In late September 2025, I spoke to a group of consultants and communicators at the IABC Consultants Shared Interest Group. The session, titled "Reinventing Work: Lessons from the Studio and the Slow Lane," was both a personal and professional story about rethinking how and why we work, and what we’re really trying to sustain.
I shared my own journey: a deliberate shift away from the noise and demands of hustle culture toward something quieter, slower, and ultimately more meaningful. My garden studio, where I do most of my work, is both a physical and metaphorical symbol of that change – a space for focus, clarity, and sustainability.
What We Explored
The IABC session wasn’t about frameworks or formulas. It was about re-evaluating the culture many of us have internalised: always-on, hyper-responsive, and productivity-driven. I spoke about:
- Why I made the shift, and what prompted it.
- What I’ve chosen to leave behind (unsustainable workloads, reactive timelines, performative busyness).
- What I’ve kept (curiosity, creativity, and connection).
- How I’m redesigning work around energy, values, and impact.
This includes embracing new rhythms and tools. In particular, I’ve made space for:
- Time-blocked thinking sessions: regular, non-negotiable space to read, reflect, and develop ideas.
- AI tools used with intention:
- ChatGPT as my go-to resource for research, discovery, and creative brainstorming.
- NotebookLM for deep analysis of documents, transcripts, and thematic synthesis.
- A renewed focus on volunteerism and purpose-driven work: choosing to contribute my experience to people and causes completely outside my career lane, where the reward isn’t monetary but deeply meaningful.
We opened the session with a three-question live poll. The results were telling:
1. How aligned do you feel with your current work?
- 60% said they’re actively rethinking how and why they work
- Only 33% felt aligned
2. What’s your top focus right now?
- 53% said staying relevant in a changing market
- 33% prioritised more meaningful work
3. What are you hoping to get from the session?
- 53% wanted practical tools
- 33% were seeking a mindset shift – or permission to slow down
It confirmed what I’ve been hearing in conversations for some time: the desire to realign isn’t fringe. It’s common. But the way forward isn’t always clear.
The live session prompted a thoughtful discussion in the chat and a range of perspectives from participants. Here are five key themes that emerged – ideas that seemed to resonate deeply with those attending.
(Click the link below to explore:)
Key Themes and Insights
1. The Shift: From Hustle to Intentionality
I began by sharing what prompted this shift for me – a sense of burnout, the relentless pace of always-on consultancy, and the growing feeling that I wanted more clarity and meaning in my work. My garden studio became more than just a workspace; it became a symbol of that shift – a space to slow down, think, and create with purpose.
2. What I Let Go Of – and What I Kept
I’ve consciously stepped back from the reactive work culture, from the pressure to be constantly visible, and from short-term client demands that left little room for depth. What I’ve kept are the things that still matter: curiosity, long-form thinking, and trusted relationships – but now I approach them with a different sense of alignment.
3. The Consultant’s Edge in Slowing Down
There’s a common belief that speed equals value – but I’ve found the opposite can be true. Creating more space has allowed me to offer sharper insights, make better decisions, and deliver more meaningful work. Slowing down has helped me stay grounded, especially in a world that is spinning faster with AI and tech change.
4. Redesigning Work: Practical Changes
I spoke about some of the fundamental, tangible changes I’ve made – including time-blocking regular thinking sessions and being highly selective about the tools I use. For example, I use ChatGPT for quick research and ideation, and NotebookLM for in-depth analysis across lengthy documents or preparation for meetings and interviews. I also shared how I’m now dedicating time to volunteer work – offering my experience and time to causes and communities that are completely outside my usual career path. It’s a rewarding, values-led shift that brings fulfilment beyond income.
5. Shared Experience and Reflections
What struck me most was how much this theme resonated with others. Many participants shared their own stories of struggling with busyness and chasing relevance. There was a strong desire in the room – and in the chat – for more clarity, more space, and permission to rethink what success really means.
Many participants shared their thoughts in the event's Zoom chat, and the group discussion that followed the presentation was rich. Participants shared their own experiences of change – navigating life transitions, questioning what "success" looks like now, finding new ways to connect their work with who they are.
Some reflections (anonymised):
- "My space and setup feel so important now. I didn’t realise how much I needed that separation."
- "I appreciate the idea of designing work around energy, not just time."
- "People often mock me for taking things slow. It’s validating to hear that slowness can be strategic."
- "Value-based pricing is something I want to explore more – this opened that door."
What struck me most was the honesty. No one was posturing. The conversation felt human – a group of professionals navigating real questions in real time.
Looking Ahead
This wasn’t a session about escape or retreat. It was about redefinition.
What happens when we stop optimising for output and start designing for alignment? What opens up when we prioritise clarity over hustle, and value over volume?
I don’t have all the answers, but I do believe this is a conversation worth continuing.
My thanks to Priya Shah and Dominique Blain, who lead the IABC Consultants SIG, for inviting me and hosting the session; and to Conor Burton of IABC staff who made Zoom work without fault. To everyone who joined, listened, questioned, and shared: thank you, I learned much from your thoughts and lived experiences.
If you have any questions about the session or would like to share your own reflections on the theme, I’d be happy to continue the conversation.
