PUT THE BELOW INTO ESSAY FORMAT USING S.M.A.R.T. Analysis 
What I have learned to do when my imposter gets loud is hop in my metaphorical helicopter and take a bird’s eye view,adopting a critical thinking mindset.

What level am I working at and why has this pyramid stopped me in my tracks? 

My initial reaction was, I need to be working at primary level, I have never once asked an organisation where wellbeing fits in to their values & mission statements. Never once have I asked an organisation if their CEO will attend the wellbeing workshops or explained how essential it is to have the management teams back up. Absolutely aiming to work with organisations at a “primary intervention level” is the ideal situation when the opportunity arises. 


Over recent years I have been coaching individuals and teams. I have also been working with organisations rolling out wellbeing programmes, ranging in cost from 15- 200K. I am involved from proposal, through alignment and delivery.  My time at proposal is short and very competitive, but what if I could plant the seed, build trust and safety with the organisation, gently offering hard evidence on primary level intervention and the need for management buy in when appropriate. Would this help me reach the 30 % that need it most? I believe it will, if I come with hard evidence, as Adam Grant says, it will create awareness about the need and benefits of a  wellbeing programme.

Delving deeper, I began to analyse when it is appropriate to work at tertiary and secondary level and does this impact the 30 %. 

As a self-employed health and wellbeing coach assignments come in and I almost always accept them. I could be asked to give a workshop on mindfulness, stress, female health or physical fitness. Do I reach the 30 %? What level am I intervening at? 

This posed further analysis, with my newfound knowledge, what could I do differently? The answer flowed onto the pages of my journal, quite simply, tell the audience! Be authentic and brave and tell them what I hope they leave the session with, ask them to think about their team, friends and family and question whether this could be of use to them and if it is, gently support them to take their first step… maybe that’s listening to the recording? The reality is, whilst this is not the ultimate getting in at primary level, it is better than nothing and maybe it will impact change in even one person.

Finally,  When I am coaching one to one, I am intervening at the tertiary level. Unfortunately, it is the select few that can avail of the luxury of one to one coaching, however this does not discount the importance of the work and all it takes is one leader to feel the benefit of coaching for it to have a long lasting effect on the organisation. To back up this point, I would like to tell you about a wonderful leader I have the honour of coaching. He works for a large multinational, male dominated organisation. The organisation had 2 suicides, massive turn over and a toxic work environment. My role was to work with the individual on a one to one basis and work as part of wellbeing team to provide monthly wellbeing workshops.  From the get-go the leader was open, honest and willing. The team were tough, cynical and disinterested. After 6 months of one to one coaching with the leader, he stood in front of several of his teams and told them about his mental health struggles, he told them about the darkness he felt, the fog in his head and his slow and sometimes frustrating road to wellbeing. This 10 minute speech was the changing point for the organisation, from that moment on the energy changed to one of hope, interest and fun. The workshops are well attended and with the red flag system in place, we are starting to reach the 30%

Still up in my helicopter I am asking myself, what’s the relevance of this story ?  How does this relate to my learning through module 1 and the answer is clear. Before this course I was not aware of different levels of intervention, I was not aware of the need for leadership buy – in. I was simply providing a service and getting paid in return. 


Conclusion
Where am I now ? 

No longer do I feel like I did when I first discovered the different levels of intervention, that I am not at primary level therefore I am failing. I now understand there is magic at every level you just need to find it and meet your client where they are. To be really clear 
no one on the course said primary level is the only way, that was my unconscious bias.

As the age old saying goes prevention is better than cure. I am learning that for my continued growth and to truly make a difference in the world of workplace wellbeing,  I must begin to work more at primary level. I want to help organisations imbed wellbeing into their core values. I believe that if I get the opportunity to work at this level, I can help companies see the value of wellbeing. Adopting Simon Synic’s golden circle of why, how and what will compound the importance of wellbeing for their continue growth and moral duty. By getting involved at primary level more companies and leaders will be brave like my client and co-create a culture of health and wellbeing.

Action plan:
It just so happens that an opportunity has arisen for me to implement my newfound learnings. I have agreed to work with a small charity based in Tallaght that work to improve the lives of children, parents, and families. My role will be to work with the organisations CEO and wellbeing champions to co-create a wellbeing programme that will support their staff and service users.  A SMART plan will keep me focused on how well I am achi.