433 Taking Steps To Take Better Care Of Yourself
In today’s episode, Sarah Elkins discusses the importance of taking your time to enjoy the world, to enjoy being you, to take time to make sure You, Dear Listener, are healthy in mind, body, emotion, and spirit.
433 Taking Steps To Take Better Care Of Yourself
In today’s episode, Sarah Elkins discusses the importance of taking your time to enjoy the world, to enjoy being you, to take time to make sure You, Dear Listener, are healthy in mind, body, emotion, and spirit.
Highlights
Encouraging healthy self reflection to lessen loneliness and division.
Acknowledging when you need help or a break is key to not only your own wellbeing but to the wellbeing of those you care for.
Stop and smell the flowers. Life isn’t a race. Take your time and enjoy the world you have helped to cultivate and get the gift of living in.
How our labels change as time moves, but so long as we know the shape of our souls we will be okay.
Quotes
“This is what hustle looks like. Losing track of ‘why’ I’m doing something. Focusing too much on doing something without stopping to ensure that what I’m doing fits my values, my needs, and how I want to live my life daily.”
“What makes things interesting and joyful to me, is knowing that a single label can’t define me. I’m complicated, and so are you.”
“Will you take time right now or very soon to define success for yourself, without attaching money or income to that definition.”
Mentioned in this episode
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
Will you take time right now or very soon to define success for yourself, without attaching money or income to that definition?
What is one thing you’ll do today, tomorrow, and the next day to reach toward that definition of success, and the labels you choose for yourself, and demonstrate through your work?
And how will you feed your own needs, your physical, emotional, and spiritual health so that you have the energy and enthusiasm and capacity to live your definition of success?
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Sarah
Sarah is a Montana based workplace communication trainer, TEDx speaker, DisruptHR speaker, public speaking coach, professional storyteller, musician, and podcast host. Her workshops and coaching packages with teams and their leaders are known to address and reduce miscommunication – the most common cause of tension and stress in the workplace. Using the team’s results from the StrengthsFinder assessment, she guides teams in learning to speak each other’s “language”, learning to value each other’s strengths and connecting with each other through enhanced self-reflection and effective listening.
Sarah’s nearly 20 years working in government agencies inspired her to complete her MBA and to achieve her StrengthsFinder certification to improve work environments for others, guiding teams toward increased satisfaction, productivity, and happiness.
Visit her website to purchase her book, Your Stories Don't Define You in paperback or audiobook.
418 Mindful Presence
Being mindful of our presence in the lives around us is an integral part of the human experience, whether it be for our own personal comfort and growth or to ease the lives of those around us. Though we all have our own unique reasoning and paths to walk, it is important to remember we don’t have to travel alone and by working together we can all get to the finish line.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Renée Smith discuss the importance of community in becoming the best version of yourself as well as the importance of developing our problem solving skills to always be able to take action.
418 Mindful Presence
Being mindful of our presence in the lives around us is an integral part of the human experience, whether it be for our own personal comfort and growth or to ease the lives of those around us. Though we all have our own unique reasoning and paths to walk, it is important to remember we don’t have to travel alone and by working together we can all get to the finish line.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Renée Smith discuss the importance of community in becoming the best version of yourself as well as the importance of developing our problem solving skills to always be able to take action.
Highlights
There is no linear path, take your time and find your own.
Connecting with strangers through lived experience.
Teaching others your toolset and learning others toolset so that everyone succeeds.
Quotes
“Being able to be present with them in a trusting way.”
“A problem is a gap between where you are now and where you want to be.”
“Maybe you don’t have what you need to take action.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
I’m really curious to hear what was sticky for you in today’s conversation. Whether you’re thinking now about your presence, about how you demonstrate love and support and care for people especially those that are strangers, those that you might disagree with. I know how hard it can be, how challenging it is to feel love for people that have different perspectives than us right now, more than ever before. And I’m here to say that if you can allow that open moment where you express your own experience and they hear it and that you are sharing this to connect with them and not to change their mind, this leaves the door open for them to carry that forward.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Renée
Renée Smith, MSOD (she/her) is the strategist leaders turn to when they want to make their workplace more loving and human. As the creator of Love-Centered Leadership
and the Human Workplace EX Roadmap, she helps people and results rise together. The founder and CEO of the consultancy, A Human Workplace, and the non-profit Center for a Loving Workplace, Renée promotes loving workplace cultures, primarily through research, education, impact projects. She led award-winning culture work as a state executive and served in the Governor’s Office as Director of Workplace Transformation for the State of Washington. Smith is a researcher, writer, and speaker who’s reached hundreds of audiences in eleven countries, making the business case for love. She earned a Master of Science in Organization Development from Pepperdine University and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from the University of Washington. She lives in Tacoma with her husband Jim in a multi-generational household with her son and his family. When she is not traveling, she enjoys sculling on the Puget Sound, watercolor painting, and hosting dinner parties.
Be sure to check out Renée’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as Loving Workplace, Renée Smith Speaks, and A Human Workplace!
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
411 Encouraging Change and Growth
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Rachael Bohns discuss the significance and necessity of change as well as the importance of acknowledging and catering to the strengths of yourself and those around you.
411 Encouraging Change and Growth
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Rachael Bohns discuss the significance and necessity of change as well as the importance of acknowledging and catering to the strengths of yourself and those around you.
Highlights
Doing what’s best for you even if no one knows, and especially for your own sake.
Collaboration and commitment instead of obligation.
Driving desire.
Quotes
“Most of the time change is thrusted upon us.”
“Change is individual to people.”
“Reward is individual.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
My question for you is what will you do with this information? When you think about the ADKAR framework; the Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement, what example can you come up with from your life, where you had something that needed to change and you went through that process, or what if you had gone through that process would it have changed anything in your change? Made it more successful or faster. And then think about a change that’s going on right now in your life, personal or professional or both, and use the ADKAR framework to see where you are in that spectrum. Are you at the beginning, are you at the desire stage, are you already at the reinforcement stage of your change and now you just need to consistently keep it?
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Rachael (from her LinkedIn)
Passionate Industrial/Organizational Psychologist that believes in the importance of a healthy workforce. Experience in the public sector delivering training and communications for ERP implementations with vast experience in analyzing data and interpreting results for business growth. I thrive on business process reengineering and managing client relationships to deliver improved productivity and efficiency while meeting business goals and objectives. I have a strong ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment, solve problems with limited information, and multitask across several assignments. 100% open to traveling.
Top Ten Reported StrengthsFinder Assessment Strengths:
- Learner - Analytical - Individualization - Input - Responsibility - Ideation - Maximizer - Relator - Arranger - Achiever
Be sure to check out her LinkedIn!
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
401 Exploring Our Identities
It can be daunting to explore outside of your comfort zone, it is vital to your growth. Whether that be leaving your hometown or simply stepping into a new field, we must challenge ourselves to unlock our true potential.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Sarah Degn discuss how important it is to spread your own wings and to travel outside of your comfort zone and to find who you are through your own skills and knowledge.
401 Exploring Our Identities
It can be daunting to explore outside of your comfort zone, it is vital to your growth. Whether that be leaving your hometown or simply stepping into a new field, we must challenge ourselves to unlock our true potential.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Sarah Degn discuss how important it is to spread your own wings and to travel outside of your comfort zone and to find who you are through your own skills and knowledge.
Highlights
Leaving home behind to pursue your dreams.
It’s never too late to try and to explore.
Learning and growing as an individual to in turn help your community.
Quotes
“You can come back, just the reminder that yes you absolutely should go experience something beyond your small town.”
“You just need to find the new opportunities and things that are missing.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
Sarah and I spoke for nearly an hour about what it’s like to explore our identities through our youth and maybe come back home, and find out what life is like and how our identities can be shaped by our environments and by the things that we think are important. We talked about what it’s like to travel and tell people our story so that they uncover their own stories and that they can understand truly what the rest of the world could look like. It was full of inspiration and ideas and now I want to know, what will you do with this? What was one thing that stood out in this conversation? I’d love to hear from you.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Sarah Degn
Sarah is a fourth generation farmer near Sidney, MT. With her family, she raises 800 acres of corn, soybeans and wheat. She’s represents NE Montana of the Farmers Union Board of directors.
Be sure to check out Sarah’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as The Montana Farmers Union, and The National Farmers Union!
About Sarah Elkins
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
398 Everything We Do Can Create A Story
Every living breathing moment, we contribute to our own story. Every job, every interaction with another soul, every moment we reflect, we write a significant line in our story and oftentimes we must take time to truly consider what we truly want to have in our story. Do we want exhaustion or loneliness to rule our narrative? Or do we want to forge our own community based on that which brings us joy and cherish the light within us? These are the questions we must ask ourselves.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Tracy MacDonald discuss the importance of living as much as possible, from adventures around the globe, to taking a moment to just breathe and take in the beauty of nature. And how in doing so you create a life for yourself and those you love to be proud of.
398 Everything We Do Can Create A Story
Every living breathing moment, we contribute to our own story. Every job, every interaction with another soul, every moment we reflect, we write a significant line in our story and oftentimes we must take time to truly consider what we truly want to have in our story. Do we want exhaustion or loneliness to rule our narrative? Or do we want to forge our own community based on that which brings us joy and cherish the light within us? These are the questions we must ask ourselves.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Tracy MacDonald discuss the importance of living as much as possible, from adventures around the globe, to taking a moment to just breathe and take in the beauty of nature. And how in doing so you create a life for yourself and those you love to be proud of.
Highlights
Are your actions in alignment with how you want people to remember your story?
What is grounding to you?
What relationships, whether it be a place like nature or people around you, have you developed out of loneliness?
It’s never too late to change your label.
What fears did you have and how did you get through them? And would that fear have stopped you?
Quotes
“Nature is always consistent, and I can go out and I can look for the beauty. And I find it really grounding.”
“The more you practice getting outside your comfort zone, the more comfortable you become with it.”
“I think you learn so much about America by being outside of it.”
“Your skills are never wasted. Sometimes you’re tapping into skills you learned early in your career and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
“It’s interesting the stories that strangers will share with each other."
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
Some of the things that Tracy said that are really strong in my memory, is that when she was facing things she was afraid of and she knew she wanted to push through, she asked a lot of questions. Open to taking risks. She prepared in that way and she practiced. She talked about doing this over and over and over again, knowing that once she stepped into her stretch zone once, she could stretch even further every time she did it again. She has a limited fear of failure allowing her to learn from each thing and here’s the kicker; When she’s brave, she likes how she feels about herself. She knows she’s modeling the behavior she wants to see in people around her.
Friends it’s your turn. What are you going to do next that you’re a little bit afraid of that you can ask enough questions to feel confident enough to step into that stretch zone? And start practicing. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Tracy
Tracy, a native of Columbus, Georgia, is a dynamic Fraud and Risk Consultant, public speaker, and former Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service. With an impressive career that spans roles such as Counter-Terrorism Instructor for the Defense Intelligence Agency and Lead Associate in Counter-Illicit Finance for Booz Allen Hamilton, Tracy exemplifies what it means to break barriers and lead with resilience and excellence.
Be sure to check out Tracy’s LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and her blog Carpe Diem Creative!
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
397 Our Talents Are For Us Too
When you first take the Strengths Finder quiz, we often feel like those skills and talents are what you can use to guide and influence others, however if we forget to take time for ourselves, to turn our talents inward and focus on ourselves, we are failing ourselves by not acknowledging what we bring to the table.
In today's episode Sarah Elkins and Lindsey Van Gorp discuss the importance of introspection, fostering and growing our strengths, as well as how we need to wield our talents and skills in order to be the best version of ourselves, not just for others but for ourselves so that we may feel fulfilled in our lives.
397 Our Talents Are For Us Too
When you first take the Strengths Finder quiz, we often feel like those skills and talents are what you can use to guide and influence others, however if we forget to take time for ourselves, to turn our talents inward and focus on ourselves, we are failing ourselves by not acknowledging what we bring to the table.
In today's episode Sarah Elkins and Lindsey Van Gorp discuss the importance of introspection, fostering and growing our strengths, as well as how we need to wield our talents and skills in order to be the best version of ourselves, not just for others but for ourselves so that we may feel fulfilled in our lives.
Highlights
Have you ever done anything out of character for the sake of someone else?
Are you direct in your communication or do you soften the edges of your words?
Recognizing the innate strengths in everyone and how that builds community when you’re aware of it.
Do you use your talents solely for those around you or are you using them more introspectively to best show up for yourself?
Quotes
“Clear is kind, I think that’s a thing I’m trying to learn and use more effectively. Because you’re right, I have these strengths that make me a happy, sometimes soft person when it comes to my communication, and I’m learning to remind myself that it’s actually far more kind to the person I’m communicating with if I am direct and clear in my communication instead of softening the edges of what I’m trying to get at.”
“Once you’re aware of it, you see it everywhere.”
“I think mine is a combination of all of mine, I looked at the strengths as how they impact others; Like how does this show up for everyone around me? And I had spent less time thinking about how do they show up for myself? And even just that mindset shift of it’s not always about how you can influence or impact those around you through them, but how am I using them towards myself?”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
Even without using a tool or assessment like Strengths Finder, what questions can you ask people around you, the ones you clearly think differently from, what questions can you ask to get to the heart of why they do what they do and how they do it. Because when you can understand the language, you don’t need to change who you are but you do need to learn a little bit of how to speak it.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Lindsey
Lindsey Van Gorp is the Brand Experience Manager at Vermeer Heartland, focusing her time and attention on enhancing the employee and customer experience. She has a passion for people and seeing them reach their full potential by recognizing their natural gifts and abilities.
Be sure to check out Lindsey’s LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! As well as Vermeer Heartland!
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!
396 Curiosity and Authenticity
It is in human nature to be curious, to ask questions, and seek out insight in an attempt to make sense of the world we are thrust into. It is when we craft our own personal board of directors do we get the opportunity to finally seek the answers we crave and in doing so find our own purpose.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Cole Mannix discuss how curiosity led them to find their authentic selves as well as the many paths their hunger for answers took them on.
396 Curiosity and Authenticity
It is in human nature to be curious, to ask questions, and seek out insight in an attempt to make sense of the world we are thrust into. It is when we craft our own personal board of directors do we get the opportunity to finally seek the answers we crave and in doing so find our own purpose.
In today’s episode Sarah Elkins and Cole Mannix discuss how curiosity led them to find their authentic selves as well as the many paths their hunger for answers took them on.
Highlights
Curiosity and the questions it makes us ask often shape how we grow, even if we don’t see where it’s taking us at first.
Drawing in voices from all over can lead to new perspectives and new questions as well as answers.
Although our path can change throughout life, our mission will always remain the same.
Quotes
“What you serve really matters.”
“What can I give my life to? What is worth the limited time, y’know we all have a limited time, and life no matter what, no matter how rich it is will involve plenty of suffering, and if you decide what’s suffering for and what’s worth giving yourself over to, sometimes it’s multiple things.”
“How does the way we do business together allow for flourishing or not.”
Dear Listeners it is now your turn,
What have you been thinking about during this conversation, did anything in particular remind you of something that happened that helped you understand your purpose, your mission, where you can serve. I’d be really curious to hear if something came up for you, if you’ve developed any kind of clarity around what you want to do next to contribute, to bring your version of reciprocity to your environment and your community. I’d love to hear from you.
And, as always, thank you for listening.
About Cole
Cole is part of an extended family that has ranched together since 1882 near Helmville, MT. He did an undergrad in biology, another in philosophy at Carroll College, then a masters in theology at Boston College. From ‘12-’16 he worked for a startup beef company called Salt of the Earth Ranchers Cooperative. From ’17-’20 he worked for Western Landowners Alliance to advance policies and practices that sustain working lands, connected landscapes, and native species. As a co-founder and President of Old Salt Co-op, he is helping to build a regenerative marketplace for fine American meat. He and spouse Eileen Brennan live in Helena with two sons, Finn and Charlie. Be sure to check out Cole’s LinkedIn, Old Salt, and The Union!
About Sarah
"Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision."
In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I’ve realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don’t realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they’re sharing them with.
My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home.
The audiobook, Your Stories Don’t Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available!
Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.
Be sure to check out the Storytelling For Professionals Course as well to make sure you nail that next interview!