21 Apr Reflection, insights, and business
Every so often, life forces us to slow down. Not because we planned to, but because circumstances leave us no choice. In those moments, reflection becomes unavoidable. We look back, not to dwell, but to understand. In business, as in life, it is often these periods of pause that bring clarity – helping us reconnect with our values, reassess our direction, and recognise how far we have come.
2025 was a challenging year for me personally. Sickness and death touched several people close to me, and with that came a period of deep reflection, soul‑searching, and memory recall. Life has a way of slowing you down when you least expect it, forcing you to pause and notice what really matters. For me, that pause opened the door to some powerful moments of connection and perspective.
One of those moments came from starting to record my Mum’s life story, in her own words. Sitting together, listening to her reminisce, laugh, and sometimes revisit difficult memories was both grounding and humbling. Interestingly our memories of the same happenings – mine as a child and hers as an adult are quite different in parts. Recently my husband Bob and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. Scrolling through old photos, hearing Mum’s stories, and spending quiet afternoons chatting with a long-time friend Tony as he entered his final chapter created a space for reflection that felt both heavy and deeply meaningful.
These experiences reminded me that while time keeps moving forward, the meaning we assign to it is shaped by how we listen, who we connect with, and what we choose to hold onto.
Celebrating our wedding anniversary with our blended family of children and grandchildren reinforced that even further. Watching them interact, laugh, and share their memories of Christmases and gatherings from years gone by brought stories back to the surface that we hadn’t revisited for a long time. There was joy, humour, and warmth in those conversations – a valuable reminder that the ‘good times’ are often woven quietly into everyday moments, only becoming visible when we pause long enough to notice them.
As I move into my 20th year in business, it feels natural to reflect on that journey as well. When I first started, my work looked very different. I had a small handful of clients, and much of my time was spent onsite, helping with payroll, payables, and providing hands‑on support. The work was practical and operational, and personalised. Fast forward to today, and the way we work has shifted dramatically. Business is now carried out largely virtually and digitally, supported by systems, technology, and tools that simply didn’t exist in those early years. (Think faxes and cheques for starters!)
But it’s not just the tools that have changed, I have too.
The way I thought as a thirty‑something starting out in business feels both familiar and distant now. Some core values remain the same – wanting to help people, valuing relationships, and taking pride in doing things properly. Yet my skills, focus areas, and perspective have evolved. Experience has taught me to think more strategically, to recognise patterns, to understand risk, and to appreciate that sustainability – in both business and in life – matters far more than speed and efficiency.
Looking back and honestly evaluating the highs and lows of the journey provides both momentum and direction. The difficult seasons, while uncomfortable, have shaped how I show up today – for clients, for colleagues, and for myself. I’m a firm believer that nothing is wasted. Every experience, even the painful ones, impacts how we lead, how we make decisions, and how we support others.
It is very human to catastrophise when things don’t go to plan – whether that be personally or in business. A bad year, a tough client, a health scare, or a financial setback can quickly spiral into ‘what if’ thinking. But reflection doesn’t have to lead to fear. When approached intentionally, it can become a source of learning, resilience, and clarity.
So instead of catastrophising, let’s take those reflections and learnings and apply them – not just personally, but professionally.
Listen.
Really listen – to clients, to team members, to the stories behind the numbers, and to what your own instincts are telling you.
Laugh.
Because humour lightens heavy moments, builds connection, and reminds us that business is still deeply human.
Love what you do.
Not every single day, and not every task – but enough to know why you started, and why you keep going.
Business, much like life, is a long game. It’s shaped by relationships, perspective, and the ability to reflect, adapt, and keep moving forward – with purpose.
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards.”
Steve Jobs