Jacqui OConnor

As a highly sensitive empathic person I would delight in the attention and rush to rescue whenever there was a problem. I would downplay my own needs to give to others.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣I have been able to shift my thinking that my sensitivities are my teachers. They are not something to fear. My body communicates with me when something is trapped, and my sensitivity is actually my source of power, creativity, intuition and empathy.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣Now, when I feel a pain in my body, I know it is a reminder to express my creativity through baking, making, dancing, to connect with a loved [...]

Research professor and best-selling author Dr Brené Brown challenges us to show up, step into the arena and answer the call to courage on her latest Netflix hit The Call to Courage. https://bit.ly/2GgmIjN I did just that last week at our village library sharing my journey that lead me to specialise in wellbeing and empowerment. I introduced tools that we can all use to flourish in life. I loved every minute of it and I'm celebrating the two new clients booked into 1:1 coaching session with me. I'm returning to the same place at the same time this Saturday at 2 pm. I'd love to [...]

Most people in humanitarian work will tell you their main purpose is they want to make an impact on the lives of others. I've learned from my experiences that helping others is almost impossible to achieve if you're not looking after yourself first. If your current situations are unstable, how can you possibly help others? Here are a few suggestions to get you started: Sleep 8 eight hours a night. Wake up 30 minutes earlier than the day before. Move your body 30 minutes a day. Go to yoga. Meditate. Eat breakfast. Bring lunch to work. Take a walk around the [...]

This insightful quote from Rachel Naomi Remen serves as GPS for many of us trying to stay honest in the work of healing. Most of our training as health care professionals focus on helping and fixing. Mind you, fixing a leaky heart valve or a broken bone is a really important skill in acute and emergency situations. But most of us aren’t in acute danger — we’re wrestling with chronic illness, long-standing unhealthy habits, or beliefs that we are somehow too weak or undisciplined to be truly healthy. With both ‘fixing’ and ‘helping’ we are making judgments about our patients, and [...]

Choosing to love your work is a powerful strategy in becoming a champion for compassionate care. Surveys of health professionals show that many are unhappy at work, they’ve lost job satisfaction, they’re stressed, and heading towards burnout. The most powerful way to improve your work experience, to build your wellbeing, happiness and resilience is to CHOOSE TO LOVE YOUR WORK. Make a deliberate choice about where you focus your attention. Every single day, healthcare offers opportunities for deep satisfaction and meaning in the connection with patients and families. Take pleasure in the smallest things. Be mindful of the attitude you bring [...]