Welcome to Eudaimonia Rising
The older I get, the more I find myself exploring big questions. Who am I becoming? What am I leaving behind for my kids’ generation and this marvelous planet we call home? What is my legacy (and is that just my ego talking?)? My greatest potential? My purpose? Has it changed? And if it has, what do I do about that?
My most recent exploration of these questions resulted in some big shifts. After many moons of contemplation, I came to the conclusion that my purpose hadn’t changed, but I was not living into my greatest potential and it was time to forge a new path to do so. I think that qualifies as a mixed blessing. I loved the reflective process and was relieved to confirm my purpose, but taking action proved considerably more challenging.
After many more moons of contemplation, a more complete picture emerged and I took decisive action, leaving organizational life to co-create Eudaimonia Rising to help individuals, teams, and organizations achieve their greatest purpose.
Welcome to Eudaimonia Rising
Eudaimonia (eu: good; daimon: spirit) is a Greek term meaning the condition of human flourishing. It is the pursuit of a fulfilling and virtuous life with a purpose beyond one’s self. It’s not easy, it isn’t just about being conditionally “happy” (that is more likely eudaimonia’s traveling partner known as hedonia), and it definitely doesn’t allow us to rest on our laurels. But it is available to everyone and contributes to the objective betterment of life. In short, this state of flourishing is a worthy pursuit.
Yet, this worthy pursuit asks the majority of us to wrestle with change. As the world around us evolves, our beliefs, values, and patterns are challenged. And as we embrace increasingly complex challenges, we begin to realize that our existing patterns no longer yield the results to which we are accustomed. It is for that moment of realization that we created Eudaimonia Rising.
As Kegan and Lahey (Immunity to Change, 2009) reflect from their work with organizations navigating change,
“It is not change that causes anxiety; it is the feeling that we are without defenses in the presence of what we see as danger that causes anxiety.”
That sentiment could not have been more accurate as I prepared to leave organizational life for self-employment. It felt dangerous to walk away from the security provided by a steady paycheck and health insurance. There were no guarantees that I wouldn’t risk my family’s well-being. Worse yet, I really had no idea how to be an entrepreneur. I was (and still am) incredibly grateful for everything that organizational life taught and afforded me, but the behaviors, mindset, and skills I had mastered in organizational life felt insufficient. Overnight, I would once again become a beginner, fundamentally shifting the way I perceived work, worthiness, and sustainability. Yep, anxiety was present.
Embracing the Uncertainty
A welcome consequence from my professional transition was a deeper appreciation for the inner experience of change and the relentless tug to revert to old patterns and comforts. Understanding what is behind the old patterns and comforts (the defenses that Kegan and Lahey refer to) is a critical step to successfully navigating change and transition. As my journey continues, I am still visited by uncertainty and fear. But I am developing effective and enlivening practices to face them. I am experiencing a new sense of living in eudaimonia.
Expand Your Potential to Flourish
I believe that every individual, team, and organization has the capacity to achieve their most ambitious goals through the pursuit of eudaimonia. And I know it can be difficult to make the requisite changes. There is no denying that the liminal space of change and transition presents an anxiety-inducing, but opportunity-rich, experience for growth. With the right support, meaningful and sustainable change is within reach.
Are you, your team, or your organization realizing your greatest potential? Has something in your environment changed, challenging your assumptions about what is required for success?
Are you sensing the call to shift– individually or collectively – in order to achieve your most ambitious goals?
If you are ready to embrace this call, Eudaimonia Rising is ready to help. Drop me an email at lisa@eudaimoniarisingllc.com and let’s explore what this moment might be affording you. You’ve got this!
In Eudaimonia- Lisa