– a conversation with Jennifer Shinkai
Returning to work after her second maternity leave, she was in a different role with a new boss.
She didn’t feel like she was making a difference and realized there wasn’t anything new that she wanted to learn in her job.
Her performance suffered.
And then she slipped a disc.
It was like her body was saying, “You have to stop what you’re doing, and I’m going to make you stop.”
She couldn’t get out of bed or do any housework.
She felt like a terrible mother because she couldn’t play with her young kids or pick them up.
This was her low point: “Who am I? I can’t live like this anymore.”
And that’s when she started working with a great coach and began to ask herself the question, “What do I want?” – until she ultimately went on to discover the joys of Ikigai and a variety-filled, artistic, and richly rewarding life.
In Episode 198 of the Sasuga! Podcast, I’m chatting with Jennifer Shinkai, British born, Oxford educated, and Tokyo based facilitator and coach specializing in Ikigai and Inclusion. Our sequin-studded conversation spanned a dazzling array of topics, including
- The origin of the powerful question and title of Jen’s first book “Can Giraffes Swim?”
- Japanese cultural observations, including what happens when you give a multicultural group the challenge of completing a task on time while keeping everybody happy (can you guess the outcome?)
- Ikigai and what do do if you don’t feel like you have room in your mind
Enjoy!
Watch the full interview on YouTube
Prefer to listen on your podcast player?
Connect with Jennifer
Website
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTube
Podcast
Mentioned in this episode
Ikigai-9
Can Giraffes Swim?
Gus
For women in business in Japan
What if…
… you could elevate your presence, people skills, and performance in less than 3 months?
… you felt inspired and encouraged by 6-10 women like you in a safe and supportive online space?
… you had an experienced bilingual female mentor here in Japan and could ask her anything professional or personal?
Find out how this and more could be possible for you at sasugacommunications.com/wise.
You might also enjoy
- Episode 45: What Do You Want? – A conversation with Claudia de Pasquale
- Episode 64: What Is Doing Your Best?
- Episode 183: Sleep, Eat, And Move Your Feet