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Short on time Reader? No worries! 🤭 I’m exploring a new initiative around well-being, spending time outdoors, and finding a little more breathing room in our busy lives. I’d love to hear what matters to YOU!
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And as a little thank-you, you can enter a giveaway for an outdoor-inspired package worth approximately CAD $ 50 🌿🥾⛰️

Curious why I’m asking? Keep reading…
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If there’s one idea my MBA has reinforced, it’s that clear communication and expectations are crucial. In every part of life, whether that’s personal, professional, or in a relationship. Because whether we like it or not, we are NOT mind readers!

I can’t deliver, improve, or meet someone’s expectations if I don’t know what they want. And of course, it works both ways. When I don’t communicate clearly what I have in mind, how on earth can I expect someone else to deliver exactly what I was hoping for? Yet somehow, we all seem to assume that other people should just know. 🤣

Let me give you a recent example.

I’ve recently been appointed Director of Communications at the Schooner Cove Yacht Club. Yes, we bought a boat. A sailboat, actually! ⛵ But that’s a story for another edition of Backyard Gossip.

One of the first things on my to-do list was organizing the communication and registration process for the club’s annual Commodore’s Ball. I created a webpage with all the information people needed: what was happening, when, where, how much it would cost, and how to register. A clear registration button, a straightforward form, and an easy way to pay. Nothing particularly revolutionary, I thought.

Before we sent out the invitation, the Commodore warned me that registrations would probably come in slowly. Apparently, in previous years, it had taken quite a bit of reminding, encouraging, and chasing people to get them registered and paid.

Well, guess what happened?

Within 24 hours, 60% of the available spots were booked AND paid for! 😱

The reaction? Apparently, that was unheard of!

Now, I could pretend that I have some extraordinary communication superpower, but I don’t think that’s the case 😆 I simply tried to make it as easy as possible for people to understand what was happening and what they needed to do.

I did look at last year’s communication, by the way. And let’s just say… everyone did their best with what they had 😬

It reminded me of something we sometimes overlook, especially as entrepreneurs. We spend so much time thinking about what we want to offer, what we believe people need, and how wonderful our ideas are. But have we actually asked the people we’re creating it for?

Which brings me to #60DaysToDiscover

Last week, I shared that I’m considering bringing back the well-being challenge I created a few years ago. The idea is to encourage people to slow down, get outside, and discover the wonders of nature through daily walks.

Now, I could simply go ahead and create the whole thing. I have plenty of ideas, believe me! 🤣 I could spend weeks developing the content, designing the experience, and preparing everything for January.

And then?

Crickets. 🦗

Because here’s the thing: I have absolutely no idea what you would want from a challenge like this. Maybe you’re looking for a little motivation to get outside more often. Maybe you’re struggling to make time for yourself. Maybe you’d love some structure and accountability. Or maybe you have absolutely no interest in joining a challenge, and that’s perfectly fine too!

Rather than making assumptions, I thought I’d do something rather sensible.

I’m going to ask you!

I’ve put together a short survey to understand how you currently make time for your well-being, what sometimes gets in the way, and what might help you make a little more space for it in your everyday life.

Your answers will help me explore whether #60DaysToDiscover is something worth bringing back in January and, if so, what that could look like.

And who knows? Perhaps what you have in mind will align beautifully with what I’ve been dreaming up. Or perhaps you’ll give me an entirely different perspective. Either way, I’d much rather find out now than after spending weeks creating something nobody asked for. 🤣

So, here’s my little thought for this week: whether you’re building a business, working with colleagues, navigating relationships, or planning something new, don’t assume people know what you’re thinking. Ask questions, share your expectations, and make sure you’re actually talking about the same thing.

Because I’m not a mind reader. And neither are you!

Happy wandering!

Peggy 🌿

P.S. On a completely different note… don’t you just LOVE the fall colours?! 🍁😍

Backyard Gossip | Stories about life, business & the spaces in between