Episode 79: Where to focus your efforts Artwork

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How can I live a more sustainable life? What actions really make a difference for the earth? How can I live a better, greener life? How do I deal with eco-guilt? How can we create a better future for ourselves, society and the planet? The Live. Well. Green. podcast addresses these big questions and finds practical solutions for living lighter on the earth while working towards social and personal wellbeing. With over 20 years of experience in the field of sustainability and environmental health, teaching these subjects to more than 10,000 students in post-secondary programs of Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Architecture, Community Health Sciences, and MBA programs, host Kristina Hunter brings evidence-based concepts and solutions to each episode. Do you want to find inner calm while living more sustainably? Do you wish there was a trustworthy source of information for greener living? Do you seek evidence-based information on how to do the right thing for the planet? Then this is the podcast for you. Here we find real solutions to environmental issues while living better with ease. Kristina provides practical steps that you can take to implement Sustainable Wellbeing and Green Living without adding to your daily time-pressures. This is where sustainable living and personal wellness meet, and this is where people and the planet truly flourish! www.KristinaHunterFlourishing.com

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Live. Well. Green.

Episode 79: Where to focus your efforts

April 05, 2023 • Kristina Hunter • Episode 79

There is NO shortage of issues and causes that need our attention, and yes, they may all be important and worthy. But what can YOU do with your time and energy - that we all know is not bottomless?

This problem of not knowing where to focus is the number one issue I find that keeps people stalled out on meaningful environmental and social change. So that is what we are going to tackle today.

So, there is a greenspace in my neighborhood that really needs to be protected from development, and our bike routes need to be improved for my husband to ride to work safely and this problem with rainforest destruction is so troubling to me, never mind my country’s growing Carbon emissions.

Even if I do choose a cause, I want to go further than just donating. How can I be a bigger part of social change? I need to feel like I am DOING something - for myself, for the next generation.

I am not even sure what that looks like.

Or maybe you are taking action, but it feels like you are not making an impact, plus it is depleting you.

Do you see where I am going with this?
Yes, you need to do what aligns with your talents!

But it’s more than just that. I am going to encourage you to find your Eco-Ikigai.

Ikigai is a Japanese term that roughly translates to “Reason for being”, and is often applied to career choice. This helps you to link your passion and skills to what the world needs.

It turns out there are real benefits to living out your purpose. People who find meaning in their work or activities outside of work tend to live longer, happier lives.

Eco-Ikigai can be represented by a Venn diagram (yes, sorry another Venn diagram) of 4 overlapping circles, each representing a core concept of the Eco-Ikigai.

It brings together the spheres of:
what you are good at
what you love (together are your unique capabilities)
employs them on what the world needs
selectively choosing to do so where you have influence.

This is the key to knowing where to focus your efforts.

Where those intersect, where you have all 4 conditions, you have your Eco-Ikigai, where you should focus your efforts in order to make the most impact. In ways that give you energy, and fulfillment, rather than draining your resources.

As Michelle Obama, wrote, “Success isn’t about how your life looks to others. It’s about how it feels to you. We realized that being successful isn’t about being impressive; it’s about being inspired. That’s what it means to be true to yourself.”

For the full show notes head to EP 79 Where to focus your efforts.
https://www.kristinahunterflourishing.com/blog/where-to-focus-your-efforts

If you are interested in exploring these issues further, head on over to my website, KristinaHunterFlourishing.com.

Hit the “let’s chat button” if you are a professional woman and are deeply concerned about climate change and the state of the world that we are leaving to future generations and want some guidance on the best steps to take.
I would LOVE to connect with you!

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