What’s worth working to make better in the world?
What are you here to create?
What’s your legacy?
I’ve started this blog to share ideas and resources and to have a dialog with others who want to positively impact our world. I’m a personal coach working with people who want to make the biggest contribution they can to what they
are passionate about making better in the world.
I’m concerned that people working to make social change happen are often prone to burn-out and disillusionment due to the significant challenges of their work. At the same time, in order to address complex issues in our society, the need for inspired, flexible and creative people to create and lead social change has never been greater.
So, what are you staying up nights thinking about? What "difference" are you longing to make?
Before specializing as a professional coach in 2004, I spent more than a decade in leadership, management and program development for state and local government and non-profit organizations. Now I get to help leaders and teams have more clarity and ability to stand up for what's important in their work and in their organizations. Working with me, leaders and teams find more meaning and purpose, feel happier and more confident, navigate change and conflict, and work together better.
Hanna,
Your comment about burn-out made me ponder a conversation I heard this week between a woman and her (male) holistic doctor. When Doc referred to the right side of the body as the female side, she wondered if women who “serve too much” have more breast cancers on the right side. Women who are called to serve can easily give too much to others and not get the nurturing they need. My ongoing challenge is to find a balance between giving and receiving. I welcome your perspective on this dilemma.
Dee,
Thanks for getting this dialog started!
Great issues to bring up – serving, balance (in general), and specifically how to balance giving and receiving, especially in work.
My thought is: where is there an intersection of service, giving and receiving for you?
For many of us, honoring our values through service is a way of also refilling our cup. Receiving isn’t the first purpose, but can be a byproduct of the giving. How does your work of service honor your values?
I know that for me – and this will likely be the focus of another post – finding a balance is in part a question of energy. Energy – what I can put into the system and receive back – defined as mental, spiritual, or physical currancy. I’m finding that if the work/service/giving isn’t refilling my cup – giving me energy in some way – that even if it’s important or meaningful work, that I can’t stay with it long term. We can’t ultimately make the difference we want to if we don’t also get some type of energy back, in some form, from what we do.
Where do you get your energy from? What helps you sustain it? What does this mean for how you want make a difference?
Service activities (for myself or for others) that keep me fully present in the NOW give me energy. For me, my yoga practice keeps me focused on the moment at hand, and I find that I’m much “fuller” on the way out of class than I was on the way in. What helps me sustain this kind of energy is simple; recognize the value it brings to my energetic life, and continue to give myself permission to be in service to myself. When my energy level is up, I have more meaningful gifts to give to others.
Aloha Hanna,
From one coach to another, welcome to blogsville, how wonderful to have you write for us!
Your ho’ohana (passion and intent) resonates with me:
“Making a Difference– ideas, resources and support for people working to make a difference.”
I found you since you so generously listed Talking Story on your new blogroll, mahalo nui loa. I am very humbled and honored by your decision to do so: thank you so much for being part of our Ho’ohana Community of readers on Talking Story.
Your first two posts are a truly magnificent start, for they are warm, genuine and heartfelt, and they are already stimulating thoughtful responses. As we both know, coaching is done best in conversations, and I love that you have decided to share your gift for starting them with us all.
I will be back to visit you often, and partake of your knowledge, hospitality, and aloha.
Rosa
Maripat – Bringing in the need to see ourselves as part of who we help or serve: bravo! A needed element in our work – please continue to model and champion it for us all!
Hanna
Aloha Rosa,
Thank you for your welcome to the world of blogs and for your extremely kind comments on my inital posts. I look forward to more dialog with you and others on these and other issues!
I do hope that this blog can be a place of community, conversation and learning for all of us in our journeys to make a difference. Thanks to everyone who has already stopped by – I’m thrilled by the possibilities that we can all create together!