November 23, 2016 Seven Things to Think About When It Comes to . . . The Biggest Work-Related Money Mistakes People Make

As we enter the season of spending, socializing with family and friends, and giving thanks and gifts, we often feel a huge drain on our bank accounts. However, personal finances are not the only ways that people develop money problems. This week we are looking at seven of the biggest money problems people face in their professional lives. Avoiding these common pitfalls can actually free extra cash for you to use this holiday season

1. Failing to negotiate your starting salary or a salary increase when you accept a new position or promotion: The best time to talk about increasing your salary is before you start a new job. However, many people fail to optimize this opportunity to get the extra money they deserve. Even if you’ve been unemployed for a while or are desperate to get any kind of work there are a few things that you should do before you accept the new position. 1. Brush up on your negotiating skills to secure an extra few thousand dollars. 2. Justify the increase by explaining the expenses associated with moving to a new city or increased transportation costs. 3. Explain that the longer hours/travel associated with your new gig will require you to quit your part-time job and/or give up a consulting job. 4. Prepare a great argument by doing your research, including checking out the Living on Purpose Project archives for our August 6, 2016 post on how to ask for a raise or promotion!

2. Not understanding that the only way you will ever be paid what you deserve/are worth is by working for yourself: Stop giving 110% and expecting to be paid what you’re worth. Truth is, people who have great wealth and bank accounts usually work for themselves. You might not be ready, willing or able to launch your own business, however, start exploring ways that you can also work as a paid consultant/freelancer to even out your salary deficit.

3. Trying to keeping up with the Kardashians: Don’t feel pressured to have to keep up with colleagues. Dress, hang out, and eat lunch, where you can afford to do so. Even in your professional life, find ways to live within your means such as buying a suit or dress from a high-end consignment store, bringing lunch at least three times week, and doing what you can to pay down your student loans.

4. Giving the milk away for free: Although this saying often applies to something else, it also relates to your work life. If you’re a consultant who has been asked to develop a proposal – only give a high level overview. When I first started working as a consultant, I developed a 10-page proposal that virtually gave the prospective client both the strategy and the detailed tactics to execute the project.) When I followed up a week later, I was told that, “I’m going to go in another direction and would no longer need my services.” Instantly I realized that I had given away the milk for free, and that he had never planned on hiring me. If someone asks for a comprehensive proposal or plan, charge them for it.

5. Not putting everything in writing: Whether you are working for or with a family member, or involved in a six figure venture or pro-bono project, outline your working arrangement in writing. I have seen many people of all ages and stages of their career not sign contracts or agreements, “because they were family or a close friend and I trusted them.” You can trust people but what you should trust even more is a contract or piece of paper that spells out how and when you’ll be compensated. Download a general contract from the Internet and make sure that you include major contingencies such as the client canceling the job or project. For example, I once worked on an event that the client canceled seven weeks into the project. Luckily, I had a clause in my contract that stated the client still had to pay me a certain amount per hour for all of the time I worked up until that point.

6. Lacking a clear focus about money, success, and youth: Defining success by how much money you make is a slippery slope to unhappiness. Sure you should work towards goals, but you need to first remind yourself that youth fades and there will always be someone who has/makes more money than you. Build your financial goals on talent and things that truly matter and have personal meaning. Letting a dollar figure represent your happiness or success is a sure way to fail.

7. Not knowing when to “fold ‘em:” Statistics show that regardless of industry, a majority of new businesses don’t make a profit in the first five years, and almost half go out of business in less than three years. Since almost every small business owner invests personal savings into their business, you may lose more than just your business when your venture fails. If your business is clearly sinking with no way of saving it, don’t let your pride cloud your business judgement. Filing a business bankruptcy can sometimes prevent vendors, subcontractors, and creditors from seizing your current assets.

Money doesn’t make you happy but it sure gives you better choices, and not having money can make you miserable. Be aware of how you approach and manage money not just in your personal life but when it comes to your professional affairs. This week take a look at how you can prevent making these and similar career-related money mistakes.

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.

Seven Simple Steps to Create a Successful Business by Meeting an Untapped Need

In celebration of Women’s History month, here are seven amazing female entrepreneurs whose practical solutions to everyday “problems” have enabled them to create successful ventures.

Hopefully their stories might inspire you to pursue your own path, fill some untapped need, and one day make “history” yourself.

Jessica Billingsley - MJ Freeway

Jessica Billingsley saw free trade of cannabis as good for the economy and the right thing for people needing medical access. After investing in one of Boulder, CO’s first dispensaries and joining forces with local web developer Amy Poinsett, she decided to fill that niche herself, creating MJ Freeway. The first cannabis-specific software company to enter the market, MJ Freeway includes tracking and reporting systems that help businesses account for products at every stage of production and sales.

Ina Garten - Barefoot Contessa

Chef Ina Garten was a “military wife” who first began cooking to pass the time and as an outlet to elevate stress. Soon, she became famous for hosting dinner parties for family and friends. She used the money she had saved from flipping houses to purchase the Barefoot Contessa Specialty Foods Store in the Hamptons. This led to her Barefoot Contessa cook books and eventually a show on Food Network.

Alexa Hirschfeld - Paperless Post

When Alexa agreed to help her brother (frustrated by the current limited options) create a way to send formal invitations online – Paperless Post was born. They wanted to, “bring back the beauty of receiving and sending mail by combining it with the modern-day efficiency of the web.” They succeeded and created a beautiful alternative to Evite.

Payal Kadakia - Class Pass

Payal Kadakia tried unsuccessfully to find a ballet class in New York City that she could attend. In that moment, she realized that others must be having similar challenges staying connected to their hobbies and passions. She soon created ClassPass, a startup that gives customers access to thousands of boutique fitness classes in their area for a monthly fee. Her company has booked more than 7 million fitness class reservations at gyms and studios across the U.S., Canada, and the UK over the past two years.

Sheila Liorio Marcelo - Care.com

Immigrant Sheila Liorio Marcelo needed to find childcare options while attending school, raising two children, and caring for her ill father. Today Care.com connects 17.8 members (and growing) in 16 countries with the qualified care givers.

Michelle Phan - Ipsy

Michelle Phan’s You Tube makeup demonstrations and tutorials made her a popular star and Vlogger. After expanding her popularity and “brand” to different social media platforms, she established deals with large corporations like L’Oreal where she featured their products in her tutorials. Her most recent spin off project, Ipsy, is a monthly box service (similar to Birchbox) that provides customers with samples of different beauty products. Ipsy, however, offers heavy discounts “full size” product purchases.

Anne Wojcicki - 23andMe

Biologist and Co-Founder/CEO of 23andMe, graduated from Yale and worked on the business side of healthcare as a consultant and investment analyst. Anne had a passion to help others change the way they approached health care, while also knowing the value of genetic data to treat and prevent disease. She’s built 23andMe, a genomics company that produces personal genetic testing kits. Her company has one of the world’s largest DNA databases, with over 1million consumers worldwide.

Today think of one thing that you could offer to each of these seven companies. Consider everything from applying for a applying for a position, pitching them as a potential client, referring a friend and sharing their info with others, or simply or volunteering your time and talent in some way.

Part II: Stop Playing by Other People’s Rules and Start Making Your Own

Here are the remaining top seven rules that you may need to break in order to achieve success in your life and career.  If you missed the first four rules, check out the May 6, 2015 post.

Top 7 Rules to BREAK to Achieve Career Success (Cont.)

Rule # 5: If you give 100 percent to your employer, they will give 100 percent to you.  You should give your all to anything that you do.  However, when I ask students or clients why they are spending so much time at jobs they don’t even like, they often say, “so that I’ll be safe if they have to do lay-offs.”  In my experience, people are let go from jobs for three main reasons: (1) they are not well connected to the organization’s key decision makers (or they butt heads with those who are); (2) they are older employees who unfortunately can be easily replaced by two younger staffers with that same salary; and (3) they fail to demonstrate the “essential” value of what they do and bring to the table.  Not taking lunch, staying late every night, and working from home on the weekends doesn’t make you invaluable; it simply makes you overwhelmed and resentful.  Whatever you job you do, do it to the best of your ability.  However, you should work wisely by spending “overtime” hours that demonstrate your value and help increase your exposure/connection to decision makers.  

Rule # 6: Getting an advanced degree is the solution to your communications/marketing career problems:  What’s required to succeed professionally varies from industry to industry.  After working for years in marketing, communications, and entertainment, I have found that people who have difficulty advancing in their current company or this industry without an advanced degree, often still have problems moving up or into a lateral position even with the enhanced education. They may not only continue to be overlooked for opportunities, but also could be tens of thousands of dollars in debt after going back to school. If your company is paying for your education and they have told you that this degree will expand your internal opportunities, go for it.  If that’s not the case, why not consider a certificate program or other unconventional ways to fill this experience and educational “gap.” Certificate programs and other professional development opportunities offer chances to make yourself more qualified for communications/marketing-related jobs.  In the end, careers are a lot like high school.  It’s often more about what you’ve done previously and who you know now that really matters. Chances are if you’re not already one of the “professional cool kids,” wearing some new “designer label” isn’t going to make you cool or get others to like you.

Rule # 7: Follow all advice from those who have done what you want to do. Learning from the successes and failures of others who have done the very thing you want to do is a great way to create your individual path.  However, learning from others doesn’t mean that you have to follow that advice ‘word for word.’  Career advice is not one size fits all.  Sometimes what worked for one person, even someone who has been very successful, may not be a right fit for you. Ask others for ideas and suggestions but beware of those who say, “you have got to do this or that.” Aside from having a telephone, email, business cards, and a web site, you may need to ignore other people’s “gotta do’s.”

I worked as a successful sports and entertainment PR consultant for years without the big office or personal assistant that so many people told me I “had to have” in order to be successful. Truth is, the majority of my multi-national corporate clients never once questioned, let alone minded, holding meetings at their offices or places convenient for them.  

I’ve shared seven rules that you might want to break. Over the next week, identify seven rules that you have been following that have NOT served you well, and create seven new rules that can help you advance in your career.

Stop playing by other people’s rules and start making your own

Top Seven (7) Rules to BREAK to Achieve Career Success

Rule # 1: Only apply for jobs that exactly match your qualifications and experience.   If I  had only applied for opportunities that exactly matched my qualifications, I wouldn’t have had 90 percent of the experiences I’ve had throughout my career.  “Fake it till you make it” doesn’t mean lying but rather learning how to accentuate what’s key to your audience and withhold what’s not.   Your potential employer doesn’t need to know your special events “clients” were your best friends from college, or that start-up business you did social media marketing for was your cousin’s new venture.  Equally, start thinking of job requirements as “suggestions” and not mandatory qualifications.  Say and do whatever’s necessary to get your foot in the door.  Count your two summer internships toward your “experience in XYZ field” to come up with the required “number” someone’s looking for.  As long as you are not lying, “omit” all the details and facts that really don’t matter.  What helps you get the job or opportunity is having confidence in what you’ve done and how you can help someone today and in the future. It’s not about perfectly matching some words on a piece of paper.  

Rule # 2: Networking means getting to know the people “at the top.” Networking is about building relationships with people at all levels of your organization or industry.  Everyone may not have access to senior leaders but anyone can use a 360 degree networking approach to create allies in the most unlikely places.  It was an entry-level colleague who passed along the name of a PR executive who helped me getting hired at AT&T.   Additionally, it was someone in NBC’s Page Program (a prestigious television network “externship”) who connected me to resources that some senior entertainment publicists couldn’t access.  Real networking is connecting to everyone you encounter, and remembering that sometimes your peers, or those who lack a prestigious title, may be the very people who are most likely and most willing to introduce you to the ‘movers and shakers’ who do.

Rule # 3 Office politics only take place in the workplace.  Your ability to climb the proverbial corporate ladder may have little to do with what goes on inside the office and everything to do with what happens outside the workplace.  If you are a runner and discover that the vice president of your division jogs in the park every morning at 6:30 a.m., guess what time you should be jogging there too?  Perhaps signing up for that volunteer event this weekend that your president or general manager is also going to do, may be the perfect way to get hours of uninterrupted “face time” with a senior decision maker.  Getting an “A” in office politics requires you to do your homework, think out-of-the-box, and do lots of extra credit assignments outside and not within the workplace.

Rule # 4: Becoming an entrepreneur means instantly swapping security for the unknown.   The best and perhaps most effective way to create a successful business is to actually start it while working for someone else.  Balancing your full-time gig and a client or two on the side is the perfect way to test entrepreneurial waters.  It can also teach you how to manage multiple priorities while maintaining the safety net of a steady pay-check.  Instead of plunging head first into a new business, the smartest way to become an entrepreneur is to start slow and build as go.  Eventually you’ll have to release the life raft and swim into unchartered waters.  Starting your business as a side hustle that grows over time may save you time, money, and the headaches that often come with starting a business venture from scratch all at once.

Check out livingonpurposeproject.com on this month for the rest of my top seven rules to break; compelling conversations; and suggestions to create your own rules for success.  Think of one rule you can break TODAY to help expand your life and career options and opportunities.

Breaking into a new field when you lack “experience”

One of the many things I love (and do well) is using branding and marketing strategies and tactics to help people in life and career.  As a quick reminder, strategies are what we want to do (i.e., create, advance in, or even break into a new field/career/industry).  Tactics are how we actually go about doing it (i.e., work as a consultant doing freelance projects while keeping your full time gig, taking a part-time job to pay the bills or creating some ‘hustle’ on the side).

Regardless of industry, you need to first identify and then communicate a consistent and distinct professional brand.  Often, all you need is just a simple phrase or even a couple of words that can effectively communicate who you are and what you do (i.e., your brand).  Let’s say you’ve worked for a few years in internal communications and you are making a segway into TV production – your brand may be a “master storyteller.” Or perhaps you work in IT or Project Management helping organize processes or correct other people’s problems, so your brand is an “organizer of chaos” or the “fixer.”

Once you have clearly defined the essence of your brand and its core attributes, now you have to find (or most likely create) untraditional ways to promote yourself.  Your first step is to draft (or hire someone) to develop a professional biography.  

A bio is one of the best marketing tools for anyone involved in career exploration or seeking to advance to the next level of career readiness.  It allows you to transcend the confines of titles, and put the focus on what really matters (the experience itself) and not when it occurred. For example, you may have worked in sales 10 years ago for five years. That information sticks out like a “you really don’t have experience in this field” type of resume. But the bio lets you tell your whole “story,” and enables you to pick the characters, roles and scenes that relate to what you want to do now and moving forward.

A resume is a linear, chronological history of your professional life.  And, people are just as linear as the resume. Often, we only see what’s presented right in front of us.  You show someone a resume of a person who hasn’t worked at the “required” level (for more than a decade or even at all), then that’s how they will see you.  But if you give them your customized resume (a requirement for almost every job) and also provide a great bio that tells your complete professional story in a way that demonstrates your brand value, you might be given a shot to prove yourself.

Your bio effectively unites your professional brand, “unrelated” experience and work history, and prepares you to tell a believable story.  A believable story is one that convinces others you are the perfect person for the job, despite what your resume may or may not ‘say.’  Your story is not something you “wing” on the interview but rather what you create and fine-tune well before any opportunity presents itself.

With your bio, brand and believable story in hand, you are armed to explore and create unconventional ways to get to your end goal.  Volunteer or work for free to get more hands-on experience in an area where you want to work.
Reach out to a larger competitor who doesn’t have the time (or desire) to support clients that are “too small for them” but just right for your start-up business.  Take a class or teach one to network with both instructors and peers who are currently doing the very thing you dream about.  

Almost every great “empire” started as a side hustle, so today do one small thing to jumpstart yours.  In doing something unconventional, I promise you that not only will it pay off but it will get you several steps closer to life and career that enables you to do what you love.

Sometimes you can’t see it, but you can “feel” that thing you were born to do is coming.

Professional Acts of Kindness

One of the many lessons I learned about life and careers is, “If you see things before others, be strategic and look for what else they may be missing.” In 1993, I had just left Burson-Marsteller where I did media relations for IBM. I became a junior PR manager, slowly moving up the proverbial corporate ladder at AT&T. Two years later, I was bold and crazy enough to pitch senior PR management to hold its first (and only)

Internet conference for many of its 800 global PR managers. In fact, it seems silly to say this now, but the initial memo may have called it the “Information Superhighway.”

A key part of my pitch was connected to Josh Quittner – this “masters of deception” guy, who according to tech folklore, had “hijacked” the McDonalds.com domain and then made them “an offer they could not refuse” for its release. Or perhaps like the kids game, that was the message that was passed along to me over the “telephone” wire. I loved the principle and story (and Quittner!) and instantly ran with it. I found the WIRED article and threw his hat in the ring as the unique and unconventional keynote speaker we needed.

The best part of the story is the other lesson Josh Quittner taught me about recognizing those who are normally kept behind the scenes. When he agreed to participate, it was Josh who insisted that I be the one to introduce him because it had been my idea to hold the conference and secure Quittner. That act of professional kindness was a defining moment of my career, bringing me out of virtual obscurity into a visibility that helped me secure amazing assignments, including almost a year in Amsterdam.

I emailed Josh in December 2014 after more than 15 years to tell him this story that he may not or even should have remembered. I simply wanted him to know that I have never forgotten him, nor those two lessons!

Truth is, we all have people who’ve taught us volumes through their personal and sometimes quiet wisdom. Often, they have no idea that they ever said or did something that left a lasting impact. Josh Quittner is one many, many people I have encountered who have been that for me.

The Living on Purpose Project is a collective personal thank you to people who are exploring what they love. My conversations with everyday folks, celebrities and accomplished individuals – are not about talking to people who “have it all figured out,” or only for those who want to do some major career 180. It’s just real people sharing what we’ve learned (often the hard way) about life and career.

We can all learn from someone else’s lessons learned, “hard but necessary” advice once heard, or even failures. When we all share not just what we do, but rather why we do what we do, and how we came to do it, it is then that everyone can make better choices as we navigate similar paths and travel universal experiences. These choices are what will enable us to seek and maybe even find our purpose.

The Living on Purpose Project is part of my path to purpose.

What’s yours?

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
  

It’s true. Albert Einstein gave the message that if you never made a mistake, you never tried something new. Life is about taking risks. 

Patrice Glenn Anderson

Welcome to the Living on Purpose Project

As children we crave structure and discipline. As adults, we need meaning and purpose. But no one tells us how to do it, in part because no two paths are the same. However, two things are universal amongst people of all ages and in various stages of life and success: (1) everyone wants practical ideas to create bigger, brighter next steps, and (2) people who learn to build upon personal lessons and experiences (whether it’s their own or through others’) can generally better navigate their pursuit of happiness, success and purpose.

Sharing our collective unconventional wisdom about life and careers is a simple thing that we all can do. Telling people not just what we do in life, but also why and how we do it, can be the little thing that makes a huge difference in the choices and courses someone makes and follows. Because perhaps what may really make that difference in the road less traveled is connecting with someone who has traveled a similar road before you, and knowing that you’re not alone.

Writing the Living on Purpose Project – a blog and book about finding purpose and doing what you love – is a natural extension of my 15-year work as a marketing and career transition Adjunct Professor, and a perpetual student and teacher of life. The Living on Purpose Project is part of my path to purpose. What’s yours?

Living on Purpose Project ™ – Living Life with Exclamation ™