Biog
I like books and was given the opportunity to set up a new books division, Globe Law and Business, in 2005 where we set out to create law books which are sufficiently high level to be of real use to the experienced professional, yet still accessible. In 2015, I was part of a management buyout/buy-in of the books division when Globe Law and Business was sold to a management team including me. I believe that there is a future in high quality, lovingly produced books with the utmost attention paid to the editorial, design and production processes. For authors, I aim to offer a professional service, with a personal touch – for you to enjoy the experience of being published and bringing your works to the global market. Outside of publishing, I am a British Wheel of Yoga accredited yoga teacher. I teach a hatha flow class, incorporating breath awareness, attention to alignment and mindful flow. In today’s ever-connected, super-stressed world, yoga offers a way to de-stress, to relax and clear the mind. I also write and have also edited two books with Jessica Kingsley Publishers: ‘Yoga Teaching Handbook’ and the new ‘Yoga Student Handbook’.
How did your portfolio career come about?
I think what is interesting is that I didn’t make a conscious decision to have a portfolio career. I had been in publishing a good few years when I first started to practise yoga. I became more interested in what this thing called yoga actually is and embarked on the first course, the British Wheel of Yoga Foundation Course. From there, there was no turning back and I started the yoga teacher training! I qualified around seven years ago and have continued my learning through regular workshops and further trainings. I continue to have a full-time and busy role as MD of an independent publisher, so at the moment, I teach the one weekly corporate class and regular covers which are easier to fit in when I am available and seasonal workshops. I am also a mentor (contact teacher) on a yoga teacher training.
When people ask you ‘what do you do?’ – what do you reply?
It is a good question as it can be tempting to have one main reply so as not to complicate things for the listener! But I do now generally say ‘publisher and yoga teacher’.
What do you most love about having a portfolio career?
The phrase ‘a change is as good as a break’ comes to mind here as I find both aspects of my professional life benefit the other. One thing that has surprised me has been the degree to which the yoga activities have benefited the day job- including eg finding your voice and holding a room which I have certainly taken in to meetings in professional settings. I have really enjoyed combining yoga and publishing in editing the two books with Singing Dragon (part of Jessica Kingsley Publishers) – it feels a privilege and energising. I think that separate, serious interests help in a number of ways including expanding the mind and eg helping you to see connections which you might not have previously.
What are the challenges of having a portfolio career?
I think you need to be really organised. There are times when I feel pulled in different directions. But I know both aspects are important to me. I think you do need to be careful regarding what you accept to make sure you have room for everything and literally have the time. I heard a piece of advice today from a project management expert, Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, that you should give something up when you take on something new. I think that is an interesting concept. I have been guilty of just accepting something new and squeezing it in somewhere such as in evenings and weekends (although I actually rather like evening working!).
More
View Sian’s LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/sian-o-neill-0b3567a/
Browse Sian’s yoga web site http:// https://www.yogawithsian.co.uk/
Browse the Globe Law and Business web site https://www.globelawandbusiness.com/
Interested in a portfolio career for yourself? Get in touch https://www.inspiringportfoliocareers.com/portfolio/connect/