Work Life by Design

It's 2022 and so far, it's been new year, same virus 😐

But a new year awaits us, and it's how we purposefully and intentionally step into that year to achieve what we want that matters.

Every year I spend a couple of days planning out the year ahead; what I want to achieve and where I want to focus my precious energy. Last year was the year I began to walk my own path and shrugged off notions of success of others that I had been carrying around and trying to live up to. But I'll be honest; at the end of 2021, I was drained and completely exhausted. So, this year I have mapped out my activities and intentions but designed a way to achieve my goals without completely depleting all my energy.

In this episode, I cover;

My process for establishing focus and intentions for the year ahead.

How I was able to look forward by looking back

Understanding self-care, protection and boundaries

Why I fell out of love with goal setting

Doing more with less

My 'word' for 2022 and why it resonates

Unpacking intentions and my 5 intentions for the year ahead.

I hope you enjoy this episode and find motivation to step into the new year with purpose and intention, as well as a focus for looking after your energy and wellbeing as we continue to live in difficult environments.

Don't forget to sign up for the Work Life Lounge because in the next Masterclass, I'll be taking you through my whole process for planning and goal setting, along with all the strategies and resources you'll need to set yourself up and stick to it. Join me on February 10 at 10am AEST to set your intentions and map out your 2022!

www.melissamarsden.com.au/worklifelounge

This whole season has been about designing a work life that you love; and when we move forward into a new year which will no doubt hold its own unique opportunities and challenges, I want to leave you with a highlight reel of important learnings to allow you to step consciously into 2022.

In our final episode for Season 3, I'll be recapping the most valuable takeaways from our amazing array of guests to allow you to go back and relisten to episodes to provide you with tools and inspiration for the year ahead.

I'll cover

• The learnings and a-ha moments under three common threads of self-awareness, personal agency and rest & recovery
• The rituals and routines this season's guests shared that help them design their ideal work life
• Tips and tools to help you move forward consciously into 2022.

I want to say a huge thank you to all of our guests this season, for their generosity of time and their knowledge and for being able to contribute all of this valuable information for all of us to take away and implement in our own lives. And a big, big thank you to you for continuing to tune in each and every week and your ongoing support. I wish you and your families a magical and restful Christmas. And I look forward to being back here with you in 2022 with a whole new season of the Work Life by Design podcast!

Melissa Marsden

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You probably know the name Mars Inc best for providing our favourite treats; Mars Bars, Snickers, Skittles, Malteasers, M&M's (I could go on and on!). But what you may not know is Mars Inc. is at the forefront of holistic employee health and wellbeing, making it one of the World's Great Places to Work.

With 130,000 Associates, operating in 80 countries across the Globe, as a private, family-owned business, Mars Inc is motivated by the freedom to build a better tomorrow today. At the core of this is their understanding that the health and wellbeing of their associates [how they refer to their employees] is what really matters to see this happen.

Today's guest is Dr Gary Webb, Mars Inc.'s Regional Health and Wellbeing Manager for Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa as well as a member of the Mars Inc Global Health & Wellbeing Centre of Excellence and Leadership team.

A former consultant to the World Health Organisation [WHO] Gary has 20 years' experience in workplace health across Australia and the global market. He has worked as a mentor to many work health and wellbeing professionals in Australia over the last 10 years and also works as a volunteer across a number of community, schooling and sporting organisations.

As you'll hear in today's conversation, Gary is a passionate advocate for the establishment and execution of holistic health & wellbeing initiatives across organisations that are embedded to enable real change and the operational & leadership shifts that are required to effect it.

In today's chat Gary and I discuss;

• What makes Mars Inc one of the world's Great Places to Work and the role that an embedded culture of Health and Wellbeing has had on this continued success
• The various initiatives that Mars have, not only around improving the lives of their Associates but also much more broadly, the world, and the freedom that being a privately owned business has given them to enable this
• How COVID has impacted the workplace and the variabilities across continents & cultures in supporting employees to stay safe and well
• The opportunities that we can all embrace as we begin to look forward to the future of work, and the role that health & wellbeing will play in its design

As Gary says in our chat, when wellbeing is executed holistically, you don't need to measure ROI, you can feel it and see it. Some great insights in this conversation about the surrounding considerations that give us all the permission to see embedded Health & Wellbeing become a reality.

Gary Webb LinkedIn | Website |

Melissa Marsden

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Work Life Lounge – www.melissamarsden.com.au/worklifelounge North Star Download – www.melissamarsden.com.au/northstar

One of my favourite quotes is;

Only shine your light on the things you want to grow.

It's become a bit of a mantra for me, reminding me that where I put my attention my energy flows and if I want to be intentional and make the most of the precious time that I have I should in fact be very mindful about where I direct it.

If you focus on the bad stuff and you'll only notice more of it, sending you into a downward spiral, if you shine your light on the amazing things that bring you joy and notice how much more wonderful things you have in your life, opportunities will present themselves and put that spring in your step!

But to know where to shine your light, you first need to get clear on what it is that you want to grow…. And that is where conscious planning and goal setting come in.

As we are drawing near the end of another (challenging) year, it's a timely reminder for us to start to shift our attention to the new year that is before us. In my view if we are waiting to the new year to start to put in place all those new year's resolutions and start with a fresh attitude, we have missed an opportunity.

Why not start now?!?

So today, I want to outline a few ways that you can begin to become intentional about your focus, set your goals and take the first steps towards actioning them!

I'll also cover

• The science behind goal setting
• Reflecting and reframing
• The common myths about goals
• How goal setting and planning go hand in hand
• My process for goal setting

Don't forget to download my free Setting your North Star workbook to help you establish your values and purpose to help in your goal setting journey. Go to www.melissamarsden.com.au/northstar.

You can also sign up for the Work Life Lounge for FREE until January 31 courtesy of the sponsorship of COMUNiTI. Our next Masterclass is with Dr Kristy Goodwin and managing digital wellbeing on December 9. Sign up at www.melissamarsden.com.au/worklifelounge.

Melissa Marsden

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There has been a lot of conversation in the media of late about organisations handing out wellbeing days and rolling out new initiatives to combat The Great Resignation. However as you'll hear in today's chat, it's not as simple as adding a few extra days of leave to the calendar; it takes careful, long-term planning and material change at an organisational level.

Jessica Sharpe is the Chief People Office for Entain Australia, a FTSE 100 company that is one of the world's largest sports betting and gaming groups operating in the online and retail sector. You may be familiar with them as the local home of Ladbrokes and Neds.

Jess has spent her career establishing and enhancing the HR functions into numerous businesses across multiple industries and as she reflects in this episode, whilst it has at times been a challenging path, it is one that has equipped her well in running lean and effective teams and learning how to influence and educate stakeholders on the value of investing in their people.

When Jess isn't at work, influencing and optimising human behaviour, she's at home attempting to do the same with her three boys! Myself and the team here at COMUNiTI have had the great pleasure of working alongside Jess and her leadership team over the past 12mths, supporting their workplace transformation as they navigated the challenges of operating in a COVID world. We have been very privileged to have been able to witness first-hand the practices that have been implemented to see Entain leading the way in workplace flexibility, health & wellbeing and leadership that has enabled them to roll out Entain Day.

In this chat, we also cover;

• Jess's career journey to date and how she came to be the Chief People Officer at Entain
• How the organisation has evolved in response to the global pandemic
• Entains mission to drive diversity & inclusion, not just in the technology sector but globally
• And Jess's own personal practices to support her living her own work life by design

Jess is a warm, engaging and thoughtful leader and the opportunity to glean her insights in how she has supported Entain to move forward with such a bold workplace initiative is truly inspiring.

Work Life Lounge – sign up for free thanks to COMUNiTI! www.melissamarsden.com.au/worklifelounge

Jessica Sharpe LinkedIn

Melissa Marsden

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This was the title of a recent post I shared.

I was reflecting on the rough ride that I've been through personally over the last 12 months in my business and was surprised by the reaction to it. When I wrote it I felt like I was lowering the curtain a little however in hindsight I think it was actually quite a vulnerable share, that connected with so many on a deeper level.

So, in today's episode, I wanted to share with you what I did to get me out of that funk! The work I did. The people I surrounded myself with. What I read. The actions I took.

And the remarkable shift that I have experienced as a result, when nothing outside of me changed, it was all just a matter of perspective. I had a choice to reframe my view of the world and "choose" a brighter outlook. To enjoy the process and surrender the outcome, after all, despite how much I want to, I can't control everything…

I just needed to only shine my light on the things I want to grow. What have you been shining your precious light on?

If you're looking for greater clarity on the vision you want from your life, check out the 25 year painted picture guided visualisation. You can learn more HERE

Join us in the Work Life Lounge for FREE until the end of January – Sign up HERE

Melissa Marsden

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Building and sustaining an organisation that is still thriving 30 years on is no small feat.

In today's chat I welcome Bruce Davidson. Executive Director of Davidson, an organisation specialising in enhancing workplace performance through their service streams of Business Advisory, Recruitment and Technology Consulting, they have continued to evolve to stay relevant in an ever-changing world.

Bruce's main passion in life is assisting organisations and individuals to reach their potential. With an innovative mind, compelling attitude and ever-constant passion for the industry, he is committed to leading Davidson to the position of one of Australia's leading workplace performance consultancies.

As you'll hear in this episode, Davidson are also passionate advocates for supporting the community. Bruce is also the Chair of Yalari - a Non-For-Profit organisation deeply committed to its mission to educate and empower Indigenous children from regional, rural and remote communities to bring about generational change and empowerment for ongoing success, with a vision to develop over 1000 indigenous leaders.

COMUNiTI have also had the great fortune of working with Davidson on the Workplace Strategy, Design and Delivery of their Brisbane Head Quarters, completed in September 2020. The project has since been recognised by several industry awards for its contribution to the betterment of workplace design. We get to hear Bruce's perspective on the project and the impact that this has had on their people and their business as they emerged from a post-COVID lockdown in 2020.

In today's chat we cover a bit of ground, everything from what it takes to build a sustainable business, through to Bruce's own personal routines and rituals to ensure he's still loving his work life after 30 years, along with the impact that they are observing in workplaces navigating COVID in the new world.

So, sit back, relax and enjoy this chat with Bruce Davidson.

Bruce Davidson LinkedIn | Davidson

Melissa Marsden

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Personal growth and professional growth are inextricably linked. In you career, you may think that professional development is what will get you to the top, but let me tell you, when things get really hard, it's not your professional capability that sees you through. It's your mindset, your resilience and your personal growth.

In this episode, I cover;

• The power of personal growth
• How you can level up personally
• Finding direction, values and joy
• Taking 'The Next Right Step'
• Tools and Resources – where to start

To get you started on your journey of personal development, don't forget to grab the Setting Your North Star download. This little downloadable is my toolkit to clarifying your purpose and uncovering your values. Two things that I like to think of as setting my Northstar; the place that I am heading to you can grab this at www.melissamarsden.com.au/northstar

If you're ready to take it a bit deeper, you've still got a day to sign up for my Live a Life by Design program; a 6 week immersive experience to help you design the work and life that lights you up.

Throughout the program, I'll take you through all the tools that have helped me take stock and unpack what it is what I want from my one magical life. If you're ready to stop living by default and start living by design, sign up for Life a Life by design at www.melissmarsden.com.au/Life_by_design.

If you want to grab your three FREE Months to the Work Life Lounge powered by COMUNiTI, sign up now at www.melissamarsden.com.au/worklifelounge. Join us in a closed membership space where you'll get access to monthly Expert Masterclasses, Live Q&A's and a resource library to help you level up your life and work.

Melissa Marsden

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We've talked about Personal Brand for a number of years now, however our guest Nicole Hatherly, shares with us the opportunity that awaits us as we emerge from the effects of COVID 19; to own our Signature Brand. The opportunity to authentically communicate who we are at our core and the value we bring.

I have had the great pleasure of knowing Nik for a number of years and the personally working with her over the last 3 years and she has been instrumental in supporting me to truly understand what it is that I do and articulate it in a way that captures attention.

Nicole is a leading Global Brand Catalyst, an award-winning international Brand and Leadership Strategist, international Keynote Speaker and Thought Leader, Profile Expert and passionate creator of your Signature Brand for the Now Normal and the powerful Brand Catalyst process.

She's a qualified Design Thinking Methodologist, Brand Etymologist, Executive Coach, Board Level Advisor, and Founder and Director of Brand True North and Global 'Life Work Pivot' Program Brand Your Way.

For over 27 years (she started very young 😉), Nicole has delivered award-winning strategies and campaigns for iconic brands, global organisations and influential thought leaders.

She now energises brands, activates thought leaders and ignites audiences to deliver beyond their 'products and services' by articulating their value, amplifying their voice and activating their thought leadership for impact and legacy.

So strap yourself in for this conversation, grab a pen and paper, this one is interactive and hit the link below to grab your own copy of the Signature Value Map so that you can start to unpack yours.

In this chat we cover;

• Nik's own journey of personal and professional branding
• How your Signature Brand is a new concept that connects our head and heart for work and life
• Nik's take on the "now normal" and what we can be doing to embrace our work life
• We dive into the Great Australian Resignation and what it means as a corporate professional
• Nik takes us through a mini -masterclass to completing our own Signature Value Map
• She also shares her own journey of designing a work life she loves, the hurdles she's faced, the realisations and the rituals that she's embedded to ensure she's living her best life!

Nik is a gorgeous, generous, genius who has the innate ability to cut through the noise and just nail what is that you do. A true master of words! Plus, she's a powerhouse of energy and this is one conversation that you are going to walk away from with a whole new appreciate for how you put yourself out there.

WORK LIFE LOUNGE The Work Life Lounge is a membership space where we bring to you Monthly Masterclasses from leading thought leaders on all things work and life, so that you can take the action you need to design your work life on your terms.

Nik will be presenting our first Masterclass in the Lounge. In her Masterclass she will be diving deep into the Signature Value Map, so that you can Raise your brand, profile & purpose to thrive in work & life.

And for the first 3 months, you get an access all area's VIP pass courtesy of COMUNiTI! Absolutely free! So head to www.melissmarsden.com.au/worklifelounge for more details and to register.

Nicole Hatherley

Signature Value Map | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

Melissa Marsden

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What makes you happy? What is something you do that makes you feel free, content and full of joy? Something that doesn't take energy but creates it.

How often do you get to do that? If the answer is anything other than 'often', this episode is for you.

These little things that bring us joy; rhythms and rituals we incorporate into our lives are the things that allow us to refill our tanks and continue to keep giving. After all, as the saying goes, you can't keep pouring from an empty cup.

In this episode, I cover:

• The value of routines and rhythms
• Incorporating these to design your ideal life
• Filling up your tanks – mental, physical and emotional
• Why you should find more time for joy
• Managing your energy and setting boundaries

Don't forget to take your seat in the Work Life Lounge with your VIP All Areas Pass for 3 months, powered by COMUNiTI. Visit www.melissamarsden.com.au/worklifelounge to take advantage of this offer and get access to amazing guest expert masterclasses, a resource library and Live Q&A chats, all completely free for the first three months.

To help you start building the work life you love, download your copy of Setting your North Star. Visit www.melissamarsden.com.au/northstar for tools on understanding your values and purpose.

I hope you leave this episode with the resolution to make more time for the things that bring you joy; enjoy!

Melissa Marsden

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