YouWish

A recent report from Boston Consulting Group concluded that “Most women around the world are over-extended, over-worked, over-stressed and under-served by consumer providers. They want time leverage, more value and suppliers that specifically understand them.” 45 percent said they don’t have “enough time for me.”

I think we can all relate to this problem, but it does indeed seem to be true that women suffer more than men.

Why is that? 

Men can multitask and specifically in their working lives, but whether we like it or not men tend to be fairly hopeless at multitasking across their work, family and personal lives at the same time. Conversely women don’t have a choice. They have to multitask across all areas and are just bred differently to accept this. This means women invariably do have to carry the burden of more things than men. They do have to look after the home as well as the job. There are exceptions, but most men take much less responsibility for doing things outside their careers. We may not like it, but it’s a fact!

But what is more important is that we find solutions to help women deal with this issue rather than simply debate a subject that is discussed all to regularly. Increasingly women are setting up businesses that fit with their needs and their requirement to multitask. At You Wish we certainly believe that there is a need to win back some time and this is truer of women than men. That’s why the happiest customers we have tend to post several wishes at the same time, as they get more answers and more potential solutions in one, rather than seeking singular results in multiple places.

We want to hear more from women about how You Wish can help them specifically find more time for themselves and make more use of that time. We want to hear from service businesses that really value their customers and make a difference to their lives.

It may or may not be helpful to read Trendwatching’s new report on “Nowism” or why currency is the new currency”. 

This just celebrates the fact that our society wants everything immediately in real time. I am not sure that is always the answer, as sometimes it’s nicer to have some time out to reflect on what you want. Anyway let us know what you think. Let us help address the imbalance in people’s lives and particularly women’s lives

Every week this year my 8 year old daughter and I have been learning karate . She was originally drawn into it by the fashion element of the coloured belts but now really enjoys it and is pretty good. Indeed as she has now done 3 exams her confidence is growing with a positive impact on the rest of her life at home and at school.

Most of this is down to the great teaching of our Sensei at our Shotokan Karate Club in St. Albans but is is also down to the basic discipline of it.

But what about me? Well in truth it is harder for me because I am 38 years older than she is and fairly uncoordinated which makes it like me learning an S Club Seven dance routine each week. That said I also love it for much the same reasons and find it as relaxing, albeit safer, as hurtling around on my large mororcycle in recent years because it requires absolute concentration that is ultimately relaxing.

As importantly it allows me to challenge my own “circles of comfort” and do something new. So what about you?

When did you last choose to do something that you have never done before and force yourself to get on with it when neither business or home life required that you do it. Be brutal, be honest but be sure that positive thinking is fine but positive action is priceless – or £6 a lesson.

Cheers

Nick