The 411: 003

Vision Setting

Despite preaching last month that I’ll be delaying my vision boarding until Spring this year, I must confess that when the opportunity to attend The Stack World’s Vision Setting Workshop came up, I couldn’t resist.

Everyone’s (second) favourite Gemini, Sharmadean Reid, author of the essential ‘New Methods For Women’, hosted an in-person and online session on the first (real) Friday of the year.

Eleven sections and over a hundred questions, exploring everything from career and finances, to friendships and joy - I loved delving deep into the topics and answering questions that I wouldn’t necessarily have considered asking myself. What does your life sound like? Who have you forgiven this year? How does love bring forth your higher self?

While I normally do what I can to keep my inner-critic at bay, the process required us to write down what the voice in our head might say to us about why we wouldn’t be able to achieve or obtain the things we desire.

In giving life to some of these limiting beliefs, when allowing them to pass through my fingertips and spill onto the keyboard, a new-found distance from them was the result. The idea is to then delete or hide this row of negativity, shifting your full focus and energy to the present-tense responses to each of the questions (a technique used to trick your mind into believing it to already be your reality).

I’m unsure whether I’ll return to my responses with any regularity or just let them simmer for the year and work my way, step by step, towards a delicious 2026.

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Hit Me Back, Just To Chat...

People aren’t shy about telling you that business ownership is a long and lonely road. I didn’t doubt it but I guess you really do need to feel it to believe it.

Granted, I’m fresh in the game and while my wheels are just getting in motion, it’s evident quickly that there’s a constant need to keep yourself motivated and focused. Easier said than done at times.

Wrapping up at the end of last year, overall I was feeling happy with where I was and how things were going, yet some days are just more challenging than others, no matter your mindset or character type.

During one such lull, I refreshed my personal email and was overcome with joy at seeing the name of my pen pal of 20 years, who had blessed my inbox with a short note of congratulations on launching MANON. It was just what I needed in that moment.

We met in England when I was 16, she moved back to the US the following year and to call our communication in the time since ‘sporadic’ is perhaps even too generous. I think we’ve exchanged fewer than 25 emails in that period, essentially annual outpourings of life updates, thoughts and confessions.

It’s one of my most valued friendships and it fills me with warmth every time I think about when we met and the growth we’ve experienced together and separately since.

Get yourself a slow pen pal.

Lange, if you’re reading this, I’ll reply to your email in due course*

*6-10 business months

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The Art of Silence

It’s been an incredibly stimulating month, I’ve met new people, attended workshops, round tables and re-flexed my networking muscles.

In the moments between these moments, I’ve found difficulty in existing in the quiet, constantly having podcasts, audiobooks, records and (to be fully transparent), The Wicked Soundtrack blaring out from any and all devices.

My morning coffee in bed, by candlelight, in silence is the new part of my routine that I’m hoping to stick with in order to reconnect to myself and control the noise on a daily basis.

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Ask and You May (or May Not) Receive

I caught up with a few friends this month and the discussion around asking for things, and our shared difficulty in doing so, came up. Maybe there’s something in the fear of rejection or lack of control in any potential response?

I decided that I’m going to actively ask for more things this year - the first of which will be the use of a space in Basel during the summer to host the first MANON meet-up during EURO 2025*.

My friend told me about a task she was required to do on a coaching course in order to build resilience for the inevitable rejection that would come when approaching potential clients. You have to order a coffee at a cafe and then ask if they’ll give it to you for free. While I haven’t yet attempted this version of the task, I realise that I have unknowingly cultivated my own, non-verbal versions over the years:

• When on a run or on my bike whizzing past runners, I’ll first offer an encouraging smile, then my hand, in the hope of receiving a high-five. I’d say I have a 66% success rate with this technique. Some quizzical looks and often awkward half-smiles, but thankfully that pang of rejection is short-lived when my hand isn’t met as we continue our lives in opposite directions.

• Boats full of tourists sail down the canals all day in Amsterdam, I like to stop and wave to see how many people reciprocate. My average here is much lower, around 5-10%. It can be particularly confronting to lock eyes with so many strangers who are staring blankly back at you and unwilling to participate in your game.

• It’s not quite in the same sphere, but I also like to clap in the cinema at the end of the film (mainly to embarrass my friends, but also to see if anyone will join me) My success rate here is 0%. I’ll be sure to update you if that one ever changes. I’m not holding my breath.

*I asked and I received(!) Save the date - July 19th and hit me up if you’re planning to be in Basel.

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Song of the Month

The harsh realisation that I am, in fact, a theatre kid.

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I’m Jenny Simmons, Founder of MANON, a Mindset Coaching & Independent Consultancy focused on developing black and brown women working in the football industry. My aim is to positively impact client’s everyday lives, as well as their experiences in the workplace. Book a free discovery call with me to chat about how I could help you, your brand or your business.