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Think You’ll Never Overcome Being Called Racist?
Can you imagine how different our world would be if – when faced with our racist comments – we each chose to embrace the moment and humbly, honestly and authentically engage people of color? But defensive behaviors, fears, unproductive thoughts and feelings keep us stuck – and ineffective as white allies. The ways we choose to react out of deep fear of being called racist undermines our core values and vision of ourselves as effective change agents. But there IS another way. The first step is to recognize – and own – our fears and defensive reactions. 5 Common Racist Behaviors and Attitudes of Whites In my free, 1-hour webinar…
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Interrupt Racism to Build Greater Equity
Simply mentioning the word ‘racism’ can create an instant human reaction with three familiar responses: freeze, fight, or flee. Observing those responses among those who have not had the opportunity to learn about racism and how to effectively dissolve it would be understandable. However, those who recognize racism and are trained to interrupt it can feel deeply impacted and defensive when they are called out for their racist by a person of color. They feel the all-too-familiar wrench in the gut. They’re devastated. I know. I’ve been there. Early on in my career, I had to face the truth about the impact of my racist actions and live with the…
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Having to dig deep today as a change agent
As a change agent, I have committed my life to teaching and sharing the skills and strategies to navigate difficult situations and create truly inclusive, socially just organizations while maintaining the passion and energy critical to create meaningful, sustainable change. But today, I am struggling to use these tools in my own life. On a roller coaster, wondering what it is all for… This roller coaster of extreme emotions from Alabama last week to the tax scam this week… from feeling so useful this week as I coached so many brilliant, talented people to waking up today wondering what it is all for…. And yet I know we will move…
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Are you up for a leadership challenge in 2018?
If you’re like me, you’re looking at the calendar right now in total disbelief that 2018 is right around the corner. My question for you: As a leader, what do you want to be different in the New Year? You might answer that you want to change your blueprint for being an effective leader. Perhaps your actions in the past patched up discontent – for a while. But to your dismay, you may be seeing the same old contentious situations repeat themselves. For 2018, what you really want is to ‘fix’ those toxic workplace situations for good. And you’re not looking for a ‘quick fix’ (because you know those never…
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5 Ways to Overcome Burnout This Season
Tis the season…for sparkling lights, glittering gift boxes and dazzling displays. But get real and admit it. You’ve lost your spark. In fact, you’re barely lit. You’re going through the motions, but there’s no passion, there’s no excitement. You’re going through the motions – but there’s no zeal, no fire in you. This isn’t just holiday blues. This goes much deeper. For a change agent, this is almost a death blow. Recognizing the Reality of Burnout People are wanting more from us as change agents, and yet when you go inside, you realize you’re running on fumes, you’re exhausted. You’re beginning to feel helpless and hopeless at times. I know…
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Self-Care Must Be Part of Every Change Agent’s Personal Agenda
You matter. Put aside all the raucous, harsh bickering you hear. Tune out all the hate, the fear, the prejudices…just for a minute. Listen to me. You matter. There is no other like you in the world. You’re unique. You’re a change agent, dedicated to pursuing greater equity and inclusion. But if you burn out, you won’t be of use to anyone. You’ve got to take care of yourself. Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually. I can help. On January 5th, I’m excited to announce the launch of my intense, info-packed course, In It for The Long Haul: Overcoming Burnout and Passion Fatigue as Social Justice Change Agents. You’ll get all the strategies…
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Reignite the Passion for Your Work With Self-Care
Self-Care Reignites the Passion for Your Change Work More and more change agents and activists are in deep burnout these days – and they don’t even realize it. They are still getting up every morning to work for social justice, but things just don’t feel like they used to. But as dedicated change agents, they keep on. The challenge is that they are depleting themselves, endangering their health, and undermining their long-term capacity to sustain activism and effective change work. You CANNOT neglect self-care. Ever. Being a change agent isn’t just a “job” – it is your life’s work, your calling. So, how do you find passion for your work…
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Self-Care ISN’T Selfish! But Do You Really Believe This?
It’s not selfish to take care of yourself. It may be naive to think you’re immune to burnout. Because we’re dedicated, dynamic change agents, we possess a drive that mobilizes us in such a high gear that oftentimes we overlook what’s right in front of us: ourselves. With all the vital work change agents do, we cannot overlook ourselves. To do so would have calamitous effects – and if you’re already neglecting yourself, you’re in the fast lane to burnout. Are you ready to learn how to take care of yourself – and learn why self-care strategies are key? So You Don’t Think You Need Self Care… I designed an…
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You’re Passionate About Leading Change. But Are You Close To Burnout?
How Can Creating Meaningful Social Change Cause Burnout? Burned out from passion? Sounds like an oxymoron. How can you suffer burnout from something you are so committed to doing? Easy. When you’re passionate about something, when you put your heart and soul into it… You live it. Your cause matters. You put so much energy into your work and changing injustice that you forget all about your own self-care. And then – it hits you all at once (but if you were being mindful, you’d notice little signs of burnout creeping in). You feel DEPLETED. You’ve neglected your HEALTH. Your relationships are suffering. You don’t think you can continue on…
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If you’re neglecting self-care, you’re on the road to burnout
When we need it the most, in these troublesome times, we’re neglecting our self-care. Recently, I find myself feeling deeply discouraged and wondering if anything I’ve been doing as a change agent really matters. Unfortunately, I’m not alone: I am meeting more and more leaders and activists who are very close to deep burnout. And we’re neglecting our self-care. Without any measurable efforts to focus on our own self-care and healing as change agents, we’re in the fast lane to serious burnout. In my workshops and coaching sessions, I see so many change agents running on empty. We sleep just enough to have the energy to pull ourselves out of…
