Whether it’s a birthday, the date when you started your job or business, or even your marriage – anniversaries, are an ideal time to evaluate how far you’ve come, where you are, and where you want to be.
Last April, we
launched our first interview with former TIME editor and head of editorial and partnerships at Flipboard, Josh Quittner. Over the past year, we’ve offered amazing conversations with many compelling personalities, fantastic feedback from fans and followers, and candid advice and resources to help people better navigate career choices and changes.
1. Josh Quittner, Head of Editorial and Partnerships, Flipboard: “You need to ‘put your antenna up’ – that is, be receptive and start looking for new opportunities to get you to where you want to be. We don’t put our antennas up when things are good because there is no reason to. But the moment things aren’t going well you have to start looking and asking yourself what would I like to do now? And, what would I be good at now? Putting your antenna up means you’re looking, but also realizing that things will most likely not come in a familiar or expected form.” What Josh has been up to: I’ve been working with the China team at Flipboard and doing more international business development, which has stretched me a bit outside my “zone.” In my spare time, I’ve been working with some guys who are incarcerated at nearby San Quentin. They are trying to produce their first magazine. It’s a spin-off from the San Quentin News, one of the oldest newspapers in the prison system. The magazine will be called Wall City, and I can’t wait to see it. Follow Josh on Twitter at @twittner
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2. Tony Rocco, Middle School Teacher, Photographer, Educator and Executive Director of Photography Without Borders: “I was lost in high school. So I understand how difficult it can be to figure out what you want to do in life [at any age]. I tell people there’s no one way to do things. People will try to give you advice saying that you must do this, that, or the other thing. It can be confusing because no one really knows what’s expected [or required] to be successful … I had to stumble through life for a while until I figured things out.
Others continue to remind me that we need to give ourselves time to figure out our path and our purpose – in our own way and in our own time.” What Tony has been up to: Last summer I took four “Shutterbug” groups of students from Philadelphia to Columbia for our amazing cultural exchange program. One organization that we worked with, El Centro Colombo Americano in Medellin, has invited us back this year to replicate our program in four other major cities throughout Columbia. We will provide workshops that teach children how to tell stories with photography – spending two weeks in each city. Our program continues to be a huge success. Follow Tony on LinkedIn at /Tony Rocco
3. Stephanie Abrams, Co-Founder and CEO, Socialfly: “I went on many auditions but did not get every part. I learned that it’s okay if people say no because it means that something bigger and better was coming. It’s really helped me in my career because so much of my business is sales. People simply are not going to say yes all the time. I’ve learned not to take a “no” personally.” What Stephanie has been up to: I am excited to share that we released our first book, Like, Love, Follow. The Entreprenista’s Guide to Using Social Media to Grow Your Business. Our company continues to grow month over month and we have signed incredible new clients over the past year including Premio Foods, Canada Mark Diamonds & Cargo Cosmetics. Follow Stephanie on Twitter: @stephjillabrams and @socialfly
4. Sonia Sanchez, Poet, Mother, Professor, and National and International Lecturer on Black Culture and Literature, Women’s Liberation, Peace and Racial Justice: “Read everything, anything that is in print. Whether it’s related to your work, or life, or the business behind what you do – read it. Get a job that supports both your intentions of being a poet or novelist or whatever you want to be, but that also supports yourself and family. Make sure it’s a job you like that also, hopefully, gives you chances to do the things you really want. And, gather around supporters who will help encourage the way you live and who will respect the love that you feel for your art.” What Sonia has been up to: I have started a fellowship with the Schomburg Center in Harlem working with the national research library on a variety of efforts. I recently published SOS – Calling All Black People – A Black Arts Movement Reader, which includes works of fiction, poetry, and drama in addition to critical writings on issues of politics, aesthetics, and gender. And, last month the PBS World Channel premiered, “BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez” a documentary that includes readings and jazz-accompanied performances of my work. The documentary examines my contributions to the world of poetry, Black Arts Movement and leadership role in African American culture over the last half century. Follow Sonia on Twitter at @poetsanchez
5. Alex Faille, Associate Buyer at West Elm at Williams-Sonoma, Inc.: “Often we want to do what our peers are striving for and doing. Luckily the friends around me were on focused career paths. The people you hang around should be pulling you up. The worst possible thing to do working in this city is to forget that having a job here is a blessing. I feel like there are too many people who feel like they’re ‘owed.’ Those people don’t last long in this town. When you remember that you are blessed to work at what you love/want to pursue, you will work harder because you know there are lots of people waiting for your spot. Even though I like comfort, I have learned that the smoothest course isn’t always the best path.” What Alex has been up to: I am continuing my career in merchandising/buying with West Elm and enjoying life in Brooklyn! I’ve spent the most time this past year being inspired by health, fitness, food, dating, and travel. 2015 was a “yes” year where I tried to say “yes” to most things that came my way. I had WAY too much fun, but plan to do the same for 2016. Follow Alex on Instagram at @afaille
6. Courtney Spritzer, Co-Founder and COO, Socialfly: “The last thing, and probably the most important, is to always remember that the things you do on social media are public, so you want to make sure you’re always putting your best foot forward. When you are looking for a job, people will absolutely Google you. If they find something unprofessional it could kill your chance of landing that dream job. Everyone should be mindful about what you put out there. Posting a picture or a comment could harm you in ways you don’t realize. Be active but be professionally savvy and aware when it comes to social media.” What Courtney has been up to: Launched my first book “Like. Love. Follow,” which has been very successful in helping us land new clients and brand ourselves within the social media industry. Currently, I am working on scaling the business, hiring new talent, and securing larger accounts/clients. Follow Courtney on Instagram at @courtspritzer
7. Katie Retelle, Educator and Mother: “I became an “expert” observer and asker of questions. I started looking to people who are where they wanted to be in life. Some I knew - others I didn’t. I learned how they accomplished what they did, and used that information as a strategy to “plan” out my own life and to stay aware of the excuses/fears that might hold me back.” What Katie has been up to: Now that spring has finally arrived, I’m looking forward to fun outdoor activities with the kids. I continue to be a full-time mom, and also work with a medical startup, part-time. I also just started a new opportunity – teaching at a bilingual preschool in Riverdale, full-time. My two-year-old daughter, Ella, comes to work with me, which benefits us both. She will be immersed in Spanish, expanding social and cognitive skills. The best part is that I will still be with her and can ease back into my career-related arena. Follow Katie Retelle on Facebook at /Katie.Retelle
Last April, we
launched our first interview with former TIME editor and head of editorial and partnerships at Flipboard, Josh Quittner. Over the past year, we’ve offered amazing conversations with many compelling personalities, fantastic feedback from fans and followers, and candid advice and resources to help people better navigate career choices and changes. In celebration of The Living on Purpose Project’s one year anniversary, we’re sharing some of our favorite unconventional wisdom from our interviewees, as well as updates on what’s been keeping them busy since we last spoke to them.
1. Josh Quittner, Head of Editorial and Partnerships, Flipboard: “You need to ‘put your antenna up’ – that is, be receptive and start looking for new opportunities to get you to where you want to be. We don’t put our antennas up when things are good because there is no reason to. But the moment things aren’t going well you have to start looking and asking yourself what would I like to do now? And, what would I be good at now? Putting your antenna up means you’re looking, but also realizing that things will most likely not come in a familiar or expected form.” What Josh has been up to: I’ve been working with the China team at Flipboard and doing more international business development, which has stretched me a bit outside my “zone.” In my spare time, I’ve been working with some guys who are incarcerated at nearby San Quentin. They are trying to produce their first magazine. It’s a spin-off from the San Quentin News, one of the oldest newspapers in the prison system. The magazine will be called Wall City, and I can’t wait to see it. Follow Josh on Twitter at @twittner
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2. Tony Rocco, Middle School Teacher, Photographer, Educator and Executive Director of Photography Without Borders: “I was lost in high school. So I understand how difficult it can be to figure out what you want to do in life [at any age]. I tell people there’s no one way to do things. People will try to give you advice saying that you must do this, that, or the other thing. It can be confusing because no one really knows what’s expected [or required] to be successful … I had to stumble through life for a while until I figured things out.
Others continue to remind me that we need to give ourselves time to figure out our path and our purpose – in our own way and in our own time.” What Tony has been up to: Last summer I took four “Shutterbug” groups of students from Philadelphia to Columbia for our amazing cultural exchange program. One organization that we worked with, El Centro Colombo Americano in Medellin, has invited us back this year to replicate our program in four other major cities throughout Columbia. We will provide workshops that teach children how to tell stories with photography – spending two weeks in each city. Our program continues to be a huge success. Follow Tony on LinkedIn at /Tony Rocco
3. Stephanie Abrams, Co-Founder and CEO, Socialfly: “I went on many auditions but did not get every part. I learned that it’s okay if people say no because it means that something bigger and better was coming. It’s really helped me in my career because so much of my business is sales. People simply are not going to say yes all the time. I’ve learned not to take a “no” personally.” What Stephanie has been up to: I am excited to share that we released our first book, Like, Love, Follow. The Entreprenista’s Guide to Using Social Media to Grow Your Business. Our company continues to grow month over month and we have signed incredible new clients over the past year including Premio Foods, Canada Mark Diamonds & Cargo Cosmetics. Follow Stephanie on Twitter: @stephjillabrams and @socialfly
4. Sonia Sanchez, Poet, Mother, Professor, and National and International Lecturer on Black Culture and Literature, Women’s Liberation, Peace and Racial Justice: “Read everything, anything that is in print. Whether it’s related to your work, or life, or the business behind what you do – read it. Get a job that supports both your intentions of being a poet or novelist or whatever you want to be, but that also supports yourself and family. Make sure it’s a job you like that also, hopefully, gives you chances to do the things you really want. And, gather around supporters who will help encourage the way you live and who will respect the love that you feel for your art.” What Sonia has been up to: I have started a fellowship with the Schomburg Center in Harlem working with the national research library on a variety of efforts. I recently published SOS – Calling All Black People – A Black Arts Movement Reader, which includes works of fiction, poetry, and drama in addition to critical writings on issues of politics, aesthetics, and gender. And, last month the PBS World Channel premiered, “BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez” a documentary that includes readings and jazz-accompanied performances of my work. The documentary examines my contributions to the world of poetry, Black Arts Movement and leadership role in African American culture over the last half century. Follow Sonia on Twitter at @poetsanchez
5. Alex Faille, Associate Buyer at West Elm at Williams-Sonoma, Inc.: “Often we want to do what our peers are striving for and doing. Luckily the friends around me were on focused career paths. The people you hang around should be pulling you up. The worst possible thing to do working in this city is to forget that having a job here is a blessing. I feel like there are too many people who feel like they’re ‘owed.’ Those people don’t last long in this town. When you remember that you are blessed to work at what you love/want to pursue, you will work harder because you know there are lots of people waiting for your spot. Even though I like comfort, I have learned that the smoothest course isn’t always the best path.” What Alex has been up to: I am continuing my career in merchandising/buying with West Elm and enjoying life in Brooklyn! I’ve spent the most time this past year being inspired by health, fitness, food, dating, and travel. 2015 was a “yes” year where I tried to say “yes” to most things that came my way. I had WAY too much fun, but plan to do the same for 2016. Follow Alex on Instagram at @afaille
6. Courtney Spritzer, Co-Founder and COO, Socialfly: “The last thing, and probably the most important, is to always remember that the things you do on social media are public, so you want to make sure you’re always putting your best foot forward. When you are looking for a job, people will absolutely Google you. If they find something unprofessional it could kill your chance of landing that dream job. Everyone should be mindful about what you put out there. Posting a picture or a comment could harm you in ways you don’t realize. Be active but be professionally savvy and aware when it comes to social media.” What Courtney has been up to: Launched my first book “Like. Love. Follow,” which has been very successful in helping us land new clients and brand ourselves within the social media industry. Currently, I am working on scaling the business, hiring new talent, and securing larger accounts/clients. Follow Courtney on Instagram at @courtspritzer
7. Katie Retelle, Educator and Mother: “I became an “expert” observer and asker of questions. I started looking to people who are where they wanted to be in life. Some I knew - others I didn’t. I learned how they accomplished what they did, and used that information as a strategy to “plan” out my own life and to stay aware of the excuses/fears that might hold me back.” What Katie has been up to: Now that spring has finally arrived, I’m looking forward to fun outdoor activities with the kids. I continue to be a full-time mom, and also work with a medical startup, part-time. I also just started a new opportunity – teaching at a bilingual preschool in Riverdale, full-time. My two-year-old daughter, Ella, comes to work with me, which benefits us both. She will be immersed in Spanish, expanding social and cognitive skills. The best part is that I will still be with her and can ease back into my career-related arena. Follow Katie Retelle on Facebook at /Katie.Retelle
This week, use this opportunity to take a peek at or re-read one of these amazing conversations. Or, just take a moment to digest these words of wisdom and think of ways it can help you advance in your career readiness.