Do you want to build career security? Given the volatility of the economy, I mean who doesn’t?

I’m so excited to introduce you to one of my favorite career coaches, Pamela Slim. She’s the author of two amazing books, Body of Work and Espace From Cubicle Nation.

In this conversation, Pamela and I discuss the changing nature of work and how to best prepare for new economic realities.

Other lessons that pop up in our conversation include:

The need to understand yourself: specifically your values, abilities, circumstances and how you take action.
We have an extensive discussion about passion. Do you need a passion to build a business around it? Will you only have one passion in life? How can you find a passion? We’ll take on all those questions.
The perils of the comparison trap. There is always someone doing better than you and worse than you.

Wake up time: 5:30 am
Core work habits: 1) Creating new content 2) Connect with people and market 3) Focus on operational efficiency.
Ideal work environment: Working from her new incubator space in downtown Mesa, AZ.
Superpower: Connection.
Definition of success: Enjoying her life while living it.
Podcast recommendations: Create intellectual property, connect with people and market, focus on operational efficiency.
Work purpose: Creating really healthy, happy, flourishing future for her kids.
Regains focus by: Her kids.
Skill to improve: Discipline of focus on activities that are related to her long-term goals and her ability to work in creative discomfort.
90-day goal: Raising $50,000 to complete the first phase of national study of an attitudinal survey of small business owners across the US and Canada.

“One of the contributions entrepreneurs have made is redefining the conversation about what work is.”

“We’re all self-employed even when we work for somebody else.”

“While the economy is never going to be totally stable, there are ways you can be building skills to feel more secure.”

“There’s no instant formula for finding happiness, but an instant formula for feeling miserable is comparing yourself to others.”

If you are feeling stuck, Pam offers this advice to start getting unstuck:

1) Sit quietly and search for the truth why you are really stuck in the first place.

2) Start by taking small steps to reinvent your life and, find out what is really bothering you.

My previous interview with Pamela from my old podcast:

Photo of Pamela’s small business incubator space in Mesa, AZ.

Thanks for listening! Enjoy this episode?