OMG, my neighbor won a Grammy award this Sunday!

As you can imagine, I’m psyched beyond words for her and immediately wanted to celebrate her life changing career success with you all here at YoungandSuccessful.com….because well, that’s what we do, but also, because I thought you’d all appreciate the little taste of this experience up close and personal.

Living in Los Angeles is a pretty surreal existence. Sometimes it’s a little over the top, often it’s fascinating (mostly due to the crazy characters who reside here), frequently it’s perplexing (attitudes, values, paradigms, etc.) but the real reason most live here is for the unbeatable lifestyle – the relaxed atmosphere, the beauty, the beaches, the amazing weather.  Sure some come to be discovered, others to escape the cold, and the rest in search of a better life.

Anna Joseph moved to LA from Minnesota to launch her career in the entertainment industry like countless others.  For the past few years, she’s been a wiz at producing commercials and more recently started to take on some other projects – one of which was a music video.  Long story short, the “Boom Boom Pow” video featuring the Black Eyed Peas was in part, her creation.  And Sunday, they took home the Grammy for Best Music Video.

As I watched the awards that night (with my other favorite neighbor) I couldn’t help but look beyond the glitz, the glamour and the stage show that was put on to celebrate and publicize it all.  When Taylor Swift talked about what it was like to be a kid in high school dreaming the impossible – to one day win a Grammy – then experience it actually happening that night, she reminded millions around the world that many on that stage have had journeys similar to ours.  She ruminated about how those of us who start out all filled with fire and ambition, hungry to succeed, are all told at some point or another that much of what we dream of is unreachable…but clearly it’s not.
Listening to Taylor was a reminder of that.  But helping Anna get ready for the actual Grammy’s herself was the best proof I could ever imagine.  And I really wanted to remind you all of that.  These kinds of successes really do happen.

Anna is the sweetest, nicest, most considerate, professional and talented person you could meet.  She’s real, authentic and dedicated to giving everything she can to everything she does.  She’s one of those people that you hope experiences a success like this…but still, you never dream it will actually happen.  And yet, it does sometimes!

For the past month our building has been a buzz with getting her ready – dresses, hair, makeup, planning.  Her sisters and niece and father flew into town this weekend.  Everyone else at home huddled by their televisions with bated breath.  Those in town got all dressed up, went to the parties, escorted her to the awards show, bit their nails as they waited for the category to be called, then were right by her side when it all happened.  Totally surreal.

I know you don’t all personally know her, but I wanted you to share in this experience because it’s important for us all to see come to life.  All this hard work, the late nights, the pain, the suffering, the dedication, the commitment…is worth it.  Not always, but often enough to make the effort worth it.  Plus, how much more exciting are our journey’s than everyone else’s?  We lead these crazy lives because we want more out of life and we’re all curious to to see just how far we can go.

As you’re thinking about your path so far and all the things you aspire to do, take a look at this video and put yourself in Anna’s shoes. It is possible.  This level of success can be yours.  Anna is living proof.

If you’re starting to feel the “holiday blues” because you’re out of work or eager to change jobs, stress no more!  The holiday season offers a golden setting for you to meet new people and find opportunities before the New Year! Think about it: There are so many parties and gatherings happening this time of year that you can meet just about anyone you need to in order to advance your career or business! And best of all, you can do so in a casual, merry setting where people are ready to relax and socialize. Here are 5 ways to maximize your presence at those gatherings:

1. Take the opportunity to start a conversation with that agency VP you’ve been eager to meet. If you are the host, be sure to send invites to your important clients and the people you want to impress.

1. Find out if any of your friends are allowed to bring guests to their company’s holiday party, even if they don’t work in your desired industry. You never know what kind of connections you could make or who else might attend as a guest. Your friend’s coworker’s wife could work for the company of your dreams!

1. Find out if your local young professionals association or other industry/career organization is hosting a holiday event open to the public. It’s a great opportunity to meet, learn and network.

1. Keep things casual. Don’t delve into business talk now – use this time to establish a relationship with the person instead. Remember, the best jobs are never advertised, so by using your social savvy to make those important connections, that golden opportunity might just come across your desk when you least expect it!

1. Remember to bring your business cards, collect cards from others, or exchange contact information, and above all, follow up!

We at YSN are thankful for your readership, and wish you all the best this holiday season!

Coming out of college and beginning a career can be a confusing and anxiety-ridden transition.  My mission is to help young professionals gain clarity on their values and strengths so that they don’t have to spend the early part of their careers doing something that doesn’t suit them.

The direct motivation for my company, An Inspired Mind LLC, arose during a time of great economic turmoil and uncertainty about life in our country. I had been working a cushy but stressful job at a major Investment Bank for six years, steadily progressing along a career in management. I was supervising a small team of Operations employees when my husband was offered and accepted a position 1500 miles away.  The time had come to move on, but my company didn’t want to see me leave. I was offered the opportunity to telecommute from my new location and remain in my current role. Of course I jumped at what I thought would be a great opportunity – work from home, have more time to be a mother to my two children, and keep my salary! As it was, I was not very happy for myriad reasons.

I learned a great deal from my experience in Corporate America, both in the office and working remotely, about what I didn’t like and about what I was really good at.  I learned what made me tick.  I want to take this experience and use it to help other young professionals gain the confidence and clarity about themselves and what they can offer the world.  I think too many young people have inadequate support systems coming out of college.  Because of this, and because of the difficult job market we are experiencing, these young people are often forced to take jobs that aren’t ideal.  I empower these young creative future entrepreneurs to be bold, live fearlessly, and follow their dreams.  I help them define and live their inspired vision.

During my own journey through the early part of my professional life, I realized that living an authentic life was more important to me than any paycheck, any promotion. I want mine to be a life of purpose and I want to help other people to attain a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. To help people live life to the fullest is exhilarating! This is the divine motivation that brought about An Inspired Mind LLC.

My 5 Top Tips for Success as a Young Professional:

1.  Define your own idea of success. Don’t be governed by the ideals and values of others.

2.  Get in touch with your most important values and strengths. There is something you can do better than anyone else.  Use it!

3.  Be mentally disciplined. Live each day like it was your last and create your opportunities through tenacity and perseverance.

4.  Do not be afraid of failure. It is the times we fall the hardest that create the greatest opportunities for growth.

5.  Enlist in the services of a mentor or coach to help you challenge limiting beliefs and plot a course for the achievement of your success!

Should you wish to speak with me further you can contact me at hilary@aninspiredmind.com or by visiting my website: www.aninspiredmind.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon!