The importance of looking after YOU

I recently went through a pretty hectic health scare. The tip of the iceberg was having blood tests for cancer - thankfully they came back negative. The health problem isn't fully resolved - but positive thoughts ahead!

However, what I went through over the past few months, if nothing else, has been a wake up call on the importance of looking after me - physically, spiritually and mentally. I go to the gym at least 5 days a week, I eat healthy and I go to Church. I thought I was sorted. Turns out I wasn't and reading about Arianna Huffington's new book has reinforced to me the importance of having a life re-assessment every once in a while. 

Take the time to look after you. Unplug, reevaluate and lead the life YOU want to lead. Accomplish your dreams - don't be a footnote in someone else's. 

Post HS (health scare) here a few things I'm going to commit to doing:

1. Yearly full health checks - bloods, physicals, the lot. Prevention is better than cure!

2. Investing more in me - making a weekend once every few months where I have no plans, I can stay home and read all day, or take off to the coast and enjoy the waves. 

3. Detaching from attachments - like the saying goes "attachments lead to expectations, and expectations lead to disappointments". By this, I am aiming to be more self sufficient. 

4. Being more thankful - to friends, family, colleagues and also to God. I get somewhat shy talking about going to Church and faith, other than with a select few. But what is there to be shy about? We should all be proud and give thanks to those that help us through our life!

Leaving you with a powerful verse. 

Cas

Quentin Bryce - the epitome of a lady

With Quentin Bryce soon ceasing her title as Australia's Govenor-General and the publicity in today's media, it reminded me of the time I met her and how awe-struck I was by her elegance.

It was during our Finals Week of the RSL Girl in a Million. For those of you not familiar with GIM, it was an opportunity for young females to raise much needed funds for war veterans and for the finalists, to participate in Finals Week which saw many meetings and adventures, all while being judged on our deportment, etiquette, life skills and interactions with the community. 

A highlight was tea with Ms Bryce, as the then Governor of Queensland. It was one of her last functions hosted at Government House in Paddington. As it was a formal event, we had to wear a hat (I chose felt as it was winter) and the girls and I were on our best behaviour to ensure when stirring our tea we didn't "clunk" the spoon on the teacup! 

Ms Bryce was an exceptional host and shared many stories. I loved how she was able to find a way to relate to each and everyone of us in a different way. For me, we spoke about politics and shoes - as you do! 

I see her as a fantastic role model and she made a positive impact on my life. Whenever I look at her, I see a picture of a lady. I think this is a lost art in the younger generations, including mine. Deportment and etiquette go a long way. 

For any young career girl, I recommend deportment and etiquette lessons. In Brisbane, June Daly Watkins offers informative courses on personal development. 

Remember - "your dresses should be tight enough to show you're a woman, but loose enough to show you're a lady" ~ Edith Head

Why I chose Layne Beachley Aim For The Stars Foundation

As part of the International Women's Day Debate (see previous blog), I was able to choose a charity to whom I wanted my share of the funds raised from they day donated to.

I wanted to find a charity that was not only a good cause, but was also close to my heart. 

Briefly, my background is that I grew up in Bundaberg and it is safe to say, I am not from your typical middle, or upper class. I've mentioned in previous blogs about how hard my dad worked to get me through a private high school so I could go to university and study law. 

Three months after I turned 17, I left Bundaberg for Brisbane to study law and commerce, majoring in politics. I had worked since I was 13 so I could buy clothes and other teenage things during high school. I had limited savings before moving out of home. When I got to Brisbane, I had no savings left after paying bond and rent.  My dad gave me money so I could buy my first lot of groceries. I was so grateful.  I was also lucky my 3 years of working in bowling alley during high school made it easier to get a job at the local bowling alley in Brisbane pretty quickly. 

Balancing study, uni and work was hard. I had just turned 17, but had to manage financially. I was using a 486 computer (in 2002) and frequently was pulling late nights up in the computer rooms as they had Microsoft Word that was current and internet was too expensive to have at home (dial-up). 

I made it through though. It was hard financially throughout the years, and I still have HECS, but it was worth it. I am not going to lie, I would have given anything in those first few weeks in Brisbane to have had more help financially with buying textbooks and a new computer. I am grateful for those I could call on financially and emotionally. 

This brings me back to my chosen charity. While researching charities ahead of the Debate, Layne Beachley came up in my LinkedIn feed (I'm an avid - but hopeless - surfer), about the grants offered through her charity, the Aim For the Stars Foundation.  

I researched further and was so drawn in. The Foundation offers financial assistance to girls who want to pursue their dreams and ambitions. My choice was simple and Layne has always been someone I admired throughout her surfing career (and beyond) and to see what she is now doing for these girls, elevates her even more in my eyes. 

I am proud that because of my participation in the debate, thanks to all of those who attended and donated on the day, a total of just over $9,500 will be donated to Aim For the Stars Foundation. 

I have read through the Grant receipts for 2014 and these females are going to be game changers one day. I hope the money raised makes a difference to some young girls lives and gives them an opportunity to pursue their goals. No one should be held back from pursuing their dreams due to money. 

I will forever support Aim For the Stars Foundation. 

If you want to make a donation to Aim For the Stars Foundation, visit www.aimforthestars.com.au.

Cas

International Women's Day 2014

On Friday, I the most amazing opportunity of my life.  I debated, with 5 other incredible women, in the Australian Institute of Management's International Women's Day debate.  This event is THE event of the year for all of Brisbane's corporate and business women.  It is in its 18th year - a testament to the calibre of the event and the effort Christine and her team put into making it perfect.

This years topic was 'Women need to lean in or miss out'.  I was the third speaker on the negative team.  Pressure much!!

 

Sara Hatten-Masterson - Director of The Image Boutique, Cassandra Heilbronn - Lawyer, Sharon Schoenborn - Qld Director of Microsoft Australia?

The focus of the negative team was this:

• Sharon focused on the stereotypes of women and the unconscious bias that women face in the workplace;
• Sara focused on authenticity and how leaning back, at a time you want, can take you to even further success; and
• I focused on the systemic and culture issues, and the reason why women are missing out is because of organisations and their lack of leaning in.

A few of my favourite quotes from my debate (when I get the video I will post it!):

• We need to be the change we want to see.
• Organisational change will start with Generation Y - the reason why Sheryl Sandberg can make it work, is not just because she is leaning in, it's because she has a Generation Y boss, who hasn't been brought up with unconscious bias, and sees women in the workplace as equals.
• We should help other women - if they need to get out to make it to their children's swimming carnival.  Don't use it to your advantage.  There is a special place in hell for women who don't help out other women!
• We can't just lean in, smiling relentlessly, acting like a school girl and expect a change.  We need to challenge the status quo and get organisations to lean in.

I finished with a toast.  A toast to:

• the women who will create a change;
• the women who already have a spot at the Boardroom table;
• the women who will have a spot at the Boardroom table; and
• the women who when we wake up in the morning, the devil shakes in his chair and says "crap she's up!".

I will never again have an opportunity like this in my life.  I am so lucky to have met some incredible women, most of all my fellow team mates - Sharon and Sara.  They are great role models and have inspired me to make a change.

On this International Women's Day, I want to leave you with this video from Dr Lois Frankel - another lady who I admire and inspire to be like.  This video keeps in with the 2014 Women's Day theme of INSPRING CHANGE.  Dr Frankel has recognised a number of brave women in history and motivated me to BE BRAVE!  I don't know what my life will bring, but I am ready to bring on the next chapter.