On Growth and Managing Expectations: Kaysha Patel
Leading up to our Summer '18 iteration of WORK, we'll feature select interviews with some of our conference's speakers and thought leaders. In this piece, Kaysha Patel talks growth and making business decisions (which makes sense—she'll be hosting a workshop on scaling her business). Click here for the full conference schedule.
Who: Kaysha Patel is the owner of Austin-based studio, Stretch Yoga.
What she's currently working on: "I am working on bringing yoga/meditation to middle school girls. This is both a personal and professional goal of mine. I am passionate about women's empowerment, and I believe that it begins with young girls. My goal is to use yoga/meditation to aide girls in improving self-esteem, body issues, finding their voice, and learning how to lean in.
How would you describe your work / career path?
In the beginning, my career path was always goal-oriented. I set to obtain a specific job or live in a specific city, and fortunately I always made it happen. Crossing goals off my list was satisfying, but not fulfilling. There was always something missing. As I've matured, I've noticed a shift from goal-oriented to heart-centered. Rather than seeking a specific outcome in my career, I now follow my hear and instinct. I go after what will make me happy, rather than what will make me money.
How do you approach concepts of "work/life balance?" Does that concept mean anything to you
Work/life balance means everything and nothing at the same time to me, because they are one in the same. In my opinion, work is an aspect of life—it is not separate, therefore there is no need to balance the two. I am not two different people at work and at life. My work is my life, and my life is my work. The concept of a "Monday through Friday, nine-to-five" does not resonate with me. I'd rather work 24/7 and feel that my work is integrated into my life. As someone who has found a way to make a living doing what I love, I achieve work/life balance without trying.
Could you describe a moment in your career in which you experienced growth?
Owning and operating a business that involves managing 16 to 20 people at any given time has been one of my biggest growth areas. Understanding how to be present for each person while still looking out for the greater good of the business has been one of my biggest growth areas.
How do you approach that growth?
I approach growth by managing my expectations. I've come to realize that expectations are what cause disappointment, not people or situations. I try my best and understand that I can not control the result, only my reaction to the result.
About WORK: WORK is a biannual pop-up space, designed for sharing new ideas and approaches to creative and entrepreneurial work. The event's panels, workshops and speaker sessions explore personal and professional development, marketing, business management and entrepreneurship. Our next conference pops up on July 14 from 10 AM to 5 PM at Rowling Hall in Austin, Texas. ✨Click here for more information.
