In this conversation, Elaine Lin Hering discusses the power of silence and the importance of unlearning it. She shares her personal journey from being a lawyer to becoming a leadership development consultant and author. Elaine emphasizes the need to create safe spaces for individuals to speak up and challenges the notion that speaking up is solely an individual's responsibility. She also explores the unintentional ways in which people silence others and suggests ways to design communication for inclusion. In this conversation, Elaine Lin Hering discusses the importance of considering different voices and perspectives, unlearning communication patterns, and being authentic and honest with yourself. She also explores the process of finding your voice, embracing different ways of operating, and overcoming shame and doubt. Additionally, she shares insights on rediscovering your voice, experimenting and intentional exploration, and the importance of supporting underrepresented voices.

Takeaways

• Silence is often an unconscious coping mechanism in response to a lack of psychological safety and the fear of negative consequences.
• The burden of calculating silence should not solely rest on individuals, but rather on creating environments that encourage and support diverse voices.
• Recognizing and addressing the biases and stereotypes that lead to silencing others is crucial for fostering inclusive communication.
• Designing communication to accommodate different preferences and needs, such as using various mediums and considering time zones, can help create a more inclusive and safe space for everyone to speak up. Consider different voices and perspectives when communicating and making decisions.
• Unlearn communication patterns that may exclude or silence certain individuals.
• Be authentic and honest with yourself about your preferred methods of communication and participation.
• Finding your voice is a journey that may require rediscovery and intentional exploration.
• Embrace different ways of operating and recognize the value of diverse communication styles.
• Overcome shame and doubt associated with not knowing or doubting your own voice.
• Experiment and intentionally explore to discover and develop your voice.
• Support underrepresented voices and challenge existing systems that prioritize certain voices over others.

Elaine's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainelinhering/

Elaine's site: Website:

Pre-Order Book here: Unlearning Silence

https://www.sonjaholmes.com

Are you ready to redefine success on your own terms and live a joyful life? That's what we did in our recent life-transforming conversation with the dynamic Jessica Kascov. As a bestselling author, speaker, and life coach, Jessica shared her journey from a thriving engineering career to the inception of her company, Joyfulness with Jess. We delved into her personal life and discovered her deep-seated love for self-help books. You'll be inspired as we explore her transformation and learn how introspection led her to discover her true calling.

In a shifting world, we all yearn for something that brings us genuine joy and contentment. Jessica introduced us to an exciting concept - the Soul Salary. Dare to redefine your wealth by aligning your time and energy with what truly fulfills you. With Jessica, we discussed a remarkable four-step process to identify and amplify our Soul Salary while reducing things that drain our joy. We also touched on the importance of authenticity and taking risks to achieve high Soul Salary status; a conversation that will utterly change your perspective on success.

Lastly, we navigated the topics of self-care, self-trust, and the critical role of finding and utilizing our voice. We explored the concept of a 'Legacy Statement,' serving as a beacon to guide our actions and decisions in life. With Jessica's wisdom, we discussed ways to escape the autopilot mode and learn to listen to our inner voice, leading to a more fulfilling life. Get strapped, this episode is all about finding joy in the journey, and discovering your authentic self.

Connect with Jess: https://www.instagram.com/jkaskov/
Take the Soul Salary Quiz: https://soulsalary.scoreapp.com/
Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9SF6JVK/

https://www.sonjaholmes.com

What if you could take control of the autopilot mode of your life? That's what we're diving into in today's episode. I share my personal journey of disrupting ingrained habits, those default modes that have been silently dictating the course of my life. Using a specially created journal, filled with insightful prompts, I've been able to identify and begin to alter these default habits. Change isn't easy, but acknowledging these habits and recognizing their impact on our lives is the first step. Join me in celebrating and accepting ourselves as we are now, while also acknowledging that change requires time and work.

Now, imagine viewing that same journey of self-discovery through the lens of love. That's the perspective we explore in the second half of this episode. Self-reflection is a powerful tool, but it's easy to get buried under the weight of change. Instead, we should approach this journey with love and observation, allowing us to view ourselves and our work in a new light. Using a set of 12 thought-provoking prompts, we begin to realize that we are more than just our work. We can take ownership of our work, without it consuming us. As we embark on this journey together, remember: You are more than your work, and you deserve to celebrate that.

Get the free default journal here: sonjaholmes.com/default

https://www.sonjaholmes.com

What if we could disrupt the ingrained habits and routines that dictate our actions and potentially hinder our growth? Join me as I candidly share my own journey of challenging my default mode, a habit of remaining silent when I should speak up and saying yes to everything to the detriment of myself. This is an expedition not just into my personal default mode, but a collective exploration of how our default modes shape our work life, sometimes incongruously with our desires.

Brace yourselves, for this episode is all about introspection and courageous change. We're going to discover and dissect our default modes, and how they can either be our biggest ally or greatest foe in personal growth. Remember, work does not define us – we can redefine it to support the life we truly want. Let's disrupt our defaults, step out of our comfort zones, and embark on this transformational journey together. I promise you, this episode is life-changing. Let's do this!

https://www.sonjaholmes.com

What if the secret to a fulfilling future lies in your ability to understand your current life season? Join me as we dig into this question and unravel the importance of recognizing your life season when casting a vision for your future. We'll journey through my personal experiences on how I set achievable goals based on my current life season, and how you can do the same. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone wanting to navigate and optimize their life seasons.

We explore how a clear understanding of your life season can help align your focus with your resources and capacity, ultimately leading to setting realistic expectations and achieving your goals. I'll share my personal journey of finding my voice and how it has positively affected my relationships and overall life alignment. Prepare for a deep and meaningful conversation that will guide you towards a balanced and fulfilling work-life.

https://www.sonjaholmes.com

Unplugging: More Than Just a Day Off

Sure, we've all been there—those PTO days when you promise yourself a break, only to find yourself checking emails or brainstorming work ideas. Been there, done that. But what if unplugging could be more than just an event?

In this episode, I lay it all out—why unplugging is a crucial part of self-care, and how it's become a daily practice for me. Spoiler alert: it's not about being a superhero for everyone else; it's about recharging and being the best version of ME.

The Unplugging Game Plan: A Sneak Peek

1. Start Time and Quit Time: Ever feel like your workday is a never-ending story? I've got some tricks to change that narrative.
2. Prioritize Your Day: Discover how I ensure my three big priorities take center stage, and how you can do the same.
3. Thinking Time: Yep, we're scheduling time to think. Trust me, it's a game-changer.
4. Build Breaks Into Your Day: Daily lunch breaks aren't just a luxury—they're a necessity. I spill on how to make them your secret sauce.
5. Turn Off Notifications: It's time to break free from the notification shackles and take back control of your time.

Ready for the Deep Dive?

If you're as intrigued as I am, hit play [here] to soak up all the unplugging wisdom. Trust me; it's worth the listen.

Oh, and to make sure you're equipped to conquer your unplugging journey, grab your free daily planner at sonjaholmes.com/daily. Consider it your roadmap to a more intentional and balanced routine.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts and insights on this one! Let's toast to unplugging and truly owning our work (without it owning us).

Cheers to unplugging and owning our work (without it owning us),

Sonja Holmes

https://www.sonjaholmes.com

Have you ever wondered about the real essence of self-care? Is it just about being better for others or more about recognizing our own worth? I'm Sonja Holmes, your host and I'm thrilled to share my self-care journey. Often, we see self-care as a tool for productivity. But what if we shift this narrative and see self-care as an ultimate goal, a testament to our self-worth, not just a means to an end? Let's challenge traditional thinking and appreciate that we deserve care, nurture, and love simply by virtue of our existence.

The journey towards prioritizing self-care is an act of self-compassion. It's not about turning chores into productive tasks, but transforming them into gifts for ourselves. It entails knowing what we need, identifying what energizes or drains us, and understanding how we thrive. So, let's unlearn and relearn the value of self-care together. Because you and I, we are all worth it. We are more than our work, and we deserve to be cared for. Let’s redefine self-care and recognize it as an investment in our wellbeing.

https://www.sonjaholmes.com

Imagine truly owning your work life, making decisions seamlessly, and carving a career path that aligns with your desires. Sound impossible? Think again! The power to decide what you say 'yes' and 'no' to at work is the game-changer you've been missing. Join us as we embark on this empowering journey towards gaining control over your work life.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of opportunities and tasks that come your way? Before you dole out another 'yes', let's pause and evaluate. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the art of identifying which projects are worth your commitment. Get ready to equip yourself with a framework that will guide you in making strategic decisions. We’ll share thought-provoking questions and discuss how to protect your 'yes' to avoid spreading yourself too thin.

And that's not all; we will also explore how to assess project opportunities. Learn to identify high-visibility projects with the potential to drive impact and those that will contribute to building, sharpening, or showcasing your skills. We wrap up this exciting discussion with tips on how to create your personal criteria for decision-making, keeping your energy and mindset into consideration. Tune in and start to reclaim your power, set boundaries and take control of your time. No more letting work own you, it’s time for you to own your work!

https://www.sonjaholmes.com