"If it ain't joyful, I ain't doing it"
How great would it feel to be able to say this, and mean it
This is a direct quote from my guest on the podcast this week... the divine and delightful Rha Goddess.
Organizational soul coach, author, and one of the loveliest humans I've ever had the privilege to share space with, Rha is a kindred whose new book 'Intentional Ambition' is like a field guide for what we've been talking about in this season of the podcast: Joy First working.
How do we 'balance' our ambition and our joy?
This conversation couldn't be more timely. As we navigate economic uncertainty, political chaos, and the ongoing aftermath of a pandemic that changed everything about how we view work, Rha's insights offer both a challenge and a permission slip.
The Great Resignation
What happens when 50 million people quit their jobs, and then another 50 million the following year? What are we all sensing and seeking in this massive reshuffling of priorities? And most importantly – how do we move forward when we know we're not going back?
Rha's new book "Intentional Ambition" explores exactly this territory, diving deep into what it means to renegotiate our relationship with work after the Great Resignation. But this isn't just about finding better work-life balance – it's about a fundamental shift in how we define success, ambition, and the role work plays in our lives.
One of my favorite quotes from Rha in this episode responded with: "If it ain't joyful, I ain't doing it." This speaks to my soulllll. Not just a cute boundary – this statement is a radical act of resistance in a world that has conditioned us to de-prioritize our joy and happiness.
We explore the fierce nature of love (which is not what you might think), why comfort and joy are not synonymous, and how to distinguish between what she calls "wounded ambition" versus "true ambition."
Whether you're considering a career pivot, feeling burned out in your current role, or simply questioning the traditional definitions of success that never quite fit, this conversation offers both profound wisdom and practical guidance for creating a new relationship with work... a relationship where joy leads.
What You'll Learn:
- The three stages we go through when redefining our relationship with work
- Why choosing joy is both a form of resistance and surrender
- How to use your energy (not just your time) as your compass for decision-making
- A simple daily practice to identify what's draining you vs. what's energizing you
- The difference between "wounded ambition" and "true ambition"
- Which discomfort might actually be growth in disguise
Links Mentioned in This Episode:
- Rha Goddess's new book: "Intentional Ambition"
- Move The Crowd website
- Rha Goddess website
- @RhaGoddess on all platforms: LinkedIn Instagram
