We’re living in remarkable times. Giant advancements in technology over the previous decades are trickling down into our everyday lives and changing the way we work.

In my experience-based opinion, tech startups, and specifically fintechs, have their work cut out for them. Keeping up with competition in a rapidly growing market is one thing. There’s also the endeavour of demonstrating their value to stakeholders over the set-in-stone comfort of legacy systems. Not to mention the pressures of modern life, including the cost-of-living crisis and the situation of the economy at large. 

And yet, there are so many startups doing this well in their spheres. Revolutionising all kinds of industries. Fintechs are making finance simpler for everyone involved. For lenders and brokers, they streamline processes to free up professionals so they can spend more time doing what they do best. For borrowers, they bridge gaps in financial literacy and accessibility. 

In workplaces charged with exciting and even meaningful yet undoubtedly high-pressure energy, where team members are working on game-changing and ultimately life-changing missions, it’s important to be concerned with an individual’s general well-being (when they’re being honest). 

That individual is you.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress’. 

In any year, 20% of all Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental illness. The most common are depressive, anxiety, and substance use disorders. These disorders are rife in the financial services industry and in other high-pressure situations.

I founded my practice in dedication to helping people overcome anxiety, imposter syndrome, procrastination, and stress, enabling them to thrive and enjoy both their personal and professional lives to the fullest. I know how horrible anxiety can be. It can make your work life feel out of control, making it difficult to focus, organise your time, and meet deadlines. Poor performance has a direct link to the anxiety loop and can have a seriously negative impact on your career. The only guarantee is that your work can never be at its fullest potential when you’re dealing with anxiety. I’m on a mission to help clients not only 'feel' better, but be more effective in life; and genuinely 'do' better. 

On the topic of mental health, we’ve come a long way. We’re able now to acknowledge mental illness as a real problem that does not discriminate. Perhaps our empathy for others has developed, but with a quarter of all Australians suffering at any one point, it’s clear we still haven’t quite cracked the code on the right approach.

Perhaps what we are still lacking is compassion for ourselves. Admitting when we need help. It’s the old oxygen mask on a plane metaphor. Look after yourself first so that you have the mental bandwidth to do your job properly.

How?

I believe communicating directly with the subconscious mind is the fastest and least painful (than diving deep into our childhoods) way to accelerate progress. Why? Because it’s our subconscious that drives our behaviour. And while we are all doing our best to seem calm and collected, many people are kicking frantically beneath the surface, barely surviving.

What if you could thrive instead? Really transform your life? Be of better service to your organisation and clients and do it with more joy and fulfilment. 

You can. While technology continues to advance rapidly, let’s not leave humanity behind. Investing in ourselves will result in accelerated progress in all fields and increase the vitality of the human touch supporting the technology.