Orly is one of our long-time members and supporters.
She is a positive and vibrant woman and when she sent us an e-mail
about her new business venture - Juggle Fish - we thought this was
a perfect example of someone who was able to combine the different
aspects or 'portfolios' of her life incredibly
successfully!
We asked her to write about her journey for us, and so she
did. We hope you'll find this article an inspiration to
combine the different aspects of your life!
Over to you Orly!
Twenty years ago I was in a boyfriend's cold Scottish kitchen
one evening when two potatoes and an onion took on new lives as
impromptu juggling balls. I was fascinated, transfixed and soon
obsessed. I spent the whole night practising with those
vegetables and by morning I was a pro. Since that first
all-night juggleathon, I've taken my juggling skills to great
heights and rubbed shoulders with some of the world's best at all
kinds of juggling festivals, community events, street shows and
conventions.
But Seriously…
Alas, deep down I knew I couldn't really run away to the
circus.
Over the years I dabbled in academic research, journalism, event
management and motherhood (I've kept this one up). Eventually
settling on a career as a communications consultant, I've been
self-employed now for almost 15 years. Surviving on a handful of
loyal clients, I dispense my own style of advice based on my own
style of communication. And I think it would be fair to say
that most of my clients enjoy my own unique style of delivery.
But what about the juggling, you ask?
Brain Booster
Ten years ago, when I was doing research at the Auckland Medical
School, I couldn't resist the opportunity to discuss the benefits
of juggling with a very dishy professor of neuroscience. That
discussion led me to further research that confirmed that your
brain is like a muscle; it needs exercise to stay strong, healthy
and effective. Many of us regularly give our bodies a decent
workout, but what about our brain?
Juggling is one of the few activities that will get your neurons
firing across both hemispheres; it has been shown to increase brain
size, reduce stress and reinvigorate a tired mind. It will also
benefit your body: plenty of toning when you bend down to pick up
dropped balls. Juggling is no longer something saved for the
circus or street performer, it is now seen as a legitimate
'brain-booster' and its benefits are being investigated in the
medical profession, the rehabilitation industry, the professional
sphere and many more.
Not The Usual Work Juggle
All this research resulted in me developing a juggling workshop
for top level executives. The workshop combines the health benefits
of juggling with a great deal of fun and laughter as participants
learn this fabulous skill.
Despite the clutch of small children round my ankles and some
well-heeled clients beckoning me for a day job, I have recently
reprised and revamped my juggling workshop and packaged it into a
great team-building experience.
I can teach virtually anyone to juggle in about 20 minutes and
Jugglefish is a short, sharp, tailored workshop that results in
instant new skills. Once you've learned the basics it's just
a mere matter of practice. One of the beauties of juggling is that
even if you haven't mastered it, you can still share this skill
with others. Impress your colleagues, friends and family with
your new skill and you can easily teach them how to juggle,
too!
Always in Reach
Completely portable, you can keep juggling balls in your handbag
or on your desk and whip them out for a quick practice when you
need to clear your mind, refresh your brain and or just take some
time out. After just 10 minutes of juggling you will feel
revitalised and ready to face the rest of your day. It won't be
long before your juggling balls will be sitting snugly in your bag
along with your Iphone, wallet, favourite lippy and emergency
tampons.
It's Catching!
Juggling has been a huge part of my life. I've juggled at
railway stations and airports, in a boxing ring and at a bookshop,
at music festivals and parties. I've juggled balls, fruit, fire and
knives. I've taught CEOs, doctors, bankers, flatmates and my kids.
I edited the Flying Kiwi, NZ's very own juggling magazine for
several years and organised the 5th NZ Juggling Festival in
Auckland as far back as 1997. I have made juggling and circus
friends from all over the world.
Juggling and the juggling underworld have shaped the person I am
today and you don't have to wear tie-dye pants. My passion
and enthusiasm for this entertaining skill has influenced many
spheres of my life. And now it's part of my business.
It's infectious and it's catching and I love it!
Acknowledgement
Jugglefish is a team
building workshop that lasts just 45 minutes. Having amassed
over 20 years' experience of both juggling and working in the
corporate world in both New Zealand and overseas, Orly has a unique
insight into how businesses can benefit from juggling and knows how
to relate to her audience.
For more information, check out www.jugglefish.com,
call Orly Jacobson on 021 679 624 or reach her on
orly@jugglefish.com.