Jumped industries? That’s adaptability.

Took a “random” job? Bet you use those skills every day.

Made a lateral move? Probably set you up for something bigger.

Half the people you think are ‘killing it’ are also up at midnight Googling ‘Is it normal to hate my job this much?’, "HOW DO I WRITE A COVER LETTER" and scrolling LinkedIn like it’s a lever on a slot machine that will eventually win big.

Not because they aren’t great students. Not because they aren’t kind. Their report cards prove they’re doing all the right things, working hard, following the rules, helping others.

But here’s what she’s realized: If no one notices, it doesn’t count ( ps, LinkedIn and your Resume are like that too). If you are consistent, people don’t notice you doing something new or novel as a helper, it’s just assumed.

“Okay, but what if they misunderstand? What if they need more context? What if they think I’m being abrupt? Let me just quickly explain the full background, my entire thought process, a list of alternative solutions, a self-aware joke to soften the delivery, a casual yet strategic call to action, and…oh wait, is this too long? Should I add an ‘anyway’ at the end to make it seem breezy?”

And just like that (oh yeah, I Carrie Bradshaw-ed this one, sure did), your brain decides to take a perfectly neutral message and turn it into a full-blown psychological thriller:

AMBIGUOUS TITLES CAN BE A BLESSING.

If you have a less than desirable title or are looking at a better company but a downgrade in level, but you have an amazing job offer... see if there is some room for negotiating or wiggle room in how you frame it on future resumes or LinkedIn. Always be thinking several steps ahead, and LinkedIn titles are a FREE negotiating point for those orgs who are tapped out of money.

Feeling that electricity before meetings, the excitement of not knowing what the next thing is, what’s around the next corner. Not always knowing exactly where you stand and being anxious about what’s to come, but feeling something great is building, somehow feeling like you are in the right place with the right people doing the right work.

"If You Love What You Do, You’ll Never Work a Day in Your Life"

NO. WHO COMES UP WITH THIS GARBAGE. You’ll work. You’ll work weekends, holidays, and during your own birthday dinner if you’re not careful. Loving what you do means you’ll RESENT IT LESS. Coming from someone who is literally living her dream, it's STILL WORK.

Founder.

It’s a word I’ve hesitated to claim because, honestly, it feels big. Bigger than me.

But after this year? I think it’s time.

When people ask me? I struggle too…

Do not sleep on retail leaders. If I hear “they only have retail management experience” one more time, well I’m going to casually and kindly explain for the millionth time why they are amazing multifunctional kickass business leaders.

Anyone who had to hear my top volume voice at varying stages of my career figuring out jobs I didn’t truly understand, departments I had just been introduced to and talk so very much for so very long in my loud and overly enthusiastic (but truly actually genuine) voice.

Your LinkedIn doesn’t need to be a finished masterpiece, it’s more of a work in progress.

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me they’re stuck or procrastinating because their LinkedIn isn’t “perfect,” I could probably fund a lovely vacation.

I was thinking about how George Bailey’s network saved his life, quite literally.

George didn’t get where he was by chasing favors or collecting business cards.

I learned all those ideas other people ignored or told me to stay in my own lane about for all those years… I didn’t have to anymore, I got to test them all out right here, use my instincts and you know what? 

Here’s the twist: This isn’t a one-off success.

Sliding into their DMs with a desperate “please hire me” vibe is a surefire way to get ignored. Literally no one wants that and personally those aggressive and time sensitive asks trigger stress (at least they did/do for me).

Purpose fuels so many of us, it’s life giving and motivates our core. Reminds us why we do what we do.