What went well?

The progress I made; what was achieved and done

• This week, I ran the final session of my course. It went incredibly well, even emotional. The participants thanked me dearly and even brought me gifts.
• I attended all of the final groups, and goodbyes felt especially difficult. 
• I bonded with co-workers, sharing a home-cooked meal with them. I also sent thank-you notes and purchased tokens of appreciation for them. I felt it would be right to practice gratitude, after having taught about it. 

What could have been done differently?

Things that did not get done and/or could be changed

• I perhaps could have completed the Heading Voices research ahead of time. I front loaded a lot of the time that I spent on the project. Pacing myself may be very important for future research projects.  

What did I learn about myself when working with others?

Contributions, behaviours and values I exhibited

• I learned about myself that my favourite feeling is being immersed in what I do, and my LIA has felt exactly like that.  
• It was incredible to have an experienced Yoga therapist by my side for the course. Whenever I run it in the future, I will make sure to have a collaborator as such. 

What did I learn about leadership?

Leadership attributes and insights I developed

• One of the best parts of my LIA was getting to learn from the masterclass in leadership that my supervisor displayed. Here is some things that I admired about his leadership style: 
  • Regardless of the stress that he is undergoing, he brought an amazing energy to the workspace.  When things do not go our way, we may feel like we deserve to be angry. But, having a cool-headed good-hearted temperament can make others feel so comforted.
  • He is very humble and entirely comfortable with being forthcoming about his limitations. 
  • He has a vibrant set of interests, allowing him to self-actualize outside of his work. I hope to similarly be involved with meaningful activities outside, so that I do not burn myself out with work. 
  • He's very thoughtful and proactive, often asking the question: "will you need anything from me?"
  • He'd take the effort to introduce me to people, making me feel welcome. This quality, of putting yourself in a newcomer's shoe, seems to be essential for helping new members feel valued and invested at work. 

What do I want to develop or focus on next?

What I still need to develop

• I would love to continue sharing the joy of meditation with others :)
• I also aim to get involved with a mental health charity in Toronto, when I get back.