Hello from sunny (and sweltering) Spain! 🌞
Life’s journey is rarely a straight line; it's full of twists, turns, and lessons that shape who we are. I’ve been reflecting on this a lot lately, especially on the pressure we put on ourselves to be somewhere we think we should be. But is that what we truly want? My guest in this episode offers a refreshing perspective that made me pause and rethink my approach with just one simple word.
In this episode, I sit down with Lan Phan, a leadership educator and author, who helps us explore the true meaning of success and purpose. Lan's story is a testament to resilience, discovery, and the transformative power of community. She shares insights from her book Do This Daily: Secrets for Finding Success, Happiness, and Purpose in Work and Life, guiding us through the process of identifying and ranking our values, and introducing us to Ikigai—a Japanese concept for finding our reason for being.
Our conversation dives into practical ways to shift your mindset, including the subtle but powerful impact of adding “yet” to your thoughts. Lan’s wisdom challenged me to rethink my goals and redefine success on my own terms. I’m confident her insights will inspire you to do the same.
Oh! And one quick favor 🙏 - could you vote for my South by Southwest Submission? It’s all about the ideas we discuss in this podcast. Learn more and vote here: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/153199
About Lan Phan:
Lan Phan is a force in the world of purpose-driven leadership and personal development. As the author of Do This Daily, she’s become a guiding light for executives worldwide, with her strategies featured in The Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Money. Lan’s influence spans from global stages like the United Nations to top universities like Stanford and NYU Law. Her dynamic presence on LinkedIn and YouTube empowers millions annually, solidifying her place among the top 100 LinkedIn creators globally and the top ten in Management and Leadership.
Community of Seven: communityofseven.com
LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/lanphan
Instagram:Instagram.com/lanphanc7
Facebook: facebook.com/communityofseven
Key Lessons Learned:
Rank Your Values: Identify and prioritize what truly matters to guide your decisions and align your life with your core beliefs.
Redefine Success: Move beyond traditional metrics and focus on finding fulfillment by aligning your work and life with your values and passions.
Embrace Ikigai: Discover your purpose by balancing what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.
Shift Your Mindset with "Yet": Transform obstacles into opportunities for growth by adding “yet” to your mindset.
Leverage Community: Surround yourself with supportive people who remind you of your worth and help you navigate transitions.
Episode Notes:
00:00 - Introduction and Personal Update from Spain
05:58 - Lan Phan's Journey: From Law Aspirations to Teaching
12:01 - Discovering Ikigai: Finding Your Purpose
17:18 - Redefining Success: Aligning with Core Values
21:46 - Fixed vs. Growth Mindset
22:05 - The Power of 'Yet'
22:13 - Action Over Visualization
23:25 - Change Requires Change
24:04 - The Importance of Environment
25:30 - Prioritizing Values
28:10 - Redefining Productivity
32:47 - Navigating Career Transitions
40:02 - Lessons from Building a Community
42:26 - Embracing the Journey
Sh*t There Are No Mistakes