Monthly Archives: July 2015

Paula Poundstone On Growing Up

Adults are always asking kids what they want to be when they grow up ‘ cause they’re trying to get ideas – Paula Poundstone 

It’s OK not to know what you want to be even when you’re grown up, especially since ideally you don’t stop growing upwards.

It’s also OK to know what you want and change your mind, even after years of doing the other thing.

It’s also OK to know what you want and stick to one thing and be content. For some people the striving is fun, but that doesn’t have to mean you

The Wright Brothers On Experimentation

So many people end up fixated on doing things right, that they end up doing nothing at all – Wright Brothers

This is a great reminder about the value of experimentation. When you experiment, things will go wrong but that’s part of the process on the way of getting new things right.

If you cling to just one right way, you may miss a better process or a better option altogether.

Where can you try something new and introduce more experimentation?

Audre Lorde On Vision Over Fear

When I dare to be powerful, to use the strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid – Audre Lorde  

In How The Fierce Handle Fear, an anthology of 22 essays on fear, I contributed an essay on fear and career change. Naturally fearful and risk-averse, I overcame my fear of the change by keeping my eye on the vision of it. That vision of what could be, that hope of a more fulfilling path became stronger than my fear of the obstacles and potential consequences.

What is your powerful, driving vision that is more important than your fear?

Sophia Loren On Success

I am successful because I was willing to give up being anonymous – Sophia Loren

Do you put yourself out there?

On the career front, this includes:

  • getting published;
  • getting media mentions;
  • speaking at a conference;
  • maintaining an active online presence;
  • maintaining a diverse network; and
  • building up relationships with executives, investors, and recruiters.

Which activities do you proactively pursue?