Tag: travel

Travel-inspired meditation…Blog 138

Welcome to the start of my meditation journey! As someone new to this practice, I’ve often felt hesitant about diving into the unknown world of meditation—perhaps out of fear of what I might discover. However, my curiosity and the need to slow down my constantly racing mind have finally led me to embrace this new experience.

So how does mediation relate to my travel learnings? A great deal! In fact, I discovered that mediation actually created an opportunity for me to think back and dwell on some very special times in my life, from recent travels all the way back to my childhood. Let me elaborate.

In the meditation session, the ‘guide’ used imagery to walk us through a 30-minute practice:

Body like a mountain, Heart like the ocean, Mind like the sky.

Mountain, ocean, and sky…nature in all its beauty. However, what do these three images mean? I had to go back and do some research on this (remember, I’ve only been to one class so far). This is what I learned.

Body Like a Mountain: Symbolizes strength and stability, encouraging a grounded posture in meditation. Now, to go along with this was the imagery of a strong back and soft front. This speaks to balancing resilience and vulnerability, promoting courage and an open heart ready for connection and compassion. (Quite lovely!) Heart Like an Ocean: Represents depth and emotional openness, fostering boundless compassion and acceptance. Mind Like the Sky: Signifies spaciousness and clarity, allowing thoughts to come and go freely.

What was especially wonderful, was not having any issue calling up mental pictures of each of these – all from my life. 

Mourne Mountains looking over the Irish Sea. (Thanks Pexels free photos)

During the meditation on body like a mountain, I vividly recalled climbing the Mountains of Mourne in Ireland as a young girl. I remember walking through the beautiful heather as it gently danced with the breeze coming off the Irish Sea. The vivid purple colours amidst tufts of green provided a soft cover between the rock surfaces. Of course, it would have been impossible to not allow the visual of a great deal of Irish Hare droppings to enter my mental scrapbook of memories. As a family, we would do day hikes on Slieve Donnard and Slieve Binnian (Slieve is Irish Gaelic for mountain). My grandparents lived in a small fishing village called Annalong…a view of the Mourne Mountains out their front door, and the Irish Sea out the rear. This was the playground of my father’s growing-up years.

Cabo Finisterre, Spain

The practice continued, and I was ready to stay in the memories of heart like an ocean for the rest of the day! If you know me even a little or have read previous blogs, you will know that the ocean is my happy place. Not surprising since I was raised in a seaside town called Bangor in Northern Ireland. There is something about being by the ocean that puts life in perspective. Sitting on a sandy beach or perched on rocks along the water’s edge can transport me to places of pure calm and peace. But the presence of the mighty sea can also unveil deep emotions that have been squashed, finally forcing their way to the surface, longing to be acknowledged and processed. A visit back to Annalong a few years ago provided a memory refresh of long-ago days sitting on the Black Rocks, just five minutes from my grandparent’s home. For me, however, there was more climbing than sitting – a successful day of rock climbing called for several bandaids (plasters as we called them), on scratched and bruised knees and shins.

Our travels have blessed us with many more open heart memories of moments sitting and walking along the ocean. Carvoeiro, Portugal;  Cape Finisterre, Spain; Greystones, Ireland; Tofino in British Columbia; the South of France, and the beautiful Greek Island of Naxus to name a few. All call out to my heart refusing to be ignored, requiring a response to whatever bubbles to the surface.

Last but not least, a mind like the sky. Who doesn’t need clarity in their life? But how many of us actually make the time, and space for clarity to work its way through the noise of our endless thoughts. The focus this required for me was the most challenging. As already noted, I have one of those minds that is always thinking, planning, worrying, and just plain busy! The idea of seeing a thought, acknowledging its existence, then allowing it to pass by without stopping for a visit is easier said than done. Again the visualization really helped (not conquered – helped). Think of days lying in a field of daisies looking up at a clear blue sky, relaxing on a warm, soft sandy beach, or dressed in warm winter gear taking a break from making snow angels with your grandkids to notice the shape of the clouds amid a cobalt blue sky. Being transported back to such memories helped greatly in my endeavour to let the thoughts that started flooding my mind, pass by. But it took willpower to not reach up and grab them…I have some work to do on this one for sure.         

What I learned is that meditation can provide a guided tour through inner landscapes and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re a seasoned meditator or a beginner, curious like me, I invite you to give it a try. I’m looking forward to further exploring the strength of mountains, the depth of oceans, and the vastness of skies, all while discovering the hidden beauty in my everyday life.

Odeceixe, Portugal

Journeys Through the World: How Travel Has Shaped My Life…Blog 137

When I think about the top elements that have defined my life, travel has to be in the mix. You’d think writing about such a key part of my life would be easy, right? Not quite! How do you distil experiences from visiting 25+ countries over 65 years into one short blog? It’s an impossible task, but let me highlight some of those memories.

Early Adventures: From Annalong to Disney World‍

Imagine weekends in Annalong, that quaint fishing village in Ireland where my dad grew up. Fancy dress parades in lush English gardens of a grand old boarding house in the South of Ireland. Snacking on fish and chips at pebble beaches in Portsmouth and Bournemouth, England, while battling off hungry seagulls. As a young girl, I was thrilled when we “spotted” the Loch Ness Monster through the foggy waters in the Scottish Highlands.

After immigrating to Canada, despite tight finances, our family still managed to squeeze in vacations. My favourite memories are from beach front cabins where storms lit up the sky. We would huddle under blankets with umbrellas to guard against the leaky roof, giggling at the adventure of it all. And let’s not forget the epic trips to Disney World. Four days of mind-numbing drives were instantly forgotten as soon as we entered the magical realm of Disney, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Lessons from the Road: Life is Best Shared with Others

Travel taught me that life’s best moments are shared. For example, several years ago, I had a free afternoon during a business trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and I decided to visit Peggy’s Cove. I sat there, mesmerised by the vast Atlantic Ocean. But something was missing—I needed to share it. Thank goodness for cell phones! For an hour, I used texting and FaceTime to share the experience with my family, magnifying the moment a hundredfold. Every country I’ve visited—25 in total—I’ve shared those moments with loved ones. And that’s taught me one thing…

Strength in Relationships: Bonding Over Shared Experiences

Travel strengthens relationships like nothing else. Picture this: climbing 462 steps to the dome of the Duomo in Florence, getting scolded for touching the beautiful frescoes, and then laughing about it for years with friends. That one moment, amid the grandeur and awe-inspiring architecture, turned into a hilarious, bonding story.

Travel isn’t always about joyful moments; sometimes, it’s deeply emotional. On a trip to Ireland, Google Maps accidentally led us down Shankill Road in Belfast, a place marred by the bloody history of The Troubles. The murals commemorating atrocities triggered tears and a panic attack. But it gave my shocked son and grandkids a firsthand account of what life was like for me growing up. Conversations that followed were deep and transformative.

Talking Travel: Bridging Cultural Divides

One of the best ways to connect with people is through travel stories. For seventeen years I taught culturally diverse classes in Post Secondary Institutes. Domestic students who have travelled abroad tend to be more inclusive. When we discuss where we’re all from and share travel experiences, barriers come down.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

I fondly remember a conversation with a German student about my Berlin trip in June 2018. My son and I travelled for research on remote workers, experiencing everything from Berlin Cathedral’s grandeur to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. That common ground opened many doors for deeper connections with other students as well.

Embracing New Perspectives: The Finnish “Why Not?” Attitude

Travel opens your mind to new ways of thinking. My first visit to Finland for a Global Colloquium was a revelation. The Finnish “why not?” attitude permeated their approach to life. Why not have a picnic in The Esplanadi Park with a glass of wine? Why not jump into a frigid sea in February? These attitudes transformed my perspective, encouraging me to embrace life more fully.

The Indelible Marks of Travel

From childhood through adulthood, my travel adventures have left an indelible mark on my psyche, values, and life choices. My husband of 45+ years eagerly adopted my tradition of yearly holidays, and our children grew up expecting family adventures. No matter the budget, we always found a way to explore new places, laying a foundation for an even healthier worldview.

We’ve even introduced friends to the joys of travel. For our 25th wedding anniversary, we planned a Mediterranean cruise and ended up immersing eight people in this adventure. That couple we first introduced to cruising? They’ve repeated the experience more times than I can count!

Looking Forward: The Future of Travel

Me, my mum, and my gramma enjoying a vacation beach day.

But what if access to travel changes? The COVID-19 pandemic brought this possibility into sharp focus. In recent times, travel certainly has become more expensive, and due to World events certain locations are no longer desirable or even safe destinations. However, this new reality makes travel a more treasured experience than ever before.

So, why not take advantage of every travel opportunity that comes your way? With a more intentional and purposeful mindset, I plan to share life adventures with family and friends any chance I can!

This blog is an exerpt from my book “What if…? Finding new adventures through life’s obstacles”

Travel with all your senses…Blog 136

I really enjoy spring and summer. There’s something wonderful about the bursting forth of new life, the many shades of green, and the blooming flowers that turn so intently, yet gently to smile at the sun. Who can blame them after a long winter’s hibernation?

Green truly is my favourite colour. Growing up in Ireland, the Emerald Isle, may have left a greater imprint on my psyche than I imagined. Even now as I watch travel shows or movies that feature my homeland, there is something deep inside that calls out to me, an internal connection that can only come from deeply seeded memories of years gone by. Memories of times spent roaming among the purple heather on the Mountains of Mourne, walking along the shores of the Irish Sea and climbing the boulder sized rocks close to my grandparent’s home in the small fishing village of Annalong. Long days filled with picnics, swimming, sandcastle building and simply lazing at Tyrella Beach in County Down. And not to be forgotten, swimming lessons in the frigid waters of Pickie Pool in Bangor; the water was so cold it forced the breath out of my young lungs, propelling me to the safety and warmth of the edge of the pool where Mum crouched with a cup of hot cocoa. I just needed to reach her!

Green, as I sit writing this blog from my deck in Kelowna, BC, my eyes again get to feast on the many shades of green: cedar hedges, maple trees, manicured lawns, tree covered hills, grasses in patio containers, and of course herbs, ready and waiting to add an element of freshness to my morning smoothies (or to be eaten by my youngest grandkids before making it into the house).

I’m currently reading “The Heartbeat of Trees” by Peter Wohllenben. To be honest, it’s not the kind of book I traditionally read, but when you have grandkids who are committed to learning about and preserving our planet, they have a tendency to open your eyes and truly take in the beauty and creation around us. And to realise how much we need nature to live healthy lives.

Early in the book, the author speaks to how being in the forest, among those stately and life giving trees, can benefit our very health. He says:

“It’s a good idea to give your nose, palate, and gut a break every now and again by going out into the forest and spending a good long time there. Everything that flows over your senses when you are in the forest is exactly the kind of compound your body is made for. If you take along a snack of natural, minimally processed food without additives, then your time spent forest bathing will be even more beneficial.”

As you know, my blog, Probe and Ponder is all about travel and learning. Now, I don’t travel for the sole purpose of education, although that certainly is an amazing byproduct of travel. But I do want to be intentional about being aware of what’s around me, of utilizing my senses. What am I seeing, what am I hearing, smelling, tasting, and feeling through touch?

Those who know me well will confirm that I can only fully see something when my sense of touch is involved (yes, even having to touch those sacred fresnos and statutes throughout Europe!). Needless to say, I was thrilled to read Wohllenben’s reflection on research regarding how touching helps us think. I get it!

So, as you head out on your travels this summer, let me share a suggestion from “The Heartbeat of Trees”.

“The next time you are walking outside, try touching a variety of objects. The feather lying by the side of the path is just waiting to be picked up. Even the slippery rock covered with algae offers unusual experiences of contact and motion.”   

In other words, experience the forest, the seaside, the mountains the way you did as a child. Or, perhaps, rather than getting frustrated with the slow, exploratory ways the little ones in your life go for a walk, take a moment to look at the tiny bug walking along the sidewalk, explore the many beautiful shells strewn across the beach, stop and smell the wildflowers on the mountain side, help them gather the ‘nature’ they encounter along the way and bask in the moment shared with those who have not yet lost their sense of wonder. 

Pics by me

Travel, food for the senses…Blog 135

When you travel, what are you looking for, or expecting? Excitement? Adventure? Challenge? Direction for life? Rest? People connections? What about refreshment or rejuvenation? What about an opportunity to take time to breathe in — deeply breath in? What about finding space to simply hear your own thoughts without the incessant noise we face on a daily basis?

Where are your go-to places to have these desires and needs met? Think about that for a moment. Think about your last getaway. What were you hoping for? Did you find it? 

Take another moment to put yourself back in that location and see if you can relive the memories. Can you hear the sounds, smell the smells, recapture your surroundings, perhaps taste the delicacies you treated yourself to? Breathe it all in and give yourself permission to savour the memory.

Our most recent trip was to Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Specifically, Victoria. Our drive from Kelowna to the ferry in Tsawwassen took us through some of the most spectacular majesty of the Canadian Cascades. The view was simply breathtaking as we drove over the highest point of 1,728 m on the Pennask Summit, then proceeded to take in the beautiful Bedded Range that surrounds the Coquihalla Highway all the way to the Chema Range as we moved through Chilliwack towards the call of the Pacific Ocean. 

Mackenzie Beach, Tofino, BC

Then there was the ferry ride. What could be more perfect than a 90 minute ferry trip from the mainland to Vancouver Island? Gentle wind on your face warmed by the heat of the sun, the unique ocean smells and sounds, expectantly watching for sea life as the captain expertly manoeuvred the Queen of New Westminster around some of the Islands in the Salish Sea enroute to the Swartz Bay landing. And then another mountain range to feast your eyes upon — the Olympics Mountains in the Olympic Peninsula of the Pacific Northwest of the US.

This was not my first trip to the Island, in fact, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve taken that same journey, and yet I remain awe struck by the beauty of creation that provides such a banquet for the senses.

And that’s only the trip to get to Victoria! I think spring time is when the city shows itself best. The flowers! Oh my…so many blossoms that once more treat your senses to yet another delight. Trees in full leaf in so many shades of green for which I’m not sure we even have names! In his book “The Heartbeat of Trees” author Peter Wohlleben reminds us that …”the color green calms our minds and promotes healing processes in us.”

Pictures taken at the Abkhazi Garden, Victoria, BC

Then there’s the ocean — my happy place. Sitting by the ocean is its own delight. Childhood memories of growing up in Bangor, Northern Ireland come flooding back, times sitting by the ocean and just breathing in its healing power in places like Carvoeiro, Portugal, or Brighton, England, or Ibiza in Spain. I recall being reminded of the ocean’s power as we watched the North Shore Pipeline on Ehukai Beach on Oahu’s North Shore, as well as the peaceful eb and flow of the waters on the beach shore of Naxos, Greece.     

Pictures from our travels

These days, what I most look for when I travel are places where my soul can be refreshed. For me that will always involve nature, top of list being oceans and forests. I remember a good friend telling us about shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. Full disclosure, I thought it was a tad ‘out there’ for me. I have since changed my tune on that one. The origins of shinrin-yoku dated back to 1980 as a physiological and psychological exercise. According to National Geographic (add link), the practice was birthed in Japan as an eco-antidote to tech-boom burnout and an effort to inspire residents to reconnect with and protect the country’s forests. It’s a practice that became more widely embraced, and, as they say…the rest is history! 

As I sit and reflect on this most recent travel experience, it’s easy to close my eyes and relive the memories. I can hear the sounds, smell the smells, recapture my surroundings, and taste the delicacies I treated myself to. I can breathe it all in and give myself permission to savour the memory. 

University of Lisbon, Botanical Garden

Vacations, holidays, travels are times I will never take for granted. However, these memories can be made right where I am — I just need to open my eyes and ears to see and hear. I need to make time daily to get into nature. I need to take in the green of the trees outside my window, watch the growth of the herbs and flowers we just planted on our deck, ride along the Greenway and listen to the water flow, take in the tree-lined trail, the occasional eagle, herron, and a multitude of birds singing their songs of worship to the amazing creation we are privileged to care for.

What are you breathing in today? What are your senses longing for? Can you close your eyes for a moment and take in the nature around you…even if it’s just a house plant that can trigger those past memories where you took in all that you needed for the moment. Breathe, listen, and remember.

“With the sense of hearing, we listen to creation.” John O’Donahue

Victoria, BC

Cafés, coffee, and creativity…Blog #133

Lot 61 Roaster, Amsterdam

One of the many things I love about travel, is finding new cafés. Now, I’m a little picky about my cafés ~ they need to have character, atmosphere, background music that isn’t overbearing (jazz is always a good choice), comfortable chairs, and of course the necessary internet connections. When doing work travel, cafés are my location of choice to write and prepare for whatever projects I may be working on at the time.

I’ve shared some of my favourites in this blog.

Barn Owl (Milk Shed), Kelowna, BC

Customer service is also important, I want to get the feeling that I’m welcome there, not just a source of revenue to the owners. I have experienced all of these elements in coffee shops across Canada and Europe, but I’ve also experienced some that cause me to quickly drink my beverage and leave…after all who wants to feel like an inconvenience? 

Zandvoort, Amsterdam

As I write this blog, I’m sitting in a local café in my home town of Kelowna BC. Soft jazz is playing, I’m sitting in a comfortable chair by the window providing a view of the lake. I am very much enjoying a decaffeinated, double espresso, macchiato. (It has to go be strong to make me forget it is decaf!). A new barista asked if I wanted a 12 or 16 ounce — good clue that she was new. However, the person training her respectfully whispered that she was not quite on the right track, then proceeded to coach her through making my not-so-often requested drink. The training was magnificent, as was my coffee.  

I have a home office (currently being redesigned by a new start up business, Design Floral), and I really do like working in it. However, there’s something about the inspiration I get when working from such coffee shops as this one. I use my AirBuds to quiet down some of the distractions, while still allowing the gentle ‘buzz’ of the patrons to filter through. It’s peaceful, and for some reason, provides an atmosphere that stimulates creativity.

Black Rabbit, Kelowna BC
House of Tribes, The Hague

I’m sure you have come across some hidden gems from your travels, or even in your own home town — I would love to hear about them. What do you look for? What are some non-negotiables? What kind of work do you feel most inspired to do in a café of choice? What would perhaps make a one-time-visit-never-to-return experience? What location would you recommend as a must visit?

Cafés, coffee, and creativity ~~ a dynamic combination.

2024 ~ ready for new adventures…Blog 130

I love to travel, really I do. However, this love is not without conditions. I most enjoy travelling with someone, preferably family and close friends, and I like going places that offer the opportunity to be by the sea or ocean. While I appreciate time spent in a city exploring the arts, culture, gastronomy and of course unique shopping, I prefer to spend my time in the less busy, less travelled parts of the world. To be clear, I’m not talking about roughing it, I do appreciate my creature comforts, just more so in peaceful, slower paced locations. 

There are, of course, some things about travel that I find less enjoyable. Like long haul flights that leave you longing for that invigorating walk on the beach where stretching without fear of elbowing another passenger, or flight attendant, is possible. Or how about the challenge of visiting the aeroplane bathrooms? It takes some contorting to rearrange every single thing around you, climb over a sleeping seat mate, and then wait for your turn to once again be a contortionist to fit into the smallest closet size space to relieve yourself. And then you get to do it all in reverse. 

Then there’s the jet lag — oh my! I’ve heard many tips and tricks to deal with it, and some even claim to prevent it; however, the reality is that jet lag is part and parcel of travelling to those amazing, yet to be discovered far off places that call for navigating across various time zones. Great argument there for local travel and road trips!

But still, I love to travel and explore new places, shop in local markets, enjoy local cuisine (except fish, unfortunately), and find those spots that offer moments of quiet and reflection by the water.  

We are starting the year off with a wonderful travel experience, not to new places, but to someplace more familiar. As many readers know, we spent 7 months travelling and living in Portugal and Spain in 2021/2022. To celebrate my departure from full time employment to freelancing (Professional Development Coaching), we are taking advantage of creating our own time schedule. 

Carvoeiro, Portugal is one of the places that won our hearts during our extended time in the EU, so it is serving as our home base for a short time while we enjoy this incredibly beautiful part of the world. But even more fantastic is the time we have to enjoy being with both our kids and their children. This time together isn’t something we take lightly — living in different parts of the world has its challenges! It is simply heartwarming and life-giving to spend time on spectacular beaches with your family. The perfect way to kick off a new year.

So, as we look to the year ahead, what does travel look like for 2024? Perhaps back to Europe, perhaps travel in Canada, perhaps…who knows? What I am sure of, is it will be filled with adventure, exploration, learning, and delight! And more inspirational places to write and create. Stay tuned.

Leave home, leave the country, leave the familiar.
Only then can routine experience—buying bread, eating vegetables, even saying hello—become new all over again.

—Anthony Doerr

A remote worker’s most important tools.

As I have been traveling in Portugal, Finland, Spain and England these past weeks, I have once again been struck by the commonalities we share as humans…both in our need for meaningful work and renewing play time. This balance is especially important for those who have chosen the path of remote work. However, the degree to which cultures intentionally plan for playtime is varied.

While in Finland I was honored to be part of a Global Faculty Colloquium held at JAMK University of Applied Sciences in Jyvascula; 18 individual from around the globe presented their practices related to applied research in the post secondary classroom. Inspiring, informative, and innovative ideas were shared, and each brought their unique culture and perspective to the conversation. However, the learning that left the strongest impression on me was the intentionality demonstrated by the Finnish people…our hosts. These people are hard workers, but take seriously their time to step back and enjoy the wonder of the country they are blessed to live in. Time and again, we heard guides and locals alike refer to ‘living room spaces’…spaces where people take time out of their work to simply sit, visit, get to know one another, and reflect on life. Time to be still, to think, to watch, to simply…be. I would suggest this is one of the two most important tools for a remote worker, the pre-cursor to innovative and creative thinking.

You may have intentional playtime all figured out, but for many this is a necessity that all to easily gets pushed aside. There is almost a panic that sets in if we are not doing something that contributes to existing contracts or to the pursuit of new business. While in Helsinki it was a treat to sit among the many people taking time out of their busyness to enjoy a pastry and coffee from one of the many sidewalk cafes, or simply sit on a bench along the city’s central linear park…intentionally taking advantage of the many ‘living room spaces’. But this is not a new concept…we are all keenly aware of the need for such ‘playtime’…aware, of , but perhaps not committed to .

I was also stuck by the intentionality of the Finns regarding building relationships in business. The value they place on taking time to create a foundation of trust before moving forward with business dealings is commendable; people first, business second. Continue reading “A remote worker’s most important tools.” →

Remote working: the ups and downs

I met a lady at a coffee shop recently while working on a presentation for Finland. She shared that her 3 kids work in different industries (business, urban planning, and medical support), all of them work remotely in varying degrees: two have office space that they use… sometimes, and the other has a home office and also uses coffee shops when appropriate. The lady herself had a season of working from home, but openly admitted that the discipline to stay focused and not jump into house keeping tasks became a loosing battle, so she moved back into the formal office setting.

This ‘moving back to the office’ is not about failure or defeat, it’s more about knowing yourself, the environments in which you thrive, and your limits.

Over the past few weeks I have been considering what I like about remote work, and what elements I’m not crazy about. I’ve also been chatting to others, researching, and brainstorming with peers to learn about their experiences. The short and sweet of it? Remote workers like the ability to be flexible and have a choice about how, when, and where the work gets done. As well, the idea of intentionality regarding work results in great productivity, and calls for much creativity in overcoming possible barriers.

The flip side? Things like poor communication, inadequate technology, and undependable Internet access can create great frustration for both workers, and employers. This in addition to the on-going struggle to balance work and personal space (thus the need for good self-discipline!). One final aspect that many individuals working remotely battle with is a sense of isolation and lonelyness.

Like any work situation, you take the good with the not so good…the question lies in whether or not you can overcome, or accept, the aspects that are less than ideal. For me, and for most remote workers that I have engaged with, the pros are great enough that the commitment to finding a way to make remote work, work…is worth the effort.

The number of people working remotely (in varying formats) is growing; next blog join me as we take a closer look at how both the workers and the employers are creating some really successful outcomes.

In the meantime, check out this interview conducted with a remote worker regarding his experiences. And yes, it does beg the question… “What are the key differences between remote working and nomadic working?” Nathan describes the first as being in a position of having an office (whether a home, shared, or separate office space) and the second being in a state of having no constant. What are the advantages, draw backs, and risks of each? A question to be answered by a nomadic worker?

 

 

What does working remotely look like for me?

As I embark on this path of investigating the world of remote work and workers, I decided a good starting place was with my own experience: What does working remotely look like to me? What do I enjoy about it? What drives me crazy?

A point of clarification is called for here to ensure we have a shared understanding of terms. When I say ‘remote’ I am referring to individuals and/or teams who are not physically based in a designated office space to do their work…it could be full time, part time, seasonal…the options are many. Other important terms that I will refer to are distributed teams and digital workspaces. Checkout this article on What’s Your Company’s Definition of Remote Work?

Remote working looks different for everyone; however, as I share my experiences, you may find points of connection that perhaps will put expression to your realities.

Connecting with a client at Theirry in Vancouver, BC

Like many of you, I work in a few roles. The majority of my time is spent as a business professor, focusing on Human Resources and Management. The classroom provides a wonderful opportunity to be face to face with some incredible students…but we also have a learning management system that provides a platform for virtual communication and interactions. I also teach online courses, where the only interaction we have is virtual. This is one area of working remotely where my ‘office’ never seems to close.

I also do business coaching/consulting. This role offers opportunities to mset one on one with clients (face to face or virtually), developing training materials, or collaborating with others to provide services to various organizations.

So, I get to enjoy both …working in a specific office space at the college, and working remotely (home, coffee shop, Canada, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland…the world’s the limit).

My ‘office’ for exam marking in Naxos, Greece

For me, the key is to fit the task or activity with the most appropriate working environment. One of my favourite experiences was being in Ireland working in a beautiful hotel cafe with my son – Guinness, coffee, and soda bread on the table. I was reviewing research papers submitted by my distance students while Nathan worked on material for one of his clients. We did take breaks from screen time to chat about what we were focusing on…remote working at it’s finest! Another experience had me Facetiming one of my advisors from a cave house in Santorini, to her location in Africa!

The thing I am passionate about is helping people realize their greatest potential in whatever career path they choose…whether they work in a physical office, work remotely, or a combination of both. No matter the context, it is important that both employer and employee have a clear understanding of each other’s strengths and needs in order to realize both individual and organizational potential…success on all counts. I truly believe that one contributor for individual and organizational success lies in opportunities for flexible work spaces, thus my curiosity around investigating this concept.

Next time I’ll get more specific about what I enjoy most about working remote, AND provide responses from others’ positive experiences. In the meantime, you might find this article interesting to muse over: Are Remote Workers Happier than Office Employees?

I love teaching!

I really love teaching! Not just being in the classroom, but also preparing for the class. I love thinking and working through creative ways to present concepts; I can totally get lost in developing activities that will engage every part of the learner’s brains and pull on past experiences to give context to new learning. It’s one of the few things that will make me forget about having lunch…until I discover that putting two thoughts together is becoming a bit of a challenge!

Take today for example…I have spent the better part of the day at my computer designing a power point presentation on The Anatomy of a Lesson Plan. But that’s not where the creation ended…I then imported it to Explain Everything, recorded a voice over, and am now ready to upload it to Moodle for use in an on-line course for instructors. It’s not perfect, but I’m pretty proud of my first attempt using a new application!

Odeum of Herodus Atticus…great place to learn about Greek history!

 

I haven’t always been this excited about learning new things…especially during my elementary years in Ireland, and then on to junior and high in Canada. Going to school was something that I had to do, and any learning was an unexpected by-product of being there…except for music classes, those I loved, and really didn’t think much about learning, I simply enjoyed the music! But then there was history and geography…neither a favourite. Memorizing dates and places was beyond me, and grasping why I needed to know anything about anything that happened hundreds of years ago seemed like a royal waste of my time. Fast forward many years; walking the cobbled streets of Ancient Greece and Turkey suddenly gave the relevance I needed to study both geography and history!

Now the tables are turned and I am most concerned about the success of my learners. What can I do to help them engage in a way that invites excitement about learning…how does external motivation get transformed into intrinsic motivation? I have a couple of ideas formulating in my brain as a result of reflecting on my own learning journey.

A few words come to mind: purpose, relevancy, ownership, autonomy.

I know that most learners have a difficult time engaging if they don’t see the relevancy in the material content, which makes them question the purpose of extending their mental

The Grand Theatre, Ephesus...can you imagine presenting here? St. Paul did, as did Sting!
The Grand Theatre, Ephesus…can you imagine presenting here? St. Paul did, as did Sting!

energies. As a facilitator I need to make sure that content is linked to desired outcomes, and delivered in a learner-centred way. I also believe that part of facilitating learning is to help move my students from a consumer mentality to an ownership mentality.

We identify adult learners as those being 18 years and over, but how do we help transition young people from a pedagogical model into the world of androgogical learning autonomy? With my current class, it will start with a one on one conversation…

More about this next time…then we’ll talk about autonomy in the workplace!