Reboot Podcast Episode #62 – Letting Go of Perfection – with Sharon Salzberg

The Reboot podcast showcases the heart and soul, the wins and losses, the ups and downs of startup leadership. On the show, Entrepreneurs, CEO’s, and Startup Leaders discuss with Jerry Colonna the emotional and psychological challenges they face daily as leaders.

Guests

Sharon Salzberg

Sharon Salzberg

Bestselling Author and Buddhist Meditation Teacher

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Episode Description

In an entrepreneurial world where being a billionaire is a yardstick for self-worth, and unattainable goals can give us a false sense of responsibility, control, and drive, what is the collateral damage to ourselves? As we chase a sense of perfectionism and measure ourselves against big goals, how do we counteract the sense of self-loathing we can impinge upon ourselves when we fall short of the images we’re upholding?

In this conversation, Jerry sits down with Sharon Salzberg, on her new book Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection to discuss the ways in which love might be a counter-intuitive antidote to the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. We learn that as we cultivate a sense of love and compassion for ourselves in our ambitious pursuits and adventures in life, we bolster our resiliency to face life as it is.

Sharon on Twitter | Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection

Other listening:

#22 – Does Anyone Really Know What They Are Doing? – with Sharon Salzberg

Show Highlights

Top Quotes:

“I have a client that lives in the rarefied Silicon Valley world where …being a billionaire is a yard-stick for self-worth.” – Jerry Colonna

“What’s the story you’re telling yourself about yourself?” – Jerry Colonna

“What is the story we tell ourselves? Because we take responsibility in places we can never be in control.” – Sharon Salzberg

“In certain circles, we’re taught not to look at the broader scope of life. It’s too destructive to the image we’re upholding.” – Sharon Salzberg

“It’s this funny perfectionism, where we’re measuring ourselves against an absolutely unattainable goal and then lacerating ourselves when we fail to live up to that goal.” – Jerry Colonna

“It seems to me that the answer, the antidote, is love – which may, in fact, be counterintuitive.” – Jerry Colonna

“How do we hold the pursuit of the unattainable goal without self-criticism, self-laceration, and the negative side of that?” – Jerry Colonna

“We live in a world of metrics, measurement, and comparison. But, really, what do we need?” – Sharon Salzberg

“Perfectionism is an unproductive use of attention. Self-hatred will not make us better.” – Sharon Salzberg

“Acceptance is what allows us to realize that all experiences are opportunities to learn and grow.” – Sharon Salzberg

“Through love and kindness for ourselves, we can learn to accept and love our imperfect selves.” – Sharon Salzberg

“We need resilience. We need to always be tacking and adjusting and starting over.” – Sharon Salzberg

“I think that’s what resiliency is made of. It’s that kind of flexibility and that ability to start over.” – Sharon Salzberg

“Begin again. It’s the rhythm of life. That’s how we actually live every day and that’s how we get something done.” – Sharon Salzberg

“What I learned was that the world has an infinite capacity for do-overs if you let go of this notion that it has to be a certain way.” – Jerry Colonna

“We can be even stronger, I think, by coming from a place of compassion rather than alienation and disconnection.” – Sharon Salzberg

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Work doesn't have to destroy us. Work can be the way we achieve our fullest selves.