Of Ends and Beginnings

Life in the corporate world

I again started the day clearing out more of my ‘just in case’ clothes that are in our spare wardrobes and under beds: two huge bags of stuff, that are not really old, just ‘extra’. My criteria: if they were in a spare wardrobe and hadn’t been worn for a year, out they go! Then I started on my business material. I threw away everything: files on sales, marketing, conflict management, leadership, innovation and creativity. All gone!

Throwing out my old work files was really, really hard. I felt like I was throwing away a part of my life, which I guess I was. It was also difficult to bin all the programmes and courses that I’d put together over a lifetime in the corporate world. I’d used them numerous times with employees in the various companies I’d worked for.

It’s like saying, I’m never going to lead another company, drive sales and profits, give another key-note speech, or deliver a management course. Now it’s all gone. Dumped! Like I said: no keeping stuff ‘just in case’. That part of my life has been firmly consigned to the rubbish bin.

On another note…

It was a beautifully sunny day yesterday and Rob and I went walking. I told him about throwing out all my files and I cried a little. He said that it wasn’t the end of everything, but the start of something new – focusing on building awareness of ovarian cancer. He also reminded me that I didn’t want to do corporate work anymore, anyway. He was so right, and I was put right. Onwards and upwards, I say!

Today, beautiful sunshine and I’m feeling good. Yes, I can say that: I feel good!  Even a week ago, I never thought I would ever feel ‘good’ again. Which reminds me; years ago I gave a one-day course entitled, ‘Good is not Good Enough.’ Now I know different: take it from me - ‘good’ can be ‘good enough’!

The photo is of me with Leonard Lauder, of the Estee Lauder Group of Companies and his late wife, Evelyn.