Grow
Or to let go... find your ikigai ...
We often talk about growth as something that is moving forward or upward..
What if growth is just letting it go and feeling content and happy with what we have. And not focus on what we don't have. There's always light after darkness.. The sunrise every morning is a testament to that miracle.
At the product marketing summit in San Francisco this week I had a fascinating realization.
My fears and worries about how and what I could be as a PMM leader came to the forefront. To start to believe in myself again and have the confidence that what I'm doing matters in the world today.
I loved the energy when I shared my PMM journey at the closing keynote for day 2. And one of the prompts was “What is one word that you will remember from the summit” - the host and some folks shared ikigai. I am in awe!
If you're wondering what does the Japanese word ikigai have to do with career or product marketing. I would say everything.. from my career choices to personal life goals.. ikigai helped me reinvent myself and find my grounding in this chaotic and noisy world.
It was humbling to hear other product marketing leaders share their journeys on soul search, purpose, letting go, and time management. Focusing on what matters. Thanks Jeff Hardison and Daniel Kuperman for sharing your insights!
Book recommendations:
The Untethered Soul at Work: Teachings to Transform Your Work Life
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
I read Untethered soul and Deep work in 2020 and it changed my mindset on how to approach work and life. Added the new recommendations to my good reads! Can’t wait :)
That is growth for me in a nutshell. To be comfortable with who you are and be unapologetically you at all times. I know I can be too much and I have a lot of ideas and interests as an explorer, author, mentor, teacher, photographer, foodie, leader …
It was a humbling moment. To be back after 5 years and not be overwhelmed. To realize that everything and nothing has changed.. to know that there are people that care about you. To feel like you belong. That's my PMA fam - mi gente❣️
Being in a conference and a large crowd brings out my social anxiety. So I tried to focus on the positive and something that would bring joy. I started capturing moments in time with folks I know and had the opportunity to connect with over the past 5 years. Truth is you never know if you'll see them again.
I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I should wear for the conference so I could fit in.. only to realize that all I needed to wear was my smile!
And the highlight of the week was hearing back from my mentee who got a job offer. This makes it worth it always. My ikigai and purpose is to help folks be their best selves.
I know 2019 was tough and everything came crumbling down at work and life in 2020. And I have no regrets. I'm better because of the journey. This feels like a moment of truth. To feel seen and understood. It helps to know that even if everything goes wrong, you still have the people who care about you in your life.
To focus on the little joys of life... I had my first in-person product marketing class in San Francisco and it was pure joy. I'm humbled and grateful for the opportunity to be a guide aka little Yoda for all of these amazing folks from the US / Canada / India.. we had 13 students who traveled to the summit from San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Seattle, Toronto, and Dallas to name a few cities.
Now that is priceless. I'm forever grateful to the PMA for helping me build my confidence back again 🙏 Never give up!
And to know that we can always rise from the ashes like a phoenix. And the world will always move on. We can learn from our mistakes and cherish the values that ground us every day.
It also shows you the true colors of people when you are at your rock bottom and when no title or job exists. I would like to think I've gotten better at understanding and reading people. I can sense manipulation from a mile away. I'm grateful for the kind and mindful souls that I have connected with over the past few years. Somehow we are all interconnected in ways we cannot describe.. we are all on our own journeys trying to navigate through the chaos and figuring out what is most important at this moment in time.
It also felt a little bit like closure to help me move on from the scars of a toxic workplace and to focus on my well-being. I do not take it lightly anymore. If my sleep is impacted or my stomach gets upset I know better now. Or at least I would like to hope so.
Be fearless
When we don’t let our fears overwhelm us and be brave a little everyday. To make conscious choices and know that what we do is okay and what we don't do is okay too. C’est la vie!
There will be times when you're hurt and you feel like the world is falling apart.. That's part of healing and learning to let go. Let go of the things that were never meant to be.
Folks often asked me why do I mentor and teach. And my answer is always the same.. It's my ikigai.. My purpose and meaning in this world to help folks be their true authentic selves.
There is a voice deep within that knows that I'm on the right path. That it is always going to be about the little joys in life and the moments that I capture. It's going to be showing up for the people who care about and believe in what I believe in.
I started to volunteer for weekend community cleanups a few months ago and it has been fulfilling to connect with people who want to keep San Francisco clean and are willing to do what it takes. Now there are folks that I have met a couple of times and we share how our week has been and our plans for the weekend. Most folks are new to the city or the area. It's great to see the power of a community.
When you spend a lot of time on video conferencing like Zoom or Google meet, connecting with people in person feels great and wonderful. That is what makes us human and social beings. As much as I enjoy my solitude and rest, I also understand that I need a good balance of people in my life.
When I started 2024, I had set my three themes for the year - connection, synergy and be fearless. I am in awe with how the universe conspires and I have had the opportunity to support myself and my parents as well as continue to do the things that I love - to mentor and teach along with working with a product marketing team.
So whether you are starting off in your career or making a transition or if you are trying to find your way back again - trust me when I say this.. happiness is the way..
It's up to you to define what success looks like.. sometimes it's the next title or role that will help you grow.. sometimes it's knowing that you need to take a step back and pause... so you can leap forward when you're ready again...
And whatever you do, define success on your own terms. This is your life choice and no one can take that away from you. Never let anything or anyone make you think otherwise.
Not every day is a happy day and that’s ok to feel the emotions.
I wish you success in whatever you do or don't do. You're worth it. And you belong in this world just as everybody else does. Just as you are. #whoIam
Don't pursue happiness, create it!
I truly believe that career and life growth is showing up for the people that you care deeply about. Just be there even if you don't have the words to say the right thing and/or keep your dear loved ones in your thoughts.
Be fully present.
Be fearless and grow one day at a time!✨
9.11.24 and here is the message from the universe today 😂 right on ✅
Be the fearless leader that I want to follow
What a lovely post and recap of your week. I followed the comments on your LinkedIn and it seems that everyone in attendance to your event was just so elated. Love to see it. I've never hears if IKIGAI, but it really stuck with me. Especially today as I stopped for a moment, when discussing options to a solution at work.. I asked myself, in the grand scheme of things, does whatever we decide here really matter? I came away with more questions then answers.. Stuff to think about i suppose. Thanks for spurring the thoughts