There’s something about an autumn morning that makes walking a pleasure.
This morning, I’m crossing the fields with my sister-in-law’s dogs, the dew glistening in the early sunshine. My 5,000-plus steps should be easy today!
It’s one of those beautiful, fresh mornings when the air makes your face and ears tingle. The leaves are changing colour, and the trees are preparing to spread them far and wide as the autumn breeze picks up. There’s something rather special about it.
We’re on the Essex coast, giving Sharon the opportunity to visit her best friend in a care home, while I get some much-needed peace and quiet to work on Ropho.
Our house can sometimes resemble Piccadilly Circus, so a little solitude is welcome.
I’ve been wondering whether the answer is to soundproof my home office or rent somewhere to work. The latter might become a serious option if I decide to employ people, which is increasingly likely.
But that’s all part of the excitement.
I’m finally getting to the point where I can give Ropho and its readers the time and attention I believe they deserve.
This week, I’ve been talking to and meeting experts in finance, travel, fitness and nutrition, with a view to welcoming guest contributions from January 2027. There’s plenty happening behind the scenes, and I’m really looking forward to what comes next.
If you follow my other Conversations, Monday’s Business After 60 will look at how I’m setting my short-, medium- and long-term goals and turning them into practical action plans.
Then, in Wednesday’s Health & Fitness After 60, I’ll be talking about my fitness plan between now and Christmas.
That should be interesting, given the number of Christmas lunches already on the horizon as I wind down my business advisory service!
And now for something that really puzzles me.
I’ve spent much of my working life presenting to people.
I’ve chaired meetings with senior executives, delivered technical presentations at seminars with more than 500 attendees, and been filmed doing it. My daughter calls the nerves I experience before presenting performance nerves. They certainly get the adrenaline going, but once I’m underway, I enjoy the experience.
So why is it that when I put a camera in front of myself to record a short video, everything changes?
My mouth goes dry. The words come out in an order of their own choosing, and eventually my brain seems to go on strike.
It’s ridiculous, really. I’ve stood in front of hundreds of people without too much trouble, yet a little camera can reduce me to a gibbering wreck!
I know that short videos and reels could help me bring Ropho to life, introduce some of the people I speak to, and have more direct conversations with readers. I’ve even had some training in presenting them.
And yet, that little irrational barrier remains.
I’m determined to overcome it, but it got me thinking about how often we let something hold us back from doing something we’d genuinely like to do.
Perhaps it’s a fear of looking foolish, worrying about what other people think, a lack of confidence, or simply stepping outside our comfort zone. Sometimes we can explain it logically; other times, it makes absolutely no sense at all.
So, here’s this Sunday’s Weekend Conversation.
What’s the irrational thing that holds you back from doing or achieving something you really want to do?
It could be a phobia, a fear, a bit of anxiety, or something that seems completely illogical when you say it out loud.
Perhaps you’ve always wanted to learn to dance, join a club, travel somewhere on your own, start a business, try a new sport or speak in public.
What’s stopping you?
And if you’ve ever overcome one of these barriers, how did you do it?
I’d also particularly welcome any tips from those of you who are comfortable in front of a camera.
How do you manage to talk naturally to a little black lens without feeling like you’ve forgotten the English language?
I’m all ears!
After all, there’s plenty of life left to live after 60, and I don’t intend to let a camera have the last laugh.
Over to you. What’s holding you back?
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