Quality of Life

Drewie sent me this article after I recently had some draining and scary medical experiences. After emerging into the world after being a recluse in hospital recluse I was disappointed to find that quality of life was now measured by how many Pokemons you had found. I found it totally inspiring, germane and too good and helpful not to share – thanks heaps Drewie – I know you have had your fair share of dramas but still somehow manage to keep smiling   

Quality of Life

by Drewie

I have recently been reminded how much we may take for granted and wanted to share my thoughts in the hope they may help even one person to realise they are not alone and that there is much to be grateful for, no matter what.

In the last 6 months I have had so many calls from colleagues and friends asking for leads and advice regarding the best way to move forward and to deal with the current downturn in work opportunities in the resources industry.

It broke my heart to hear the fear and doubt in their otherwise brave and confident voices.

I like to think I empowered them to remain positive and to do all they can in their sphere of control and influence to make the best of the current realities they are facing. To remain strong and to never doubt their capabilities or self-worth, despite all the setbacks (knockbacks) became a universal conclusion we arrived at together, among other goals.

Every coaching/mentoring conversation I had with others helped me to deal with my own situation too (as always) so thank you for that guys!

I, like many professionals in mining, construction, oil and gas and other industries, have felt the crunch times pressing very hard on my life. It has actually been a year full of serious challenges for my whole family, with several other major events knocking us all for a six.

‘The hits just keep on a comin’

But they don’t seem as important all of a sudden.

You see I am now recovering from neurosurgery. It was a bolt from the blue, but is over and done with now. I am on the mend and will be a bionic women very soon (literally) Yes I know, I can hear you, no I was a super woman before, not bionic!

If we can, with little or no effort:

• Go to bed and sleep.
• Have a shower.
• Speak so everyone can hear and understand us (in a voice we recognise)
• Drive a car
• Type on a computer
• Cook tea (dinner for my overseas folks)
• Hang out clothes
• Send a text
• Go for a walk
• Work (or at least be available to work)
• Play with our kids
• Sit in our bloody recliner……

Then perhaps we have all of the above to be grateful for.

Perhaps we are taking all of that for granted….. I was. The list is way longer, but you get the picture.

Our ‘quality of life’ can sometimes be all about the simple things we often take for granted.

Our ‘quality of life’ may not always be about our career or income or everything else we thought was so overwhelmingly important.

They are of course important, but if we do not have our physical independence or health…….

No matter what you may be facing at the moment, stay strong, stay positive.

Be grateful.

I AM

No matter what you may be facing at the moment, take nothing for granted.

I WON’T                           

Stay Safe and keep smilin’ Cheers Drewie 🙂

• Bio
• Latest Posts
• More About Drewie

Drewie

‘Fly in Fly out Life’ Mentor: supporting on-site teams + Women in ‘boots’ Mentor. at Hard Hat Mentor

Latest posts by Drewie (see all)

• Downturn Doin’ Your Head In? Let’s Chat…. - September 17, 2016
• How was your break? - September 7, 2016
• Wishing our lives away.. - August 23, 2016
• Something’s gotta give.. - August 13, 2016
• Quality of Life - July 30, 2016

Drewie has worked her way up through the ranks on remote FIFO sites all over Australia and one project in Canada to date. With a career spanning 30 years, she estimates, a culminated 5 years 'off' trying the 'other life’ here and there in the hospitality and fitness industries. Her first day on a remote site was her milestone 18th birthday and she also celebrated her 21st living in a donga and blowing the candles out on the cake at the wetty. Apparently if her upcoming 50th ends up being the same scenario, that would be ok too. “Though my family may have other ideas about that”. She is currently and shall continue working with Clive Lloyd's team at GYST Consulting where Values Based Safety - using 'The Care Factor' approach to Culture development and Authentic Leadership are front and centre. The big news is that 'Hard Hat Mentor', Drewies’ own consultancy, is now in an exciting development phase where all energy and focus shall be channelled into two causes very close to her heart. The first will be supporting on-site leadership/teams/work crews and individuals to thrive in the, at times, very challenging FIFO work and lifestyle. The second is to be a mentor to the gutsy 'Women in Boots' who may need a hand now and then in a male dominated arena with its own unique set of bumps in the road to navigate. Drewie says, “One cannot spend so very long working remotely on gruelling rosters without picking up some wisdom along the way, albeit at times seemingly from osmosis alone! There are many hard won lessons we learn in such a unique environment, mine are demanding to be shared now, very loudly, they refuse to be ignored, so my new journey begins.' Drewie has also taken her first steps to study ‘The Social Psychology of Risk’ formally and has a new skip in her step due to all the knowledge to be gained and shared in the future.