Meet Jennie Block

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jennie Block a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennie, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?

Growing up, I was taught to prioritize stability, not rock the boat, and aim exactly as high as those around me. When I looked around me however, I didn’t see anyone that I wanted to become and I realized that even what was presented as a huge risk by my family’s community would be considered completely normal in other circumstances. Choices like working and taking night classes during high school, moving across the country, or being a women in STEM were easy risks to practice going against the conventional community knowledge early on and growth was inevitable once I got comfortable outside of my comfort zone.
Later on, I deliberately prioritized building a safety net, both mentally and financially. A key revelation has been understanding that most decisions are reversible, whether professional or personal, especially if you are comfortable admitting to a mistake. This has helped me to experiment and push boundaries, knowing that I can still pivot or adjust course if needed.
It is also important to deliberately practice risk-taking. For example, in my career, I took on challenging projects outside my comfort zone, while personally, I began to embrace hobbies and activities that required me to step out of my shell, including moving into a van and traveling North America for two years! I also am constantly learning with personal and professional development courses to become used to the idea that not everything will go according to plan during the learning process. Over time, this deliberate practice has helped me to become more comfortable with taking risks, balancing inherent caution with the rewards that come from stepping out of my comfort zone.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I run a consulting service that helps small-medium sized businesses measure and reduce their environmental impacts while growing their bottom line through waste reduction, carbon accounting, product life cycle assessment, and net zero strategy. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that my work leaves the planet just a little bit better for the next generation, and my network of likeminded professionals keeps me optimistic for the future.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Persistence – “No” never truly means no, keep fighting for your goals in the face of obstacles to understand the power of reframing as “no” as “not now” or “not with this person”

Prioritization – You only have a finite amount of time, learn which activities are the most meaningful to your goals and how to say no to everything else

Personal Finances – Understanding how to manage money both unlocks a world of opportunity and creates a safety net

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

A business owner who is motivated to leave the planet a better place but doesn’t know where to start.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gaiawise-consulting
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennieblock/