“Sometimes you have to leave home to see home.”
In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin takes listeners on a journey through Shanghai, Singapore, and Bali to unpack what a month abroad taught her about thinking on her feet and appreciating the life waiting back home.
What starts as an international travel adventure quickly becomes a masterclass in working parenthood, and the improv mindset required when every plan goes sideways.
If you've ever had to pivot quickly, parent imperfectly, navigate uncertainty, or figure it out as you go, this episode is a reminder that flexibility is a skill you can practice.
Inside This Episode:
- The Plan Is Just a Suggestion: Delayed flights, closed restaurants, language barriers, and disappearing Wi-Fi become an unexpected lesson in adaptability. Erin shares why asking, "New scene, what's the move?" is often more useful than clinging to the original plan.
- How Discomfort Expands Your Capability: Whether it's navigating unfamiliar cities, managing food restrictions abroad, or solving problems without your usual routines, Erin explores why confidence often shows up after comfort leaves the room.
- The Truth About Good Enough Parenting: Forget perfect parenting. Erin reflects on what it means to be present, resourceful, and human while parenting on the road—and why that's more than enough.
- Why Your Village Matters More Than Ever: From family support to travel companions to the people who step in when life gets complicated, this episode is a celebration of the teams, communities, and ensembles that make hard things possible.
- Sometimes You Have to Leave Home to See Home: Distance has a funny way of creating clarity. Erin shares how stepping away from everyday life gave her a deeper appreciation for her routines, her community, and the life she built.
What to Do Now:
- Treat the Plan Like a Draft: The next time something changes unexpectedly, ask yourself: "What's possible now?" instead of "How do I get back to the original plan?"
- Collect Evidence of Your Capability: Keep track of moments when you handled something difficult, unfamiliar, or inconvenient. Your resilience deserves receipts.
- Strengthen Your Village: Reach out to someone who has supported you recently and let them know the difference they made. Gratitude is one of the fastest ways to strengthen community.
Your Freebie
You’re calm, capable, and composed… until things take an unexpected turn (as they tend to do)! This is exactly why we created The Clarity Under Pressure Toolkit: What to Do in the First 5 Minutes of Any Uncertain Situation.
It’s your go-to guide for staying grounded when it matters most. Download it here.
Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!
Connect with Erin Diehl
🌟 Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page
🎤 Book Erin to speak: https://passionstruckspeakers.com/speakers/erin-diehl/
📚 Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training
💌 Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin
📱 For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.
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