Have I mentioned, I love fall? There is something about the leaves changing color, and the weather getting cooler that seems to bring out my inner Martha Stewart (that I didn’t even know I had). All of a sudden, I want to light candles, bake pumpkin bread, and knit—all while drinking my favorite fall flavored latte!
Fall is fabulous. But as much as it also makes me want to hike among the red and yellow trees, there is work for all of us to do. There’s our jobs, our responsibilities, and for some of us—there are changes we are anticipating or adjusting to. So before I disappear into the kitchen or the woods for a little while, here I am, grateful to be writing to you. I am sharing a book I love, a quote that makes me think, and a podcast episode that I feel is crucial for leaders. May you be encouraged today.
Love
The best book I read this fall, was surprisingly a cookbook. Only it was much more than that. In My Kitchen Year, Ruth Reichl shares how food and cooking brought her through a hard unforeseen change in her life. The editor-in-chief of Gourmet Magazine for over ten years, she was as surprised as anyone when the owners decided to shut it down in 2009. All of a sudden, she was without a job, and left to try to figure out what was next.
In this memoir/cookbook, Reichl beautifully writes about food and life through short stories, recipes, and photographs. If you are contemplating or going through a career change, I think you will find this book comforting in all the right ways. Or if you love food and are looking for a cozy read as the weather gets cold, this is an excellent choice.
What are you reading this fall?
Learn
The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.
—William Arthur Ward
We all want our world to change, but are we adjusting our sails?
Are we doing the hard work to bring about good change?
Lead
This season, Jo Saxton and Steph O’Brien from the Lead Stories Podcast are doing a fabulous series called “Lead On”—all on leading through the things that hold us back or threaten our progress. A great episode from this series is Episode 4, in which they talk about Imposter Syndrome. Imposter Syndrome is an insecurity high achievers or leaders feel that tells them they are a fake. It’s the fear they aren’t really good at their position or job, and someday people are going to find out.
As a leader, I know I struggled with this for years, yet never had a name for it. It is a fear that at times held me back from being the full leader I was made to be. Naming this fear is an important step in overcoming it. If you are in a position that you feel unqualified for, or if you are struggling to even call yourself a leader, please listen to this episode. Check it out here, or on itunes. Then, check out their follow up episode on steps to overcoming Imposter Syndrome, here.
Have you ever struggled to call yourself a leader?
Have you ever been afraid you aren’t good enough?
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