“You get to create who you want to become.” 👩🏾🎨 ~Howard Walstein
What I wanted to be when I was little and what I would tell her now... (#316)
In the #jesspicks survey I did earlier this year, someone asked:
What did you want to be when you were little? What would you now say to little you?
What a great question.
One thing I struggled with in school was getting my work done quickly and then wanting to talk to the other students, which was a bit of a distraction, but I was six. Suffice it to say; I had many a report card saying, “Jess talks too much.” But, of course, now we know that that was foreshadowing. 😏
In first grade, my teacher set up a puzzle table in her classroom and encouraged us to work on puzzles when we finished our work. I thought that was amazing because she gave me an outlet for that energy, which is one of the reasons I still love puzzles today.
Mrs. Fitzgerald was so kind and supportive that she inspired me to be a teacher. And that was my career plan throughout grammar school. Later, in high school, I fell in love with George Clooney’s character on ER. So yes, I’m dating myself a bit. 😂 This made me want to go all in on medicine and become a pediatrician. (Didn’t hurt that he was easy on the eyes).
Growing up, those were my examples, which became my possibilities. And it added to the short list of career options I thought I had:
Doctor
Teacher
Lawyer
Accountant
Secretary
I didn’t learn until I got into college and started interning in a tech company that there were so many other jobs out there that I had never been exposed to. This completely changed my life.
And now, with advancements in technology, there are even more careers, businesses, ways to help people, and ways to show up, and I think that will be ever-changing.
While I didn’t become a doctor or a teacher, I feel like I’m still honoring those interests by sharing my knowledge and helping people.
Knowing what I know now, I would tell little Jess:
Keep following that curiosity and that feeling in your gut that says something lights you up. Give it a try and see what you learn from it. Those bits of information you gain from these experiments will help you to shape your life.
I would love to discuss this more too. What did you want to be when you were younger? What would you tell yourself?
On to the picks!
Note: This email may contain affiliate links. If you click through my link and make a purchase, I may receive “thank you money” at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I use and love.
#poll
Let’s ask about a new feature in a new feature, shall we? 😉 I really like Substack Chat, and the engagement so far has been fun.
Until now, I have been emailing about new chats, but I’m wondering if that’s the right approach or if it’s too much email. Here’s my question:
#loves 😍
📺. Supporting: Extraordinary Accessory Extravaganza! This week, my gurl Brandy launched her new clay-making adventure and invited us along for the ride. I love her earrings, especially these babies. I grabbed a pack of anything but earrings because it’s such a fun gift to myself. And I love that she will create something just for me, so there is a fun, spontaneous, unique element.
📚. Reading: The Family Game. This thriller was recommended to me by a fellow #jesspicks reader (thanks, Jen!). Harry is a writer who finds herself engaged to this wealthy guy who is somewhat estranged from his family. Once she meets his family, they want her to help bring her fiance Edward back into the fold. But the family seems to have some weird traditions, including games. It also gives me Knives Out vibes and a bit of Ready or Not vibes. Can’t wait to see how it ends.
#reads
Two of my favorite $10K Questions are:
If I could only work 2 hours today, what would I work on?
What’s one decision that removes 100 decisions?
What I like about this post, besides the less than 40 hour work week situation, are a few things:
Khe loves to surf and has built a business around this love so much that the first couple of hours of each day is surf time. He is prioritizing life first.
He schedules thinking time. This isn’t a complex concept, but how often do we actually plan time to think? (yes, I want to do this).
It’s possible to do well and not do it the “hustle culture” way, which is always a refreshing perspective.
—
#icymi
😍. Last issue’s top pick was: Side Hustle Ideas Workbook
💬. Side Hustle Convo: Learn more about how Cheryl balances her side hustle with a corporate job.
#classifieds 🗞
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#lifevibes
#supporters ☕️
Thank you, Ayana, Krista, Jessica, Annetta, Constance, Tunde, Jen, Michelle, Emile, Bex, Kim, Angela G., Lauren B., Chelsea, Amy, Ricky, Kirsten, Vin, Julie, Nicole, Humza, Greg, Kristin, Kirstyn, Jess, Cheryl, Krysta, Adrena, Vidya, Kristyn, Danielle, Keryn, Terry, Vanessa, Meredith, Lauren, Meg, Maria J., Chivon, Kim, Luciano, Colie, Chasity, Laurie, Latienda, Collette, Anne, Kristen, Liz, Katherine, Monale, Betsy, Melissa, Lindsay, Jennifer, Kayla, Madison, Rae, Stephanie, Christine R., Christine M., Frances, Hannah, Chris, Brandy, Mea, Kristian, Maria K. Avery, Adam, Barbara, Shenee, Desiree, Lisa, Kandice, L’Oreal, and LaVerne for being #jesspicks supporters!! ❤️
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