How Our Definition of “Success” is Making Us Stressed, Anxious and Unwell — and What We Can Do About It

02/01/24 • 37 min

Summary:

In today’s episode, Kate shares her exciting news about approving her TEDx talk for 2024. The topic? The Fulfilment Effect: How Career Contentment Drives Global Health, Happiness, and Prosperity. Kate and Sam dive into a deep conversation about how our societal expectations, the messages we give our children, our definition of “success” and our education system is leading to rampant burnout, anxiety, and stress in the workplace globally. According to Gallup, 70% of the global workforce is disengaged. In Australia, nearly 60% of professionals report feeling stressed in their work. And this is having far-reaching problems on our collective health and wellbeing. Kate and Sam both have personal stories on this topic and passionately share their views about how we can make things better.

Key Highlights:

Personal journey: Kate candidly shares her journey from a pivotal youth moment where societal expectations diverted her from following her natural strengths and the disastrous consequences that unraveled as a result.
TEDx talk theme: In her upcoming TEDx talk, Kate underscores the profound connection between vocational happiness and physical health, emphasising how aligning one's career with strengths, personality, and natural abilities is essential to long-term wellbeing.
Societal pressure on children: Sam and Kate discuss the societal pressures on children to conform to traditional career paths, leading to anxiety and dissatisfaction within the younger generation.
Research into education systems: Drawing on research into the education systems of the world's happiest countries, Kate advocates for fostering self-awareness in children and encouraging diverse career pathways right from a young age.
Emphasis on joy and purpose: How do we redefine success beyond societal norms and foster encouragement for individuals to follow their strengths and passion, instead of trying to live up to limited perceptions of “successful”?

This episode concludes with a powerful message: Success is not defined by societal norms but by doing what you love and loving what you do. Kate and Sam envision a world where career contentment becomes the true measure of success.

Other great links: Listen to Ken Robinson’s great TEDx 2006 talk ‘Do Schools Kill Creativity?’ https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativity?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare

Connect with the Women Doing Business Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: [email protected]

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: [email protected]

Summary:

Key Highlights:

Personal journey: Kate candidly shares her journey from a pivotal youth moment where societal expectations diverted her from following her natural strengths and the disastrous consequences that unraveled as a result.
TEDx talk theme: In her upcoming TEDx talk, Kate underscores the profound connection between vocational happiness and physical health, emphasising how aligning one's career with strengths, personality, and natural abilities is essential to long-term wellbeing.
Societal pressure on children: Sam and Kate discuss the societal pressures on children to conform to traditional career paths, leading to anxiety and dissatisfaction within the younger generation.
Research into education systems: Drawing on research into the education systems of the world's happiest countries, Kate advocates for fostering self-awareness in children and encouraging diverse career pathways right from a young age.
Emphasis on joy and purpose: How do we redefine success beyond societal norms and foster encouragement for individuals to follow their strengths and passion, instead of trying to live up to limited perceptions of “successful”?

Connect with the Women Doing Business Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: [email protected]

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: [email protected]

Previous Episode

Forbes Top 10 Business Trends for 2024: Navigating the Human Side of Business as AI Takes the Wheel

Summary:

This episode of the Thriving Business podcast delves into the 2024 business landscape, spotlighting the top five pivotal trends based on Forbes analysis for the coming year. Firstly, the advent of Generative AI emerges as a powerful force, necessitating companies to formulate clear AI strategies for sustained competitiveness while emphasising AI as a tool, not a replacement. Secondly, in the era of AI dominance, the podcast underscores the heightened importance of soft skills such as empathy, communication, and emotional intelligence. It advocates for strategic investments in training to nurture these skills, recognising their crucial role in attracting top talent, fostering robust relationships, and cultivating a thriving work environment amid the evolving business paradigm.

Key Highlights:

Sam and Kate discuss the number one trend: AI, and how it can automate tasks and generate content, but human judgement and leadership are still vital.
Self-awareness and understanding individual strengths and weaknesses (yours and your team's) are crucial for effective collaboration.
Leaders who inspire, empower, and listen will win over those who dictate and micromanage.
Disengaged employees are costing our economies billions. Sam and Kate discuss how a focus on values, vision, and meaningful work to boost motivation and productivity.
Upskilling for jobs of the future is a necessity, not a luxury. Stay ahead of the curve and embrace lifelong learning.

Link to the Forbes article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2023/09/25/the-10-biggest-business-trends-for-2024-everyone-must-be-ready-for-now/

Bonus: This new podcast episode references the inspiring movie "Hidden Figures," showing how upskilling can secure future employment.

Remember: In 2024, it's not just about tech and tools. It's about the human magic that makes everything work. Embrace both, and your business will thrive.

Ready to reflect on your own AI strategy and how you can leverage its power while maintaining the human touch? Listen to the podcast now!

Connect with the Women Doing Business Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: [email protected]

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: [email protected]

Next Episode

Navigating Business Shame, Sharks and Broken Promises

Today marks a special milestone for us as we celebrate our 25th episode which means we’ve made it to the top 1% of all podcasts launched worldwide!
Join us in this celebration as we delve into the power of persistence, along with other taboo topics that often remain shrouded in silence (but which we know are experienced by many) - including the shame of business ‘failure’, falling prey to business ‘sharks’ and the experience of broken promises from bright, shiny online programs.

In our candid discussion, we confront the stigma surrounding our definition of “failure” and the detrimental impact it can have on entrepreneurs. Drawing from personal experiences and insights, we explore the harsh reality that failure is an inevitable part of the journey to success.

Sam and Kate discuss the prevalence of business ‘sharks’ out there in the market and how to make sure you invest your money in trustworthy brands. They discuss their own personal experiences with broken promises and how to recover and learn from these investments to become a resilient and trustworthy brand yourself.

Key Highlights:

Kate and Sam Share Personal Anecdotes and Experiences: Shedding light on the shame and vulnerability entrepreneurs face when things don't go as planned, the hosts emphasise the importance of perseverance and consistency, drawing from their own journey of overcoming failures and setbacks.
The Prevalence of Unscrupulous Practices in the Business and Coaching Industry: Sam and Kate caution listeners to be discerning and thorough in their research, especially when considering investments and partnerships.
Challenge Traditional Marketing Tactics and Advocate for Transparency and Authenticity in Business Promotions: They propose a shift towards realistic success metrics and a reevaluation of the reliance on outdated testimonials.
Encourage Open Dialogue About Failure, Stressing the Value of Sharing Experiences to Prevent Others from Making the Same Mistakes : They underscore the importance of genuine relationships and word-of-mouth referrals in establishing trust within the business community.

As the conversation unfolds, listeners are reminded that failure is an inevitable part of the entrepreneurial journey, but it's how one responds and learns from it that ultimately leads to growth and success. Join Kate and Sam as they navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship, offering valuable insights and guidance to help you thrive in business. Listen now!

Connect with the Women Doing Business Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: [email protected]

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: [email protected]