Does spending time and money on your own development feel selfish? What if investing in ourselves actually improved not only our lives, but spilled over to improve the lives around us too? Elevate graduate Despina Stavrinos joins me to share how investing in herself helped her to create time in her schedule, energized her career, and improved her relationships.

Key points discussed:

• Despina's background, career as a founding lab director and family situation
• The role of technology as a tool for career and personal development
• What made Despina apply for the Elevate program
• How the program changed her definition of "winning"
• Impacts on her time management and calendar including her first unplugged vacation
• Creating space in her day and how pulling back contributes to a better view of the big picture
• Returns on investment and the importance of investing in ourselves
• The value of a community that is engaged, understanding and willing to share knowledge while cheering her on

Key Quotes:

• "I decided to do something 'selfish'." -Despina Stavrinos
• "I think it's one of the best professional financial decisions I've ever made." -Despina Stavrinos
• "I strategically planned for taking that time off and it was amazing." -Despina Stavrinos
• "The sum is greater than its parts." -Despina Stavrinos
• "Technology can help us set those boundaries and keep those boundaries." -Cathy Mazak
• "You need to have networks of people that get [it]." -Cathy Mazak
• "When you pour into you, then you have that overflow effect." -Cathy Mazak
• "You've gotta take care of you." -Despina Stavrinos
• "Once you get supported...it really changes the way you think about those moments when you feel overwhelmed…" -Cathy Mazak

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This episode was first published at cathymazak.com/episode92.