Why Other People's Emotions Keep Pulling You Away from Your Most Important Work

Have you ever sat down with a clear plan for your day… only to find yourself pulled into everyone else's problems?

In this episode, Erin shares a simple metaphor from the New Mexico desert that completely changed the way she thinks about work, leadership, and people-pleasing. Using the image of lava rock—with all of its tiny holes and distractions—she explores why so many caring professionals abandon their own priorities in order to manage relationships, smooth conflict, and keep everyone else comfortable.

If you've ever finished a workday exhausted without making progress on what mattered most, this episode will help you understand why—and how to begin changing the pattern with curiosity instead of self-criticism.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why people-pleasing is often a nervous system safety strategy—not a personality trait.
• How workplace relationships can quietly pull your attention away from your highest priorities.
• What this looks like in fundraising conversations with donors and volunteers.
• Why mindfulness helps you notice unconscious patterns before they take over your day.
• A simple question to ask yourself whenever you feel pulled into everyone else's agenda.

Resources mentioned

• Playing Big by Tara Mohr

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