December 7, 2016 Seven Things to Think About When It Comes to . . . Inspirational Quotes to Get You Off Your _ _ _ _ and Create Some Real Changes Before the End of The Year!

Think of this as a wise, trusted friend passing you a “note” in 8th grade that you’ll want to read, digest, share and discuss with others. Here are seven non-traditional quotes that can literally change your life.

1. Life is not a dress rehearsal: We don’t control how long we have. But we each have 24 hours each day to make the most of whatever experiences and abilities that we do have.

2. Experiences prepare us to live more fully and make informed choices: Living with different people, places, customs and traditions creates confidence. The more diverse experiences we have the more we experience the “more” that life has to offer.

3. Advice is what you ask when you already know the answer but WISH it were different: Instincts are our mental muscles that we must stretch and continually use to guide us to make our own decisions and not react in fear or out of insecurity.

4. Life is a series of choices. You make a choice, and if things don’t work out, you simply make another choice: Living this way means you can never really fail. Make your own choices and live your own dreams!

5. Everyone struggles with something: Face whatever it is square in the face and turn your misery into meaning. Use your “something” to empower yourself and others.

6. Walk. Breathe. Repeat.: I recently heard Robyn Roberts say these three simple words that she used to say to herself as she battled cancer, not once, but twice. Crappy stuff happens to us all - so when it does find something that will encourage you to pick yourself up and keep moving.

7. Live. Love. Do. Don’t think it needs explanation, but live, loving what you do and doing what you love.

The holidays are around the corner and with them comes stress and issues (our own and others). During this last month of 2016, embrace one new way of thinking and you will certainly change your experiences, your circumstances, and your career.

Seven Things When It Comes to Reflecting on the Past and Planning for the Future

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.

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.

Career Confidence :“Will the real (fill in the blank) please stand up?”

Some days I feel like a fraud. Don’t you? The shoes I’m supposed to fill are too big even for me. I’m doing my best to be and act like the given or chosen “title” I’m wearing at the moment – parent/child – CEO or currently unemployed – self-employed/working for “the man” – whatever it may be.  It doesn’t matter. At times, I’m hanging on by a thread getting everything done, and I simply feel like I don’t measure up.

Starting this blog is an amazing lesson that is continually unfolding. There have been many days when many things have gone wrong or someone has “passed” on the opportunity to participate. Of course, I’ve asked myself many times, what the heck do I know about writing a blog and book about anything, let alone living life doing what you love and exploring meaning and purpose?  I’ve gone there, and then some.

But at the end of the day, I’m doing this for me. I am confident in myself and my vision, and desire to make a difference in the world (let alone in my life) – in this particular way. That’s it!

I’ve been asked many times, and in many different ways, where does my or anyone’s confidence come from? Truth is, I don’t know. But I do know all things being equal – ability, opportunity and support (in my opinion the three pillars to successfully doing what you love) – the one thing that makes the difference in who swims and who sinks, is confidence.

Confidence is not to be mistaken with arrogance. Arrogant people are insecure and overcompensate, not to mention project how they feel about themselves unto others. Sure, some arrogant and even narcissistic people are very successful.

What I am proposing here is that confident people simply know and are excited about the great things that make you, you. What are the skills (no matter how random) or the talents and abilities you bring to whatever you do in some unique way that creates value?

And, if you don’t know what these things are, you’d better figure them out, and soon – because life and career requires not only knowing it, but also the confidence “to make things happen.”

I know many talented, bright, energetic people who don’t know their professional or personal self-worth. They lack confidence. They are looking to others to give them some 10-point roadmap on how to have a successful career in (fill in the blank). It’s a map that simply doesn’t exist.

Here’s a question for you. If you don’t know what makes you special (i.e., what is your point of differentiation), then how in the heck (not to mention why) is the person you want to work for or with supposed to figure that out for you?

And here’s another. If you can’t point to at least one thing you’re good (and interested in), then how can someone else believe great things about who you are and what you can do for them? That’s where it all comes down to: a mental game that’s rooted in your self-confidence.

We all need to restore and, at times, simply find confidence in ourselves.  Sometimes we fake it to make it, and at other times we hold onto the tiny bit we have and just run. Like all skills – confidence comes easier for some but takes practice for us all to really get it right. And as some food for thought, here are my top three “how-to” ideas.

1. Listen to people who genuinely compliment you, and take it in. I can recite many things my nursery school teacher Ms. Guida said to and about me that made me believe to this day that I can do almost anything I set my mind to, including, “Patrice may be the only two year old I’ve met who could be dropped in the middle of the woods and somehow figure a way out.”

2. Think of the times you thought you would never get through XYZ but somehow did anyway.

This (especially for you analytical types) means you actually have a greater statistical probability of being successful in the future, because you previously succeeded. So what the heck, try it – the odds are in your favor.

3. Find one thing you are really good at it and bring that “thing” to others.

This third and perhaps most important/difficult point is first realizing that your “thing” can be the smallest thing. It could be that you make one darn good cookie or pretzel. Perhaps you’re magnificent at managing egos and music careers. Or like me, maybe you’re simply good at talking (especially on your feet) and have a way of getting others to listen in a way that connects you to them, and them to others.

We all know the stories of the Beyoncé, Benjamin Franklin (my favorite person from history) and Beethoven. For us mere mortals, don’t expect big abilities and talents because they must likely won’t appear in that form. Instead, our “it” will be a series of many “little” things about us or just things that we do very well. I love Josh Quittner’s line: “The things we are good at, are the things we tend to do.” In themselves our “things” are not huge, but some have huge “potential value” for others. You may think one thing, what’s the big deal, how is that one thing going to change anything? Well here’s a newsflash … one thing can change everything.  

Let’s say you find something you’re confident you do really well. I can’t promise that it will lead you to a life and career full of purpose and passion. But I can guarantee you that if do just one thing really, really well – people will ask what else you can do well, too. It’s basic economics and supply and demand. Build great demand for one thing (i.e. your business “cash cow” that supports the largest segment of market share/profit) and then it will be very easy to convince people you can deliver when they need something else that you might “be just perfect for.”

Start today by exploring and ultimately being clear about one thing you do well and can bring to any table with confidence. But do the whole process with confidence as well. Next we’ll figure out ways to find or create opportunities, not to mention that actual “table(s)” for you to bring your confidence to.

I confidently know some days I don’t know what the heck I am doing and figure it out as I go.  But instead of fearing what I don’t know, I claim this fact with as much confidence and exclamation as I can muster.  

Confidence is that turn on the path that leads many of us to the very thing we’re supposed to do or enables us to do the current jobs or careers that aren’t going anywhere with greater sense of purpose.

When you really think about it, it’s not that hard because at its core confidence is simply knowing who you are and who you’re not – and being ok with both. All it means is doing something you’re really good at that makes you feel proud and happy with a sense of accomplishment. Be confident in being yourself because it’s the one thing at which you can never fail.

I know what I love, and even what I do well—now what?

We each do one thing better than anyone else on the planet.  We often stumble onto that thing through trial and error, sheer accident or simple necessity, but we’re all an expert at something.  Chances are your thing has something to do with the fact that you’re a creator, inspirer, healer or protector, or a combination of the two.  But more than likely, you’re wondering, “I know what I like, and even where I excel, but how do I combine the two to create a successful life doing what I love?” Of course, there is no one straight path to follow, but these three simple strategies can help you take that next step in uncovering the answers to your question.   

1. Stop trying to fit in someone else’s box—create your own darn box and “sell it”. Show someone an untapped need, and how you, and only you, can fill it. For more than a decade, I had helped hundreds of friends, colleagues and even strangers find new jobs, get into PR, and change industries and careers—not to mention changing my own career path numerous times.  My “aha” moment was realizing these experiences were promotable skills, that coupled with my background in communications, could enable me to market myself as a “teacher” to anyone navigating personal and professional transitions.
    
2. Capitalize on who you are.  Chances are, if you were the hall monitor in grade school, we probably weren’t the best of friends.  However, I might hire you in a heartbeat to be my compliance officer/consultant. Know what makes you you, and embrace it. The story is that I started talking at 10 months old and … never stopped. I am a communicator, and at the heart of it, I am an inspirer and creator, sharing what I have learned (from some of the best) about marketing and branding to benefit others. Ask yourself who you are, and work it.
    
3. Take stock in all ALL of your LIFE experiences (paid work, volunteering, hobbies, and especially favors and how you “give yourself” to friends and family).  What’s the common denominator of what you love AND do well?  For me, it was inspiring others to think from new perspectives.  Even though I was clueless at first about how to use this information, I was also excited because at least I knew where to “dig.”  I soon realized in what direction I had to head toward to discover my greatest passion and purpose – it had something to do with using communications to inspire others.
   

Thoughts of the Week:

• The more positions you’ve had that you didn’t like, the more you’ll learn
  
• Knowing who you aren’t is the first step to determining who you are
  
• Don’t be too quick to say you’ll never do something again – you’ll only limit yourself more