About me

Hi! Welcome, and thank you for your interest.

As you may have noticed, I’m exploring ‘habits for a happier life’. And I feel that needs a little explanation. But the explanation won’t mean much without context.

So, here’s the context…

First the basics, I’m originally from the UK and have lived and worked in Hong Kong for over 26 years.

I have two grown up daughters and an 8-year-old son, Thomas, who is on the autism spectrum. For those of you who are not so familiar with autism, this effects his communication skills, social skills, and behaviors. (Here’s a good introduction to autism if you’d like to understand more.)

As you’ve probably realized by now, I’m not in “my first bloom of spring” (as my mother would have said).

And I feel that, over the years, I have made my share of mistakes (probably more than my share!). However, as a good friend of mine said recently, “we are still in the game” and for that I’m grateful.

I work as a learning and development specialist at SAS Institute, and I enjoy the role, especially when I’m running development workshops for SAS teams across Europe and Asia Pacific. Working with people to help them learn and grow is both challenging and fulfilling.

As part of my role, I have access to a wide variety of assessment tools. ‘DiSC’ is one self-assessment that we use, it helps people to understand their natural communications style and preferences. My DiSC style is ‘D’, and my natural strengths include being focused on results and taking action.

I am naturally quite logical and objective, and I have also come to learn that I can also be a little too skeptical and impatient. I’m working on that!

Which brings me to my purpose.

My purpose is to help my son Thomas to learn and grow (to live an independent life). To help others to learn and grow too (particularly my coworkers and my daughters). And to live each day with happiness, love, and compassion.

It’s not easy to live each day with this purpose. It guides me, inspires me, and helps me stay on the right path.

And above all, in how I live each day, I’m exploring how to cultivate habits for a happier life. I hope you’ll join me!