Hi there Reader,
Welcome to this edition of Meaningful eMail with the most recent takeaway and updates linked here at the top, and then a full article for your consideration.
Grab what's helpful today, then save others for future reference. You never know when you or someone in your network could use a boost!
Happy Fall Y'all!
Recent Takeaways & Updates
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Top Takeaways: Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
The Science of Achieving Greater Things
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New Article: The Age of Innovation: Is Ageism Stifling Your Success?
My take on some fascinating research on how our brains - our creativity - can get better as we age!
First published on CUInsight.com 09/10
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Let's Explore
How can we find our footing again?
It's college football season! (Go Vols!)
I love watching the games, but there are moments when my throat catches, especially when it comes to injuries. Another moment? Watching a blind side hit unfold.
When the quarterback’s got the ball and turns to one side of the field looking for a receiver, if there’s a defender running at him from that ‘blind side’ I just cringe - no matter what team he's on.
We can see the hard hit coming before he does. The defender hits the QB hard and the QB hits the ground hard. Oof.
Most of the time, he’s fine. He gets up with the help of his teammates and trots back to the line to run another play. Sometimes though, he’s not so steady on his feet.
While we aren’t the ones out on the football field, that moment of being hit out of the blue is something I think we all can relate to. That’s probably why we cringe when we see it unfolding - those surprise hits are harder to recover from than a hit we see coming.
For us non-athletes our careers can provide us with plenty of surprise hits. Maybe it’s a merger; reorg; new boss; economic or health events (at the personal, organization or world level); a business venture failure. Whatever the actual event, the moment it happens can shake us to our core.
I touched on that moment a little bit in an email about the sudden end of a career path (find it here) and this line especially seems to capture a pivotal moment:
“My brave and bold attitude wilted into cowardly confusion.”
The email went on to suggest ways we can explore new career paths, but I’m wondering if this moment of going from brave & bold to cowardly & confused is one we need to put under the spotlight.
THAT'S the moment we need critical support - when our brilliant career has taken a hit. We're like a star quarterback who sees an open receiver at the goal line - the winning score in our reach - and WHAM. We're laying on the ground trying to suck the air back in our lungs.
We need teammates to give us a hand, a coach to help us find our footing (and maybe even some concussion protocol?)
Yes, finding a path forward is part of the process, but first let's build our resilience and get our confidence back - reclaim that power I talked about in the last email.
When I was finding my own footing, I whined to my husband about building confidence. It's been three years now and that moment is still burned in my brain. I was so frustrated. I had no freaking clue how to go about it. I was craving a guide, some tools, a way to recover quickly, to be resilient. I muddled my way through, but I want others to have a clearer path, a support system, tools they can count on.
My one-to-one coaching clients get these benefits, but now it’s time to make it more available to more people. I am so excited (and nervous) to share my ideas for how this could happen!
This is taking shape as a 6-week small group program. We’d meet for about an hour, starting with me sharing studies, skills or tools then we’ll have time to share experiences and support each other through discussions. Based on early interest, some people in the group may be going through a career shock, some might be at more of a crossroads, but everyone will be wanting to get stronger.
The program will cover ways to:
- Shush the imposter
- Make decisions more quickly
- Strengthen the change muscle
- Rediscover and own our power
- Free ourselves from the title trap
- And ultimately to craft a more meaningful second half
Plans are still taking shape, but if you or someone you know could use a coach and teammates to pick you up, dust you off and get you ready for the next play, let me know.
As a part of my treasured email community, you (or your referral) will get VIP treatment, updates as the details get announced and a discount for the program. Just reply back to this email and let me know there’s an interest.
Heck, let's get in the team spirit now - help me pick a title!
Which title do you think best reflects the vibe I described? Just click on the button of your choice. You'll be taken to a "thank you" page (where there might just be a bit of fun waiting for you!).
