RSA Group Reflections January 2025
Dear friends
The new year is off to a fast start, and I’m sure for many of us that early January feeling of a fresh beginning is already fading.
Which is a little ironic, as we work in an industry that is inherently fresh, and healthy. Even so, the pressures of dayto- day business mean it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of maintaining a healthy professional life, and lifestyle.
I am reminded of a quote I came across recently, from Richard Branson.
“Taking care of your body and mind isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must if you want to perform at your best in business and life.”
This idea is relevant to us thanks to the way it draws a direct link between personal life and business life. It suggests that even though we are fortunate to work in an inherently ‘healthy’ industry, this fact doesn’t make any of us immune to health challenges. Indeed, no matter who you are, or what industry you’re in, life can intervene at any time and show you just how delicate personal health is, and how quickly everything can change for any of us.
Put another way… we should never forget the importance of focusing seriously on our approach to work: our processes, our relationships and our areas of responsibility and accountability. These factors matter to the trajectory our individual careers and the RSA Group business, obviously, but they also matter a great deal to us personally. Getting properly on top of our day-to-day processes is one of the best ways to reduce stress and general life friction, and to put ourselves in the position to make sure we can take full advantage of the fact we work in an industry with intrinsic health features and benefits.
Within this context I’d like to pose an intriguing question. When last did you stop and take advantage of all the magnificent fresh produce that forms such a central part of our work life? When did you last bite into a fresh apple? When did you last enjoy a delicious avocado? Are you enough in control of your work life that you are able to pause every now and again, take a breath and appreciate the true freshness of what we do for a living?
I know that I struggle in this regard. It always amazes me how quickly the pressures of work build up, and how difficult it can be to get on top of all the different demands. Maintaining a healthy, balanced professional lifestyle has been one of the ongoing challenges of my own career, and I know from many conversations held over many years that I am most definitely not alone in this.
So, as 2025 unfolds let’s sharpen our focus: on the health and wellness our business facilitates, and on our own ability to do the best, most effective and efficient work we can. This involves personal commitment, of course, but it’s also a group effort. We can and should help each other to improve the way we manage our work lifestyles. If we steadily focus on and improve the way we work together, we will benefit our principles, our business partners, the country and, of course, ourselves.
And with that in mind, please let’s keep a special place in our hearts for everyone in our community currently facing health challenges, and offer them all the support we can.
Best wishes,
Jaco Oosthuizen