Meaning-making is a very human endeavor. We are quite good at coming up with what we believe the unspoken clues and loud declarations mean. What are ways to challenge our assumptions? How can we stretch our understanding to see a situation with a fresh perspective? That’s what we get into in this Design Yourself episode on Seeing with New Eyes.

Ideas Shared Prompts to See with New Eyes
 1. Ask someone who knows you well for a trusted take
 2. Ask someone who doesn’t know you well for their hot take
 3. Get clear: Clarify your questions and reflect on your answers
 4. Expand your own perspective through consciousness-raising activities that feel right-fit for you. A tool we really enjoy using on retreats is tarot…
 5. Step back and take care – walks, facials, hikes, delicious food, not sitting in front of a screen all day.

Resources and Links
 * Get to know Sharon’s business besties, Catherine and Elena of StoryMine [https://www.storyminemedia.com/about/]
 * Listen to this Design Yourself episode on Living in the Question [https://pointroadstudios.com/podcast/living-in-the-question/]

 

Links and Resources:

For show notes:

https://pointroadstudios.com/podcast/seeing-with-new-eyes

To connect on Linked In: 

@Sharon Lipovsky [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-lipovsky-a072a65/]

@Point Road Studios  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/point-road-studios/]

To connect on Instagram:

@pointroadstudios [https://www.instagram.com/pointroadstudios/?hl=en]

Rate, Review & Subscribe to the podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/design-yourself/id1133043396] & Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3l4f41xF78BPThg71urHPV?si=9k8h8LwLQZaGm3dNqXLyDA&dd=1]

Seeing with New Eyes

Hope is a choice. It's about gifting your attention to the light. Perhaps a simple concept, but one that's not always easy to execute. Particularly in inevitable moments of intensity - whether in our culture, around the board room table, in family text chains, or our own inner life. How do you get grounded in the midst of it all? How do you resist joining the whirlwind? Even when facing a wave of turmoil, how do you tap into finding hope? 

In this episode Sharon dicusses the following practices and prompts to help you come back to your own light:

Ideas Shared Practices for Finding Hope
 1. Meaningful Partnerships (at work, in my creative life, with loved ones) 
 2. Setting Boundaries 
 3. Prayer 
 4. Doing good work
 5. Singing

Reflection Prompts 
 1. What is needed now?
 2. What has brought a smile to your face this week? 
 3. What (or who) gives you hope right now?
 4. What is the gift of the shadows you see?
 5. What quiets your despair?
 6. What is needed now?

 

Links and Resources:

For show notes:

 https://pointroadstudios.com/podcast/finding-hope/ [https://pointroadstudios.com/podcast/finding-hope/]

To connect on Linked In: 

@Sharon Lipovsky [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-lipovsky-a072a65/]

@Point Road Studios  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/point-road-studios/]

To connect on Instagram:

@pointroadstudios [https://www.instagram.com/pointroadstudios/?hl=en]

Rate, Review & Subscribe to the podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/design-yourself/id1133043396] & Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3l4f41xF78BPThg71urHPV?si=9k8h8LwLQZaGm3dNqXLyDA&dd=1]

Finding Hope

When the world gets intense, it's important to take breaks. Join Sharon as she does that by reading three beloved and personally connected poems. We start with a beloved poem by Meditation at Lagunitas by Robert Hass, who Sharon had the opportunity to study under in Berlin. We then turn to Saskia Hamiton and her poem Then. Saskia was another great teacher in Sharon's life and the person who first introduced Sharon to Hass' poetry. We close things out with the physician and poet Willam Carlos Williams and his poem The Red Wheelbarrow. May you find grounding and a little inspiration in the words of these writers.

 

Resources and Links
 * Robert Hass | “Meditation at Lagunitas” [https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47553/meditation-at-lagunitas]
 * Saskia Hamilton | “Then” from Divide These [https://www.graywolfpress.org/books/divide-these]
 * William Carlos Williams | “The Red Wheelbarrow” [https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45502/the-red-wheelbarrow]

 

Links and Resources:

For show notes:

https://pointroadstudios.com/podcast/take-a-break-with-three-poems

To connect on Linked In: 

@Sharon Lipovsky [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-lipovsky-a072a65/]

@Point Road Studios  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/point-road-studios/]

To connect on Instagram:

@pointroadstudios [https://www.instagram.com/pointroadstudios/?hl=en]

Rate, Review & Subscribe to the podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/design-yourself/id1133043396] & Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3l4f41xF78BPThg71urHPV?si=9k8h8LwLQZaGm3dNqXLyDA&dd=1]

Take a Break with Three Poems

Our bodies are incredible sources of wisdom. They are an important resource for ushering our ideas, dreams, and impact into the world. What happens when our bodies signal distress? What insights might we glean from the unlikeliest of places? That’s what we get into in this Design Yourself podcast, Lessons from the Emergency Department.

In this episode Sharon shares some of the insights that emerged during her own recent trip to the hospital, including:

Lessons from the Emergency Department
 1. Own Your Value (and Put on Your Oxygen Mask First)
 2. Cherish Your Support Network
 3. Ask for Help
 4. Demand the Attention You Need (with Neutral, Observable Facts)
 5. Delightful Surprises are Everywhere

 

Links and Resources:

For show notes:

https://pointroadstudios.com/podcast/finding-joy/

To connect on Linked In: 

@Sharon Lipovsky [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-lipovsky-a072a65/]

@Point Road Studios  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/point-road-studios/]

To connect on Instagram:

@pointroadstudios [https://www.instagram.com/pointroadstudios/?hl=en]

Rate, Review & Subscribe to the podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/design-yourself/id1133043396] & Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3l4f41xF78BPThg71urHPV?si=9k8h8LwLQZaGm3dNqXLyDA&dd=1]

Lessons from the Emergency Department

Joy is a light-filled anecdote to volatility, grief, and complexity. What different flavors of joy do you experience? How might you invite more of that into your life? That's what we discuss in today's podcast on Finding Joy.

Sharon shares 5 flavors of joy that she has been experiencing recently, including:

 * Lighthearted Joy - Like a easy, breezy, predictable romance novel. (She's been loving Emily Henry's  books [https://www.emilyhenrybooks.com/] like all the other readers creating this explosive growth of this genre.)
 * Joyful Connection - Like holding hands with a loved one. Taking part in meanful traditions that connect you to history and the present.
 * Heart-centered Joy - Like deep, soul-baring conversations.
 * Joyous Anticipation - Like the fun of looking forward to an exciting vacation. Cornell University did a cool study showing how we gain more happiness from anticipation experiences versus object. [https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2014/09/doing-makes-you-happier-owning-even-buying]
 * The Joy of Knowing - Like when you have a clear budget, sense of priorities, even knowing what you are going to eat.

Links and Resources:

For show notes:

https://pointroadstudios.com/podcast/finding-joy/

To connect on Linked In: 

@Sharon Lipovsky [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-lipovsky-a072a65/]

@Point Road Studios  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/point-road-studios/]

To connect on Instagram:

@pointroadstudios [https://www.instagram.com/pointroadstudios/?hl=en]

Rate, Review & Subscribe to the podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/design-yourself/id1133043396] & Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3l4f41xF78BPThg71urHPV?si=9k8h8LwLQZaGm3dNqXLyDA&dd=1]

Finding Joy

It’s easy to let momentum take hold. Our expectations drive us to continue without letting up. Our desire to please or gain approval might do the same. But at what cost? What are the different ways that we can step back and rejuvenate ourselves? And what happens when we do? In this episode of Design Yourself we invite you to give yourself a break.

Links and Resources:

For show notes:

https://pointroadstudios.com/podcast/worst-job-ever/

To connect on Linked In: 

@Sharon Lipovsky [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-lipovsky-a072a65/]

@Point Road Studios  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/point-road-studios/]

To connect on Instagram:

@pointroadstudios [https://www.instagram.com/pointroadstudios/?hl=en]

Rate, Review & Subscribe to the podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/design-yourself/id1133043396] & Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3l4f41xF78BPThg71urHPV?si=9k8h8LwLQZaGm3dNqXLyDA&dd=1]

Ideas Shared
 1. Celebrate when you take breaks
 2. Distinctions and lessons on types of breaks:
    * Time Off: Sabbatical | Work Pause
    * Time Away: Retreat | Getaway
    * Down Time: Walk | Dance Party | Massage
    * All the Time: Rhythms, Routines and Rituals
 3. Journal Prompt:

What is my relationship with breaks? For myself? For others? What kind of break might I offer myself this week that could make all the difference?

Resources and Links
 * The Parents Aren’t Alright from the Daily Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-parents-arent-all-right/id1200361736?i=1000672343331]

 

 

Give Yourself A Break

What is the worst job you’ve ever had? And why? What made it so? In today’s episode, Sharon discusses her answer to those questions along with some prompts to inspire you never again to have the worst job ever.

 

Links and Resources:

For show notes:

https://pointroadstudios.com/podcast/worst-job-ever/

To connect on Linked In: 

@Sharon Lipovsky [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-lipovsky-a072a65/]

@Point Road Studios  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/point-road-studios/]

To connect on Instagram:

@pointroadstudios [https://www.instagram.com/pointroadstudios/?hl=en]

Rate, Review & Subscribe to the podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/design-yourself/id1133043396] & Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3l4f41xF78BPThg71urHPV?si=9k8h8LwLQZaGm3dNqXLyDA&dd=1]

 

Ideas Shared Reflection Prompts to Avoid Having the Worst Job Ever
 1. What makes my professional light shine?
 2. What environments delight me? Both physically and in the type of leadership and collaboration?
 3. If you were to do something wildly different, what would it be? What else? What else?
 4. What are dealbreakers for you? What makes you feel out of integrity with yourself?
 5. What makes me feel safe to leave a job? What conditions will allow me to be able to stay OR leave a job? How can I take small steps to have make sure I have these conditions in place.

Worst Job Ever

Big change rarely happens in an instant. Transitions are a natural part of the process. Transitions can feel uncomfortable. How do you build up resistance to stick with it? What supports you in building momentum toward a new destination? That’s what we get into in this Design Yourself episode on Sitting in the Messy Middle.

 

Links and Resources:

For show notes visit:

https://pointroadstudios.com/podcast/sitting-in-the-messy-middle/ 

To connect on Linked In: 

@Sharon Lipovsky [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-lipovsky-a072a65/]

@Point Road Studios  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/point-road-studios/]

To connect on Instagram:

@pointroadstudios [https://www.instagram.com/pointroadstudios/?hl=en]

Rate, Review & Subscribe to the podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/design-yourself/id1133043396] & Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3l4f41xF78BPThg71urHPV?si=9k8h8LwLQZaGm3dNqXLyDA&dd=1]

 

Ideas Shared 3 Tips to Sit in Messy Middle
 1. Be clear on your why.
 2. Partner on the HOW.
 3. Stay present to what’s needed now.

Resources and Links
 * Design Yourself podcast on Partnering [https://pointroadstudios.com/podcast/partnering-and-mutual-accountability/]

Sitting in the Messy Middle

Rarely can our dreams be realized in isolation. Partnering with others is a natural consequence of ambition. That doesn't mean it's easy. What makes for effective working relationships? What are the conditions that steward us to powerful teamwork? How do mutual accountability and productive conflict fit in?  We explore these questions and more in this episode focused on partnering and productive conflict.

 

Links and Resources:

For show notes visit:

https://pointroadstudios.com/podcast/partnering-and-productive-conflict/ [https://pointroadstudios.com/?post_type=podcast&p=4982&preview=true]

To connect on Linked In: 

@Sharon Lipovsky [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-lipovsky-a072a65/]

@Point Road Studios  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/point-road-studios/]

To connect on Instagram:

@pointroadstudios [https://www.instagram.com/pointroadstudios/?hl=en]

Rate, Review & Subscribe to the podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/design-yourself/id1133043396] & Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3l4f41xF78BPThg71urHPV?si=9k8h8LwLQZaGm3dNqXLyDA&dd=1]

 

Resources Shared
 * Marie Kondo’s book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” [https://shop.konmari.com/products/the-life-changing-magic-of-tidying-up-1]
 * Patrick Lencioni’s model highlighting the conditions needed for effective teamwork: trust, conflict, commitment, accountability, results [https://www.tablegroup.com/topics-and-resources/teamwork-5-dysfunctions/]

Partnering and Productive Conflict | Summer Series 12

Deep listening can change the world. Listening impacts so many things: Our understanding, our questions, and our connections to those around us. When we listen deeply, we light a spark for transformation.

But listening isn't easy. There are habits and culturally accepted practices that hold us back from really listening to understand. The good news is that you can create simple shifts to improve the quality of your listening and inspire others to do the same. 

This Design Yourself episode highlights 12 habits that prevent us from listening – including rehearsing, daydreaming, and placating. We invite you to see with a fresh perspective where your listening gets derailed and to make simple shifts to bring your attention back to listening to understand.

 

Links and Resources:

For show notes visit:

https://pointroadstudios.com/podcast/how-to-be-a-great-listener/ [https://pointroadstudios.com/?post_type=podcast&p=4981&preview=true]

To connect on Linked In: 

@Sharon Lipovsky [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-lipovsky-a072a65/]

@Point Road Studios  [https://www.linkedin.com/company/point-road-studios/]

To connect on Instagram:

@pointroadstudios [https://www.instagram.com/pointroadstudios/?hl=en]

Rate, Review & Subscribe to the podcast on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/design-yourself/id1133043396] & Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3l4f41xF78BPThg71urHPV?si=9k8h8LwLQZaGm3dNqXLyDA&dd=1]

 

Ideas Shared

You can download a summary PDF of the Listening Blocks and tips for being a great listener here [https://pointroadstudios.com/wp-content/uploads/Listening-Blocks.pdf].

12 Listening Blocks

Mind Reading – Assuming you know what the other person feels

Rehearsing – Planning what you want to say next

Filtering – Listening only for what’s relevant to you

Judging – Evaluating the speaker and what they say

Daydreaming  – Getting lost in your own thoughts

Identifying – Relating everything you hear in yourself

Advising – Listening to solve or direct

Sparring – Invalidating the speaker through argument or debate

Being Right – Resisting all communication that suggests you are wrong

Derailing – Changing the subject

Comparing – Trying to figure out how you compare to the speaker

Placating – Agreeing too quickly

Source: Messages: The Communication Skills Book by Matthew McKay, Ph.D., Martha Davis, Ph.D., and Patrick Fanning

Reflection Questions
 * Which listening block shows up most frequently for me?
 * What new awareness am I taking with me about the quality of my own listening as I learn about listening blocks?
 * What’s one listening block that you could pay attention to this week to improve the quality of your conversations?
 * What’s one thing you could pay attention to this week to improve the quality of your listening? (e.g. set aside technology; ask for a colleague to be your listening accountability partner in a specific meeting)

Resources and Links
 * Messages: The Communication Skills Book by Matthew McKay, Ph.D., Martha Davis, Ph.D., and Patrick Fanning [https://bookshop.org/p/books/messages-the-communication-skills-book-patrick-fanning/12519319?ean=9781684031719]
 * Original Design Yourself episode on Listening Blocks [https://pointroadstudios.com/podcast/listening-blocks/]

How to Be A Great Listener | Summer Series 11

A weekly podcast for people who want to lead a well-designed life. Imagine what you want + allow it to happen. Hosted by Sharon Lipovsky, founder of Point Road Studios, executive coach, and creative entrepreneur. For show notes visit www.pointroadstudios.com/podcast