who put their faith in me to facilitate important work on their behalf. If I can be of assistance to you or your organization, do not hesitate to reach out. ~ Carole

Change is in the air!

October 1, 2021

Are you sensing a lot of change is in the air? This fall it seems like more than the season is changing. Are you ready to make a change?

As I wrote in my September 2020 newsletter, this time of year has a sense of newness, similar to that of January each year. This year it seems like there is even more change than usual surrounding the onset of fall. In order to make sustainable changes in our lives, our workplaces, and our relationships, we have to take time to reflect on those changes, and take the necessary steps to move through the change. One of my favourite models of change is one I learned many years ago called ADKAR®.

ADKAR® Change Model

Prosci’s model of individual change is called the Prosci ADKAR® Model, an acronym for Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability and Reinforcement:

Image of words outlining ADKAR Change Model and definitions

The first step begins with awareness. What is the need prompting this change? The next step to me is the most important step. You have to want it. Without the desire, all the knowledge, skills and reinforcement that is thrown at you will not take hold without wanting to participate in the change.

Some of the changes that are touching my life:

Truth and Reconciliation Day

Yesterday, Canada observed a National Truth and Reconciliation Day. It is an extension of Orange Shirt Day that started as a way of recognizing and supporting survivors of the residential school system that impacted so many Indigenous families in this country. I will admit ignorance on this subject. School did not include teaching me anything about it. I did not grow up knowing any Indigenous peoples, nor did I have any concept that children could be taken from their families and stripped of their culture, language and dignity.

As a result, this past year I have researched how to include a land acknowledgement for all my events. I researched which territorial lands I am situated on (Beothuk), and learned that our province has four Indigenous peoples: Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu and Inuit. Several of my clients this year have been Indigenous organizations and every interaction I have with them provides me with an opportunity to engage in dialogue and learn.

Climate Change

I am currently working on a contract with the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture on climate change solutions. We are working in collaboration with Grenfell Campus, Memorial University to consult with agriculture producers on the effects climate change is having on their farms. A team of researchers is interested in setting up Living Labs on-farm to conduct research that meet the needs of farmers in their unique environments.

This project is reminding me of the little changes we can make to help reduce the negative impacts of climate change. From walking to the mailbox instead of driving, to the produce my homesteader husband is producing on our land, to being aware of the impact of importing food into our province is having on our environment. My husband has 11 composters and we try to reuse items as much as we can to reduce our overall household waste. Small changes make a difference.

Return to Workplaces

As we learn to live with COVID-19 in our communities, we are moving in to the next normal. Workplaces are welcoming back employees. Retail operations are opening up to more capacity. Travel is increasing and tourists are welcomed. While this change is positive for the most part, it can also cause anxiety and stress.

I am travelling extensively across our province in the next six weeks. 3 flights, 3 road trips, 7 cities/towns (on more than one occasion for some) and 10+ nights in a hotel are both exciting and terrifying! The changes as I prepare to travel safely, adhering to all health protocols are constantly changing themselves. Next week our province is planning to launch a vaccine passport while I am on the road. I will be watching this process closely and will adapt as necessary to keep myself and others safe.

Wellness Challenge

My daughter, her boyfriend and I have committed to a wellness challenge from now until Christmas. We are all fairly comfortable that we have the awareness, desire and knowledge to make lifestyle changes. This has helped us make the decision to make a commitment to our wellness. However, it is the ability and reinforcement that we are all working hard on. We have set up a chat thread where we can support and encourage one another on our journey. We recognize that both our physical and mental health wellness is equally as important. Massages, visiting a therapist, taking a walk or hike, eating a healthy meal, taking a nap, or watching a funny movie are all celebrated.

Man in the Mirror

I’m gonna make a change

For once in my life

It’s gonna feel real good

Gonna make a difference

Gonna make it right

I’m starting with the man in the mirror

I’m asking him to change his ways

And no message could have been any clearer

If you want to make the world a better place

Take a look at yourself, and then make a change

Man in the Mirror, Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson sang a very powerful song about change co-written by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett. This song recognizes that change starts from within.

An image of a woman standing, looking in a mirror
Me getting ready for an in-person event in November 2020

Are you ready for change? As difficult as it is, I am working hard on making small changes that hopefully have big results. If we all take the baby steps together, imagine what the world can be. Drop me a note to let me know what changes are you currently working on? ~ Carole