Buckle up as we expose a fundamental truth: failure is not the end, but a critical step of personal and professional evolution. Let’s shed some light on how our most poignant learnings are often born from the ashes of failure. Our objective in this episode is to tilt your perspective on failure, urging you to treat it as an opportunity for learning and growth, rather than as a roadblock.
We discuss the necessity of stepping beyond our comfort zones and welcoming discomfort. We highlight real-world instances where flourishing companies and individuals have employed these principles to achieve their objectives. Inviting you to join us in this quest, we urge you to confront new challenges and perceive failure not as a full stop, but a stepping stone to knowledge and growth. Listen in on this raw and real conversation, and together, let’s redefine failure.
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Chapter Summaries:
(0:00:00) – Embracing Failure and Learning From Mistakes Failure is a tool for growth, and its effects vary in different environments, allowing us to learn and develop skills.
(0:12:26) – Exploring Fear and Resilience We explore comfort, failure, fear of failure, and supportive environments to develop resilience.
(0:16:48) – Building Tolerance and Resilience Yvonne Schwinnard’s example, David Goggins’ philosophy, and taking risks to grow are discussed to increase capacity for success through discomfort.
(0:29:38) – Embrace Failure, Step Outside Comfort Zones Risk-taking, discomfort, and pushing boundaries are essential for success, discussed through cultural business practices, parenting, and Instagram’s example.
(0:38:31) – Embracing Failure for Growth Mindset We discuss risks, growth mindset, and failure as opportunities to learn and grow.
Ready to redefine productivity? We’re spoiling you with work-life balance strategies, and a closer look at different work styles. Making project plans, prioritizing tasks, and understanding whether you’re a freestyler or a structured worker is on the agenda. Our aim? A guarantee to help you reach the end of each week feeling accomplished, productive and fulfilled.
We’re delving into task differentiation, focusing on the ones that pack a punch and transform your productivity. Skip the mundane and embrace high-value tasks. Together, we’re challenging the status quo of to-do lists, questioning if they help or hinder us. We’ll also be touching on energy management, because preserving that precious resource is just as important as your time.
This episode culminates with a deep dive into your work context – how you arrange your week, how you rank your tasks, and the idea of tackling the toughest jobs first to gain momentum. Discover the magic of time-blocking and the unexpected benefits of a ‘not to do’ list. We’re reinforcing the importance of safeguarding your creative blocks, and nurturing your planning routine. Join us for an invigorating discussion that promises to reshape your weekly work rhythm and empower you to take control of your productivity.
(0:00:01) – Productivity and Finding a Balance We discuss project plans, work-life balance, structure, and productivity to maximize contribution.
(0:12:57) – Prioritizing High Value Tasks We prioritize high-value activities, ditch to-do lists, and manage energy for maximum impact.
(0:21:24) – Working With Deadlines and Goals Focusing on priorities, forming accountability partnerships, making a “not to do list”, and using deadlines effectively are discussed.
(0:26:47) – Prioritizing Tasks, Creating Context for Work Organize work weeks, prioritize high value tasks, do hard things first, block time for productivity, create a “not to do” list, and plan days to protect creative block times.
Listen in as we talk with the versatile and creative freelancer, Eva Foussat, who shares her fascinating journey from being a poetry-writing teenager to becoming a sought-after freelance designer. She tells us all about how she started her freelance career after a successful run as an in-house designer. She also gives us a peek into how she managed to stay afloat during the 2020 pandemic despite not qualifying for small business loans, a testament to her resilience and adaptability.
In the second part of our discussion, Eva, who also serves as the president of AAF of the Midlands, speaks candidly about her efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion within creative professions. She highlights her mission to incorporate a diverse range of people and subjects in their programs. She gives us an insight into the challenges and joys of balancing work and family responsibilities while running a business. Sharing from her personal experiences, she discusses the significance of setting boundaries, managing schedules, and staying disciplined. She also talks about navigating through busy seasons and the pros and cons of taking on retainer work.
Eva is an award-winning creative director who has been working in the Columbia, SC area for more than 20 years. From brand launches to copy editing, healthcare to roller derby, on the web and etched (literally) in stone, she has worked on it all!
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Chapter Summaries:
(0:00:10) – Transitioning to Freelancing (0:06:53) – Navigating Freelancing and Parenthood in 2020 (0:16:38) – Diversity and Inclusion in Creative Professions (0:26:17) – Partnerships and Diversity in Advertising (0:37:52) – Balancing Work and Family Responsibilities (0:44:59) – Insights on Freelancing and Non-Profit Work
Have you ever wondered how to gracefully juggle leadership roles without losing your authentic self? Curious about how to keep that spark alive in your personal life without dropping the ball at work? Grab a chair, sit back, and join us as we navigate the thrilling yet challenging terrain of balancing leadership and personal life. We approach this intricate subject with insights on different types of leadership, highlighting the importance of leading with less ego, while also emphasizing the significance of resilience and working through problems.
As the conversation unfolds, we tackle the art of maintaining authenticity and transparency as a leader, striking a balance between being open and strategic. We dive into the essence of self-care amidst our busy schedules, underlining the importance of carving out time for oneself. We share our intriguing concept of ‘no zero days’, stressing how the simple act of completing one task daily can supercharge your productivity.
1) How do you stay motivated as a leader, especially when things get tough?
2) Can you discuss the importance of being open and genuine as a leader?
3) How do you manage your personal life alongside your work responsibilities?
4) How does self-care impact your ability to lead effectively in both personal and professional aspects?
5) Any practical tips for fitting self-care into a busy schedule?
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Chapter Summaries:
(0:00:01) – Balancing Leadership and Personal Life Leadership, motivation, understanding problems, staying motivated, different types of leadership, and leading with less ego discussed.
(0:07:34) – Hope, Resilience, and Embracing Challenges We discuss building resilience, having a vision, and the power of hope to make life easier.
(0:17:43) – Navigating Authentic Leadership and Transparency Authenticity, relationships, and understanding are key to balancing openness and strategy as a leader.
(0:30:27) – Managing Work and Personal Life Managing work and personal life, ‘no zero days’, discerning vital few tasks, and being open and genuine as a leader.
(0:39:40) – Self-Care for Busy Schedules We emphasize carving out time for self-care, Benjamin Franklin’s morning routine, balancing work and personal time, and investing in quality time with loved ones.
(0:46:06) – Time for Self-Care and Work-Life Balance Balancing work and personal life, prioritizing self-care, creating a life of wellness, managing calendars, and freeing up time.
Fiona Martin, the triathlete, marketer, environmentalist, and farmer is this episode’s focus. She shares her entrepreneurial journey into the digital marketing world and her zeal for sustainable farming, get prepared to be engulfed with inspiration from each word. Her Scottish-American upbringing and the influence of her family, not only add a unique flavor to her story but become the cornerstone of her life decisions.
We couldn’t help but delve into the captivating concept of a worker’s own cooperative, a business model that allows people to pool their resources for growth. As we unravel the critiques of capitalism, we discover how cooperatives have often come to the rescue. Fiona throws light on how to create cooperatives that can outlive their creators and serve as exit strategies for business owners. Be ready to have your thoughts stimulated by the insightful discussions surrounding the incorporation, benefits, and challenges of this model.
Fiona’s life as a competitive triathlete is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The motivation, the intense regimen, and the effect on her personal life- Fiona spills it all. She embodies the power of prioritizing goals and balancing life. These conversations about goal commitment, trade-offs, and the mental strength required for ambitious pursuits like long-distance events will make you rethink your own life choices. Fiona’s perspective on creating and breaking habits and making sustainable changes in life is an eye-opener. Get ready for an enriching ride into Fiona Martin’s world!
(0:00:10) – Fiona Martin Fiona Martin’s story of becoming a digital marketer, growing up in Scotland and the US, competing in triathlons and micro farming, and her experience in email marketing for Scotland’s tourism board is discussed.
(0:10:42) – Cooperative Models in Capitalist Economies Cooperatives, critiques of capitalism, and why they’re not popular are discussed.
(0:19:27) – Creating a Workers’ Own Cooperative We discuss incorporating a worker’s cooperative, capital accounts, health insurance, pro-bono work, and exit strategies.
(0:33:50) – Prioritizing Goals and Balancing Life Fiona’s journey as a competitive triathlete is explored, focusing on motivation, training, team dynamics, intensity, and family life.
(0:40:45) – Trade-Offs and Commitment in Pursuing Goals Fiona is a passionate, logical triathlete who needs strong commitment to succeed in long-distance events.
(0:44:59) – The Importance of Sustainable Change Fiona’s journey as a competitive triathlete is discussed, exploring lasting habits, breaking bad habits, and the benefits of having a coach.
Fiona Martin
Fiona is a competitive age group triathlete (DOB: 9/10/1982) who resides close to Columbia in Lugoff, SC. She is driven to “always to her best”, which translates into her drive to compete at the highest level in triathlon, her decision to convert to a whole foods, plant-based diet (vegan), doing her part for the environment by growing her own food and reducing her consumer waste, promoting a healthy lifestyle, and praising and promoting strong women near and far. Outside of triathlon, Fiona runs her own digital marketing consulting firm, FGM Internet Marketing, and hosts the podcast The Eco-Interviews. Fiona’s time on the podium puts her front and center at many events in South Carolina, Georgia, and further afield, and she’d love the opportunity to use and promote brands that align with these values. Fiona and husband Lance also travel abroad to compete, visiting Havana, Cuba in 2017 for the Gran Fondo Tour de Cuba; Edinburgh, Scotland in 2015 for the Edinburgh Half Marathon; and Lausanne, Switzerland in Aug/Sep 2019 to represent Team USA in the ITU Age Group World Championships.
