We delay. We rationalise. We stay busy.

Trigger warning: This post talks about 💩.

Yesterday I had a colonoscopy.
It’s part of my post-colorectal cancer check-up.  
And I’m very grateful to report that I came through with a ‘squeaky clean’ bill of health.

Colorectal cancer used to be a disease just for grandpa. 
But rates are on the rise for adults under 50 for the first time.

No one knows what’s driving this.
Could be microplastics, ultra-processed foods or antibiotics. 
But no clear answers.

What we do know is that having a colonoscopy at least every 10 years, starting from age 45 is an important part of protecting yourself.

If you’ve had one, you’ll know that the prep isn’t glamorous.  
Clear liquids only and medication that gives your digestive system a good spring clean.
But the procedure itself is a 20 minutes of sedative-induced blissful sleep.

And as my 2-year fight with cancer testifies (including daily radiation, chemo, countless hospital procedures and chronic digestive issues), the minor inconvenience of having your insides checked out once a decade is well worth it.

That said, a colonoscopy is a critical, but only a first line of defence.  

I’d had one four years before I had my diagnosis.

So the other thing you can do is listen to your body and pay attention to your poo.
Particularly look out for: pain, blood and more frequent pooing. 
Any concerns, go see your doctor.

Now, it may be uncomfortable to hear all this scatological commentary, particularly on LinkedIn – where we expect to see lots of humble bragging and more than enough “10 ways to 10x your leadership skills in 5 minutes”.

But if I’m honest, if we don’t talk about uncomfortable topics, people don’t act on them.

And the cost of not acting can be very high.

This applies beyond health too.

The issues we avoid are often the ones that come back to bite us.
The difficult conversation with a colleague.
The early signs of a client relationship going off track.
The quiet feeling that something in the business isn’t quite right.

We delay. We rationalise. We stay busy.

Until the small issue becomes a big one.

In my executive coaching work, a lot of what we do is create a safe space to face those uncomfortable truths early.
To name what’s not being said.
To look at what’s being avoided.
To deal with things while they are still manageable.

Because whether it’s your business or your health, avoidance rarely makes things better.

Which brings me back to yesterday.

A slightly awkward, mildly inconvenient, but ultimately reassuring experience.

One that I’m very grateful for.

So if you’re over 45, or approaching it, go and get checked.
And regardless of your age, pay attention to your body (and your 💩).

It’s usually trying to tell you something.

👉 If you want support tackling the conversations or decisions you might be avoiding in your leadership or business, feel free to DM me.