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Emma McQueen

ThrivingWomen2019

Who’s in your circle?

| Action Station, Challenges for Women, Results, Thriving Women 2020, ThrivingWomen2019

I ran a workshop on “who’s in your circle”, it was a useful workshop, it had reliable evidence behind it, and some research from the likes of Jim Collins and Janine Garner. The session was thought-provoking and challenging. We talked specifically about two things; who the participants had in their circle and who they needed in their circle. It had everyone thinking, which made me think, how many people do not think about who is in their space?

Have you heard of the saying “the five people you hang out with, you become like”? So, are you hanging out with the right people?

There are many of us, just surviving through the day, doing the juggle in one way or another; children, older parents, family, marriages, you name it. I hear the groans in the room when I ask the question – it’s another thing to “do”.

Here’s the thing though, if you don’t take the time to think about who is in your circle, there can be implications. You don’t get that promotion you want; you don’t get that new job you think you should have because your results are so good (unfortunately results alone don’t speak for themselves, but that’s another blog), your business doesn’t thrive.  

So, how do you take stock of who is in your circle to make sure it works for you? I would start this process by:

  1. Analysing your current circle;
  2. Looking at who is in your existing network;
  3. Understanding where the gaps are;
  4. Deciding on what you are prepared to give;
  5. Getting a move on

Analyse your current circle: Before you can go and start building your circle, you need to work out who you have in your circle, click here for a downloadable and some instructions.

Look at who is in your current network and make some choices about if they should stay or if they should go. In Janine’s book, she also references the 12 types of people who you do NOT want in your network (think saboteur and back-stabber), and so you will need to make some choices on the best people to have in your network for the goal you want to achieve. Do you need someone who will kick you in the butt, cheer you on, educate you about something? This will mean making some difficult choices to step back from some relationships while you lean into others.

Understand the gaps: You may have people in your circle who have always been there; you may have people who are very new to your circle. You may have only men; you may have only women. Have a deep dive at your list and work out who knows each other, who doesn’t, do you have enough? Is it a diverse mix of opinions that will help you grow?

Deciding on what you are prepared to give: Give first ALWAYS, choose how you will show up, prepare and make it mutually beneficial, this will be different for each person. I can’t stand the vague “can I pick your brain”, what I do love though is when someone reaches out and is specific about a need they have, they have thought about it and have some well-considered questions.

Get moving: sometimes it can all feel overwhelming, so you need to keep moving and make sure that you stay focused on who you need for right now.

We could call it “luck” that we have a great circle, but I can say for sure that there is no such thing as luck when cultivating this circle, it’s all about concerted effort, being clear on what you need and continuing to provide value to those around you.

I would love to hear how you go!

Content is Queen

| Action Station, Planning, Results, ThrivingWomen2019

Content is Queen – I had to learn this the hard way. Excuse my reference all through this article to the Queen of Content, Holly Cardamone from Blue51 Communications but, she rocks, and credit where credit is due my friends.

I got told “build a list, it will be great”; “write a newsletter, it will be fab”; “post content on social media, it will help “, and all along I was thinking to myself, I have nothing to say, but that was just my small insignificant voice scaring me to do nothing. I hate that voice with a passion, and so whenever it speaks, I do the opposite just to prove it wrong!

I went to a couple of those content days where you are supposed to come out with a fan dangled new way of writing content. I came out thoroughly confused and paralysed by how much work may have been ahead of me. So, I did the next best thing, had a strong coffee and dialled Holly. CHANGED. MY. LIFE. I kid you not.

Jess and I sat down with Holly for three hours on a sunny afternoon toward the end of 2018. I ate the gorgeous food that Holly presented while waffling on about the work that I do, the people I help etc etc. Meanwhile, Holly and Jess were madly taking notes on post-it notes. I wrote two words that day, and that was it.

It’s not that I didn’t take it seriously, it was just that I had SOOO much to say, and I didn’t even bluddy know it. Holly, apparently knew it and so at the end of the three hours, we had a content plan for the year 2019, we had some content pillars (which are basically like themes that you talk about each time you write) and we had a way to use the blogs I was writing in a way that was effective and efficient. MIND BLOWN.

I won’t lie, it’s still a lot of work, but now, now we have a plan and we just stick with it. This bit is my speciality. A quick story: I promised myself that I would log into my fitness pal for a whole year, yup, 365 days of registering food and exercise. By about day 200, I was done, but I had committed to the full 365 days, and so, at day 366, I turned that sucker off and felt enormous relief. Why didn’t I just quit? It’s just not my style. When I commit, I commit. When I say I am going to do something, damn it, I move heaven and earth to get it done. I am, if nothing else, consistent.

So, we started 2019 with a bang! We got in there, Jess made up a beautiful schedule for me, that we still use, and we post consistently. Like everyone out there, it takes time. I was having a coaching session with a client the other day, and she said this “Emma, I have to commend you on your consistency to post and send out your newsletter each week, I love what you write, and I love that you are so disciplined”. I was wrapped. Yes, I can see how many “opens” we get (our average is currently 50%), but what I can’t see is the impact that the words have on people unless they tell me.

Here’s what I have learnt along the way, there are still learnings to come:

Work with a professional  Work with an expert. Working with Holly was a game changer for us. She knows her stuff, speaks our language and provides enormous value to us throughout the year, not just in that three-hour time slot.

Have a plan
You gotta have a plan! Look, I am all for winging it as Emma Isaacs would say, but a man without a plan, is, well, a man. Having said this, be flexible enough with the plan to shift. If some events happen and you feel compelled to write about them, do that. Plan and then be flexible.

Be smart
Be smart about what you use. Write once; use over and over again. This is not a new phenomenon, but sometimes we forget that the article we wrote on self-care a few years ago, is still so relevant to our crew that we can pull it out, dust it off and tweak it and use it. This also means, write the article, and then dissect it for use elsewhere- use it in your Instagram, Facebook, stories and linked in.


Keep it real
You gotta keep it real. I heard this saying that goes something like “people hear your content, but they sniff your intent”. You know when you meet someone, and you listen to what they are saying, but you know it’s BS and it feels like there is an ulterior motive? Yeah, don’t do that.

Provide value
If you ain’t gonna provide value, don’t do it. It’s not that hard. If you really don’t know what you are going to say, how you want to serve others, get some professional help (as in an excellent copywriter, not psych help – although, if you need psych help, do that as well)

So… if you are wondering how to get your message out, how to provide value, what to say, how to pull it all together, when to write, how to write, then do yourself a favour and speak to Holly – The Queen of Content. Because at the end of the day, content is Queen.

Be enthusiastic, optimistic and energetic every day.

Em x

Who’s Looking After You?

| All Posts, Planning, Results, ThrivingWomen2019

We are well and truly back in the swing of things here, school is back, and work is ramping up. Now, hands up if the summer break didn’t go quite as planned? You know how it goes, grand plans to switch off and take time out, but you felt busier than ever and as a result are already feel burnt out! I am hearing the same from so many friends and colleagues, January was a blur of getting all the ‘things’ done with very little or no time out.

I get it, life is busy. We play the role of parent, partner, friend, employee, boss, the list goes on, how on earth are we really meant to take time out when we are juggling all of this? Well the reality is if we don’t take time out to look after ourselves, the  chances are that no one else will, and then what?

This is where self-care comes into play. Self-care sets you up to be mentally, physically, and emotionally equipped to handle the demands of life. Before you argue that you have no time or money for self-care, let me stop you: the cost of not taking care of yourself is much greater in the long run.

So, what exactly is self-care? Simply put it is self-initiated actions to stay healthy (mentally, physically and emotionally). It is listening to your mind and body and meeting its needs. Self-care will look different for everyone, but it doesn’t have to be difficult.

Headspace have put together these 10 simple self-care tips to maximise well being. These are so easy for anyone to include in their everyday life – give it a go! 

1. Regularly engage in an activity that you find relaxing. Put aside a little time every day to do something that you really enjoy, such as going for a walk, gardening, listening to music or reading. Schedule it into your daily routine so that it becomes a natural part of your life. 

2. Practice regular relaxation. Try to squeeze in some yoga or meditation before starting your day. It can be helpful to visualise a safe, peaceful space e.g. a comforting room, a beautiful beach or lovely bush setting, and spend 5-10 minutes imagining this in your mind. 

3. Maintain your friendships. Connect regularly with friends and family and undertake activities you enjoy together. 

4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you are experiencing stress or worry it can help to talk to someone about it. You may like to speak to a friend, family member, you GP or a counsellor. Ask for help when you need it and accept help when it is offered – realise that you cannot do everything. 

5. Get regular exercise. This will help to reduce stress levels and improve your health. Try to find an activity you enjoy. Exercising with others can help you to stay motivated. Aim for at least 20 minutes a day; even a 10 minute walk will benefit you. 

6. Eat a nutritious, balanced diet. This can help with energy levels and stress management. Avoid consuming too much caffeine or sugar. It may help you to feel more energised in the short term, but can have negative effects in the long term. 

7. Be kind to yourself. A positive and compassionate attitude can help you manage difficult times. Encouraging and rewarding yourself for getting through a difficult period or achieving a goal, however small, will reinforce your self-confidence. 

8. Take some quiet time out for yourself, away from your usual demands, even if this is only for 15 minutes a day. For example, going for a walk, having a bath, having a cuppa or reading the newspaper. 

9. Plan something to look forward to, a holiday, day trip or an outing with friends. 

10. Get good quality sleep. Try to go to bed and get up at the same time each day. Switch off all electronics at least an hour before going to bed so that you can wind down. If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, try a relaxation technique or quiet activity until you feel sleepy again. 

When we focus on looking after ourselves mentally, physically and emotionally, we are ensuring that we are equipped to get the best out of ourselves. 

As the old saying goes – you can’t pour from an empty cup, so, are you looking after yourself? 

Developing a self care plan is vital to ensuring that you are continually looking after yourself. Click here for more information on how to develop a self care plan and start looking after yourself.

What is a Thriving Woman?

| All Posts, Goals, Results, ThrivingWomen2019

Happy Tuesday!

With the Thriving Women Program launching in Perth on February 28 and with Melbourne about to officially kick of for 2019 (only 3 spots left!) I thought I would give you a bit more insight into what a Thriving Woman is and why the Thriving Woman Program exists.

What is a Thriving Woman?

As I started out in 2018 I wrote down all the stand out characteristics of women that I was currently working with/wanted to work with. These characteristics when put together made for a wondrous force to be reckoned with. The below manifesto outlines what a Thriving Woman is:

Why does the Thriving Women Program exist?

As most of you probably already know, supporting women in business has always been my passion. Through my work in 2018 I noticed that not only were my clients looking for a coach, but many were looking for connection and professional development and learning opportunities.

I spent a lot of 2018 connecting my amazing clients with one another and then I had a lightbulb moment – why not create a proper platform for this to take place? A real community where amazing women can connect, be inspired and learn. As a result, the Thriving Women Program was born!

Who is the Thriving Women Program for?

Women in organisations: if you are a woman who is working within an organisation in; middle management; senior management; or in leadership and are looking to bring clarity and direction to your business unit, department or organisation then this program is for you.

Women in their own business: if you are a woman who is working on your own side hustle; starting your own business; or have been running your business for a while and are looking to bring clarity and direction to your business then this program is for you.

What does the program look like?

The program consists of a number of elements;

  • One-on-one coaching sessions: these sessions will be tailored to your individual needs. You will complete a coaching prep form where I will ask questions to get a better understanding of where you currently are an where you want to be.
  • Facilitated dinners: attended by an amazing group of like minded women where you will have the opportunity to connect and network all while enjoying a fabulous 2 course dinner and drinks.
  • Tailored 3-hour group workshops: these are for the women who work in organisations. In these workshops I will cover important topics that impact women in business.
  • Co-working sessions: these are for the women in their own business, an opportunity to share ideas with other small business owners.*

* please note this is currently only available in the Melbourne program

  • Access to the Thriving Women’s Facebook Group: an online community where all the women in the program can further connect, share ideas, ask questions and network. I will also be present in this space offering online training, insights and answering any questions you may have!

You can view the full program for both Melbourne and Perth by following the link below

Thriving Women Program Details

So, the questions I have for you now is this; are you a Thriving Woman? Do you want to be a part of the program?

If you answered yes – here are 3 ways I can help you:

1. There are only 3 spots left for Melbourne Thriving Women (kicking off Thursday 7 February). If you would like to know more or to secure your spot simply email me and we can see if this is the right program for you

Email me

2. Are you a Perth Thriving Woman interested in attending our launch dinner on Thursday 28 February? Limited seats still available – sign up via the link below

Perth Thriving Women – Launch Dinner

3.  To keep up to date with all things Thriving Women connect with me on Instagram. I will be sharing snippets of all the Thriving Women Program fun here!