At My Pace: Ordinary Women Tell Their Extraordinary Stories | Jill Ebstein | Talks at Google

TL;DR

In this talk, Jill Ebstein discusses her book "At My Pace" which focuses on the importance of resilience, reinvention, and resetting our perspective in order to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.

Transcript

PRESENTER: I'd like to introduce Jill Ebstein. She's a personal friend. And she's a writer, but writing is not really her day job. She's worked for lots of large corporations, like HP and Citicorp and some biotech startups in the area. And she does business consulting and marketing. But she likes to deal with the human side of things and interact w... Read More

Key Insights

• 👩‍⚖️ The "Lean In" movement, while empowering for some, left many women feeling marginalized and judged.
• 👩‍🚀 Capturing stories of women's experiences at their own pace fills a gap in the conversation about personal and professional growth.
• 🛟 Resilience is a key component in navigating life's challenges, and it is important to reserve judgment and allow others to find their own way.
• ↩️ Reinvention does not always require a complete overhaul; it can involve making small changes or taking a left turn to pursue something different.
• 😣 Resetting our perspective includes recognizing the burdens of perfection and allowing ourselves dormancy to rest and recharge.
• 📔 The book aims to bring varied perspectives, promote conversation, and foster understanding among readers.

Questions & Answers

Q: What led Jill Ebstein to write "At My Pace"?

Ebstein felt frustrated by the judgment and lack of representation in the "Lean In" movement, which motivated her to compile a book sharing the stories of women who are navigating life at their own pace.

Q: How did Ebstein collect the stories for the book?

Ebstein actively sought out stories from various sources, including friends, colleagues, and friends of friends. She also promoted the book through her network and encouraged individuals to submit their own stories using her guidelines.

Q: Does reinvention always require a drastic change?

No, reinvention can involve small changes or taking a left turn in life. The important thing is to explore different paths and find what brings fulfillment and meaning.

Q: How does Jill Ebstein define resilience?

Resilience, as described in the book, is the ability to persevere through challenges and navigate life's complexities. It involves weathering pain, learning from experiences, and finding strength in the face of adversity.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jill Ebstein was inspired to write "At My Pace" after noticing a lack of stories capturing the experiences of women who felt marginalized by the "Lean In" movement.

• The book is a collection of personal stories that highlight the importance of embracing resilience in the face of challenges and setbacks.

• Ebstein also emphasizes the need for reinvention, whether it be making small changes or taking a leap of faith, in order to find fulfillment and purpose in life.