#256 - TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE: REAL LIFE INSIGHTS FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS, with Dora Peake

Dora Peake is an executive leader with over 20 years of experience in people and culture – and as a Member in my coaching program it has been a joy to watch her grow and transform.

Her story is a real life one, showing how you can too.

Listen in as Dora shares her inspiring journey of personal and professional growth, emphasizing the import role of daily habits, clear dreams & goals, and the power of community support.

There is so much practical learning in this episode - you'll love it.

As always, I’d LOVE to hear what resonates with you from this episode and what you plan to implement after listening in. So please share and let’s keep the conversation going in the Dream Life Podcast Facebook Group here.    

Have a wonderful week-end… and remember, it all starts with a dream 💛

Enjoy! 💛

Dream Life Founder 

SHOW NOTES:

• Join my Platinum Coaching Program - where in June the focus is on going deep to help you plan the second half of the year for you. Learn more here.
• Learn more & register here for our RECONNECT TO YOU Retreat.
  🌿 Experience the joy of a wonderful retreat, while learning how to run your own personal solo retreats 🌿 
• Learn more & register here for our FIJI REINVENT YOU RETREAT. Embark on a transformative journey guided by Kristina Karlsson, Sarah Pirie-Nally, Nicole Hatherly, and Shaynna Blaze.
• Join my virtual book club GROW for May where we'll meet weekly on Zoom to discuss and squeeze the learnings from Robin Sharma's brilliant new book, The Wealth Money Can't Buy (which explores true wealth beyond financial success). Learn more here…
• Join my Habit Club and get support and accountability as you focus on changing the building blocks of your life - your daily habits. Learn more here…
• "Awakening Joy" by James Baraz
• "The Leadership Compass" by Michelle Redfern
• Plan Your Year journal
• Daily Progress Journal
• Daily Wins Journal

RESOURCES:

• Sign up to our email list here to hear about upcoming workshops.
• Join our Habit Club. It's easy to start a new habit, but harder to make it stick!  Get the inspiration and support network you need to successfully build new habits into your life.
• Take your first step to getting clarity on what you want from life with this free bonus dreaming exercise here 101 Dreams Audio Guide 
• Buy Kristina's book, Your Dream Life Starts Here

 

TRANSCRIPT EDITED:

Hi there and welcome back to another episode. As you may know, I run a coaching program where I support people to create their own dream life, whatever that means for each person. I love hearing everyone's dreams, goals, and habits they want to change. Sometimes, certain people stand out, and it depends on a few different things. Sometimes it takes time for people to figure out what they want their dream life to look like. And sometimes, like all of us, people go through challenging times and then get momentum and accomplish so much. It's incredibly inspiring to see people support each other during tough times and celebrate each other's successes.

I recently noticed one of our amazing members in the Dream Life Coaching Program standing out, and I got curious about what drives people to change and take massive action. So, I invited one of these inspiring individuals to share their story.

My guest today is Dora Peake, an executive leader in people and culture with over 20 years of experience in partnering with leaders and executives across a diverse range of industries, including finance, infrastructure, development, and technology. Dora is passionate about attracting, engaging, and retaining the best talent by focusing on an employee experience that identifies what matters most to people and creating targeted experiences that matter. Her proactive approach has taken her life to the next level over the last 12 months, and I can't wait to share this inspiring chat with you.

Hey Dora, welcome to my podcast. I'm so excited to have you here because what I've seen over the years, with you being part of my program, has been nothing but extraordinary and so inspiring. I can't wait to talk about all the things you've done. But before we do, I like to ask all my guests: did you ever dream as a child of something you wanted to do, have, or become?

Dora: Thank you so much for having me, Kristina. It's wonderful to be with you in this forum, and I'm excited to be here. Yes, I had many dreams as a child, but one that left a great impression on me was wanting to be an interpreter. Growing up as a child of working-class Greek immigrant parents who didn't communicate much in English, I saw the power of being able to interpret ideas and unlock understanding between different worlds. I wanted to bring people and ideas together and share different passions across the community.

Kristina: That's such a great insight as a child. Often, when we face challenges or see things that aren't working, it inspires us to dream about what we can bring to the world as adults. We have listeners from all over the world who might not know about you yet, so I'd love for you to share a bit about your journey, what you're doing, and what your dreams in life are.

Dora: Thank you, Kristina. We have so many different identities as humans, and we're multifaceted. I'm a mother of two beautiful girls, a partner to an amazing husband, a daughter, an aunt, a cousin, a colleague, and a friend to many. Professionally, I'm the group director of people and culture in a tech-based business. I'm lucky to lead a team focused on the end-to-end employee experience, from engagement through advertisements to onboarding, development, and even alumni relationships. I've always been passionate about the employee experience, integrating someone wholly into a work environment without asking them to leave their personalities at the door. It's fascinating how we can get the best from people by allowing them to be their full selves.

Kristina: I love that approach. I've always wanted everyone in my business to come as they are. We get so much more from people if they can show up as themselves. I've been so inspired by your progress over the last few years, especially in the last 12 months. I see it in your voice and excitement. You show up almost every Monday, even on holidays. Why did you join the Dream Life Coaching Program, and how has your experience been?

Dora: Like most of your guests, I've been a fan of yours since your early days. Your focus on dreaming big, planning, and achieving goals with passion and courage resonated with me. I attended one of your online workshops about three years ago and began my journey with the Dream Life community through the Habit Club. I set goals for habits and progress, and little did I know how invested I would become. Even with habits, it wasn't just about what I wanted to introduce into my life but also what I wanted to stop doing. Since then, I've been a member of the Grow Club and the coaching program, which has been extraordinary. During COVID and isolation in Melbourne, I focused on creating a better mindset and outcomes for my life. I discovered my love for learning and understanding myself and my world, which has been transformative.

Kristina: I love how you said it's been a process. We often come in with the expectation to fix everything at once, but that's not possible. We can do anything in life, but not everything at once. It's about taking one day at a time. I've seen so much progress from you with planning. I used to plan the whole year, but now I focus on quarterly planning. Can you talk about your dreams and goals for the last 12 months and how planning has been important?

Dora: It has definitely been a process. Initially, I had too many goals and felt overwhelmed. Now, I'm clear on my three main goals: 10x my health, personal development, and enhancing my career. I've implemented these in bite-sized pieces, focusing on what I want to start, stop, and continue doing. Since joining the Dream Life group, I've taken on mentoring roles, put myself up for recognition, and been braver about initiatives at work. With my health, I've become consistent with exercise and now work out almost every day. Each area feeds into the other, generating results across the board.

Kristina: I absolutely love that. You mentioned going for daily walks in nature and encouraging your family to join, creating a ripple effect. You've also been more visible at work, inspiring your team. Public speaking can be daunting for many, but you've taken it on. Can you share your experience with that?

Dora: Public speaking and presenting have been long-time goals. Saying it out loud creates accountability. I've spoken within the HR community about relevant topics and actively look for opportunities at work. When you asked me to host a session, I was initially nervous but reminded myself, "Why not me?" The supportive community made a big difference, and it was exhilarating. We read a book about overcoming anxiety and taking on the characteristics of a confident person, which helped. It's inspiring to see others with similar dreams, and the community support is invaluable.

Kristina: That's the beauty of a community. People join for specific skills but stay for the support and inspiration. Speaking up and sharing in a community brings so many advantages. What was your main reason for joining the coaching? 

Dora: The coaching program is structured to focus on different themes each month, such as overwhelm, imposter syndrome, and meditations. It includes direct coaching, accountability groups, and guest speakers, which propels you forward. Initially, it was about achieving a few goals, but it has significantly contributed to my career, emotional and mental well-being, relationships, and overall behavior. It's a holistic approach that benefits everyone around me. 

Kristina: I absolutely love that. We also meet in person at events like the Carmen's Fun Run, which is a big privilege for those in Melbourne. Can you share a bit about that experience?

Dora: Meeting in person was exciting, especially after the isolation of COVID. Connecting with the community in person adds vibrancy and allows for deeper conversations. We have a room of amazing women who could run the world, and it's inspiring to hear about their dreams and support each other. The Carmen's Fun Run is a great cause, and it reinforces the reflective and kind approach we take in our community.

Kristina: Reflection is so important, and taking time to know what you want is key. You've also committed to reading more books. How do you manage to read 52 books in a year, and what inspired you to do that?

Dora: Discovering that learning and reading are top values for me, I committed to making them true. Reading is not a luxury but essential for personal development. I allocate time in my morning and evening routines for reading and dedicate three hours on Sundays for uninterrupted reading. It has expanded my mind, increased networking, and replaced unenergizing activities like watching TV. The more I read, the more I want to do.

Kristina: Reading is such a valuable activity, and I love how you've integrated it into your routine. What is your morning ritual like?

Dora: My morning ritual includes deep breaths, meditation, reading my goals, and a letter to my future self. I exercise for about 30 minutes and then sit outside with a cup of coffee for journaling. This routine sets a calm tone for the day, helping me manage overwhelm and enter the day with compassion and kindness.

Kristina: That's a beautiful morning ritual. It's taken a process to get there, and progress, not perfection, is key. What is one of your favorite books that had a big impact on your life?

Dora: One impactful book is "Awakening Joy" by James Baraz, which helped me manage grief and find joy during a challenging time. Another is "The Leadership Compass" by Michelle Redfern, a leadership book written by a woman that combines emotional, IQ, and business intelligence for career success. 

Kristina: Thank you for sharing those recommendations. Finally, knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to your younger self?

Dora: Be present and enjoy life as it is. Practice self-care in a holistic way, including mental and physical well-being. Embrace learning opportunities and don't accept others' limitations as your worldview. Establish your own identity.

Kristina: That's amazing advice. Thank you for being such an inspiring person in our community and sharing your wisdom. Your journey has been incredible, and I look forward to seeing what comes next for you.

Dora: Thank you, Kristina. Keep spreading your message and inspiring others to dream big and create the life they want.