Sustainable Ambition Forum - 04.22.21

 
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Many of us put so much pressure on ourselves to figure out our career, to know our path, and lock in a direction, whether that’s at the start of our career or at a mid-point when we’re reassessing. But what if the answer lies in the unfolding? As is said in the book I’m reading now, “The Art of Possibility:” “In the universe of possibility, you set the context and let life unfold.”

I think we have to start to realize that careers aren’t things that are programmed into us. It’s as if society believes our careers are in our genetic code—that it's all nature and we just have to uncover what’s been embedded in us. To be sure, we are wired to have certain talents, skills, and strengths.

But, there is a nurture side, too. And more and more, as I speak with people about their career journeys and talk to experts, I believe we are all on paths of becoming, uncovering who we are over time and unfolding into what’s next as we enter the next chapter and the next chapter.

I love how David Brown characterized it on The Sustainable Ambition Podcast in Episode #9—that our careers are just a series of adventures. Yes! What if we looked at our careers from that lens? Then, what would be your next adventure? What’s calling you next? What do you want to craft as your next odyssey adventure?

With that as a frame, we might take on career exploration with a bit more courage, fierceness, and excitement.

Onward, to adventure!

Kathy

You’ll also find below:

  • Our typical round up keeping the theme

  • Episode #9 of The Sustainable Ambition Podcast with David Brown, a Brand Strategy & Marketing expert and author of, “A Year Off: A story about traveling the world—and how to make it happen for you.”

  • And, introducing our new Youtube channel! Check it out and subscribe. We plan to offer content there in another format in case you prefer to learn via video.

Welcome to spring, all!
Kathy


The Round-Up

Right Success: A good, realistic perspective on work. What does it mean to have a "dream job" or to love your job? Does it mean it's all rosy? No. Having the right perspective and expectations about meaningful work is necessary to find true work fulfillment.

Right Aspiration: A reminder from Wade Brill to be careful about jumping into the crazy too quickly coming out of the pandemic. Give yourself time to ask yourself what’s best for you right now? What will satisfy you? What is your ambition right now? Pause to think about what you want to create for yourself before jumping right back into “the normal.”

Right Effort: I heard this from so many people over the last year: “I actually miss the break I got between work and life with my commute, but I feel guilty creating that space when at home.” Well, I’ll encourage you to do it; create space for yourself between work and personal time and follow these examples by creating a “fake commute” for yourself.

Reading: “The Art of Possibility” by Rosamund Stone Zander & Benjamin Zander. This was a highly recommended strategy and leadership book. I love it already for insights around living in the world of possibility. I share an exercise below inspired by the book.

Listening: This is from a few years ago, but still a good listen on finding your next pivot with Adam Markel on the Being Well podcast. I loved his guidance on reframing painful transition moments by asking things like, “What is the creative opportunity right now? What is the meaning or wisdom in the situation?” He also speaks to building resilience through recovery time periods.

Watching: If you happen to have MasterClass, I recommend Doris Kearns Goodwin’s course on U.S. Presidential History and Leadership. She offers great inspiration and lessons through the lens of Presidential greats. Her insights range from the power of storytelling to the importance of emotional intelligence to recognizing that leading and success often takes hard work but that relaxing and recharging is also critical.

Smiling: Want to experience the beauty of what makes up the 50 beautiful states of the U.S.A? Then check out this photo collection from The Atlantic. Wow! Just breathtaking. It’s a way to feed your travel lust and generate appreciation for this territory.


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The Sustainable Ambition Podcast - Episode 9

Join me for conversations with experts, authors, and friends on
what it means to live with Sustainable Ambition.

David Brown is a Brand Strategy & Marketing expert and author of, “A Year Off: A story about traveling the world—and how to make it happen for you.” I loved hearing David Brown’s perspective on paying attention to who you are and navigating a career more like a series of adventures. A lot of wisdom bombs in this episode! For example, David said, “There really isn't a sustainable option other than to be yourself.” So true! This relates to how I think about "Right Success," the first pillar of Sustainable Ambition. You need to define success on your terms, in alignment with yourself.

I hope you’ll give it a listen!

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.

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The Sustainable Ambition YouTube Channel

JUST LAUNCHED!

Want to learn more about Sustainable Ambition in a different format? Find me now on YouTube! I’d love it if you’d join me and subscribe. Thanks!


A Practice: Follow Your Curiosity & Attention

A few simple questions can help you find freedom and get unstuck when you feel like you have to have THE answer to what’s next for you. Instead ask, “What am I curious about right now?” and “What has my attention right now?” Start there. Sink into what’s present for you at this moment. Then get into action. Ask, “What can I try right now to move this forward or to test out this path? What’s one small next step I can take?”



“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”

— Joseph Campbell

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SUSTAINABLE AMBITION™ IS ABOUT CRAFTING A FULFILLING CAREER TO SUPPORT YOUR LIFE FROM DECADE TO DECADE.

It is centered around articulating your personal definition of success and achieving that without burnout while honoring your personal aspirations and ambitions as they ebb and flow over time. The end game—more fulfillment and ease in your professional and personal life, while still being ambitious.

We offer 1:1 Executive Coaching, Leadership Coaching, or Career Strategy Coaching, as well as VIP Leadership Brand Sessions and Workshops on a range of Sustainable Ambition topics. We also provide tips and inspiration, advice on career management over the decades, guides on key Sustainable Ambition topics of interest, and coverage of tools and inspiration.