417: Finding Joy Through Intentional Choices, with Bonni Stachowiak
Jul 1, 2019
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Bonni Stachowiak, a professor of business and management at Vanguard University and the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, shares insights on finding joy through intentional choices. She emphasizes prioritizing quality over quantity in relationships and the discomfort of saying no to societal pressures. Bonni discusses the benefits of intentional technology use, outsourcing tasks, and redefining traditions to enhance connections. Her approach encourages listeners to reflect on their true priorities for greater fulfillment in both personal and professional lives.
Prioritizing essential commitments over numerous responsibilities allows for deeper family connections and greater joy in life.
Outsourcing non-essential tasks fosters efficiency, enabling individuals to focus on meaningful activities and personal growth.
Deep dives
Intentional Choices and Saying No
Being intentional about decision-making is crucial for finding joy in life. The speakers highlight the importance of saying no to various commitments and societal expectations to create space for what truly matters. They reference the concept from the book 'Essentialism' by Greg McKeown, emphasizing the idea of prioritizing what is essential over non-essential tasks. By identifying and sharing what they choose not to do, the speakers encourage others to reflect on their own lives and create a personalized list of non-essential commitments.
Balancing Work and Family Commitments
The speakers emphasize the significance of prioritizing family time over numerous professional commitments, such as public speaking engagements. They explain that while opportunities in their fields could be lucrative, these choices often pull them away from their children during critical early years. This conscious decision allows them to be present with their family and engage in meaningful interactions. By focusing on quality family time, they cultivate deeper connections and joyful experiences.
Outsourcing and Managing Responsibilities
Outsourcing certain tasks, such as laundry and yard work, allows the speakers to free up time and energy for more meaningful activities. They discuss their experiences with outsourcing, highlighting the difference in cultural norms around these choices, and stress that it's acceptable to delegate tasks to maximize time efficiency. Embracing this approach enables them to focus on family and personal joy rather than being weighed down by overwhelming responsibilities. This strategy reflects a clear intention to prioritize their time and mental bandwidth effectively.
Creating Meaningful Experiences
The speakers advocate for serving their community and engaging in personal growth as a means of fostering joy in life. By intentionally choosing meaningful commitments and not participating in superficial traditions, they cultivate genuine connections with others. They highlight that being present and authentic in interactions leads to more profound and fulfilling experiences. This focus on authenticity and intentionality helps them leverage their strengths and ultimately leads to increased joy in their lives.
Bonni Stachowiak: Teaching in Higher Ed
Bonni Stachowiak is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, a professor of business and management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, Bonni was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly traded company. She joins me monthly to respond to listener questions.
Key Points
Don’t spend time feeling guilty about things you have to cut.
Focus on quality over quantity.
Your priorities will change over time.
Sometimes even good things can crowd out what is really important.
Resources Mentioned
The Checklist Manifesto* by Atul Gawande
Getting Things Done* by David Allen
TripIt
PackPoint
Ending Human Trafficking podcast
Related Episodes
How Storytelling Helps You Lead, with Sandie Morgan (episode 51)
Getting Things Done, with David Allen (episode 184)
How to Reduce Drama With Kids, with Tina Payne Bryson (episode 310)
How to Be a Happier Person, with Neil Pasricha (episode 334)
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