Kristina Leonardi is a speaker, coach and author who provides a framework for individuals to make the most of their personal and professional lives, allowing them to recognize, connect to, and fulfill their role in the world at large.
For nearly 20 years, Kristina has helped hundreds of men and women of every age and background gain clarity, balance and direction in their career and life.
Kristina Leonardi is a speaker, coach and consultant who provides a framework for individuals to make the most of their personal and professional lives, allowing them to recognize, connect to, and fulfill their role in the world at large. Known for her dynamic, ‘inspiring’ and ‘down-to-earth’ unique yet practical perspectives on the topics of career development, work/life wellness, communication and personal growth, she has presented to organizations such as Saatchi and Saatchi, UBS, Ogilvy & Mather, HR Association of NY, Center for Court Innovation, American Women’s Business Association, the Junior League and New York’s Science, Industry & Business Library.
In addition to executive coaching, Kristina offers individual and group career/life coaching privately, as well as in affiliation with New York Women in Communications, Working Mother Media and The Muse, and is the founder of The Women's Mosaic (TWM), a nonprofit organization that has produced over 100 diverse, dynamic events over 10 years for more than 5000 women of every background to connect to themselves each other and the world around them.
She holds a B.A in International Relations from Boston University, and has taught extensively for New York University’s Center for Hospitality, Travel and Tourism and the Center for Career, Education and Life Planning for more than 15 years. Prior to founding TWM and her speaking/coaching career, Kristina was Vice President of Sales for two printing and corporate gift firms, and was Director of Passenger Services for an educational travel company arranging tours for Harvard, Yale, Smithsonian and the American Museum of Natural History.
Kristina was also listed as one of Hispanic Magazines Top Latinas of 2004, received Tango Diva’s 2007 Diva Visionary Award and was honored by the WNBA’s NY Liberty as part of their 2009 Inspiring Women Night. Interviewed as one of the 'inspiring women and peacebuilders around the world' she can also be heard as part of Peace x Peace Voice x Voice archives and has also been featured in Forbes.com, Inc. Magazine, Psychology Today and The Huffington Post
She is the author of Personal Growth Gab (PGG), Volume One: Thought-provoking, inspirational and entertaining essays to keep you connected with yourself and make sense of this journey called Life,a beautifully designed and practically organized compilation of nearly five years of weekly blog posts that both stimulate and address the questions of who we are, where we are going and how we can get there in today’s rapidly changing, fast-paced world.
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How Listening to Yourself Leads to a Life You Love
A unique guide about honoring your needs, following your gut and checking your ego at the door to find personal and professional fulfillment.
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A unique guide about honoring your needs, following your gut and checking your ego at the door to find personal and professional fulfillment.
Using examples from her own journey as well as those of her clients and others, personal growth expert, motivational speaker, coach and founder of The Women’s Mosaic® Kristina Leonardi shows how staying true to yourself - knowing who you are and what need along the way - will get you to where you want to go in your career and life with ease and enthusiasm.
Job seekers, recent grads, or anyone simply feeling stuck in their personal or professional life, are inundated with advice from a variety of sources. Technology has made information and inspiration available on demand, yet many remain confused and unclear as to what they want, what they should do or where they should turn for guidance. How does one sift through the noise and know what step to take next?
After speaking to diverse audiences and working with hundreds of men and women from various backgrounds over nearly two decades, she has noticed most folks rely far too much on pure logic, conventional wisdom, or advice that tells you to go from a to b to c, with little to no results.
The fact is that one size does not fit all; we each have a unique set of talents, passions, skills, abilities and interests as well as other circumstances, limitations and influences that impact our daily lives and direction and overall sense of happiness. You need to do you, and it doesn’t have to be that hard, it might just take a little courage to take the road less traveled and seemingly indirect.
Based on the surprising story of how taking a part-time food-service job at an upscale health club brought her far more than a paycheck, Kristina’s “Smoothie Principle” offers a new perspective and understanding for anyone to navigate their career and life, and reminds us to trust ourselves and stay open, because the journey is just as, if not more, important than the destination.
By following The Smoothie Principle, you will experience less stress, have more security, and will develop a career and lifestyle that is ultimately the best for you, as well as change the way you seek work/life balance and success. You will enjoy an adventure along the way that stretches you, encourages you to listen to your innermost voice, forces you to think of out of the box, move out of your comfort zone, develop new skills and experience people, places and things that you never would have otherwise by taking a more "traditional" path.
Interwoven with gems of practical wisdom, unique perspectives and life lessons, The Smoothie Principle is an easily digestible guide that will empower you to create an authentic life filled with meaning, purpose and a sense of inner peace, no matter who you are, where you've come from or what that work is.
I. Preface/Introduction
II. The Story
[Chapter includes my story and explanation of the book’s title. How listening to my needs, interests and passions yielded experiences and connections beyond my expectations with regards to work and life.]
III. Let’s Break it Down: What is ‘The Smoothie Principle’?
[An introduction of what ‘The Smoothie Principle’ entails, followed by a breakdown of each step]
1. Serve Yourself First
[Make Your Needs a Priority- smoothie job and TWM, by serving yourself others benefit and the Universe rewards you]
2. The Right Ingredients
[Have Specific Criteria and Let the Universe Bring it to You - know the essence of what you want even if you don’t know the exact form it will take]
3. Let it Flow
[Trust in the Process -allow the time for things to happen and the Universe to bring you what you want/need]
4. Check Your Ego at the Door
[Honor your needs and do what your heart tells you regardless of how it might look to others]
5. No Artificial Flavors
[Never Take a Job Just for the $$$$ - be authentic -always know WHY you are working where you are working; if it is only for the money you will never be happy; there should always be at least one other thing you are getting from the job besides the paycheck even if it is just a stepping stone in your greater plan]
6. Infinite Combinations
[Be Open to Wherever the Road May Take You - the Universe can think bigger and broader than you can, so as long as you are honoring your interests, passions and needs you will be going in the right direction]
7. Love Your Taste Buds
[Enjoy The Journey - learn to be present and enjoy the experiences as they come, knowing that they are temporary and will enrich your life]
8. Yummy & So Nutritious, too!
[Celebrate Your Accomplishments and Give Gratitude for Every Moment along the Way- knowing that it regardless of how difficult things seemed at times that it was all good for you!]
IV. Who Are You & What Are You Supposed to Be Doing With Your Life
[Why readers should care about this question and make the effort necessary to achieve it. Chapter will make a compelling case, and provide inspiration and motivation for readers to be excited about finding their dream career/life and use The Smoothie Principle to attain it.]
V. Money, Work, Prosperity & Happiness
[Some thoughts on these topics as they pertain to The Smoothie Principle and one’s life journey]
This book is for anyone who is feeling lost or stuck, who is looking for clarity, balance and direction in their work and life, or who simply wants to feel more secure and at ease in these times of dynamic change in our society at large.
*It could be the millennial or Gen Z person looking for their dream job or purpose, who desires something more meaningful, but needs guidance on how to go about obtaining it.
*It could be a mid-career professional looking to make a course correction to find more fulfillment and/or work/life balance.
*It could be a boomer, or seasoned professional looking to (or may be forced to) downsize or shift their career or lifestyle to something they have wanted to do all along or have put off until feeling more economically stable or achieved certain professional milestones.
The 21st century has made our lives both easier and more complex.
Social media adds to stress, anxiety and FOMO, feeling like you’re not doing enough in that everyone is more successful, and provides us with information overload. Technology, however, makes it easier for anyone to pursue their passion and express themselves, whether it becomes a side gig for income or just a place to share creativity and information. People are searching for purpose and meaning in their lives more than ever, and are often lost or overwhelmed with how to go about obtaining it.
According to The Roosevelt Institute “The United States is at a point of significant economic transformation—presenting both opportunities and challenges for working Americans. Some see the continued disaggregation of workplaces and workplace benefits as heralding further decline of the American middle class at great economic and social cost. Others believe that in a future of rapid change and democratized technology, more Americans will control their own lives—perhaps identifying as entrepreneurs as opposed to workers—and the economy will thrive. While the twin forces of technology and globalization are powerful and transformative, their impacts are not predestined. Their effects will be determined by the degree to which new institutions expand opportunity—across race, class, gender, and geography —and mitigate against increased insecurity.”
By 2020, nearly half (46 percent) of all U.S. workers will be Millennials (Lynch, 2008). By comparison, the generation before them, Generation X (or Gen Xers), represent only 16 percent of today's workforce. They are also a huge market for self-improvement, In 2015, 94% of millennials reported making personal improvement commitments (compared with 84% of Boomers and 81% of Gen Xers). “Self-improvement is, after all, a $10 billion dollar per year business in the U.S. alone and one of the few industries that doesn’t plummet in the throws of recession. But it’s also relevant to millennials themselves, who anxiously wonder if they’ll ever be good enough.” In December 2018 Gallup reported that among those under the age of 35, an average of 87% gave themselves a positive mental health assessment in 2015-2016, but the number dropped to an average of 74% for the past two years.
Gallup has found that only 29% of millennials are engaged at work, meaning only about three in 10 are emotionally and behaviorally connected to their job and company. Another 16% of millennials are actively disengaged, meaning they are more or less out to do damage to their company. The majority of millennials (55%) are not engaged, leading all other generations in this category of worker engagement. “While millennials can come across as wanting more and more, the reality is that they just want a job that feels worthwhile -- and they will keep looking until they find it.”
We see the most challenges with employee engagement and retention with this group; finding the right fit for a job is key to this and benefits both the employer and the employee, benefiting the overall well-being of our economy.
We are living in transformative times, and there is no longer such thing as job security.
US unemployment rates are at an all-time low, but for some industries it is extremely high; the nation and world’s economy is in constant flux due to local and geopolitics, coupled with globalization, technology and outsourcing. There are very few, if any industries or sectors that provide ultimate job security, so one needs to be able to find strength and balance in themselves to navigate the storms that lie ahead; by knowing who they are, what they have to offer, being in tune with themselves and trusting the next step as they take it will make sense for them in the bigger picture will allow for a deeper sense of inner peace and overall fulfillment.
No matter what level in their career, people need to be more creative and think out of the box, and most importantly, listen to themselves.
They can’t be a round peg trying to fit in a square hole and instead must imagine and create the jobs they want. They need permission and justification to follow their hearts and understand how and why they can and must make their life more happy, healthy and peaceful. The Smoothie Principle: How Listening to Yourself Leads to a Life You Love will do all this and more – it will give the reader a unique perspective and way of looking at life along with the inspiration and motivation to take action to make it the very best it can be.
Since 2001, Kristina has created a following and public presence both online and off among thousands of women and men, first through her NYC based nonprofit organization The Women’s Mosaic, and then nationally and internationally as a motivational speaker and holistic career coach through various corporate and organizational engagements like UBS and New York Women in Communications, and NY’s Science, Industry and Business Library, as well as through her writing and coaching work through The Muse, a career resource website that gets over 8 million visitors a month. Kristina has also been featured or quoted as an expert in over 30 articles in a variety of outlets including Forbes, Inc. and Psychology Today.
Online Marketing and Social Media Numbers as of January 13, 2019:
Current email list: 2452 (who receive weekly PGG essays. A solid list that has grown organically (i.e. a loyal following of people who know me or my work for some time since 2001 and has an average open rate of 12%)
LinkedIn: 1309
Twitter: KL 720, TWM 4339
Facebook: KL (public): 128, PGG: 251, KL (personal) 456
Instagram: 272
Medium: 175
YouTube: new channel, 34 videos uploaded.
Top viewed video from TWM’s channel “What Kind of Job Should I Look For?” 1.1K views
Past Speaking Engagements:
New York’s Science, Industry and Business Library (SIBL): 40+ talks over 9 years with audiences averaging around 50 attendees per talk (two of them had over 100)
Various corporations and non-profit organizations: 30+ speaking engagements over the past 10 years, audiences ranging from 10 to 100.
Self-produced workshops and talks: 25+ for the past 16 years, audiences range from 10 - 50
Future Speaking Engagements & Promotion:
Upcoming talks at SIBL January 30, February 28 and May 1, as well as corporate engagements and self produced workshops. Once the book is published, I have many connections with a with a variety of organizations and groups with whom I have relationships that I can offer to do events for where the book can be promoted and/or sold. I plan on doing a weekly video series/podcast and be a guest on already established ones.
Promotional Materials:
The concept lends itself to a variety of creative ways to promote through merchandise and social media.
Other Books:
Kristina is also the self published author of Personal Growth Gab (PGG), Volume One: Thought-provoking, inspirational and entertaining essays to keep you connected with yourself and make sense of this journey called Life,a compilation of 131 weekly PGG essays from the first 5 years in a beautifully designed printed book available on Amazon (over 200 copies sold or distributed with no marketing campaign partially due to family illness/ death which coincided with launch)
Five copies of this book are also circulating in the New York City Public Library System
The Smoothie Principle will fill the gap and create a bridge between “how to find the right career” and job search advice and personal growth/self help books about “how to be happy”, “finding your purpose,”“how to be less stressed” and “how to find balance.” It will create a new cultural vernacular and buzz / catch phrase to describe a certain mode of operating in one’s life and the world.
Other books that are similar and/or complementary include:
Martha Beck
Finding Your Way in a Wild New World: Reclaim Your True Nature to Create the Life You Want
Atria Books, January 1, 2013
“Finding Your Way in a Wild New World reveals a remarkable path to the most important discovery you can make: the knowledge of what you should be doing with your one wild and precious life. It’s the thing that so fulfills you that, if you knew what it was, you’d run straight toward it through brambles and fire. Life coach and bestselling author of Finding Your Own North Star Martha Beck guides you to find out how you got to where you are now and what you should do next, with clear instructions on tapping into the deep, wordless knowledge you carry in your body and soul.”
The Smoothie Principle: How Listening to Yourself Leads to a Life You Love is a different way of illustrating many of the concepts put forth here, ie the analogy of making a smoothie versus, using animals being on a safari or game range, and more accessible to a reader who is less intuitive.
Martha Beck
Steering by Starlight: Find Your Right Life, No Matter What!
Rodale Books, March 8, 2008
“Bringing together cutting-edge research in psychiatry, neurology, and related fields in an accessible, substantive, original way, Dr. Beck offers powerful new methods for solving the problems that beset ordinary people. Using her trademark wisdom, empathy, and engaging style, she connects readers with fresh, never-before published strategies that have proven most effective and efficient for the hundreds of people she has coached. For readers who have found their North Stars, this book will be an invaluable tool to stay the course and overcome obstacles. For those who still feel adrift, it will provide a way to find true North and follow the path of best destiny….Whether it’s seeking better relationships, more focused career direction, the achievement of specific fitness goals, or a more harmonious lifestyle, Steering by Starlight’s colorful anecdotes, case studies, and exercises will point the way.”
The Smoothie Principle: How Listening to Yourself Leads to a Life You Love is a new and more current way of illustrating many of the concepts put forth here, ie the analogy of making a smoothie versus, being a stargazer, mapmaker or pathfinder.
Jordan B. Peterson
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos
Random House Canada January 23, 2018
“Dr. Peterson journeys broadly, discussing discipline, freedom, adventure and responsibility, distilling the world's wisdom into 12 practical and profound rules for life. 12 Rules for Life shatters the modern commonplaces of science, faith and human nature, while transforming and ennobling the mind and spirit of its readers #1 NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER “Like the best intellectual polymaths, Peterson invites his readers to embark on their own intellectual, spiritual and ideological journeys into the many topics and disciplines he touches on. It’s a counter-intuitive strategy for a population hooked on the instant gratification of ideological conformity and social media ‘likes,’ but if Peterson is right, you have nothing to lose but your own misery.” — Toronto Star”
The Smoothie Principle: How Listening to Yourself Leads to a Life You Love is a way to provide additional guidance and perspectives about ways in which to conduct one’s life, given the extreme hunger for such advice as evidenced by the phenomenon of this book and even more so his book tour of hundred cities and YouTube presence will millions of subscribers and views.
Jen Sincero
You Are a Badass
Running Adult Press, April 23, 2013
“In this refreshingly entertaining how-to guide, bestselling author and world-traveling success coach, Jen Sincero, serves up 27 bitesized chapters full of hilariously inspiring stories, sage advice, easy exercises, and the occasional swear word, helping you to: Identify and change the self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors that stop you from getting what you want, Create a life you totally love. And create it NOW, Make some damn money already. The kind you've never made before. By the end of You Are a Badass, you'll understand why you are how you are, how to love what you can't change, how to change what you don't love, and how to use The Force to kick some serious ass.” The Smoothie Principle: How Listening to Yourself Leads to a Life You Love is a less in-your-face and more organic approach to creating a life you love.
Daniel Pink
A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future
Riverhead Books, March 7, 2006
“The future belongs to a different kind of person with a different kind of mind: artists, inventors, storytellers-creative and holistic "right-brain" thinkers whose abilities mark the fault line between who gets ahead and who doesn't.
Drawing on research from around the world, Pink (author of To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Motivating Others) outlines the six fundamentally human abilities that are absolute essentials for professional success and personal fulfillment--and reveals how to master them. A Whole New Mind takes readers to a daring new place, and a provocative and necessary new way of thinking about a future that's already here.”
When she read it back in 2006, this was affirmation that Kristina’s approach and experiences were in line with how we are evolving as a society. The Smoothie Principle: How Listening to Yourself Leads to a Life You Love is a manifestation, illustration and practice guide to embodying the concepts brought forth in Pink’s book.
Alexandra Cavoulacos and Kathryn Minshew
The New Rules of Work: The Modern Playbook for Navigating Your Career
Crown Business, April 18, 2017
“The world of work has changed. People in previous generations tended to pick one professional path and stick to it. Switching companies every few years wasn’t the norm, and changing careers was even rarer. Today’s career trajectories aren’t so scripted and linear. Technology has given rise to new positions that never before existed, which means we are choosing from a much broader set of career options—and have even more opportunities to find work that lights us up. However, we don’t discover and apply for jobs the same way anymore, and employers don’t find applicants the way they used to. Isn’t it about time we had a playbook for navigating it all? “
The Smoothie Principle: How Listening to Yourself Leads to a Life You Love also addresses the changing economic landscape; expands upon the big-picture concepts of this book and complements the more job search strategy focused elements.
Gary Vaynerchuk
Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion
Harper Studio, October 13, 2009
“Do you have a hobby you wish you could indulge in all day? An obsession that keeps you up at night? Now is the perfect time to take that passion and make a living doing what you love. In Crush It! Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion, Gary Vaynerchuk shows you how to use the power of the Internet to turn your real interests into real businesses. Gary spent years building his family business from a local wine shop into a national industry leader. Then one day he turned on a video camera, and by using the secrets revealed here, transformed his entire life and earning potential by building his personal brand. By the end of this book, readers will have learned how to harness the power of the Internet to make their entrepreneurial dreams come true. Step by step, Crush It! is the ultimate driver’s manual for modern business.”
This book, as well as other works and social media content by Gary V. complements Kristina’s The Smoothie Principle: How Listening to Yourself Leads to a Life You Love by demonstrating how using technology and social media can earn you money by simply staying true to who you are and pursuing your passions, and how in the 21st century there is no excuse not to.
Richard N. Bolles
What Color Is Your Parachute? 2019: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers
Ten Speed Press, August 14, 2018
“In today's complex job-market, the time-tested advice of What Color Is Your Parachute? is needed more than ever. Recent grads facing a changing economic landscape, workers laid off mid-career, and people searching for an inspiring work-life change all look to career guru Richard N. Bolles for support, encouragement, and advice on which job-hunt strategies work —and which don't. This revised edition combines classic elements like the famed Flower Exercise with updated tips on social media and search tactics. Bolles demystifies the entire job-search process, from writing resumes to interviewing to networking, expertly guiding job-hunters toward their dream job.”
This classic can be way too overwhelming and dense for many folks. Kristina’s The Smoothie Principle: How Listening to Yourself Leads to a Life You Love provides a more authentic, intuitive and digestible way to discover your best career and go after it.
Marsha Sinetar
Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow: Discovering Your Right Livelihood
Dell, March 9, 1989
“You're about to be liberated! Here is the book you've been waiting for-a-step-by-step guide to finding the "work" that expresses and fulfills your needs, talents, and passions. Using dozens of real-life examples, Marsha Sinetar shows you how to overcome your fears, take the little risks that make big risks possible, and become a person whose work means self-expression, growth, and love! ...Discover how to tune in to your inner world and your unique talents; evaluate and build your self-esteem, banish your out-moded network of "shoulds" and liberate yourself from an unfulfilling job with this step-by-step guide to finding work that satisfies your passions.”
The Smoothie Principle: How Listening to Yourself Leads to a Life You Love will bring many of these concepts into the 21st century with a unique twist.
Lao Tzu
The Tao Te Ching
Various translations and publications
“The Tao Te Ching, along is a fundamental text for both philosophical and religious Taoism. The ideas are singular; the style poetic. The rhetorical style combines two major strategies: short, declarative statements and intentional contradictions. The first of these strategies creates memorable phrases, while the second forces the reader to reconcile supposed contradictions.”
The Smoothie Principle: How Listening to Yourself Leads to a Life You Love will bring the essence of many of concepts into the 21st century illustrated with practical applications and modern understanding.
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Sourcebooks
500 copies • Partial manuscript • Looking for motivational, inspiration and the lighter side of business. Traditional publisher Mind & Body, Romantic Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide |
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Agora Publishing
Agora Publishing is a Canada-based not-for-profit organization, founded in 1997 with the aim of making book publishing accessible to all writers across Canada and internationally. Hybrid publisher All categories Worldwide |
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Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.
250 copies • Completed manuscript. Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Mind & Body, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Society & Culture Worldwide |
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Ballast Books
250 copies • Partial manuscript. Hybrid publisher All categories , United States |
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Black Pawn Press
If the name sounds familiar, it's because it's a variation of the name of the publishing company used in the television series Castle. For those unfamiliar with the premise, the show featured a mystery writer who follows a police detective for research and winds up writing an entire series of books based on the cases they work on together. Having become friends during the run of the series, the imprint's founders (both authors themselves), thought they'd pay homage to the show and brought Black Pawn Press to life. Hybrid publisher Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement Worldwide |
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Blooming Twig
500 copies • Complete manuscript. Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide |
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Boyle & Dalton
250 copies • Completed manuscript. Hybrid publisher Christian Fiction, Comics & Graphic Novels, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBT Fiction, Literary Essay, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mythology & Folk Tales, Poetry, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Women's Fiction, YA Fiction, Art & Photography, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Children Non-Fiction, Christian Non-Fiction, Coloring Books for Grown-Ups, Comics & Graphic Novels, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Communication Skills, Corporate Culture, Crafts & Hobbies, Creativity, Current Affairs, Economics, Education, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Humor & Entertainment, Illustrated Books, Journalism, LGBT Non-Fiction, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Mindfulness & Happiness, Money & Investment, Motivation & Inspiration, Nature & Environment, Parenting, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Politics & Social Sciences, Popular Science, Productivity & Time Management, Psychology, Reference, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Sex & Relationships, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel, YA Non-Fiction Worldwide |
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Braughler Books LLC
100 copies • Completed manuscript Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Technology & the Future, Travel
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BrightFlame Books
250 copies • Partial manuscript • Looking for business, entrepreneurship, personal development, success psychology and mindset, health, and lifestyle. Hybrid publisher Mind & Body, Business & Money, Career & Success, Health, Fitness & Dieting, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Science, Society & Culture, Technology & the Future Worldwide |
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Cranthorpe Millner
250 copies • Partial manuscript. Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mind & Body, Mind & Body, Romantic Fiction, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Biography & Memoir, Health, Fitness & Dieting, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, History, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Science, Science, Sports & Outdoors, Sports & Outdoors, Travel, Travel Canada, United Kingdom, United States |
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Dr. Anita M. Jackson
250 copies • Partial manuscript • Looking for entrepreneurial women leaders, coaches, and experts. Hybrid publisher Christian Fiction, Mind & Body, Women's Fiction, Business & Money, Career & Success, Christian Non-Fiction, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Management & Leadership, Mindfulness & Happiness, Money & Investment, Motivation & Inspiration, Parenting, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Psychology, Religion & Spirituality, Sex & Relationships Worldwide |
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Elite Online Publishing
Elite Online Publishing is based in Utah & Texas, and will help put your self-published book out into the world to grow, become a #1 bestseller, and give you a foundation of credibility, powerful marketing appeal, and new contacts. We have been in business for over 6 years and have helped over 150 authors become bestsellers. Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Christian Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Women's Fiction, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Christian Non-Fiction, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Education, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, LGBT Non-Fiction, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Motivation & Inspiration, Nature & Environment, Parenting, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Productivity & Time Management, Psychology, Reference, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Sex & Relationships, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel, YA Non-Fiction Canada, United Kingdom, United States |
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Emerald Lake Books
500 copies • Completed manuscript. Hybrid publisher Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mind & Body, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Science, Society & Culture, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide |
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Greenleaf Book Group
Greenleaf Book Group is a publisher and distributor specializing in developing independent authors and thought leaders. We designed our publishing model to support the independent author and to make it possible for writers to retain the rights to their work and still compete with the major publishing houses. We have the capability to take your book idea through full project development and production all the way to bookstore shelves. Our award-winning team works with you to create an exceptional book and design a custom-built strategy to ensure its success in the retail market. Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Christian Fiction, Comics & Graphic Novels, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBT Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mythology & Folk Tales, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Women's Fiction, YA Fiction, Art & Photography, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Christian Non-Fiction, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Communication Skills, Corporate Culture, Crafts & Hobbies, Creativity, Current Affairs, Economics, Education, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Humor & Entertainment, Illustrated Books, Journalism, LGBT Non-Fiction, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Mindfulness & Happiness, Money & Investment, Motivation & Inspiration, Nature & Environment, Parenting, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Politics & Social Sciences, Popular Science, Productivity & Time Management, Psychology, Reference, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Sex & Relationships, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel, YA Non-Fiction, Science Fiction & Humour Worldwide |
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HigherLife
500 copies • Completed manuscript. Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future Worldwide |
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Hybrid Global Publishing
250 copies • Partial manuscript. Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Christian Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBT Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mind & Body, Poetry, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Women's Fiction, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Children Non-Fiction, Christian Non-Fiction, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Communication Skills, Corporate Culture, Creativity, Current Affairs, Economics, Education, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Humor & Entertainment, Illustrated Books, Journalism, LGBT Non-Fiction, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Mindfulness & Happiness, Money & Investment, Motivation & Inspiration, Nature & Environment, Parenting, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Politics & Social Sciences, Popular Science, Productivity & Time Management, Psychology, Religion & Spirituality, Sex & Relationships, Society & Culture, Technology & the Future, Travel, Science Fiction & Humour Worldwide |
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Koehler Books
250 copies • Completed manuscript. Hybrid publisher
Worldwide |
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Lifestyle Entrepreneurs Press
500 copies • Partial manuscript • Looking for business and entrepreneurship, personal development, and success psychology books. Hybrid publisher Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Communication Skills, Corporate Culture, Crafts & Hobbies, Creativity, Current Affairs, Economics, Education, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Health, Fitness & Dieting, Journalism, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Mindfulness & Happiness, Money & Investment, Motivation & Inspiration, Nature & Environment, Parenting, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Popular Science, Productivity & Time Management, Psychology, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Sex & Relationships, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide |
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Mascot Books
Mascot Books is a full-service hybrid publisher dedicated to helping authors at all stages of their publishing journey create a high-quality printed or digital book that matches their vision. With comprehensive editorial, design, marketing, production, and distribution services, our authors have the support of an experienced publishing team while still retaining one of the highest royalty percentages in the business. Hybrid publisher All categories
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Morgan James
500 copies • Partial manuscript • Looking for entrepreneurship, business, self-help, and personal growth. Hybrid publisher All categories Worldwide |
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RJ Parker Publishing
Why Publish with RJPP? Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Mind & Body, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Canada, United Kingdom, United States |
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Thea Press
250 copies • Completed manuscript • Looking for novels that capture the arcing collision of expectation and sudden challenge. Hybrid publisher Children Fiction, Comics & Graphic Novels, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBT Fiction, Literary Essay, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mind & Body, Mythology & Folk Tales, Poetry, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Women's Fiction, YA Fiction, Art & Photography, Biography & Memoir, Children Non-Fiction, Coloring Books for Grown-Ups, Comics & Graphic Novels, Communication Skills, Crafts & Hobbies, Creativity, Current Affairs, Economics, Education, History, Humor & Entertainment, Illustrated Books, Journalism, LGBT Non-Fiction, Mindfulness & Happiness, Motivation & Inspiration, Nature & Environment, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Politics & Social Sciences, Psychology, Reference, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Sex & Relationships, Society & Culture, Technology & the Future, YA Non-Fiction, Science Fiction & Humour Worldwide |
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1106 Design, LLC
Dear Author, Service publisher Children Fiction, Christian Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Essay, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mythology & Folk Tales, Poetry, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Women's Fiction, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Children Non-Fiction, Christian Non-Fiction, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Communication Skills, Corporate Culture, Current Affairs, Economics, Education, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Humor & Entertainment, Journalism, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Mindfulness & Happiness, Money & Investment, Motivation & Inspiration, Nature & Environment, Parenting, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Politics & Social Sciences, Popular Science, Productivity & Time Management, Psychology, Reference, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Sex & Relationships, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel, YA Non-Fiction, Science Fiction & Humour Worldwide |
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Atmosphere Press
250 copies • Partial manuscript. Service publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide |
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Authors Unite
250 copies • Partial manuscript. Service publisher Children Fiction, Christian Fiction, Comics & Graphic Novels, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBT Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mind & Body, Mythology & Folk Tales, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Women's Fiction, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Children Non-Fiction, Christian Non-Fiction, Communication Skills, Corporate Culture, Crafts & Hobbies, Creativity, Current Affairs, Economics, Education, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Humor & Entertainment, Journalism, LGBT Non-Fiction, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Mindfulness & Happiness, Money & Investment, Motivation & Inspiration, Nature & Environment, Parenting, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Politics & Social Sciences, Popular Science, Productivity & Time Management, Psychology, Reference, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Sex & Relationships, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel, YA Non-Fiction, Science Fiction & Humour Worldwide |
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Bookmobile
100 copies • Partial manuscript. Service publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide |
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Bright Communications LLC
Looking for all types of books, including fiction, children's books, health, memoir, business books, and cookbooks Service publisher Children Fiction, Christian Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBT Fiction, Literary Essay, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mythology & Folk Tales, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Women's Fiction, YA Fiction, Art & Photography, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Children Non-Fiction, Christian Non-Fiction, Coloring Books for Grown-Ups, Comics & Graphic Novels, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Communication Skills, Corporate Culture, Crafts & Hobbies, Creativity, Current Affairs, Economics, Education, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Humor & Entertainment, Illustrated Books, Journalism, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Mindfulness & Happiness, Money & Investment, Motivation & Inspiration, Nature & Environment, Parenting, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Politics & Social Sciences, Popular Science, Productivity & Time Management, Psychology, Reference, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Sex & Relationships, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel, YA Non-Fiction, Science Fiction & Humour Canada, United Kingdom, United States |
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Crescendo Publishing
100 copies • Completed manuscript • Looking for novels, memoirs, fantasy, and other fiction. Service publisher Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mind & Body, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Society & Culture, Travel Worldwide |
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Finn-Phyllis Press, Inc
250 copies • Completed manuscript. Service publisher Mind & Body, Women's Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Communication Skills, Corporate Culture, Creativity, Current Affairs, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Health, Fitness & Dieting, Humor & Entertainment, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Mindfulness & Happiness, Money & Investment, Motivation & Inspiration, Parenting, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Productivity & Time Management, Religion & Spirituality, Sex & Relationships, Society & Culture Worldwide |
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Happy Self Publishing
100 copies • Completed manuscript. Service publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide |
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IngramSpark
100 copies • Completed manuscript. Service publisher Children Fiction, Literary Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Journalism, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Politics & Social Sciences, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel Worldwide |
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Momosa Publishing LLC
Looking for health, parenting, inspiration, and children's books. Service publisher Children Fiction, Christian Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mind & Body, Mystery, Thriller, Horror & Suspense, Mythology & Folk Tales, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Women's Fiction, YA Fiction, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Children Non-Fiction, Christian Non-Fiction, Coloring Books for Grown-Ups, Cookbooks, Food & Wine, Communication Skills, Corporate Culture, Crafts & Hobbies, Creativity, Current Affairs, Economics, Education, Entrepreneurship & Small Business, Health, Fitness & Dieting, History, Humor & Entertainment, Illustrated Books, Journalism, Management & Leadership, Marketing & Sales, Mindfulness & Happiness, Money & Investment, Motivation & Inspiration, Nature & Environment, Parenting, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Philosophy, Politics & Social Sciences, Popular Science, Productivity & Time Management, Psychology, Reference, Religion & Spirituality, Science, Sex & Relationships, Society & Culture, Sports & Outdoors, Technology & the Future, Travel, YA Non-Fiction Worldwide |
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Project Bestseller
Bestsellers are great. Long-term sellers are even better. We'll help you do both. Service publisher Mind & Body, Biography & Memoir, Business & Money, Career & Success, Health, Fitness & Dieting, Personal Growth & Self-Improvement, Religion & Spirituality, Society & Culture, Travel Worldwide |
II. THE STORY
It was the summer of 2004. By that point I had already produced 58 events as part of the monumental task I had begun only three and a half years earlier: a nonprofit organization called The Women’s Mosaic®. I equated myself to a single mother - I had given birth to this entity and it required every ounce of my time, energy and resources nearly 24/7. It was breaking me down; I had been running full speed ahead carrying a massive load almost entirely by myself that I was barely able to keep up with.
It got so bad that one night I had a profoundly intense dream where my family had come together for an ‘intervention’ to tell me that I had to stop and take better care of myself. I was shocked and in denial, embarrassed and made excuses, but deep down I knew they were right and I started crying. The experience was so real, so palpable, that the crying in this incredibly vivid dream became actual tears from the deepest part of my being and woke me up from a deep sleep that night both physically and metaphorically.
To say that potent dream was quite literally the wake-up call I needed to create a more balanced life would be an understatement. I was on a crash course for burnout and hadn’t realized the downward spiral I was headed in – with much drama that could not be ignored, I was snapped out of my blind workaholic nature and was spurred on with an undeniable kick in the butt to begin an intensive time of self reflection and healing.
Early on in that process (to be described in greater detail throughout this book) I realized that what was most important for me at the time was to have more social interaction; I had many friends and acquaintances whose companionship I could have cultivated and enjoyed more, but was not able to afford going out on a regular basis because of what that cost entails when one lives in New York City. After some extensive thought as to how to break out of this cocoon I had created for myself, my brilliant solution was to get a part-time job.
Because of the work I was doing with The Women’s Mosaic® (TWM), my brain was already being taxed and overloaded, so had very specific criteria as to what this job should be:
1. It had to be MINDLESS. I did not want to think or do anything that required complex mental activity or have any responsibility other than for myself and my performance.
2. It had to have a flexible schedule, preferably 15-20 hours/week, specifically nights and weekends that I could easily change if need be to accommodate TWM gatherings or any number of meetings or networking events I might want to attend – in other words the schedule had to work around me, not me around the schedule.
3. It had to be in an aesthetically pleasing environment. What can I say? For those of you familiar with astrology, I have five planets in Libra, so I thrive and derive great pleasure in being in beautiful, harmonious surroundings. It makes me feel good and I knew that if I was going to take time away from my ‘baby’ and our cramped studio apartment, it might as well be in a place enjoyed being in.
That was it. My little lump of gray matter decided it would go out and find this cure to my socially deprived existence. What was this part-time job? A natural guess might be a waitress, bartender or hostess, but quite frankly, I’m not so great at that stuff and such a gig would actually add stress to my life – besides, in NYC you need to be super-experienced and gorgeous to earn a reasonable amount of cash anyway. A smaller, lower profile place would be too unpredictable and unsteady income-wise to make it worth my while.
So there you have it. I had my list – but I had no idea what that job was. Believe me, I tried to figure it out, and wanted to apply the next day but couldn’t imagine where I would possibly go. The only thing I could come up with was a fancy gift/card store, but then I remembered most of those are staffed with only one person per shift, which completely defeats the purpose of having social interaction.
I racked my brain, but couldn’t come up with what this situation could be. After driving myself crazy for a few days, I forgot about it because I was getting nowhere on my own and trusted that a solution would appear when the time was right.
What happened next is one of those things you can’t explain, except perhaps by the saying ‘ask and you shall receive.’ It can happen to anyone at anytime, but was only the second time that it had happened to me (the first being the ‘intervention’ situation I recalled earlier). Because I couldn’t figure out what that job was, I mentally ‘put it on the shelf’ – and figured it would come to me at some point. And come to me it did – in a dream.
I have to emphasize here that I am NOT one of those people who dreams all the time in vivid color and wakes to tell of them….I rarely do. But apparently I needed lots of help at the time and that was the only way the Universe could get through to me since I was so stressed out during the day! I remembered being in the dream repeating to myself over and over as I awakened, “I must remember this, I must remember this” and feeling a pressing sensation in the center of my chest as if someone was pointing to a bulls-eye on my heart and saying ‘Pay attention - this is it!’’
Here’s what I recalled: In the dream I was wearing a uniform; I was behind a counter in an apron and cap and from counter I was looking out at these two gay men, a couple I had recently met in my waking life – who looked like they were wrestling on some mats and then were saying repeatedly "we have to get Kristina a job.” I remember the atmosphere being sparse and Zen-like, white with lots of space, and kept hearing ‘health food store’. As I was waking up I was telling myself over and over I needed to remember what I was seeing and experiencing. When I thought about where this place could possibly be, nothing came to mind – the only health food stores I knew of in Manhattan at the time were these extremely small, cramped places owned by Tibetans in a space that looked nothing like what I saw in the dream.
I thought, well maybe I should go talk to the couple I saw in the dream – maybe they knew someone who owned a fancy health food store I didn’t know about? The next day as I was on my way down there, I decided to pick up a Village Voice (remember this was 2004!) and check out the help wanted section for the heck of it. And sure enough, to my amazement, there was an ad that said “Customer Service/Counter Help Organic Café” and the address was one that I recognized as being a chi-chi gym in the village that I had only heard about and seen once online years before. Something clicked, so I took a detour and instead of visiting my friends I decided to go to the open interviews at CLAY.
Mind you, at this point I had already had a career in travel, sales, teaching at NYU, and several years of running TWM under my belt, so my resume and, ah-em, age, were not representative of the typical applicant for a job that was for the most part, a smoothie girl, and it paid in the neighborhood of $10 per hour. When asked in a perplexed way if I knew what the job and salary was, I simply replied that I was just needing to get out of my head and apartment for a few hours every week and that I was obviously more than capable of doing the job, but was looking forward to having a low responsibility, no-decision making position.
Many people like me wouldn’t get this kind of job because we are ‘over-qualified’, but thanks to the wisdom of Melissa, the hiring manager for the café at the time, she realized that I could add a level of maturity, service and experience to the café and bring something to the table that the others, mostly college gals, could not. She explained what the requirements for hours were: three shifts a week, about four hours per shift with the schedule made weekly and flexibly (check!) and then she proceeded to take me on a tour of the property which was beautifully Zen-like and sparse (check!) and then the counter where I would be working – and the uniform I would be wearing. Check. And check. WOW. This was exactly what I saw in my dream. I was a bit freaked out. And as a bonus, I would be able to work out there anytime I wanted – which was perfect timing since I had recently had to cancel my neighborhood gym membership due to my dwindling budget. Score!
That following Monday, Morgan, a sophomore at Hunter College, and I trained together for our first week making smoothies and serving vitamin water, organic soups, salads and entrees to a very upscale members-only clientele before and after their workouts. At the end of my first day as I was breaking down the café and hand washing the smoothie blenders, I experienced a calm and peace that poured over me like a balm for my soul. This simple, manual, physical labor was exactly what I needed at that moment and I couldn’t have been happier.
After about a week, I was looking out over the counter where we had a view of the main mats for the stretching area and I realized that - CHECK! - a large part of the clientele happened to be gay men of an artsy/design background and that the friends in my dream totally fit that profile! That was the Universe’s way of confirming to me for sure if I had any doubt I was in the right place. And I even got to make smoothies and tuna sandwiches for a host of A-list famous folks, which was a made the gig that much more exciting.
It was great to finally have some structure to my day, to get out of the house and leave my thinking world behind. Another positive aspect of the job was that it barely involved exchanging cash or credit – most members had accounts that we would charge – and you were not dealing with people off the street, so it was a regular crowd that you got to know over time that had a homey-community feeling to and I became friendly with several of the members. It was so interesting to get to know new people different from my usual circle – both the members and my co-workers provided stimulating conversation and shared experiences to look forward to on a weekly basis, and similar to a bartender, I began to help many of them with their trials and tribulations, which years later I realized was the beginning of my coaching work.
Time passed and to my surprise, when I looked up, all of a sudden it was nearly a year and a half later! In January 2006, I was asked to come back to New York University to teach for semester. Initially I thought I would do both, but when it came down to it I realized I simply couldn’t do both jobs in addition to continue running TWM. And even though I had very obviously checked my ego at the door for the previous sixteen months, making smoothies while teaching a required course for an undergraduate degree at NYU made me a bit uncomfortable; and although on one level I wanted to stay, it was a sign that I had to move on. The smoothie job had served its purpose, and then some….
When it was time to leave that final day, besides the cake and touching farewell fanfare that occurred, while breaking down the café and cleaning those blenders one last time, I actually choked up. Not a little, but a lot. A torrent of tears came, and they were genuine and uncontrollable.
Fortunately it was at closing and not many people were left in the gym, but I do remember one of the sweetest workers from maintenance staff, Blanca, who I used to enjoy practicing my Spanish with, noticed I was upset and told me that it was okay, that it was a blessing to have met me and that “Dios te bendiga”. More tears. But these were genuine, heartfelt, bittersweet tears that were of the healthiest kind since you know it’s the right time to go, but it still hurts to say goodbye.
Out of the numerous jobs that I have had since the time of my steady babysitting gig at 12 years of age, I had never cried when I left a job, no matter how good it was or how long I was there. And at that point, I didn’t even know that it would be the job that kept on giving long after I left.
Besides filling my basic need for social interaction on a regular basis, I had attended two Christmas parties, made contacts for my organization, got to talk about astrology, philosophy, current events and movies, collected fun celebrity interaction stories, took home leftover food and occasionally worked out in style – the latter two of which I was extremely grateful as my budget was tight and those perks particularly filled some gaps for me. And – oh yes – I almost forgot – I actually got a paycheck every two weeks!
And wait, there’s more. The gym donated a membership to the silent auction for TWM’s fundraisers two consecutive years, and several CLAY members attended our events. The following year after I left, TWM did a joint members-only event at on their gorgeous roof-deck, and donated to our fundraiser again. Then, the year after that, I booked my very first corporate speaking gig – you guessed it – at CLAY. I was led to my first client from that presentation, as well as a testimonial and referrals for other speaking engagements. I even got a connection to a literary agent for this very book through one of the members who I used to happily serve the ‘special salad’ with umeboshi vinaigrette dressing every Thursday night. Years later, I also realized that there were members I served on a regular based who I became an ear for and helped with various problems they were dealing with the time, which I can now look at as a type of internship for my career and life coaching practice!
To this day, I have both personal and professional connections from my smoothie job that continue to enrich my life. All of this I received simply because I listened to myself, and honored what my soul specifically required at that moment in time: social interaction and some extra money. Who knew that it would be an actual rung on the ladder of my career in disguise?!
The experience has been an integral part of my recipe for success and fulfillment that has resonated with my audiences and clients since then. I hope that you, dear reader, will allow it serve as some tasty inspiration and motivation for you to recognize and create your own Smoothie Principle stories as a vital part of your career/life path journey.
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Hi Everyone!
First of all, wow, THANK YOU! I'm so grateful to you all, my earliest supporters who believe in me and my ...
on Jan. 16, 2019, 11:39 p.m.
Awesome to see this!! Keep it up!