Slow your roll.

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Good morning Reader,

I'm typing this newsletter at the crack of dawn because not only am I a week behind (I bet you've been waiting desperately for my name to pop up in your inbox, haven't you?) but I also have a 9-hour day ahead of me in my role as Director of Marketing & Ecosystem Building at the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund.

Did I mention I'm riding solo as a parent for the next three weeks?

And that we just moved into a new house that needs shelves and lights installed, carpet runners and a kitchen reno? I must have gotten half of my steps in this morning already because I still can't find any of my ingredients in this new kitchen (the peach-baked oatmeal that I put in the oven at 5.15 a.m. is sending sweet and fruity smells through my house).

While making peach-baked oatmeal and organizing my house sound like they're straight out of Martha Stewart's Homemaking Handbook (available at my Thrift Store for $1.99), the reality of parenting and working and homemaking and creating this extraordinary podcast is one of stress. I'm trying to time my morning routine so I can get work done before my daughter wakes up, I attempt to optimize my bike route and shave off minutes by showering faster and approving episode drafts while cooking and cleaning and folding laundry.

In other words, I'm rushing through life. And when we rush, things don't only fall through the cracks (like forgetting V's favorite teddy bear at the pediatrician's office because we ere running behind) but we tax our nervous system, we don't breathe deeply, we send cortisol running through our veins and I. Don't. Enjoy. Any. Of. It.

I should know better. As season 3 slowly comes to a close, I have learned a handful of lessons that will prevent me from burning out. If I manage to implement them. In that sense, I consider myself work in progress. How about you?

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Each day, I come across a handful of resources that I think every ecosystem builder should know about. Here are the highlights:

• ​The Body Keeps The Score, Bessel van der Kolk​
• ​Your Brain is Always Listening, David G. Amen
• ​Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, James Clear​
• ​Sustainable Youth Ministry: Why Most Youth Ministry Doesn’t Last and What Your Church Can Do about It, Mark DeVries​

Save the date ecosystem builders!📅

• September 8 & 9: EBLP in-person retreat in Indianapolis
• September 21 & 22: Radically Rural Summit in New Hampshire
• September 28-29: Rural Rise Summit in Emporia, Kansas
• October 11-12: e.Builders Forum, RTP NC, what to highlight
• October 17-19: SCN Summit in Dallas Fort-Worth, TX

In other news📰

• Our good friend Jeff Bennett published a powerful piece about burnout on Medium, and how to avoid burning out as an ecosystem builder. How appropriate for this season!
• Podcast alert! Entrepreneurship on the RISE - spearheaded by Lauren Mathena (who you met in my last logbook!) and Jacob Dolence in Southwest VA - is live!
• ​Social Enterprise Greenhouse is searching for their next CEO - a super exciting role as SEG grows into new spheres of impact! Is this you or someone you know? Spread the word! Inquiries can be sent directly to Alicia Salerno of Koya Partner, asalerno@koyapartners.com.
• ​Forward Cities is hiring a Director of Development. If you have someone in your network who fits the bill - please share this opportunity!
• CORI/RISI also have some vacancies that we need some talent to fill! Spread the word!

I'd love to hear what you're thinking, sensing and changing in your work and life as you listen to this season's conversations with practitioners of self care and wellbeing! Which episode(s) resonate with you? What questions do you have after listening? What do you want to share with the community?

In camaraderie,

Anika

P.S. Like any of the graphics in this newsletter? Feel free to download and share them with a little tag for @SocialVenturers.