Motivation | The Career Pioneer | Motivation to help you change careers or start a business you'll love

Can You Pay My Bills?

I may have been about 10 or 12 years old when I wrote my first check. My dad would call me into the kitchen. I would walk across our hard linoleum floor, pull out the stool from underneath the peninsula-shaped kitchen island, and plop down next to my dad as he laid onto the countertop the checkbook, a pen, and the monthly bills. "Write this check for me, baby," he would say. He would then direct me, telling me what to write on each line. At that age, writing checks seemed like such a … [Read more...]

2011: Year of the Unstuck | Year In Review  

5 Comments

Now that 2010 is coming to a close, you're probably coming across a lot of material over the Internet and elsewhere touting New Year's resolutions and goal-setting (or better yet, goal-achieving.) That's great and all. But quite honestly -- as I reflect over the past year and all the things I managed to accomplish in the last three hundred and sixty-something days -- I personally think I'd find relief in reading a piece that encourages me to do more along the lines of "slow down," "take the … [Read more...]

What to Do When Job Searching Takes Longer Than Expected

1 Comment

Even the most talented, educated and experienced job seekers have a difficult time finding a job in today’s economy. Most people hope the transition between jobs or finding a job after college graduation lasts only a few weeks, the reality is that many job seekers spend months, or even a year, trying to secure work. This delay can wreak havoc on a job seeker’s confidence, motivation and sense of pride—all of which are characteristics that need to stay in tact in order to build … [Read more...]

Unemployed? Don’t Be Afraid to Talk About It

Stuck in Your Ways? Change It Up, Say Experts

1 Comment

2010 Power 30 Under 30 Awards Ceremony, Washington, D.C.

If you want to feel good about yourself -- and I would argue, move ahead in your career -- then change your behavior and start acting differently. That's the premise of a new study out of Wake Forest University, which found the idea of "being true to yourself" often means you must act against your normal personality traits. Too many professionals and working-class individuals are bound up by what they feel is "appropriate" behavior, or they feel too shy to open up and be themselves.   But … [Read more...]

Are You Getting in the Way of Your Success?

9 Comments

Several years ago, I moved from my small hometown in Georgia where I grew up to Los Angeles after high school graduation with the hopes of pursuing an acting career. But after attending acting classes for one academic year, I decided to try college once again and then enrolled into a two-year institution in Culver City, Calif. It was a tough road. I was completely on my own, without the financial help of my parents, making ends meet by working at a popular L.A. shopping mall. Despite that, … [Read more...]

How a Country Boy Achieved Success: Lessons from a Georgia Hog Farmer

11 Comments

Daddy About to Feed the Hogs in His Sunday Suit

As I sat and began thinking about my next blog post, so many ideas ran through my head. But then I started to really feel an urge to take you guys back a little bit. Take you back to that little girl who grew up on a farm in rural Southwest Georgia. As I share with you my ongoing journey to success and career fulfillment, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the people who’ve incredibly shaped my life into what it is today -- my dear mom and dad. For now, I’ll share about my dad. My parents both … [Read more...]