Living the dream!

Last Friday I lived the dream! I took the opportunity to go walking for the day ... get away from the office and just enjoy a bit of fresh air in the Dales. The weather was great, a nice early start and my pack was ready. The 'odd' thing was, I had planned to do some work ...

There are many articles and indeed research projects that explore productivity in the workplace, and, how the work-life balance can contribute to work being productive and home life being fulfilling. Tim Ferriss, author of the 'The 4-Hour Workweek', and Jason Fried (37Signals) publish widely on how the corporate environment can be limiting and how the work environment has an impact on productivity.

Well, my 'office' last Friday was the top of Pen-y-ghent! I had a call arranged for 10.30 and as I'd had a nice early start, my call happened to coincide with me ascending the summit. I made the call in glorious sunshine looking south down the Pennine Way - it was a positive conversation and came out with some clear actions. I then made another call having received a voice message during my planned call at 10.30. Again, a very positive call - someone asking for information and advice - and I was able to provide accurate and relevant information to my caller. I packed my bag ... I'd had a snack ... and set off again for Plover Hill only to be 'stopped' again by another call. I sat on the side of the path as some bemused walkers strolled by, and, was able to provide the necessary information that the caller had requested.

I didn't feel as though my day had been impinged - I'd planned one of the calls anyway. Yes I had conducted work on a so called day off but it didn't feel that way for me. I was alert, I was motivated and able to respond to my clients without being in the office. It didn't play on my mind - I made myself a note - so I continued my walk until coming back down from the fell. I got home relaxed, feeling refreshed and vowed to continue this approach to a flexible working lifestyle.

I appreciate this approach to the working environment may not be suitable for all and some organisations would frown on such an approach but for my business, my clients are what matter and if I'm in the office, on the top of a hill or attending another meeting but have a few spare minutes, with the digital era and technology as it is, I can still provide my clients with the service they want, when they want it. I'm happy, they're happy ... I lived the dream!

Possible changes in university admissions?

The Government's White Paper on Higher Education proposes a move to introduce 'Post-Qualification Applications' (PQA). It's not a new idea. It's been discussed and proposed previously. What I would hope, is the review is considerate of those at the centre of it ... the students!

Having reviewed and assessed 100s of UCAS applications in a past life, I was always intrigued to find that what arrived through the door in September at the start of the semester, was often a different cohort to that seen on paper. For a start, they were 12 months older than when they applied and had 'changed' beyond what was described in their personal statement. Furthermore, we'd had 'clearing'. That frantic time post-exam results when students who hadn't gained their first choices were now seeking a place at their next choice on the list ... somewhat relieved in many cases.

The review will be complex and will evidently be steered by consultation with UCAS (reporting back in early 2012), but I welcome the actions of the Government in its consideration of the application process and will be keen to hear the outcomes in 2012.

Sports coaching as a profession

I attended the latest Coaching Insight forum last week - a great opportunity to listen to differing arguments about sports coaching, its status and future opportunities. I won't wax lyrical about the discussion as I think the article in the Leisure Review speaks for itself. Please click on the Leisure Review link for details: http://www.theleisurereview.co.uk/articles11/insightprofession.html

A new era for WAC

Well, this is the first blog that WAC has started! It's the informal part of WAC that reflects on stories that impact on our business and our services ... and we also take a light-hearted look at news in general. We hope you enjoy the journey.

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