Ep 17: The Boon of My Success

Today, we dive into the complexities of long-term professional success and the internal conflicts it can create. Join me as I share my journey of navigating 47 years of apparent triumphs while battling self-doubt and emotional turmoil. We'll explore themes of patriarchy, female masculinity, and the struggle to maintain authenticity in a demanding world. Discover how self-sabotage and moral dilemmas played a role in my path, leading to a profound journey of forgiveness for both my mother and myself. Tune in for a raw and honest discussion on finding peace and embracing your true self amidst societal expectations.

 

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [0:35] Susan is conflicted about feeling success in the patriarchy, and she feels she inherited the female machismo from her mother

• [7:40] Change came in 2009 when Susan began to question self-awareness and a recurring haunting dream

• [11:58] The snake of self-sabotage

• [15:14] Susan’s values, moral and emotional conflicts

• [18:33] Susan’s path to forgiveness with her mother and toward herself

• [24:20] Susan encourages you to forgive someone and face your ogres and would love to hear from you

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• It’s wise to follow your heart in your life’s pathway. Society has ideas for you, but stay true to yourself to experience true happiness.

• It’s never too late to forgive others or yourself. Tomorrow can be the first day of your best self.

• If you struggle with moral or emotional conflicts, contact a coach or counselor for help.
  

 

QUOTES:

“I am my father's daughter. I identified with the masculine from an early age. This relationship with the masculine carried me through and taught me how to excel in my academics. In my early career days and throughout my marriage, all of my choices were masculine and associated with masculine mathematics, computer science, and applied physics in my young years through my primary school education.” Susan Gibson

“It takes a lifetime to find out who you are. I'm still learning about myself. It takes a lifetime, and I’ve learned that we've got to be open to all of the input channels coming our way. We have to be discerning, but first, the openness, because if we're not open to what the universe is trying to tell us, we’ll miss the opportunity to step into who we really are. I would say that's been the fundamental and groundbreaking lesson that I've learned over these years.” Susan Gibson

 

RESOURCES:

Susan Gibson - Email

 

ABOUT THE HOST:

Susan Gibson grew up in a small town in Northern Maine, the only surviving child of parents who married young and divorced young. From the influence of their shared experiences, Susan has learned two things that are core to who she is: the value of community and the power of having a voice.

Susan has spent her entire academic and professional career as a woman in tech, starting her career as a developer in the mid-80s to today, where she is CEO of Temenos+Agility, a management consulting company she co-founded with her partner, Siraj Sirajuddin, where they help enterprises transform organizationally and personally, to find a more meaningful way to deliver value to their customers.

Susan frequently contributes to the Women in Tech (WiT) Regatta and speaks worldwide at public and private events. She uses her voice to grow communities of women, mentors and allies in tech. 

Susan has many lifelong pursuits: healthy eating, fitness, yoga and meditation, music, theater, opera, reading, movies, travel, family and friends. She is also rebuilding her family’s 110-year-old homestead in Northern Maine, a true labor of love.