It’s my favourite time in my blog schedule, when I shine a light on my incredible clients by way of my The Proust Questionnaire feature. Today we have fabulous Ali Drew-Forster from Workology Co. Ali works with organisations to co-create exceptional workplace cultures, and she’s also my (long suffering) fiction writing buddy.
The Proust Questionnaire by Alison Drew-Forster
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Sitting in my favourite chair on a sunny day on the deck of the shack, looking out over the beautiful beach and surrounding bush, reading; and if it’s late in the afternoon, with a glass of wine in hand. Knowing that my little fam is nearby also enjoying the serenity; and preferably after I have knocked off some work / worked on my latest novel earlier in the day and been for a walk along my favourite cliff top walk.
What is your greatest extravagance?
See above. Holidays in general – time and money inevitably spent on them (and also on the planning!)
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Genuinely (and i don’t say it correctly which means I say it more as I often have to say it again).
Cutie Patootie
MFPITW (My favourite place in the world)
The F bomb in all it’s glorious alliterations
Lovely (but then, I know so many lovely women, it just feels right to write ‘Hey Lovely’)
Bye Felicia
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I’ve dealt with a fair bit over my 52 years and despite it all (and yes, that includes workplace harassment/bullying/serious autoimmune condition), I’m still a fairly positive person whose tackled scary things like reading the news live on community tv whilst studying journalism as a 42 year old and appearing in the Family court (complete with wig, gown and all the jazzy barrister garb) to argue cases on my pat malone whilst still a baby / apprentice lawyer. And I ain’t done yet, still much more to achieve including being about to hand over draft #4 of my first ever novel to beta-readers (despite how scared that makes me feel) for the first time.
Oh and my kids are doing pretty damn well at this life thing.
What is your most treasured possession?
Well, it used to be my Dennis Lillee autograph “to Alison” that was my good luck charm for years including all Uni exams; now, I’m not sure. My Ipad that I spend hours on reading each week? Our camper trailer that I truly love going away in (preferably with said Ipad?). Engagement and Wedding Rings, which are testament to the fact we’ve made it to 25 years married so far? It certainly ain’t my Carlton membership atm! And kids aren’t possessions, so no dice there. Wait. Wait. MY BEAMER.
What is your most marked characteristic?
I like to think that I’m warm and engaging. (and people tell me versions of this, so I guess it’s true.) Conversely, I overshare and ask too many questions.
Who is your hero of fiction?
Not sure this strictly speaking answers the question: but James Alexander Malcom McKenzie Fraster (JAMMF to those in the know) AKA The King of Men aka ultimate book husband (Outlander). And as a wannabe romance novelist, the ideal hero is important. I’ve also always had a soft spot for Elizabeth Bennett, I like her humour, sass and knowing her own mind moxie thing.
Who are your heroes in real life?
I admire many, many people both professionally (Brene Brown, Simon Sinek, Patrick Lencioni for example) and also personally (like ‘our’ amazing Jaqui O’Donohoe). All the women I know who are running their own businesses whilst also bearing the burden of the mental load from running the family (here’s looking at you Holly Cardamone). Then there are political figures like Obama, Bob Hawke and Paul Keating (who I see as being the last of the real politicians who believed in something rather than winning); and brave young women like Brittany Higgins. I love the music of Bruce Springsteen; I think Pink! not only makes incredible music but sends a fantastic message about the power of being female and being who you truly are. Any strong female role models will always be some kind of hero to me .
But I wouldn’t say I had any real heros as such; apart from Dennis Lillee all through my teenage years. He had serious back issues and wore a back brace; and came back to cricket afterwards, and became the world’s greatest fast bowler. I was in a back brace for 2 years and so I admired his physicality.
What is your motto?
Sad to say I don’t have one.
Find out more about Ali and her incredible work here.
I love shining the spotlight on some of my clients and colleagues. If you’d like to know more about my work, or would like the full 35 questions from the Questionnaire, please shoot me an email or give me a buzz, and I’ll respond in a jiffy.