Life At The Edge Of Your Comfort Zone: Alli Pollin

You probably know someone like this: Successful corporate executive, working 80 hour weeks, traveling continually, constantly “putting out fires” and running nonstop. They’re exhausted, missing family milestones, and questioning the point of it all, but feeling stuck and helpless to make a change. 

Then every once in a while, you meet someone who makes a change – and never looks back. Meet leadership expert Alli Pollin, owner of Break The Frame based out of Alice Springs, Australia. In our recent ASPIRE Success Club interview, Alli shared her experience and how she needed to “break the frame” – or let go of the expectations of the way things ‘should’ be – and design the future for herself and her family. She now helps others do the same through her coaching, writing, and workshop facilitation.

“I was spending too much time in airport lounges and missing milestones with my family,” Alli explained. “I had become increasingly dissatisfied with life and knew I needed to make a leap.” She left her corporate gig and, three months after starting her business, took another leap: she and her husband moved their family from Washington DC to Australia. 

Thinking about taking some leaps in your own life? Alli shared many tips during our interview, a few of which are highlighted below:

• Practice everyday, personal leadership. You aren’t just a leader at work, and leadership lessons don’t happen in a bubble. You can practice daily leadership whether you’re in the office or on vacation with your family. “Be curious and ask questions, don’t be afraid of looking silly, and most importantly, be yourself,” Alli advises. That vulnerability is an important part of leadership.
• Live without boundaries. “Sometimes it’s as easy as changing our words,” Alli shares. “For example, remove the phrase ‘I could never do that’ from your vocabulary, and watch the boundaries start to disappear along with it.”
• Balance your life with support. When asked how she balances being a business owner, mom, wife, and her many other roles, Alli responds honestly: “I don’t do it all myself!” Her personal leadership team includes her nanny, husband, tutors, and others who help in all aspects of life. 

Goals are an important part of leadership success and often move to the forefront of our thoughts as a new year approaches. In addition to the typical criteria we learn in goal-setting sessions, Alli offers a few questions to ask yourself as you set your goals: “Does your goal stretch you? Does it take you to the edge of your comfort zone – or beyond? Does it honor your values? Does it give you butterflies?” 

When you can answer YES to those questions, you have found a goal that’s going to change you. So take the leap, and break the frame!

Learn more about Alli Pollin and her business at www.breaktheframe.com.

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