Mindset

BECKY PAROZ

ENGINEER, PROJECT MANAGER AND AUTHOR

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

The idea that we need adversity in order to grow is not a new one, but this concept has certainly been tested in the last few years by individuals and businesses alike. Tested to the point where people are getting sick of words like “resilience” and rebelling against the idea that we need adversity in order to grow.

“Adversity builds muscle. Adversity creates strength. Adversity, as it turns out, is

preparation for success.” Andy Andrews

If we look at the traits of those who have made it through the greatest global upheaval our modern society has experienced, we might find a recipe for success that could work in any circumstance, not just the current set of adverse conditions we find ourselves in now.

Resilience is the first one that comes to mind. The ability to deal with issues as they arise and maintain equilibrium or a state that continues to perform, regardless of the external stimulus. The ability to recover from a distortion that occurs in your work or personal life. You might not feel resilient, but you are still here, still working, striving, making ends meet, turning up, showing up, and making things happen.

Strength might seem the same as resilience but is more related to the power and vigour with which you respond, the force used to propel yourself out of the less than desirable circumstance into better, more conducive circumstances. For example, many people have used these last few years to change careers, start a business or consultancy, turn a hobby into a money-making activity, and managed to make that work for them. This requires strength to push through the changes to your mindset and your external inputs who may question your sanity in stepping away from security into uncertainty.

Embracing uncertainty would then follow as another attribute. Perhaps a better way of saying it is a tolerance for risk. Being willing to sit without unknown outcomes, less than secure boundaries like a weekly wage, and being willing to back yourself during a time of social and economic upheaval, and having a level of equilibrium about it, come what may, allows you to focus on the things you can change, influence, and control.

Letting go of the things you cannot control, change, or influence would then be the next significant part of the recipe for success. Being able to keep your focus free of worry, anxiety, and ignoring the discomfort of the unknown adds a good balance to your recipe.

Taking action is required. You can’t just wait for life to happen around you, you need to go out and happen to life. Network, pitch, perform, sell, smile, slog, slay! Whatever needs doing to reach those goals, do it. Dealing with things as they arise, including the filing, helps keeps you focused on the big stuff, let go of the small stuff, and keep your eyes on the destination.

By mixing equal parts adversity, resilience and strength, with an equal portion of embracing uncertainty and letting go, all firmly placed over a foundation of taking action, you will achieve success. It may not look like the brochure, or even the original goal, but it will be a journey and a destination you have created… and can recreate at any time to achieve a different outcome.

Give up focusing on what you can’t do during adversity, and start focusing on what adversity can do for you.

With thirty years in the construction industry, Becky Paroz has demonstrated her unique leadership abilities on some of the most demanding projects in Australia. As a successful engineer and industryleading project manager, and now general manager for Stroud Homes — South Brisbane, Becky has been and continues to be a much-requested speaker at state and national industry conferences. She shares her knowledge through a variety of writing projects. She writes for three different business magazines, contributes to anthologies, and creates a significant amount of technical writing as part of her day job.

PUT OUR INNOVATION TO WORK

Iconic Australian footwear brand, Blundstone, has continued to lead the way in safety footwear, with the launch of RotoFlex. This world-leading biomechanical design is a result of years of research and development into the needs of workers in the trades, building and construction industries. This range includes two styles designed specifically to provide a genuine women’s fit, the wheat (#8860) and stone (#8863) both with waterresistant nubuck uppers.

Launching in September 2022, RotoFlex delivers a strong foundation from the ground up, providing unbeatable fit and unrivalled comfort— perfect from day one. They are a great addition to the Blundstone Women’s Safety offering.

www.blundstone.com.au

This is… Scandi

Hygge isn’t just a feeling: it’s a lifestyle. Hygge is about texture, textiles and everything working in harmony.

Image: Unsplash

JENNA MARTIN

It’s official: Scandi is here to stay. What may have a few years ago felt like a passing fad has now firmly cemented itself as the style of choice for those looking to make their house feel chic, functional and homey all at the same time.

It’s not exactly surprising that Scandi design is so popular… after all this is the land that created IKEA and made it a global phenomenon. But what is exactly is it about Scandi that makes it so timeless, and how do you go about creating that Hygge Vibe at your place?

White-on-white-on-white

Well, mostly. Scandi isn’t only about white walls and white furniture… but white is absolutely a key part of the aesthetic. Traditionally, Scandi should have four shades maximum, leaning heavily on white or similarly light colours — greys, tans and creams — which reflect natural light and brighten up a room.

Double Duty

Your accents should make your aesthetic pop, not drown it out. Scandi aesthetic is about clean lines, muted colours and functional chic.

Considered accents

Because minimalism is the order of the day, you want to choose your accents carefully. Black and white goes great with Scandi as does timber, which adds warmth to what can otherwise seem a stark aesthetic. Consider timber shelves or a timber bench seat, with contrasting monochromatic or brightly coloured artwork on your walls. Scandinavians aren’t afraid of patterns — think of Marimekko — but keep patterns and bold colours to your accents, like cushions, throws and artwork.

Scandi is as much about being practical as it is about being pretty. Minimalist at its’ core, “less is more” should be your decorating aesthetic, in that you should use less furniture but do more with it. Think clean and simple dining benches with builtin storage or a headboard with integrated sconces and bedside tables. You want to choose your furniture carefully and you want it to work hard for you.

Say it with me: Hygge

In a nutshell, this on-trend word is all about the Scandi vibe of being comfortable and cosy at all times. We’re talking soft-as-silk throws, chunky, textured pillows, rugs that feel like a foot massage with every step you take and hot chocolate in imperfect ceramic mugs seemingly fresh out of the kiln: it’s all about creating an atmosphere that is warm and cosy, textural and tactile.

Efficiency is king

Scandi homes are famously eco-friendly and efficient. If you’re building a Scandi home from scratch, consider renewable materials and a design that will keep your home temperate and energy efficient. The same goes for interiors, where clever, efficient lighting schemes save energy and plants thrive. In fact, feel free to ignore the “less is more” rule when it comes to indoor greenery: Scandi’s love their plants, so don’t forget your green thumb: display that thriving Monstera proudly in your light, bright kitchen and squeeze an extra snake plant on the windowsill. The other upside of indoor plants? They fulfill that key Scandi rule of being both attractive and functional, purifying the air while sitting pretty. Win-win.

In 2022 Using outdoor space is more important than ever.

The hottest trends in outdoor living

JENNA MARTIN

There’s nothing Aussies love more than the great outdoors, and having some sort of outside space is front of mind for pretty much everyone when they’re buying, renting or renovating a house.

During lockdowns they became places to relax, to entertain and to escape when we (literally) couldn’t go anywhere else. Post-COVID, our outdoor spaces have become even more important, becoming an extension of our interiors: a place to use every day, not just for the odd weekend or when guests come to visit.

It doesn’t matter if you have a large backyard made for BBQs, a cute courtyard or a simple balcony: if you’re keen to tackle your outdoor area and make it truly shine, here are the hottest trends to consider.

Outdoor kitchens

These days, a simple BBQ on a patch of grass isn’t going to cut it. Outdoor dining is a big deal and outdoor kitchens are big business. Pizza ovens and roasting spits are being added to stand-alone and built-in BBQs along with grills, outdoor fridges and prep spaces like sinks and countertops. When people are entertaining outdoors, they want to be able to hold everything from a pizza party to a fivecourse fancy dinner party, and prep, cook and enjoy the whole thing outside.

A place to escape and a place to play

Outdoor space became a luxury and a haven during lockdowns and this is a trend that has only gathered strength.

People are turning their backyards into mini sanctuaries, places that can feel like a retreat when you can’t leave town. For child-free adults or those with older kids, things like fire pits, hot tubs and even backyard saunas are rising in popularity.

Younger families are embracing all the “fun” things that backyards have to offer with many installing plunge pools, outdoor cabanas that double as rumpus rooms and even outdoor movie projectors and screens.

While we’ll likely never again be forced to stay at home in the same way, we want to know that if we do, home can feel like a holiday!

Entertainment zones

The other big trend is making your outdoor space work on a number of different levels. Rather than just having one big backyard (or one courtyard or balcony) people are zoning their outdoor space into places to relax, dine and play.

Even outdoor workspaces are becoming a thing, with outdoor workspaces named “the 2022 outdoor trend of the year” by Cabot’s Timber Finishes.

While most of us probably still use a home office, an outdoor office really takes things to the next level, and as such, things like adding smart technology to your outdoor space has become a big deal — people want to be outside and still have strong wifi and the ability to play music, decorate with lighting and have a space that’s conducive to work, with shelter from the elements.

An outdoor kitchen should be able to prep and cook a whole meal.

Your outdoor space should feel like a holiday.