Sustainable Ambition Forum - 03.11.21
Hello all!
In the spirit of Women’s History Month and this past Monday’s International Women’s Day that asks us to #ChoosetoChallenge, I’m inspired to suggest we choose to challenge our own perceptions of ourselves and what we can take on next.
I think as we become adults and get further along in our careers we forget what it is like to learn something new. We assume that all our past experiences are going to make us good at this new endeavor in front of us. I’m sure we will be better than someone who had zero experience, but the reality in those moments is that we are on a new growth curve.
Carol Dweck is well known for her research and writing on growth mindset as it relates to children, but we forget this applies to us adults, too. According to this Bloomberg article, passion, grit, and a growth mindset impact our success. And, later in life, growth mindset dwindles. But regardless of our age, I think it is important to note that maintaining a growth mindset at any age is critical, especially in today’s marketplace that requires continual learning. We can learn new things!
So, I encourage you to challenge the convention that we can’t continually learn as we move our way up. Instead, call on your grit to embrace a beginner’s mindset and get ready to ride new growth curves. And, embrace the art of practice, as I write about in this past blog post.
It seems important to also give ourselves some grace. When starting something new, you aren’t meant to know it all yet. As my friend Philip VanDusen says and shared in Episode #6 of the podcast, “Dare to suck!” And take faith in the fact that you have all your past experience and natural strengths and talents to bring to the next adventure.
What you’ll find below are a few things to read and listen to that relate to this topic. I also share Episode #7 of The Sustainable Ambition podcast with Amber Beam who talks about her Growth Effect Model and embracing continual learning as we progress in our careers.
I hope you’ll get inspired, too, to #ChoosetoChallenge biases against others and also against ourselves. Let’s see ourselves as being able to be bigger and more capable than we think we are.
Be well,
Kathy
The Round-Up
Right Aspiration: Some questions all of us can ask ourselves at any stage in our career to help us identify what’s next.
Right Effort: Smart tips on how to make sure you leave work at work.
Reading: I’m just starting to read “Beginners,” and I love its premise, which is essentially to embrace starting new things and getting past the awkwardness of not being good at it. As adults, we really must be reminded that when we start new things, we are on a new growth curve, and it’s going to feel uncomfortable. Embrace it.
Listening:
This is a fun banter between Adam Grant and JJ Abrams on the launch of Grant ’s new book, “Think Again.” Talk about staying in the game and career journeys—it calls for us to be open to continually learning about ourselves and thinking again about who we are and want to be.
If you are going to navigate new waters or continually evolve, why not create your own serendipity? Learn more about how to cultivate serendipity in this interview with Dr. Christian Busch on the Marketing, Mindfulness and Martinis podcast with Joanne Tombrakos.
A final listening with Gwyneth Paltrow x Robin Wright. What I appreciate about this conversation, in particular the first half, is how Wright took on directing in her late 40’s/early 50’s and how she speaks about how much she is still learning. We have to remember that it is normal even as adults to put ourselves on new growth curves that stretch us into new aspects of ourselves. Enjoy and celebrate it!ck out The Greater Good’s Monthly Happiness Calendar.
The Sustainable Ambition Podcast - Episode 7
Join me for conversations with experts, authors, and friends on
what it means to live with Sustainable Ambition.
On this episode of the Sustainable Ambition Podcast, I’m joined by Amber Beam, a collaborator and fellow career coach for women who brings wisdom around managing your career over time, especially for mid-career changers. In this conversation we talk about how to powerfully manage your career from decade to decade, the value of talent mobility and the power of Amber’s Growth Effect Model, the importance of marketing yourself, and recognizing that you are never too old to learn and go after new opportunities. It’s hard not to have a good time being in conversation with Amber, so I hope you appreciate her enthusiasm and encouragement to build a career with more flexibility and growth no matter your stage and age.
Find it on Apple Podcast here
Or, listen on our website here
You can also find the podcast, subscribe, and listen on Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Overcast.
The Monthly Progress Practice: March
At the beginning of the year, we shared our Monthly Progress Practice. Progress happens through small actions, so we offer a monthly practice of small actions or micro-habits to inspire positive change this year.
Our guidance for March: Grow yourself. How do you want to spring forward? Where do you want to develop and further master a skill or mindset? Choose growth and learning over comfort and certainty.
Find Your Guide:
Find the perfect guide to match your journey.
“Do not think for one minute that because you are who you are, you cannot be who you imagine yourself to be.”
— Jedidah Isler, Astrophysicist
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