Life Choices

Yesterday morning I went to a breakfast event hosted by an organization I am actively involved in called AWNY (Advertising Women of New York). Gina Garrubbo, Executive Vice President of BlogHer, Inc. was the speaker. The focus of the discussion was about mentoring and how to use it effectively to get ahead in your career and in life. I was inspired by everything she had to say, but mostly by her seeming philosophy about living... Here is a woman who has taken a pay cut three times in order to gain the experience she knew she needed down the road, raised a child on her own amid her busy career (her daughter was a platinum American Airlines member at age 3) and has started her own skincare line. Having “done it all” isn’t even the half of it. Her comment on life management was something like “If you want to do something, then just do it” (nod to Nike for that lovely, truthful line). Oh and organization, determination an optimistic outlook on life doesn’t hurt either...

She also spoke a lot about surrounding yourself with good people who care about you and want to see you do well not only in your career, but in all aspects of your life. This really hit home with me, because I have been thinking a lot about what makes me happy... and ultimately what work and people bring me the most enjoyment. If we encircle ourselves with compassionate and caring people, we can do the things we love without stress or hesitation. A great support system whether at work, at home, or in relationships is the foundation to success. Being young and currently a bit short on life experience surely does not make me an expert, but I have definitely come to some sort of self realization about this... Life is too short to work at being friends or lovers with someone who doesn’t care about you or doesn’t put as much effort into it as you do. Likewise, working with people who are too concerned with their own accomplishments and an organization that doesn’t put people first is a waste of time and effort. All in all it comes down to taking control of your life. I think it is best put in the final lines of a poem written by William Ernest Henley and often referenced by the great Nelson Mandela:

“…I am the master of my own fate; I am the captain of my soul.”