Be Determined

Ep 24 - Be Bold, Be Free: Leading Through Life's Biggest Changes

Ten years ago, I was at a place I’d fought to be for a lot of my life. I was living independently, I had autonomy, and my days had a typical rhythm. And over a short period of time, it all changed.  My ability to walk grew more and more limited, I started having falls, and my apartment wasn’t accessible for the mobility scooter I came to rely on. I knew I needed a new living situation that could accommodate my new normal, but all of the unknowns were daunting. I didn’t want to lose the autonomy and self-determination I’d fought so hard for. In celebration of my 57th birthday, I’m reflecting on how I faced the challenges of adjusting to physical changes and new needs, going through grief, and writing the next chapter. Listen to the full episode to hear: * How I came out the other side of depression and grief with a new perspective on the opportunity that change can present * How thinking like a leader helped me reorganize my life and become even better than before * How surrounding myself with a great team supports me in being a more effective leader * Why having limitations doesn’t mean you can’t make bold choices Learn more about Molly Kennedy * Molly Kennedy Consulting [https://www.mollytkennedy.com/]

Ep 23 - Frustration and Leadership: The Way Forward

Frustration isn’t a question of if you’re going to experience it, but when. And what really matters is how you deal with it.  We all face frustrations, from day-to-day annoyances to life-altering situations, and how we choose to respond shapes how resilient we become. And resilience is not about pushing down your frustrations and moving on, resilience is what happens when we acknowledge the challenge in front of us and figure out how to move forward.  In today’s episode, I’m talking about how I handle frustration. Listen to the full episode to hear: * What I learned as a kid about trying new things, accepting limitations, and choosing what to let go of * The difference between getting momentarily frustrated or angry and becoming an angry person * How a recent disappointment inspired a positive recalibration of how I want to use my passion, energy, and impact * Why we have to separate frustration and disappointment from our self-worth in order to be adaptable and resilient as circumstances change Learn more about Molly Kennedy * Molly Kennedy Consulting [https://www.mollytkennedy.com/]

Ep 22 - Weaknesses as Doorways: How a Personal SWOT Can Redirect Your Life

There are a lot of tools out there for assessing your current state and what might need to change in order to meet your goals. These kinds of situational analyses can help us have the self-awareness to navigate shifts in circumstances, creatively problem-solve where we can, and redirect when necessary.  Today, I want to share how I’ve translated the SWOT analysis, often used by businesses, into a personal inventory. Taking stock of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats has helped guide me through moments of big change and is a tool I have come back to over and over again.  Listen to the full episode to hear: * How my changing mobility and energy levels have brought new people and opportunities into my life and work  * Why needing to direct your efforts differently doesn’t mean starting over * How acknowledging threats helps us meet them with our strengths * How a personal SWOT supports self-leadership, self-determination and how we lead in the world Learn more about Molly Kennedy * Molly Kennedy Consulting [https://www.mollytkennedy.com/]

Ep 21 - Laugh With Me, Not At Me: How Humor Levels the Playing Field

Humor can play a significant role in how we relate to each other and ourselves.  It’s a release valve for stress; a way to connect with friends, family, and colleagues; and a way to acknowledge our mistakes and mishaps without beating ourselves up. Sharing laughter or a joke with others levels the playing field, giving us something in common whether we’re strangers in an elevator or old friends. I believe my sense of humor is truly a gift that has helped me live with my disability, find light even in the darkest times, not take myself or my challenges too seriously, and build the connections and relationships that are most important to me.  Listen to the full episode to hear: * How humor reveals our personalities and forges connections  * How using humor can cut tension and allow us to be more open and honest * The difference between laughing at and laughing with * How being able to laugh at yourself shows self-confidence and shifts perspectives Learn more about Molly Kennedy * Molly Kennedy Consulting [https://www.mollytkennedy.com/]

Ep 20 - Not Perfect, But Real: The Gift of Self-Honesty

Being honest with yourself about your abilities and challenges, successes and failures, is essential to living an authentic and genuine life, regardless of whether or not you live with a disability. When we’re not honest with ourselves about who we are, we can set ourselves up for disappointment and frustration. But at the same time, self-honesty has to include recognizing what we are capable of and what we’ve accomplished. When we swing too far one way or the other, self-deception has a way of creating its own set of roadblocks and rude awakenings. At the end of the year, reflecting on what we achieved and where we could do better with integrity and self-honesty is a gift we give to ourselves that will help us live a self-determined life in the year to come. Listen to the full episode to hear: * How self-honesty helps us to both be realistic and supports our big dreams * How self-honesty positively impacts your professional and personal relationships with others * How I use an annual personal inventory to review not only the year’s events, but also how I’m living up to my values * How self-honesty helps us set goals and evaluate new opportunities * Why acknowledging and learning from your fears and failures is vital to self-honesty Learn more about Molly Kennedy * Molly Kennedy Consulting [https://www.mollytkennedy.com/] Resources: * Ryan Holiday [https://ryanholiday.net/]