In life we all have to juggle multiple responsibilities, constantly trying to keep all the balls in the air without dropping any. The daily demands of work, family, health, friends, and spirit can become overwhelming. But it is possible to manage this juggle more effectively, and it starts with understanding the nature of the balls we have in the air and why we juggle them. Today I want to share with you an exercise that can help you mindfully manage this juggle and find a better balance in your life.

The Metaphorical Juggle:

I share this exercise in my book, "You Always Have a Choice." The idea comes from Brian Dyson, former CEO of Coca Cola, who described life as a game of five balls: work, family, health, friends, and spirit. Each of these balls represents a different aspect of our lives that we constantly juggle. He emphasised the fragility of certain aspects of our life, comparing work to a rubber ball that bounces back when dropped, and our relationships, health, and spirit to glass balls that could shatter when dropped. To expand on Dyson's concept, I added two more types of balls – crystal balls (instead of glass) and concrete balls.

The Different Balls We Juggle:

Crystal balls represent your non-negotiables, the aspects of your life that are precious and fragile, such as health and key relationships. These balls cannot be compromised, and dropping them can have significant consequences.

Then, of course, there are the rubber balls—important tasks and responsibilities that are resilient and can be dropped without severe consequences. Work often falls into this category for me. While it is important, it is not as fragile as my health or relationships.

Lastly, there are the concrete balls—tasks, obligations, or relationships that feel heavy and drain our energy. You might juggle these balls out of a misguided sense of obligation, guilt, or the desire to please others. The key is to recognise these concrete balls and understand that they can be dropped without harming your well-being.

Self-Awareness and Empowerment:

The exercise I recommend involves sitting down and naming the balls you're currently juggling in your life. By visualising all the balls in the air, you gain clarity on which ones are your crystal balls, rubber balls, and concrete balls. Once you have identified and labeled your balls, you can decide which ones truly deserve your attention, energy, and time.

It's okay to start small if you find it overwhelming to drop multiple balls at once. You can gradually reprioritise or reassess your balls over time. This exercise is about dynamic prioritisation, navigating your life with intention, and focusing on what truly matters to you.

Life is too short to tolerate an unbalanced juggle. By understanding the nature of the balls you're juggling and making mindful choices, you can take control of your juggle and lead a life that aligns with your values.

LINKS

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here
Download the ‘Control Your Juggle’ Worksheet here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today I’m joined by the wonderful and inspiring Jo Gaines, a seasoned professional who has worked in the technology and media sector for over two decades. Jo's career journey has seen her work for high-profile companies including CBS, Krux, Yahoo and more recently, as Area Vice President of Salesforce. Jo is also a dedicated mother-of-two and a fierce advocate for equality, lending her support as an ambassador for women's shelters. She shares with us her journey through hardship to finding resilience and how changing her mindset helped reshape her story.

Through facing a challenging turning point in her career due to redundancy, Jo embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery that saw her turn to practices such as weight training, breathwork and meditation. She shares the new mindset she adopted through these practices, and how her determination to thrive in the face of uncertainty led to a completely new outlook on life.

In our conversation, Jo shares the grief she experienced when her role at Salesforce came to an end, and how lost she felt when it came to her future. However, she notes there are two choices we can make when it comes to facing adversity. Either we can see it as a downfall, or treat it as an opportunity to expand. Jo chose the latter, and decided to view this new path as one she was destined to be on.

Resilience can often be misunderstood as a suppression of emotions or ignoring our problems. However, we define what resilience really is and discuss its ability to help effectively manage our thoughts and feelings. Jo believes that releasing control and trusting everything will eventually work out can free us from fear and the temptation to give up.

We talk about how navigating through our own life challenges produces empathy, and when we view others through this lens, we become more effective leaders. Recognising that everyone experiences change, particularly in a post-pandemic world, we’re able to rally with our team and prioritise their wellbeing. How can we communicate in a way that resonates for each individual? How do we lead in a way that not only gets them through, but also builds resilience?

Jo also shares her shift in perspective that inspired her to live more fully in the present and pursue the passions that had been sitting on the backburner for too long. She talks about the bucket list she created and the importance of making time and space in life to achieve each goal.

Jo's story is a powerful testament to the transformation resilience can create, and the potential for growth when we embrace change with gratitude. I just know you’ll be as inspired as I was by Jo’s incredible wisdom, and hope you find confidence to implement strategies for a full and rewarding life in leadership and beyond.

LINKS

Connect with Jo Gaines

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/jogaines

Instagram: @gogaino

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all have setbacks in life - but it’s what you do with them that really matters. Today, I sit down with Anita Jacoby, one of Australia's most distinguished television producers, as she shares her insights on resilience, her mindset on setbacks and how she forged a successful career in a male-dominated industry. We hear about how she first started channelling courage from a young age and her advice on taking action to create the life you want.

During her career, Anita has worked on some of the nation's most credible and cutting edge programs, spanning all commercial networks, as well as the ABC, SBS and Foxtel. She has received four AFI Actor Awards, a Logie Award, a Human Rights Award and the Asia Broadcasting Union Award. She is also an author, having recently published her book Secrets Beyond the Screen, and is a notable advocate for women in leadership.

Growing up professionally in the 80s and 90s, Anita faced many challenges in the early days of commercial television, including bullying and harassment. And while misogynistic treatment was normalised, Anita was determined to demonstrate that gender shouldn't define one's capabilities. She talks about the importance of mentors like her father and Kevin Weldon, who empowered her and instilled the belief that anything is possible. It goes to show how crucial role models are in guiding us towards the ambitious goals we set out to achieve.

Anita speaks fondly of her father, a World War II refugee and founder of Sony in Australia, who was her greatest influence in achieving greatness. She talks about the emotional process of researching and writing about her father's life for her memoir, and the challenges of reconciling conflicting aspects of his legacy. Anita reminds us to connect with loved ones and learn about their experiences while we’re still able.

Having experienced significant setbacks in life, Anita explains how she chooses to see the good takeaways that come from them, rather than dwell on the bad. It’s this mindset that has empowered her to muster the courage and resilience to keep going. I know you’ll be as inspired as I was to channel your own courage, develop resilience and pave a path towards the fulfilling career and life you want.

LINKS

Anita’s book: Secrets Beyond the Screen: The award-winning TV producer's compelling search for truth

Connect with Anita:

Instagram: @anitajacobyofficial

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Download the ‘Control Your Juggle’ Worksheet here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I have spoken to many successful people who, despite having achieved amazing things in their careers, find themselves feeling miserable, making bad choices and living with a sense of disconnection.

From what I’ve observed, so much of this misalignment comes down to people not living in line with their values. So today I’m sharing three key indicators that reveal if you're not living true to your values, how this affects you, and how reconnecting with your values can transform your life for the better.

One common reason for not living true to your values is simply not knowing what they are. This is not an uncommon scenario, but when you’re unclear about what your values are, you can’t align your actions with them. And this is when you might find yourself falling into the comparison trap or people-pleasing.

Another common reason for not living true to your values is when you make decisions to please others or to align with their expectations of you. Concerns about what others might say or think can lead you to make decisions that aren't authentic to your true self. This outward focus on pleasing others disconnects you from your values, leading to frustration and confusion. It’s critical to reconnect with your values and make choices that align with your true desires and beliefs. In this episode, I talk about being aware of your top three values and how this will provide you with guidance to make empowered decisions aligned with who you are.

Connecting to your values is crucial for living an authentic and fulfilling life. Your values act as a compass, guiding your thoughts, beliefs, and actions. They define who you are and what you stand for. This is why you might feel out of alignment and struggle to make empowered decisions when you are unclear about what your values are. This lack of clarity impacts your personal life and your career, so it’s essential to invest time in understanding your values to ensure you are true to yourself and lead a purposeful life.

After listening to this episode, I encourage you to carve out some dedicated time to reflect on what is truly important to you. Ask yourself empowering questions and dig deep to uncover your core values. What frustrates you the most, and why? What does your gut tell you when faced with important decisions? Rediscovering your values is a journey, and they may evolve over time. This is why we need to regularly reassess and realign our actions with our current values.

Living true to your values is key to making better choices and leading an authentic and fulfilled life. By understanding your values, you can align your thoughts, beliefs, and actions with what truly matters to you. Remember, you always have a choice to live in alignment with your values and create a life that is true to who you are.

LINKS

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’ve had so many conversations lately about people who are fed up with their job or their teams. They’re trapped on the treadmill of life and don’t pause to reflect on who they are becoming. It’s increasingly common in our fast-paced lives, and the question arises - When was the last time you looked in the mirror and genuinely liked the person staring back at you?

I’m not talking about what you’re wearing or how your hair looks, I want you to look deeper than that. Are you truly happy with the life you are living? It’s a simple exercise but incredibly powerful. It prompts us to evaluate our behaviors, decisions, and impacts on others, so we can make choices that better resonate with our true selves.

I’ve used this exercise many times in my life, during periods of struggle. Most recently, during my cancer diagnosis, I wasn’t happy with how I was living. I was so angry at the people who misdiagnosed me and at the situation as a whole. I was going down a dark hole but through introspection, I was able to confront this anger and find a path to positive healing energy.

It’s also an incredibly helpful exercise for leaders. It’s easy to make small compromises to suit our teams or organisations, but this adds up over time and we can lose track of ourselves. Thankfully, with consistent self-awareness, we can keep our values, priorities, and choices aligned with the person we aspire to be.

So, the next time you gaze into the mirror, pause and ask yourself - Are you happy with who is staring back at you? Embrace the discomfort that comes with self-reflection, for it is in those moments of vulnerability that true growth occurs.

Remember, change is a gradual process, but every step towards aligning with your authentic self brings you closer to a life of fulfillment.

LINKS

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of people have been asking me recently about my motivation for writing my latest book, You Always Have a Choice. Anyone who has written a book will know that every piece of work is incredibly personal so today I’m sharing my reasons behind writing this book and the impact I hope it will have on those who read it.

My Epiphany in the Mirror

During my battle with cancer, I experienced a transformative moment that changed everything. I had been misdiagnosed twice, which led to my final diagnosis being stage three cancer, meaning that the cancer had spread. I was so angry and I wanted revenge for this incredible pain and trauma I was going through.

One day I looked in the mirror and I didn't necessarily like the person staring back at me. I questioned who I was and who I wanted to be and I said to myself, “you always have a choice”. I could go down the victim path and sink into a deep hole of anger and blame. Or, I could choose to lead myself through the darkness in the best way I possibly could. Thankfully, I chose the latter and that’s when my mindset completely changed.

Choosing to Lead

I decided to take control of my life story. Instead of giving in to despair, I chose to guide myself through the challenges ahead. I had so many tools and techniques available to me, things that I had used in my coaching and workshops, and when I started applying them to myself, I really started noticing the difference. My mindset completely changed and I was determined to beat cancer and live a life of empowerment.

Advocating for Myself

One of the biggest lessons I learned throughout my cancer journey, and am still learning now, is to advocate for myself. When you feel out of control, it’s vital that you speak up and begin to use your voice. This is something I write about in my book, to help you position yourself in an authentic way so that you can be seen and heard. We’re not necessarily born with resilience and confidence. These are things that need to be cultivated.

Tools and Techniques to Empower Others

I speak with so many people who are overwhelmed, angry and heading towards burnout but I want to empower them with practical tools to help them navigate whatever it is they are facing in the best possible way. Everyone is faced with challenges in life, in our careers and in business, but what matters is how we respond. We always have a choice to lead our lives on purpose. Life is too short to do it any other way.

LINKS

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, I’m bringing you what is potentially one of my favourite podcast episodes, which is all about being the CEO of you. I’m deeply passionate about this topic and even wrote a whole chapter around it in my book, You Always Have a Choice. In this episode, we explore the decisions we can make and questions to ask ourselves in order to become the best leaders - of ourselves and others - we can be.

Embracing the CEO Mindset

Being the CEO of you is a mindset, and one of courage that requires you to step up and make strategic decisions to lead a life that you love. And to lead a life that is in complete alignment to your vision, values and the experience you want to have, you need to get really clear on your vision. Ask yourself: Where am I going in my career, my business and my relationships? How do I want to feel? How can I energise myself to live the best life I possibly can? Remember, knowledge is power. And when you choose to do something with that knowledge, that’s when your power comes into play.

Making Courageous Choices

While many people believe they can't be leaders, it really comes down to making a choice. Will you make the choices necessary to effectively lead your own life? Leadership is all about taking courageous action, and as Maya Angelou beautifully put it, “stand up straight and realise who you are, that you tower over your circumstances”. I discuss the power of making strategic and brave decisions in all areas of your life, from relationships to work dynamics.

Self-Awareness is Key

Effectively, you need self-awareness around how you lead your life, how you experience it and how you impact others before you can be a great leader of anyone else. I take you through the technique I use with my own clients, which involves asking yourself three questions at the end of each day to really evaluate how you performed as a leader. This isn’t an opportunity to beat yourself up; it’s a powerful exercise in giving you critical insights into yourself and improving - as the leader, the partner, the parent or friend.

So join me today and learn some powerful tactics that will fuel and enable you to be the most effective CEO of you.

LINKS

Order My New Book “You Always Have A Choice” here

Connect with Julie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-hyde/

Instagram: @juliehydeleads

Website: https://juliehyde.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.