Sustainable Ambition Forum - 07.15.21

 
 

A question I was asking myself for several months has been, “What do I need to do to sustain myself? Because right now what I’m doing isn’t working.”

Even for me with a focus on sustainability, my ambitions can at times get me out of whack. So with some wise counsel and inspiration, I started to get attuned to how I needed to reshape my days, months, and quarters to keep me more present, content, productive, and showing up as my best.

One of the inspirations was my guest, Leslie Forde, founder of Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs and Allies @ Work, in episode #19 of The Sustainable Ambition podcast featured below.

My experience led me to recording a solo episode, #20 “On Creating Space & What will Sustain You,” in which I offer prompts to reset your world for summer. Check it out!

Then, other inspiration led me to the idea of not doing it all and taking things down a notch. Below you’ll find in our round-up a collection of articles that provide ideas on how to do just that, along with our Monthly Progress Practice on simplification.

With that, I hope you all are enjoying your summering! Here’s to taking things down a notch and prioritizing those things that will sustain us.

Be well!

Kathy

Founder of Sustainable Ambition


The Round-Up

Discover spaciousness and flow in being an amateur. As this article shares, do we have to strive at everything? Can we simply allow ourselves to be amateurs doing things we love? In doing so, we can create space and joy vs. constantly feeling like we need to achieve.

Don’t do it all. This is a compelling story from a doctor who found that once she had two children while in med school, she really couldn’t do everything to perfection. Her advice—get clear on what you want to be good at and get really comfortable with the things you’ll let go. By willing to not be perfect at certain things, it frees you up to be good at what matters.

Operate at 85%. We really shouldn’t be operating at full throttle with no flex. Instead, to produce better outcomes take it down a notch and operate at 85%.

Find help and resources (book). Whether you’re an entrepreneur or leader/manager, “Who Not How” by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy is a good read. The premise: don't think of your to do list and ask, “How will I get this done?” Instead ask, “Who can help me get this done?” Also think about for whom can you be a “who” to.

Want what you have (podcast). I really enjoyed this podcast episode with Arthur Brooks on Greg McKeown’s What's Essential podcast. Brooks is a behavioral social scientist and Harvard professor, writes for The Atlantic, and speaks about living better and happiness. In this episode, they cover 5 tips for leading a happier life. One smart tip—want what you have.

Take your vacation! You would think we know how to take vacation, but as this article notes, Americans are bad at taking our days off. As we exit the pandemic, take time for yourself and get tips on how to best use your time away.


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The Sustainable Ambition Podcast - Episode 19

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

It was so wonderful to speak with Leslie Forde, founder of Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs and Allies @ Work. Leslie shared her personal experience with burnout and what led her to develop her Mom’s Hierarchy of Need framework. In our conversation, we delve into the topic of making work work for caregivers and avoiding burnout by not working harder or just being ruthless about prioritization, but rather carving out space for those things that feed and regenerate us so our energy and spirit can remain intact.

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: July

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 July: Simplify. What can you strip away from your busy life and still be fulfilled and happy? What can you take away and remove an irritant? Make choices for more simplicity and joy.



“There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.”

—Alan Cohen

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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.