How visionary women lead with purpose, protect their peace, and define success on their terms
Summary
This TED Talk isn’t just about ethics—it’s a practical call to live in alignment with the person you say you want to be. Ira Bedzow, ethicist, professor, and rabbi, dismantles the heavy pressure of finding one “true” purpose, instead reframing purpose as a self-defined, values-rooted intention that guides your decisions, behaviors, and legacy.
He invites leaders to explore clarity, intention, and authenticity not through perfection, but through meaningful questions: What do I want? Do I want to want what I want? Who am I becoming in the process? His work encourages leaders to shift from living reactively (to urgency, burnout, and cultural scripts) to living responsively—grounded in values, curiosity, and conscious daily choice.
For women building vision-led lives, Bedzow offers more than philosophy. He hands you a compass.
Note: This summary is intended to support reflection and discussion on intentional living and leadership.
Key Takeaways
Purpose is self-defined and actionable.
- You don’t find purpose—you choose it. It’s a long-term intention that aligns with your values and contributes to your world.
Success means achieving your goals without betraying your values.
- Don’t chase metrics that aren't yours. Redefine success by who you become in the process—not just what you accomplish.
Urgency ≠ Importance
- Urgency culture feeds burnout. Important actions may not feel urgent, but they’re essential for a values-aligned life.
Reflection Prompts
What do I want—and do I want to want what I want? ...Read that again if needed :)
- This isn’t about desire. It’s about discernment. Does the want reflect who you’re becoming?
- Why this matters: Because not every want deserves to lead your life. This question helps you pause, realign, and choose from values—not urges or conditioning.
What does a “successful” life look like in terms of activity, not outcome?
- Strip away titles, roles, and milestones. What are you doing, with whom, and how does it feel?
- Why this matters: Because fulfillment lives in the doing, not just the getting. This reframes success as something you experience daily—not something you chase endlessly.
Shared Resources
Supplemental Articles
- “Your Burnout Is Trying to Tell You Something" by Kandi Wiens, Harvard Business Review
- “How Purpose and Employee Empowerment Can Stop Burnout” also by Ira Bedzow, Forbes
Additional Resources
- Podcast: “A Healthier You: How to achieve fulfillment—not just success” (Podcast: TED Health)
- In this TED Health podcast episode, Ira Bedzow and host Shoshana Ungerleider delve into the concept of redefining success. They discuss practical strategies for reducing burnout, enhancing mental well-being, and aligning daily actions with personal values. The conversation emphasizes the importance of intentional living and purpose-driven decision-making.
- Purpose Mapping Worksheet from Scribd
- Audiobook: "The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self" by Martha Beck
- Martha Beck invites readers to shed societal conditioning and reclaim inner truth, reminding powerhouse leaders that joy, clarity, and impact are the natural outcomes of radical self-honesty.
Where to Watch
Invitation to Integrate
Try one bold new way of being. Break one outdated script. Reclaim one choice that reflects the leader you’re here to be.
If you’re ready to lead with conviction and multiply your impact in every corner of your life, consider the support that’s built to match your vision.
Whether you’re craving deep 1:1 integration, ready to join a powerhouse community of women inside the Mindset Mastery Accelerator, or seeking a values-driven partner to help your team lead with more empowerment and integrity—this is your moment to rise.
Schedule your call now and let’s clarify the most aligned next step for your evolution—and the ripple effect you’re here to create.
