On the 49th episode of the What is a Good Life? podcast, I am delighted to introduce Dean Boland as our guest. Dean is a Co-Founder and CEO of PolkaStays, a property developer, investor, and serviced accommodation consultant.
In this episode, Dean shares his experience of the toll that several of his corporate jobs were having on his well-being before stepping into something new. We discuss what kept him in the same loop of doing something he knew wasn’t good for him.
We explore our desire to do what’s “normal” and the role societal expectations play in our lives. Additionally, we delve into the importance of self-reflection and therapy in creating more headspace, as well as spending more time on things that bring us more fulfillment. We both reflect on narratives we have sold ourselves, the pain that can be perpetuated when we don’t explore it ourselves, and the role of hope and the people around us in creating welcome change.
I assume Dean’s experience in the corporate world will resonate with many, and while this isn’t a prescription for anyone else’s life, his journey of creating more time for reflection and inquiry, as well as the consequent changes in his life, will give you plenty to contemplate.
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Running Order:
02:35 Why do we keep doing things that don’t make us happy?
07:05 What kept Dean stuck in a loop of work he didn’t like?
11:20 The importance of continuously checking in with ourselves
16:35 Creating the space to reflect
22:16 Finding a sense of fulfilment
28:20 The feeling of emptiness or a weight on our souls
33:35 Opening up to therapy
37:35 Realising what you are repressing and holding
42:35 Perpetuating pain / importance of self-work
47:35 Seeing the impact of personal change
53:45 Summary of the conversation
56:00 What is a good life for Dean?
For further content and information check out the following:
- For the podcast's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@whatisagoodlife/videos
- My newsletter: https://www.whatisagood.life/
- My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mccartney-14b0161b4/
- Dean's website:
https://www.polkastays.net/- Dean's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-boland-polkastays/