Emma

So I want to frame how you can think about trade-offs because I think I've got a way to make those decisions more streamlined. I mentioned before that I'm pretty goal oriented and I have these big plans that I write both annually and for each decade. In fact, one day we'll do a whole episode on how to build out the plans. But for right now, this is the key take out.

So I want to frame how you can think about trade-offs because I think I've got a way to make those decisions more streamlined. I mentioned before that I'm pretty goal oriented and I have these big plans that I write both annually and for each decade. In fact, one day we'll do a whole episode on how to build out the plans. But for right now, this is the key take out.

When you have a goal, it's really important to say no to things that aren't getting you closer to your goals.

When you have a goal, it's really important to say no to things that aren't getting you closer to your goals.

And so when you think about the trade-offs, the things that don't get you closer to your goals have to go, unless, and there's only ever one exception, if there are things that give your life meaning, family obligations, spiritual or religious obligations, things like that, those things have to stay. So let me give you an example.

And so when you think about the trade-offs, the things that don't get you closer to your goals have to go, unless, and there's only ever one exception, if there are things that give your life meaning, family obligations, spiritual or religious obligations, things like that, those things have to stay. So let me give you an example.

If there's a family event in England or my best friend's birthday, that's where I'll be every single time. I am never missing making memories. If there's a party I've been invited to, I've made a commitment to read three mornings a week before I go out. I am not going to that party. It's sad, but it's true.

If there's a family event in England or my best friend's birthday, that's where I'll be every single time. I am never missing making memories. If there's a party I've been invited to, I've made a commitment to read three mornings a week before I go out. I am not going to that party. It's sad, but it's true.

The thesis here is that something's got to give and that you can have it all, but not all at the same time. And so being really clear about what's most important to you is what you have to work out first. I am never going to sacrifice the happiness of my kids, but there's a finite amount of things that make my kids happy.

The thesis here is that something's got to give and that you can have it all, but not all at the same time. And so being really clear about what's most important to you is what you have to work out first. I am never going to sacrifice the happiness of my kids, but there's a finite amount of things that make my kids happy.

And something such as volunteering at your school has nothing to do with your kid. It's about the expectations of your particular school. So just say no and be comfortable in that decision. Also know that sometimes you'll be saying no to something you really, really, really want to do and you've got to be comfortable with that too.

And something such as volunteering at your school has nothing to do with your kid. It's about the expectations of your particular school. So just say no and be comfortable in that decision. Also know that sometimes you'll be saying no to something you really, really, really want to do and you've got to be comfortable with that too.

The important thing here is to communicate with everyone around you because it's the expectations that are just so overwhelming. When you're asked to do something that isn't a priority for you, immediately shut it down and explain that you won't do it. Don't offer any long explanation. Just say, I'm sorry, I won't. The takeout here is that the trade-offs are real.

The important thing here is to communicate with everyone around you because it's the expectations that are just so overwhelming. When you're asked to do something that isn't a priority for you, immediately shut it down and explain that you won't do it. Don't offer any long explanation. Just say, I'm sorry, I won't. The takeout here is that the trade-offs are real.

The great news is that you get to decide what they are. The last one, and one that is just so key to my heart, always be learning. Number 10, always be learning. One of my most overused quotes is, the more you learn, the more you earn. It's a Warren Buffett quote, and we all know I love Warren.

The great news is that you get to decide what they are. The last one, and one that is just so key to my heart, always be learning. Number 10, always be learning. One of my most overused quotes is, the more you learn, the more you earn. It's a Warren Buffett quote, and we all know I love Warren.

If we're talking about the mindset that separates good from great, being in constant learning mode has to be top of my list. And it's one of the main reasons I started this podcast. I believe that exposure to ideas, to information, to knowledge, to people and to things that are new to you, and maybe even at odds with your own deeply held beliefs, this is what ultimately will help make us great.

If we're talking about the mindset that separates good from great, being in constant learning mode has to be top of my list. And it's one of the main reasons I started this podcast. I believe that exposure to ideas, to information, to knowledge, to people and to things that are new to you, and maybe even at odds with your own deeply held beliefs, this is what ultimately will help make us great.

I was a terrible student. Not realizing that I was dyslexic until I was in my early 20s clearly didn't help. But even so, my whole life, I've had an insatiable appetite for learning. As a woman building something powerful, you don't get to stop growing. Staying in learning mode means you're always asking better questions, staying curious and refusing to let your ego block your evolution.

I was a terrible student. Not realizing that I was dyslexic until I was in my early 20s clearly didn't help. But even so, my whole life, I've had an insatiable appetite for learning. As a woman building something powerful, you don't get to stop growing. Staying in learning mode means you're always asking better questions, staying curious and refusing to let your ego block your evolution.