You Can Lead and Still Have a Life: A Real Talk with Career Coach Sara Spencer

00:00.03

Debra Coleman

are. Well, welcome back everybody to another episode of Have a Seat, Conversations with Women in the Workplace. And I am so honored to be sitting down with Ms. Sarah Spencer today. She is a career success coach who is going to talk to us a little bit about, yes, ah careers and successful women, but with a different spin. And so I can't wait to introduce you to Sarah and have this conversation. But first, thank you, Sarah, so much for finding time to join me this afternoon.

00:30.79

Sara 

Yeah. And thank you, Deborah, for inviting me to your show. I love it I've been listening to the episodes online. So I really appreciate being here with you and being with your listeners.

00:41.36

Debra Coleman

Oh, thank you. We appreciate it too. i have a feeling we're going to learn quite a bit today. I'm so excited.

00:47.94

Sara 

Yeah.

00:48.00

Debra Coleman

um Well, to get us started, let's take ah just a few steps back for those who may not be as familiar with your background. um Your journey though, from from burnout to balance, honestly, it was so inspiring. And I just, i honestly, honest to God, I just told my husband this over lunch earlier today or last night, actually over dinner.

01:09.64

Debra Coleman

I think I just went through a period of of ah of like a mini burnout and chapter in my life.

01:13.57

Sara 

Mm-hmm.

01:14.60

Debra Coleman

And so i but so when I was reading up about you and learning about you and thinking about the show, I thought this timing couldn't have been better. um But I know we're taking it different direction. But I just really was inspired by your journey a little bit from when from reading about you.

01:27.86

Debra Coleman

So Share with us if you can um take us back just a bit to that moment when you maybe realized something needed to change for yourself and how that possibly led to the creation of your coaching platform and to you basically coaching others and paying it forward.

01:44.77

Sara 

Yeah.

01:45.63

Debra Coleman

Yeah.

01:46.30

Sara 

Yeah. And I think, you know, I appreciate you sharing that you just got out of a a mini, you know, experience of burnout because I feel like it creeps up on us.

01:56.48

Debra Coleman

yeah

01:56.75

Sara 

it it It's like, we don't know that we're in it until we're full on in it. And so that's why these strategies are so key to like heighten our awareness around it so that we can put good habits in place so that we don't end up in that full on burnout

02:11.17

Debra Coleman

Mm-hmm.

02:11.26

Sara 

Right.

02:11.31

Debra Coleman

Mm-hmm.

02:11.46

Sara 

Where we need to take, you know, the leave of absence or, you know, we're exhausted all weekend or we don't feel like we're living our best lives. Right. And so for me, it happened.

02:21.83

Sara 

um Gosh, I was burning the candle at both ends. And I was, you know, working major projects, I was doing some other projects at home. And then I just noticed myself like getting sick, I got autoimmune illness from the burnout.

02:38.11

Sara 

And so from there, fast forward, I worked with many different practitioners, I had my own coach, right? So I could really build the skills that I felt like that were really needed in my leadership role so that I could be thriving at work.

02:53.10

Sara 

I had really good boundaries so that, you know, I wasn't being pulled in so many different directions. And a really great resource that I share with a lot of my clients is How Women Rise.

03:03.65

Sara 

It's a great book by Marshall Goldsmith.

03:05.14

Debra Coleman

and

03:07.08

Sara 

And I'm sure there's a summary online, but it talks about the 12, um, the 12 habits that women will do that often lead us into burnout, right? And are not supporting us in our careers. And so, and it's interesting because these last few years, like since COVID, what I forget what 2019, right?

03:28.60

Sara 

I've transitioned to work with so many more women it was just an interesting transition time. And what I'm finding about working with women and burnout and leadership roles and you know helping them create the you know the skills so that they can get ahead, but not put themselves last, right?

03:47.73

Sara 

What's transitioned from that is working with women on relationships, right? So the there's specific skills at work, right, that we need. And then there's also things outside of work. So it's just, it's interesting how it's transitioned and my coaching angle. I'm still working with similar client base, but we're working on other things, right? We're expanding and I'm working with a lot of women on the romantic relationships.

04:15.49

Debra Coleman

Well, so look at that. And we're well past February, a Valentine month too. um so

04:22.28

Sara 

Right, right.

04:22.58

Debra Coleman

the over that That is fascinating though. That is really interesting that that's, first of all, the fact that it seems to have picked up in the time that it did.

04:33.81

Sara 

Yeah.

04:34.66

Debra Coleman

It's like what, you know, I'm not a sociologist by any means, but it's, that would be a real interesting study is like, what ah about post COVID sort of shifted for women in those spaces where they are thinking more about like um partners or like supportive, supportive and, you know, relationships.

04:52.81

Debra Coleman

So that's interesting.

04:53.69

Sara 

Right, right.

04:55.07

Debra Coleman

Wow.

04:55.15

Sara 

Well, there's a lot of studies, actually, now that you're bringing that up. I don't know exactly how they hone in with COVID, but there are a lot of studies about love and stress reduction.

05:05.55

Sara 

And there was a boost of stress for professional women during this timeframe, right?

05:10.24

Debra Coleman

Hmm.

05:10.58

Sara 

Taking on more, going purely virtual, um You know, maybe transitioning and leaving one career and going to the next. So that can all create a lot of stress.

05:21.45

Sara 

Right. And there's a lot of studies. There's one specifically research from Carnegie Mellon showing that emotional support directly lowers cortisol. Right. and our stress hormone hormones that drive burnout and health issues, right?

05:35.25

Sara 

And I know I experienced that with with stress and also, um you know, loneliness, right? So there's that, you know, we don't want to be always be socially isolated. So there's a lot of studies on, I think one is going around um social media right now, like, isolation is just as damaging to our health as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day.

05:56.41

Debra Coleman

Mm-hmm.

05:56.42

Sara 

So that connection, you know, it's not just nice, it's also critical, right?

05:56.55

Debra Coleman

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

06:01.38

Sara 

So I i appreciate you bringing that up. Like what would be the studies specifically around that timeframe?

06:07.56

Debra Coleman

here

06:07.59

Sara 

And I know, um you know, many of my clients felt that loneliness, right? Because they're at home, right? Like working, you know, you're you're not as connected as you are when you're in the office, right?

06:19.72

Sara 

And then that creating that more emotional safety, right? For for just for our mental health. And that can come from having a great partnership.

06:30.25

Debra Coleman

Wow. Fascinating. So group at that you say great partnership. Is that what is what seems to be, without you know and giving away anything personal for anyone, but does there seem to be sort of an overarching or commonality? Is it women, when we get to like a certain level in our career, that we find ourselves just in a bit more of ah of a lonelier space?

06:56.15

Debra Coleman

Because maybe we can't find a partner that understands our drive. Or is it, as you said, more tactical? Like, well, we're not physically in spaces, most you know, much anymore.

07:06.69

Debra Coleman

um a Some are, but, you know, so I'm just curious, like, is there, in your opinion, like, what might be causing this lacking, like this lack of ah of ah ah a relationship factor?

07:06.75

Sara 

to

07:18.08

Sara 

Yeah, I like how you brought up like maybe it's the level that they're at or maybe it's like the time in their life that they're at. Because if you think about dating in your 20s versus dating when you're in a professional role, like maybe 30s plus, right?

07:25.92

Debra Coleman

Right. Right.

07:33.90

Debra Coleman

here

07:34.20

Sara 

Like, it you know, we have a different... ah group, right? A different pool. And maybe relationships are shifting, right? And we're learning more about ourselves and we we want something different, right?

07:45.35

Debra Coleman

right

07:45.42

Sara 

And I think if we go back to, you know, that movie with Julia Roberts, Eat, Pray, Love, you know, when um her ah partner at the end is like, you need a champion or a cheerleader.

07:56.69

Sara 

I feel like women in leadership roles, that that extra support, that champion type of love, is more of what they're looking for.

08:06.70

Sara 

Like maybe they're not looking for the provider, but they're looking for a partner, right?

08:06.96

Debra Coleman

Right.

08:11.53

Sara 

They're looking for someone that can support the different areas of themselves. So it's not just about work. And so, you know, I feel like a lot of my clients are realizing like, it's okay, I can thrive in my career and I can still desire ah thriving relationship. You know, one doesn't have to come at the expense of the other.

08:31.74

Debra Coleman

right

08:31.79

Sara 

And some of my clients are out there getting exhausted, you know, by the grind of the the online apps. and And it doesn't have to be that way. And so I work with my clients on strategies where, you know, it doesn't have to be just apps, right? There is a different way we can be more intentional, right? Because I believe like, you know, women, they also crave deep love and stability and emotional support. And we're not weak for wanting both.

09:00.02

Sara 

um You know, it's like that whole person relationship.

09:05.19

Debra Coleman

Exactly. that whole, i'm that's so well said, that whole person relationship. And two things came to mind when you were offering, when you were sharing your insights there.

09:17.03

Debra Coleman

So I don't think it's fair either when women at at a certain level or a certain stage of their career and they begin to really think about that part of their lives, like, okay, I've got the career on lock.

09:28.62

Debra Coleman

Now it's time to personal, um but let's admit it.

09:29.37

Sara 

Mm-hmm.

09:32.60

Debra Coleman

Right. I mean, I'll, I'll say it there. There are probably certain expectations. You, like you said, what you wanted at 25 may not be the same that at 45, you might be looking for qualities or some aspects.

09:41.25

Sara 

her

09:43.44

Debra Coleman

So, Is it fair to say they're picky and is it a good thing?

09:50.06

Sara 

Well, I wouldn't say picky. i It's more in alignment, right?

09:53.87

Debra Coleman

and Okay.

09:54.83

Sara 

And so how can a partner be in alignment with with who you are today?

09:54.86

Debra Coleman

Okay. Yeah. Okay.

10:00.11

Sara 

But if you if we don't work through the wounds that are probably there, right, from relationship challenges right? and And just life challenges, right? And, you know, work on probably our triggers, right? It's hard to get into the alignment.

10:19.53

Sara 

And so what I like to work with women on is working through the, you know, taking a couple months and working through that first, you know, and then going into the strategies, right? So getting to know, who are you?

10:33.79

Sara 

What do we need to grieve and let go?

10:33.83

Debra Coleman

Mm-hmm.

10:35.85

Sara 

what do we currently want? That's in alignment with us. Right. So changing the word from picky to alignment, because, you know, we want a relationship that's thriving in it. And it may not be that that partner has the same educational status or the same job status, but hits the values that are needed.

10:58.45

Sara 

right to provide whatever that alignment is and so I like to help women like looking at relationships and love differently than just that status right of who that partner may be and then it's going to help you filter out who really is in alignment with who you are and then we can work through strategies to go about um you know and being in action when it comes to dating and finding that

11:18.29

Debra Coleman

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

11:28.48

Sara 

that aligned partner? so yeah, I think that's a really good question because people will jump to that. Oh, she's just picky. And really it's, you know, it it is a relationships are about being in alignment with one another, right? And having that give and take. And just like at work, we have to be flexible.

11:48.04

Sara 

We have to be resilient. We need good communication, right? We have to manage ourself emotionally, our emotional triggers, right? That all aligns with dating as well.

11:57.99

Debra Coleman

It does. It really does. There's a lot there. I mean, dating on the surface level sounds so simple, but there's really a lot going on there as you so as you illustrated.

12:08.72

Debra Coleman

oh And I like, thank you for correcting that too, that picky to alignment.

12:09.88

Sara 

Right, right.

12:13.52

Debra Coleman

That's a very good course correction. I like that phrasing. Much better. um And is there is there also um sort of a ah roadblock, I guess, or or um with your clients that think that about themselves? I know I could see myself doing this if I was at a certain level.

12:33.17

Debra Coleman

um i I have it all. I don't really need, I'm my own partner. You know, everyone always lets me down. I can only rely on myself. I don't like the ones who are maybe resistant to that.

12:40.78

Sara 

Yeah.

12:43.98

Sara 

Yeah. Yeah. Oh, yes. And that's working through emotional safety, allowing time for grieving, right?

12:51.52

Debra Coleman

Right. Hmm.

12:55.78

Sara 

Because to get to that point, there's probably a lot of letdown, right?

13:02.32

Debra Coleman

right

13:02.30

Sara 

That comes. So how can we honor who we are and our experiences and not look at it like I'm a victim, but actually I'm a, I'm a victor. and And what did we learn from that, from those experiences? And then how do we go through the stages of grief to let that go so that we can be open to love again? So the clients I work with, they, you know,

13:29.03

Sara 

usually we work together in coaching and then they come to the realization like, ah, I would like to actually have this in my life, right? Getting back to that heart centered space, or they're already dating or they're in a partnership and they just want that partnership. You know, they don't want to be bored anymore. They want to thrive in their relationship as well as in their career. Right.

13:50.23

Sara 

So it's, it's just, what's the path to get there. So I created a four month, coaching program that's self-paced online with some coaching and group coaching so that we can hit these key um points, like that resignation.

14:07.96

Sara 

Because, yeah, I do talk to a lot of women and they're like, hey, I'm great. I have a great life. That's awesome. But then it's, I'm tired, right? I wish I had someone to hold this. This is what happened with the kids. I wish I had a partner to lean on.

14:22.75

Sara 

right Or you know I want to create a future with someone and I want to pull our funds together and invest and maybe create like you know travel with them when I retire. right And so little things will come out of that.

14:36.62

Sara 

And I'm not saying there's anything wrong with being single at all.

14:41.03

Debra Coleman

Right.

14:41.07

Sara 

I'm not saying that at all.

14:41.13

Debra Coleman

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

14:42.07

Sara 

I'm saying that there my clients typically come to a point where it's like, I'm um tired of doing this alone. I actually do want to intentionally find an aligned partner.

14:53.93

Sara 

Yeah.

14:54.85

Debra Coleman

that's i mean That's really, it comes from a place of strength to to say that.

14:58.60

Sara 

Yeah.

14:59.16

Debra Coleman

Yeah. And so what I'm gathering is it's not always the part, like the prospective partner's fault, like, well, it didn't work out because they just fill in the blank, right? Or they just don't get me. Or they just, it's it sounds like you're also helping them take a step back.

15:14.95

Debra Coleman

Let's turn that inwards a bit and see making sure what you're looking for, what you need is in alignment with yourself because that's what you're going to put out into the world.

15:16.93

Sara 

Mm-hmm.

15:23.90

Debra Coleman

That's what

15:24.05

Sara 

Exactly. There's something called, and in my program, we balance, there's a me, you, and we dynamic.

15:31.94

Debra Coleman

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

15:32.58

Sara 

And we have to start with the me. We have to start with the grief, the challenges, the healing, and then the mindset.

15:43.82

Sara 

And then what is it we truly want? What are the values? And then we look at our entire life. Who's going to fit into this with me? Who would be in alignment with me? And then there's the you, like, how do we work with, yeah um you know, our partner, right?

16:00.45

Sara 

Because they're coming from their perspective. And maybe if it's, you know, and I, and as I mentioned, before we started, I've worked with hundreds of men prior to working with women.

16:04.77

Debra Coleman

Thank you.

16:10.89

Sara 

So it's the thought pattern may be a little bit different, right? But I'm not saying like, you know, it's just hetero couples, but, you know, this is, there is a dynamic that we see and there are some you know, ways that relationships with men will play out as women and will have expectations, right?

16:30.98

Sara 

And so we we need to also work on that me, you and we dynamic as well, in a loving, respectful space.

16:35.13

Debra Coleman

Yes. Mm-hmm.

16:38.58

Sara 

and And also managing our own emotional triggers, right? And and when I worked with, you know, leadership, it's like, how do we how do we manage ourselves? That's emotional intelligence. So how do we manage those triggers and communicate our wants and needs in all these different areas, right?

16:55.09

Sara 

though That's skill building, right? So we also have that aspect of skill building so that they can have what they truly want in a relationship.

16:57.62

Debra Coleman

yeah

17:05.13

Debra Coleman

who Oh, I love that. I would that that is exactly what I was thinking along the lines of at what point does communicating your needs and what you're looking for come into play as well.

17:17.15

Debra Coleman

um So the person or the other person can do can feel safe enough to do the same and then maybe we can go from there. um

17:24.30

Sara 

Yeah.

17:24.91

Debra Coleman

I guess that's.

17:24.94

Sara 

Yeah. And that safety, that safety is so key, but we can't really get to that safety together until we work on the hurt from before.

17:35.76

Debra Coleman

a

17:36.93

Sara 

Right. Cause that, that aspect needs to be tended to in a, in a loving way.

17:37.56

Debra Coleman

yeah

17:43.16

Debra Coleman

who

17:43.29

Sara 

and what I sit, what I see with my clients is when they tend to that, they're also building confidence.

17:49.22

Debra Coleman

yeah

17:49.33

Sara 

They're also working on their boundaries. They're working on their executive presence. So it's like this beautiful blend of, you know, working on that partnership and love relationship, which also flows into their professional life too.

18:07.11

Debra Coleman

Wow. I can absolutely see the intersectionality of all of that together, coming together, and how it can easily translate from your career life into your personal love life.

18:18.58

Sara 

Yeah.

18:19.59

Debra Coleman

That's fascinating.

18:20.70

Sara 

Yeah, so it's been really exciting these last couple of years.

18:23.53

Debra Coleman

Mm-hmm.

18:24.65

Sara 

And I'm very excited to continue working with my my clients on these particular, you know, relationship dynamics and and and needs.

18:35.89

Debra Coleman

I love that. I love that your, your practice has included this as well, because it's all, you know, it's all a part of the package. And it's nice to hear that you worked with men, ah you know, in the past as well. And women now, you know, the ship, you're still working with both, but I mean, it seems like in this particular area, more women clientele, maybe versus men.

18:56.30

Debra Coleman

um It's interesting. I wonder if I'm going to be a little shady, a little sassy. Yeah.

19:01.77

Sara 

Okay.

19:02.36

Debra Coleman

ah

19:03.66

Sara 

no

19:03.88

Debra Coleman

On one hand, it's fantastic that you are you created a space to have these conversations and where women can speak with someone trusted to explore some of these feelings. But it's almost it's almost like, here we go again Are men having these same conversations? Like, why are women in leadership? It just seems like yet another thing that is is different than our male allies. Like,

19:28.89

Debra Coleman

Oh, now I've got to like, i mean, I just don't in my space hear a lot of, but from men saying, I just can't find a partner that gets me, ah you know, who happened to be in more leadership type air arenas, but women, it seems like that.

19:41.82

Debra Coleman

Yeah. You want to be successful and lead fantastic. But at the sacrifice of this, you know, it's like, but I know there's, there's coaches like you out there that are like, no, we're going to absolutely dispel that myth.

19:48.07

Sara 

here

19:54.33

Debra Coleman

You can have both, and here's a healthy way to go about it, but it just it's kind of saddens me that women, you know, women in leadership.

20:01.70

Sara 

Again, it's your fault. No, that's definitely not the perspective I'm coming from, but I definitely know what you're talking about. There's a lot that rides on our shoulders, right?

20:12.77

Debra Coleman

Yes.

20:13.38

Sara 

And, um, Gosh, and so this would be, you know, if we just look at like just how we're raised and how men are raised and and reared and then how female brains are different than men.

20:29.91

Sara 

There's so much science around these these differences.

20:32.33

Debra Coleman

Yeah. Oh.

20:33.44

Sara 

And I do feel like a lot of my male clients that I work with in the past, it would take them longer to get to this point where they would open up about their relationships. But let me tell you, they open up, they have challenges, they're they're they're trying to date as well. They want a good partner if they're single or they're they're using the coaching tools with their with their spouses at home or their partners at home.

20:58.23

Debra Coleman

oh

20:58.44

Sara 

And so, yeah, and so to say like they they don't deal with these issues, I'm wondering if it's not so like they don't maybe like speak it as, as quickly, like when we're in a coaching session and they usually don't seek out therapy.

21:12.22

Debra Coleman

Right. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

21:16.49

Sara 

Right. So we just look statistically, right.

21:16.84

Debra Coleman

Mm-hmm.

21:18.73

Sara 

Like, um, so, so men will, um, you know, just respond different to stress and, than than women do. And so i think that's why i have more female clients in this realm ah than i do then i do male clients.

21:36.89

Sara 

But going back to my coaching sessions in the past, I did talk with men about these these topics.

21:42.92

Debra Coleman

Right. Mm-hmm.

21:43.50

Sara 

And um so so yes, but I would love your listeners not to look at it from a place of like, it's it's necessary. It's just some of my clients, right.

21:56.22

Sara 

Are, we're moving in this direction and um, Yeah, I don't want to put any blame or guilt or shame out there.

22:01.86

Debra Coleman

and

22:04.57

Sara 

I don't know.

22:04.67

Debra Coleman

right

22:05.09

Sara 

Some of your some of your clients might have read the book Power Versus Force by David Hawkins. And he talks about the like different energy levels that we you know humanity goes through and what like he weighs them on a scale of 1 to 7,000, think.

22:20.16

Debra Coleman

Mm-hmm.

22:23.43

Debra Coleman

wow

22:23.60

Sara 

And he talks about shame and guilt and fear being the lowest, right? And so the last thing that I, the last space I want to come from, like with working with women on these topics is any place of shame, guilt, or fear.

22:38.38

Sara 

But I feel like there could be some thoughts like if you're if you're single or you're dating and you're in a leadership role like you could feel like some of my clients feel a sense of shame around this and that's why when we work together it's like no this isn't your your shame or your guilt to carry that's why we're going to work through honoring you and what you've learned through relationship challenges so to sort of come back to that wholeness again which i think is really important um

22:51.25

Debra Coleman

ahead.

22:58.10

Debra Coleman

right

23:10.47

Sara 

to do that and to come from love and looking for a relationship from that place of self love versus woundedness. Yeah.

23:19.76

Debra Coleman

Oh, yeah. that's Yes, that's key. That's right there. No,

23:24.41

Sara 

So I kind of, I kind of did like a ah long answer to that question, but yeah, that's just what, what came up for for me when you asked that.

23:28.20

Debra Coleman

oh no.

23:33.55

Sara 

Yeah.

23:34.55

Debra Coleman

No, I love that, Cher. That is great. And you're right. Like, I simplified it a little too much. So thank you for sort of expanding on that, providing ah just a broader perspective on that.

23:42.72

Sara 

Yeah.

23:45.76

Debra Coleman

um But yeah. well Well, my goodness, Sarah, I honestly, i could keep you on the line and continue to dive deeper into this because it is so important, um especially today when women, um we really find ourselves juggling a lot of things, not only love, but

24:01.88

Sara 

Yeah.

24:02.88

Debra Coleman

our family life. Maybe we're in a multi-gen household. Like there's so much going on.

24:06.82

Sara 

Mm hmm.

24:07.96

Debra Coleman

And so I get, I kind of understand, you know, where the conversations may lead more to like lean into finding us that supportive partner, because gosh, like you said, I'm kind of getting tired of doing it on my own. it would love to have and a shoulder to cry on or supportive arm around me or, you know, whatever.

24:24.13

Sara 

me

24:24.42

Debra Coleman

It is, but, oh, I appreciate that.

24:25.56

Sara 

Yeah, that cheerleader.

24:27.53

Debra Coleman

Yes, that cheerleader, like you said.

24:27.58

Sara 

you but Yeah, so they could go to my new four-month course that's self-paced online.

24:29.13

Debra Coleman

Oh, well, if any of what we discussed landed with any of my listeners right now, they're like, I need Sarah in my life. I have, i would love to talk to her. oh where can my listeners find out, find, find you and find more about you, what you offer in terms of coaching?

24:49.94

Sara 

It's ah at the love... and love reset. So that's l u v reset.com.

24:57.35

Debra Coleman

Mm-hmm.

24:57.46

Sara 

Or you could shoot me an email, Sarah, no h at Sarah Spencer coaching.com. Or they can always check in with me on LinkedIn.

25:08.92

Sara 

Sarah Spencer Coaching and Instagram. So I'll send you all those handles. So I'd love to hear from your listeners, like if this resonated with you and they feel like they want to you know, connect and talk about some of these topics, right?

25:25.24

Sara 

I just invite them to reach out.

25:27.70

Debra Coleman

fantastic. I love that. And I will have links to all of that in the show notes. Absolutely. um So easy way to connect with Sarah through the show notes as well.

25:38.33

Debra Coleman

um I love that. Love reset.com. What a great ah website address. That is fantastic. Again, I will make sure that is listed. Well, do you have time for one more quick, silly question before I let you hop?

25:51.61

Sara 

Sure. ah

25:52.76

Debra Coleman

Alrighty. Well, Ms. Sarah, as a coach and a leader yourself in your position and in your own right, I'm sure life does get a little crazy where Sarah gets pulled in different directions.

26:04.33

Debra Coleman

um How do you reset and rebalance?

26:08.87

Sara 

gosh that's a great question. so I'm a work in progress.

26:14.33

Debra Coleman

Hmm.

26:14.59

Sara 

So if I find something that works for three months, a year, a few weeks, like I do it. And right now I am actually doing ah what's called the Strong 75 program.

26:29.25

Sara 

What I notice is my body really in my mind and my emotional state love movement. So in the morning i meet with a friend and at the gym. And in the evening, I go on a walk or I go on a bike ride.

26:44.58

Sara 

That has helped so much with just balance, um you know, with resiliency toward different projects that I'm working on. ah So my body likes to move. And I also have a sit-stand desk. And I know these are these are like simple things, but to build a habit around this is not so easy.

27:05.83

Sara 

So for me, i have I track things on an app. And I have community partnerships. So I check in with um my community in the morning and in the evening, like, how did it go today for you? Did you get your exercise? And did you get your walk in?

27:21.72

Sara 

So just that one habit I'm noticing right now in my life is shifting different areas. But in coaching, what we do is we look at the whole life, like that we look at like the whole person. And so finding that balance might be different for people, you know, depending on what they're working on right now. But for me, i was not putting my body first.

27:47.99

Sara 

I was putting it way back in the end and I was getting aches and pains and soreness. And I'm at that age where I can't keep going like this. So I had to make a change. So for me, that's what's really been helping my, um,

28:01.63

Sara 

you know, and it's getting to burnout or experience like continues experiencing that tiredness. So I know that may not work for everyone, but I love walking and, and checking in with community. So I would, I would go with those two tips.

28:16.81

Debra Coleman

Oh, I love that. i love how you indicate your work in progress and that what works today may be different in another season of your life, but you're open to exploring.

28:27.06

Sara 

Yeah.

28:27.64

Debra Coleman

I love that. I'm also a fan of movement. I seem to do my best thinking and self-medicating, you know, like self-talk, you know, self-therapy when I move. So I grab the leash and take the pup out, you know, like, let's go for a walk. Mama needs to think some things through, you know, so

28:45.70

Sara 

Oh, I love that.

28:46.60

Debra Coleman

Yeah.

28:46.66

Sara 

I know something happens.

28:46.70

Debra Coleman

Yeah. yeah yeah

28:48.41

Sara 

I mean, there's so much science on what happens with, with stress and mindset when we move, when we move physically. Yeah.

28:57.41

Debra Coleman

Agreed. Absolutely. Oh, well, thank you for sharing that, for like giving us a little insight into how you reset and rebalance.

29:02.60

Sara 

Yeah.

29:04.47

Debra Coleman

I love that because we I love asking my guests that because I'm always 10 times out of 10, something new that I've never thought of um or a new way of looking at something. And that's what you definitely provided.

29:14.80

Debra Coleman

So thank you for that share. Appreciate you.

29:16.14

Sara 

Yeah, you're welcome. That's a great question.

29:19.07

Debra Coleman

Well, thank you, Miss Sarah. This has been a lovely conversation and I love the different take we took on women in leadership and what they are experiencing in terms of finding that supportive partner or finding that love in their life when they're ready to open open up that side of themselves.

29:34.49

Debra Coleman

i I appreciate you helping us understand that a bit more.

29:35.23

Sara 

Yeah.

29:38.33

Sara 

Yeah, you're welcome. And thank you for having me on the show. I'm glad I got to share. so