What happens when you break the mold

content marketing thought leadership Jun 22, 2022

Whether you’re a business owner, an industry leader, or working under the umbrella of someone else’s brand –nurturing your most valuable asset – you! – is a non-negotiable if you want to go the distance.

Last week I wrote about how I harness the power of "building in" time to think into my working week, and the impact that it’s had on my business, brand and personal wellbeing.

What that looks like in each season will differ, and I’m a big proponent of creating space to do this on a weekly basis, but sometimes it requires radical action.

And this happened to me just this week.

A few days ago I was sitting in an online mentoring session with bunch of people I love, when a very close business friend - who knew I have a LOT going on on so many fronts, messaged me and suggested I come up and spend the weekend with her on the Gold Coast.

(for my US friends it’s kinda like the Australian equivalent of Florida with warm weather and beautiful beaches).

Just to take a break, a change in environment, and have some time out.

Recharge my body and kind and soul.

My gut told me it was a wise thing to do.

Even though I have a ton of things on.

I’m about to launch something really powerful next week – which is the most exciting thing that I”ve done in my business in a long time.

Lots to do.

But I also had an emotionally taxing week – the demands of family life and personal stuff.

I know you “get it” because we all have it, it just presents in different ways.

It’s so powerful to have friends who care.

Who can see what’s going on.

I don't take that lightly. 

So when she suggested I take a “time out” this weekend I took my own advice and instead of defaulting to

“I can’t because… (of a zillion legit reasons)",

instead I asked my favourite question:

“What would need to happen for me to…..?


In this case that was……..”what would need to happen for me to jump on a plane and put myself in a “time out” for a few days?”

I sprung into gear and made the necessary arrangement for kids for a few days then as soon as that was all confirmed, checked out flights.

Before the mentorship session was finished I had booked my return ticket, and yesterday I jumped on a plane.


It’s been a while since I’ve done anything this spontaneous.

Actually I don’t think I’ve EVER done this in the last 15 years since having kids.


I'm so proud of myself.

Not just for doing it, but also for being able to say to my kids “this is what I’m doing, and this is why”.

Instead of them thinking I am somehow superhuman that can hold it all together all the time, which I absolutely can’t.

None of us can do everything. Especially in these times.

I’ve been a lot more vulnerable with them lately and that’s helped me immensely too.

They didn’t exactly cheer me on, but I know deep down they understand and trust me.

They see me look after them week after week, and work hard on my business, provide for them - and I know one day they’ll be grateful.

Despite the fact that one of the kids forgot their school bag in my car before I left - resulting in the usual frustrations and clearly, over-dramatisation 😂
#ithappens #familylife 

Escaping the busy-ness that is my life, taking some time to simply “be” and have fun, relax and inject a huge “pattern interrupt” into my life I know will have huge impact.

And so swapped out my regular Thursday routine for a super long walk with a friend along the beach 2000km from where I live.



Just magical.✨

And I know the impact of it on me personally and professionally will be equally potent. 

I’ll be back in your Inbox with more of the practical business growth stuff next week, but in the spirit of a “pattern interrupt” I thought that sharing this is the best way I can serve you today.

Whether you are leading a firm, building your brand, super busy in the day-to-day of running a business, or starting over and creating something new.... 

...the mask thing is real friends.

And in these seasons of life when it’s particularly intense, be open to the little pockets where you can find times of rest and refreshing and if necessary, get creative and a even a little radical as to how you make it happen!!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nina Christian is a Marketing & Brand Strategist who is all about doing marketing in a more connected and human way. She helps business leaders and social-change-makers use thought leadership content to build their authority and widen their impact.

She is the Director of Braveda, (est 2000), which was recognised as  "Best Marketing Agency" at the Australian Marketing Excellence Awards.

She is a Certified Practicing Marketer (CPM), a Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute & AMI State Chair (Vic) and runs two businesses of her own.

She has a knack for simplifying the complex which comes from being a hands-on mum to five young children, and uses this to turn time-sucking activities into easy to follow systems and processes that get outcomes fast.

If you're in business or leadership I'd love to help you! Here's what we can do together. 

⭐️ Get your message in front of more of these "right people" consistently by creating high-quality content that stands out, is strategic and moves people towards you.

💥 Infusing the right energy into your brand so it has all the feels and draws in the right people.

⚙️ Set up rinse-and repeat-marketing systems that work, and just make life and business growth so much easier. 

There are different ways to work with me based on your situation and with all of them you'll see rapid transformation in a month (Hybrid 1:1/group program, 1:1 Intensive, team training, corporate workshop). Book a chat with me here.