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Waking from Busyness

“What am I doing all this for? Why am I working so hard? Why am I running around so fast? ”

As head of Google’s internal leadership consulting practice, Kathrin O’Sullivan is no stranger to questions like these.

Kathrin joins Adam Klein to explore all that busyness actually keeps us separate from and how we might connect to a larger stillness.

Here‘s a great song about busyness.

Here are some of the topics covered in the Stepping In podcast episode Waking Up from Busyness:

  • How did “I’m busy” become a standard response in our culture when asked about one’s well-being?
  • What is the influence of corporate culture on the perception of busyness and the concept of demands and pace in the workplace spill over into personal lives?
  • The adverse effects of extreme busyness include burnout and strained relationships.
  • The importance of deep, meaningful connections and the detrimental impact of busyness on achieving them are emphasized.
  • Emotional avoidance as a way to avoid dealing with deep emotions or grief or an excuse to avoid facing painful emotions.
  • The importance of creating space for stillness, introspection, and connection with oneself.
  • The role of coaching in helping individuals navigate busyness and the importance of having an accountability partner or support system is emphasized.

 

Instead of busyness, embrace stillness, create space for introspection, and find a balance between doing and being as pathways to personal growth, meaningful connection, and wise action in the world.

About Kathrin O’Sullivan
Kathrin left Google in 2017 after twelve successful years, when she was initially responsible for building a multi-million dollar advertising revenue channel in Europe. She then moved to the US and held several leadership positions in People Operations, most recently as Head of Executive Development. Before Google, Kathrin spent five years at Oracle and was part of two different tech start-ups.

Kathrin has studied with some of the most distinguished thought leaders in her field and works with the brightest innovators in Silicon Valley. She is a sought-after speaker on leadership topics and has contributed to various publications and conferences, such as Wisdom 2.0, Emerging Women, and the Harvard Business Review.

Her areas of expertise include Self-Awareness and Leadership Presence, Management and Leadership Skills, Team Effectiveness, High-Impact Communication, Leading in Complexity, Scaling Your Business, Well-Being and Resilience, and Fostering an Inclusive Culture.

About Adam Klein
Adam is dedicated to creating a more just, sustainable, creative, and loving world. Before joining New Ventures West, he helped create a first-in-class business solution to combat global slavery and relaunch a San Francisco Bay Area center for integral spiritual formation.

Adam has a Master’s degree in Engineering from Santa Clara University. Some time ago he entered the world of Ironman triathlons and ultra-running as a means to further understand the importance of the body and the deep, integral nature of being human.

Adam focuses on integrating NVW’s purpose and bringing it to fruition. He oversees strategy, tech, and the flow of various internal work streams, as well as supporting graduates and ensuring ICF compliance.

He regularly leads the Professional Coaching Course, hosts our orientation events in San Francisco, is the creator and host of the NVW podcast Stepping In, and has his own business coaching leaders and individuals.

About the Stepping In
Stepping In is a podcast of bold inquiry into life’s biggest challenges with one of the world’s oldest and most distinguished coaching schools, New Ventures West.

In a spirit of curiosity, compassion, and honesty, we delve into how Integral Coaching can address some of the most pressing issues we face as individuals, communities, and stewards of our planet.

In the Stepping In Podcast, we explore what it takes to develop the sensitivity and capacity required to live and thrive in an increasingly complex world.

About New Ventures West
From its humble beginnings to one of the top accredited coaching schools in the world, New Ventures West pioneered one of the deepest, most transformative forms of human development available for coaches, leaders, and anyone looking to bring people alive in possibility.

Further Exploration
New Ventures West: https://www.newventureswest.com/
Getting Started with Integral Coaching: https://www.newventureswest.com/get-s…
Free and paid Integral Coaching events: https://www.newventureswest.com/class..

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and the culture of busyness
01:07 Culture of busyness
02:08 Corporate culture and personal life
02:51 Complexity of modern life
03:36 Self-identification with performance
04:40 Impact on health and relationships
05:33 Emotional avoidance
06:36 Creating space and stillness
07:58 Coaching and guidance
12:05 Being vs. doing in the workplace
18:47 Resistance and growth
20:10 Identifying and working with resistance
26:25 Doing vs. being

Walk on the Wild Side by Lou Reed used with permission
License 1504673862 Date 4/30/24
©EMI Blackwood Music Inc OBO Oakfield Music LTD