Thanks to the gorgeous Felicia Spahr for interviewing me for her site Instantly Irresistible. As the website says, Felicia specializes in “leadership coaching for ambitious, professional women.”
Felicia wanted to talk to women who had made a big career change. As she wrote about her own experience:
“A couple of years ago, I felt ‘stuck’ in my ‘career.’
I was always asking myself: What’s that ONE thing I’m supposed to do? What am I here for? What’s my one thing?
Until one day, I had an epiphany: There is no ‘one thing.'”
Like Felicia, I also realized there was more than one professional option. Here’s how she introduced me on her site:
“Wendy Brandes, who went from journalist for top publications like The Wall Street Journal and People Magazine to award-winning jewelry entrepreneur. I was amazed by how resilient she had to be when her business partner died and she had to run the business by herself–without ever having been an entrepreneur before.”
Take a listen to hear the full story.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW.
If you’re facing some professional and personal challenges, I also recommend reading Felicia’s “About” page, which has some great insight into perfectionism and productivity. (Like I’m always telling people: Don’t work harder, work smarter!) And don’t go telling Felicia you don’t have time to change your life. She shares her own story (emphasis hers):
“The last time I caught myself saying ‘I don’t have time’ was the last time.
I was sitting on the floor and just couldn’t figure out how my life had gotten to where it was. Wasn’t I supposed to be ‘great’? Wasn’t I meant to do amazing things? Why did I feel so anxious…so alone…and like I wasn’t accomplishing ANYTHING…despite how ‘successful’ everyone else thought I was?
I had lost the love of my life. I felt like I had no energy. And I thought: There’s a lot that I need to figure out about myself if I’m going to make this work.
And my response was: “But I don’t have the time for that.”
But not MAKING the time was exactly what got me to where I was in the first place!”
Another good epiphany. Read the rest of that story here.
Shout out to my friend Cameron Aubernon for connecting me to Felicia!
I really enjoyed that. I’ve always appreciated your advice about trying and failing and trying again. I left my career of 13 years in 2014. I’m still really struggling with what that means for me. And I struggle with how people react to it. In our society, we are defined by others by what we are doing in work. As a woman, people are compelled to then double define me as a mother or not. I’m not. A non mom who left her career?!?! Full stop right there for most people. Sigh. As someone without a bunch of degrees or new certifications, it’s hard to see who will give me a chance. Maybe, like you said, if I was a man and could be hired because of potential. I’m thinking of starting my own business. So, thanks again for the interview.
Hi Catherine! I’m no career counselor, but if you feel like emailing me about your particular situation I can tell you if I have any insights! Contact me at hello at wendybrandes dot com if you wish!
You are an inspiration my friend !!
xoxo