We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sara Starkoff Green a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sara, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
I believe that optimism is a conscious, intentional choice that each of us get to have in every moment of every day. By actively choosing this perspective, it allows us to embrace infinite possibilities, maintain hope and cultivate resilience. While we can not control what is happening around us, when we look through a lens of optimism it empowers us to find solutions, foster growth and navigate life’s terrain. I do not have a defining moment when I decided to adopt a perspective of optimism, rather I think it has been an integral part of my personal growth and evolution over a lifetime, rooted in my understanding of the mind/body connection. I share this approach with my family, friends, colleagues and clients and hope that leading by example will inspire others. We have learned so much over the last few decades about the power of the human brain and how our thoughts and words impact our mental and physical health. By intentionally choosing an optimistic mindset we are harnessing our brain’s neuroplasticity and exercising our ability to form new neural pathways, all of which directly impacts how we respond to life’s challenges through our thoughts, emotions and behaviors.
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?
My work in the health and wellness industry spans a spectrum of initiatives, including community engagement, education and consulting for medical practices, curating and facilitating wellness workshops for corporate, non-profit and educational institutions, research in integrative medicine, keynote speaking and panel facilitation about all things health and wellness and management of community programs and events. An enormous part of my work is rooted in connecting community members to health and wellness resources and it is equally one of the most fulfilling components of my career. I am so fortunate to work in a field that I feel so personally passionate about, that my professional work aligns with my personal approach to health and well-being and to work with healthcare professionals in my community who support helping others to achieve optimal health.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Tenacity, Curiosity/a desire to learn and organization, in no particular order.
I have always been tenacious and that intrinsic motivation propels me to set lofty goals, pursue challenging obstacles and maintain focus on projects and initiatives. I am constantly motivated, both internally and externally because I chose to surround myself with inspiring and motivated friends and colleagues who empower me to strive for excellence in all things I pursue.
I am curious in nature, I consider myself a lifelong learner, I try to learn something new everyday. I am a voracious reader and am hungry for new information, ideas and introspection. I love having enlightening conversations that open my mind and spirit, challenge my beliefs and require introspection. I believe that curiosity is a skill that inspires us and motivates us to explore and expand what we know and believe in. Curiosity brings new people into my life, new opportunities and fresh energy and this traits supports me both personally and professionally.
Organization is key. I often speak to others about how external chaos creates internal chaos and being organized counters chaos. If your personal living space, your car or your office are disorganized, it spills over to how effectively and efficiently you are able to operate. In my work, details are vitally important and being organized is integral to the process. I also believe that organization impacts our ability to be present and mindful. The same meticulousness that I apply to clients’ events and programs, I apply to my own daily schedule and my overall life. However, I think it is important to allow space for spontaneity, to be willing to pivot and be flexible in thought and action.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
My most significant area of growth over the last year has absolutely been slowing down and being more consistent with my daily meditation practice. I really pride myself on productivity but I have learned that rest is an integral component of the productivity equation as well as optimal health and well-being. I believe that different energy resonates at different seasons of our life and I find that I am more grounded and peaceful when I am committed to slowing down in thought and action. In the integrative health space we talk about seven forms of rest. It is important to point out that sleep is different than rest and for our physical, mental and spiritual well-being we need both sleep and rest. I give myself permission to rest and I prioritize getting adequate sleep nightly. Someone once proposed that we look at the relationship between rest and productivity differently…what if instead of thinking that we deserve/need rest as a result of hard work, that we rest so that we can perform/operate optimally. That paradigm really created a shift for me. Rest and sleep do not need to be earned, they are fundamentally essential to overall well-being and allow us to recharge, repair and rejuvenate.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.
greenhousewellnessconsulting. com - Email: greenhouse_wellness@outlook.
com - Other: Podcast on Spotify & Apple “Greenhouse Wellness”
Image Credits
@carlosaristizabal
