Readiness is a myth and some thoughts on imposter syndrome

First, a little announcement: your girl is headed back to corporate life As I prepare to go back, I want to be really intentional about holding this peace and space that I've created during my sabbatical.  Most of my corporate days can follow a pretty repeatable structure so they can become a little monotone - I can easily slip into auto-pilot. Anything I can do to interrupt auto-pilot, anything I can do to bring me present - has directly increased my life satisfaction, directly increased the things I’m grateful for, directly increased my overall life fulfillment, directly increased my ability to not LOSE it at work.Romanticizing your life does not mean you have to NOT struggle with mental health, romanticizing your life does not mean that your life is easy, romanticizing your life does not mean being delusional about the shit that all of our lives are filled with.Romanticizing your life means that you are taking more time to soak in the good stuff than the bad stuff.

Looking back, I don't think I've ever been "ready" for anything in my career. What does ready even mean? So often, this idea of ready holds us back and makes us think that if we just do XYZ, then we'll ask for the promotion or then we'll ask for a raise or then we'll raise our hand for the next big project. What if you are ready right now? What if the experience you DO have is enough to start? Today, we explore that "ready" might just be a myth, that we all learn by doing, how to anchor in experience you DO have, and how to embrace a beginner's mindset. 

Today we're off-the-cuffing (word?) some listener questions. We talk about interview tips, asking for raises, how to vet a new manager/team, corporate DE&I, and whether or not I can survive without taco bell. Enjoy :) 

Double dipping podcast episodes today with Abby Orchard from The Deep + Unhinged Podcast. Ready to dive into the depths of our daily lives? This episode nudges you to find joy in the comfortable, the cozy, and the organized - yes, we're talking about everything from sweatshorts to silverware organizers! But it doesn't stop there. We also delve into the gritty aspects of mental health, navigating big commitments, and the value of friendships across generations. Ever thought about how personal aesthetics influence your life? We bring in the lessons from OG skater Rob Giordic on optimizing life and how aesthetics are integral to our pursuit of balance and peace. We invite you to join our chat on the power of change and reinvention, and see how these concepts can morph into acts of self-love. We also lift the veil on the often unaddressed challenges and rewards of embracing change and flexibility.As we round off our discussion, we muse about the dual power of gratitude and food textures. You'll hear about our first-hand experiences with the transformative impact of nourishing our bodies with healthy snacks. Finally, we introduce you to the concept of percentages in life, a unique approach to identify the focus areas of our lives. Discover how playing with these percentages can translate to personal growth and evolution. Tune in for an episode that promises laughter, insights, and lessons for life.You can find Abby on instagram @abbyorchardThe Deep + Unhinged Podcast @deepandunhingedApple/Spotify 

Why didn’t any of you tell me how brutal the job market is right now?!?In this episode, we’re talking about rejection. I share my personal experience with the emotional rollercoaster of job hunting, unexpected setbacks, and the resilience that emerges from having all of my well-laid plans and expectations crumble down around me.We explore the raw emotions that come with rejection (hello rejection depression era), the negative self talk, the fear and panic that does a number on your self esteem. And we chart a path forward so we can build more resilience in our lives through diversifying our identity, staying disciplined in our mindset, and identifying what we can control vs. what we can’t.If you’re navigating the job market, or still grieving a rejection - I see you and you’re not the only one.

Short answer, yes, ha. I go through my thought process of whether to make crocheted bags and pick up a couple of shifts at Trader Joe's vs. going back to corporate life. I also share some of the best lessons I've learned during the break, including the importance of regulating our nervous systems, practicing contentedness versus the need for more, and the benefits of giving your mind time and space. 

I'm mostly just catching up with Madi today. I met Madi on my first day of a new job and has been one of those people you just want to be close to; to be in their orbit.Madi and I chat about building a personal brand within a corporate gig, how to find your voice, how to value and price your services, and how the mom from Santa Claus is a seriously underrated woman.  Madi has been a hugely successful corporate girly, the marketing genius behind some really cool brands and media ventures, and is now lending her services in the consulting world. Subscribe to her substack here. 

Welcome to the first official guest episode where I interview Kortney Osborne (full disclosure she's my best friend). We've had oddly parallel career paths all culminating in the fancy tip top executive position and we both—about a year apart—had to separate who we are and what we do. We talk about switching from "this is what I do" to "this is what I'm trying", letting go of fear of failure and imposter syndrome, weird massage perks at our first tech job, and how to loosen your grip on your life and your career. Kortney is a producer and a business and marketing consultant. You can find her, usually in a tracksuit, and on instagram @kortneyosborne 

Money doesn’t have to be weird or awkward—it’s a normal thing. Isn’t that we’re all doing?? We’re working to get paid. None of us are working just because we altruistically love the company mission and getting paid is a bonus. And that does not make you greedy. It can be an and conversation. It can be both. It can be that you care about the company, but you also care about the compensation you receive for your impact, for your contributions, for your work, for your skills, for your experience. Today, we explore some of your core beliefs about money, how your self worth might be tied to money, and some tactical advice on how to advocate for yourself, ask for a raise, negotiate your salary.  I hope for you all financial independence, financial empowerment, and for not a one of you to get a scope increase or a title promotion without a raise ok? :) 

*BONUS* episode this week This week, I sat down with Meikel Reece from The Art of Transformation podcast to talk about self-esteem vs. self-love, our own transformation stories, and navigating career and personal growth. Meikel is a transformation coach, emotional alchemist, inner child/trauma healing guide and the host of The Art of Transformation podcast. You can find her on instagram @meikelreeceand The Art of Transformation podcast