“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life...Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your inner voice.”

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams is a fascinating novel about relationships and prejudice that takes place during the 1930s in New York and New England.  The book alternates between the years 1931 and 1938 with a backdrop of historical events that took place during that period. 

Yesterday the inmates ran the prison and it was insanely fantastic.  July 4th falling on a Wednesday created the perfect storm for our family.  Most of the 4th was spent knocking out housework typically reserved for the weekend which meant that there wasn’t much in the way of cleaning to be done come Saturday.  On top of that because it is a holiday weekend and about 150 degrees in Phoenix no one was in town.  This translated into no games, practices, play dates, family visits, birthday parties, or chores.  Nada.

I called home on my return from a business trip.  My husband laughingly asked me to talk to my middle son about advice he received from his 5 year old sister.  His voice had no laughter in it as he indignantly shared, “She told me solve my own problems!” And then he added for the benefit of everyone in earshot of the phone, “She heard that from mom!!”

We all want to succeed at the interview.  Succeeding means connecting with the interviewers and making them want to offer you the job.  You want the interview to be YOURS.  It should be YOURS to say NO to, not the other way around.

In the car on my way to drop my sons at camp I heard on NPR that a critical portion of DOMA had been struck down.

A recent Forbes article took a fresh look at what it takes to be an inspiring leader.  The six qualities described go beyond charisma and give proof that successful leadership not a one-size-fits-all equation.

Over and over again, I am amazed at the accomplished, successful, wonderful women I meet that lack self-confidence.  These women are powerhouses with amazing resumes, wonderful families and incredible experiences.  Yet, when the leave and re-enter the workforce, their confidence disappears.

Confidence is critical to career success.  It is critical to the job search process, resume development, interviewing and work-life balance.

A coaching client, whose husband was teaching their son how to drive, told me a story that reinforces an important fact.  She said, one day, as her husband, once again, admonished their son for not using his right turn signal, their son pulled over, stopped the car, looked his dad in the eyes and said, “Dad, why are you yelling at me? You never use your right turn signal.”

Getting a job can be a challenge, especially if you are changing careers.  Some individuals believe offering to temp or freelance is a viable and productive way to receive a full-time offer from a company.  But unless you are changing careers (or otherwise feel you are at the end of your rope), I DO NOT recommend offering to temp or freelance for a company.