Work-life satisfaction – do you have it? We hear those buzzwords of balance and mindfulness get thrown around in many circles, but how do we achieve them? As much as we desire less stress and more fulfillment in our careers, not many employers are dedicated to truly valuing their employees. Today’s show provides food for […]
The post Forget Work-Life Balance to Focus on Work-Life Satisfaction – with Tevis Trower appeared first on NextFem.
What does a tech startup founder look like? I can almost guarantee that your idea won’t match up with my guest for today’s show. She’s smart, spunky, creative, loves to roller skate, is only five feet tall, and she’s a perfect example of someone who found her passion, followed her dreams, and created something truly […]
The post Embrace Your Crazy to Build a Successful Platform – with Christy Laurence appeared first on NextFem.
You’ve felt it, even though you probably couldn’t put it into words. It’s that secret glee when a driver cuts you off in traffic and then gets pulled over down the road. It’s the smug satisfaction that karma is in control when an arrogant coworker doesn’t get the promotion they were sure of. The German […]
The post Schadenfreude and The Revenge of the Powerless – with Dr. Tiffany Watt Smith appeared first on NextFem.
What if you could leave your home and go abroad for one month, work remotely, and volunteer to use your professional skills in a socially impactful way that truly makes a difference? Would you do it? Could you do it? For many people, this is a dream that isn’t attainable, mainly because of the structure […]
The post Leave Your Job to Venture with Impact – with Ann Davis appeared first on NextFem.
Dr. Valerie Young is an internationally known speaker, confidence expert, and the author of The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women: Why Capable People Suffer from Imposter Syndrome and How to Thrive in Spite of it. Dr. Valerie has been cited in the Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine, Chicago Tribune, and O Magazine, among many others. […]
The post Boost Your Confidence and Kick Imposter Syndrome to the Curb – with Dr. Valerie Young appeared first on NextFem.
American women have pioneered in many fields, but are they truly empowered and respected across the board? In the heavily male-dominated world of tech startups, two women stand out as they have forged an unusual path that has defied the odds and fueled their unstoppable momentum. Don’t miss today’s show about two amazing moms who […]
The post Bootstrapping a Startup to Shake Up an Industry – with Sandy Connery and Jennifer Barcelos appeared first on NextFem.
Alli Kasirer is the founder and CEO of Fertile Girl, a pioneering community and platform changing the conversation about fertility. After struggling with infertility and undergoing three IVF cycles, Allie researched the best foods to eat that would improve her fertility chances. Today, Allie is the mother of twin boys and has expanded her brand […]
The post Pioneering Community Around a Socially Taboo Subject – with Alli Kasirer appeared first on NextFem.
How important is empathy in your life? In today’s dog-eat-dog world and our cutthroat society, it’s refreshing to meet someone who just wants to spread love, kindness, and generosity and fulfill her purpose by helping others dream their dream and reach their full potential. You’re in for a treat today as I introduce you to […]
The post Cultivating Heart in Your Employees to Transform Corporate Culture – with Claude Silver appeared first on NextFem.
You’ve heard the old adage about quitting and winners. Guess what? Here’s the news flash: You can quit and still be a winner! No doubt you’ve experienced the negative stigma around quitting, yet we all know that there are times when we have to figure out what’s not working – and make the necessary changes. […]
The post Quitting as Your Superpower – with Dr. Lynn Marie Morski appeared first on NextFem.
The power of your words – it’s probably something you haven’t given much thought to on a regular basis. We all can agree that our words have the power to build someone up, tear them down, trigger unimaginable pain and suffering, or bring immense joy, happiness, and self-worth. Why don’t we put more emphasis on […]
The post Harnessing Your Mind to Feed Your Strengths and Starve Your Weaknesses – with Mary Shores appeared first on NextFem.
What if someone could tell you the secret to saying “no” without being a jerk and the secret to pursuing real joy and happiness in your life? These two things alone could make your life easier and richer – but, wait, there’s more! My guest today, Amy E. Smith has unique insight and witty wisdom […]
The post Finding Joy, Saying “No” Without Guilt and Putting Your Needs First – with Amy E. Smith appeared first on NextFem.
Sometimes, in the most difficult spots we end up gaining the most. That’s exactly what happened with today’s guest, Nathalie Molina Niño. As her career coincided with the growth of internet technology, she learned everything she could to become the successful entrepreneur that she is today. Nathalie Molina Niño is a serial tech entrepreneur, founder […]
The post Making Your Business a Profitable Investment, Not a Philanthropic Endeavor – with Nathalie Molina Niño appeared first on NextFem.
What are your limiting beliefs? What if there were practical steps you could take to rewire your brain and create new pathways for confidence and success? This show holds the answers to making effective changes and taking your achievement to the next level. My guest, Karen E. Brown is on a mission to eradicate limiting […]
The post Take Your Achievements to the Next Level by Unlimiting Your Beliefs – with Karen E. Brown appeared first on NextFem.
What if you could reframe every failure as a stepping stone to impending success and growth? What if you could view every no as yes that just hasn’t happened yet? In today’s show, I’m introducing you to the ultimate growth mindset in human form – Tiffany Pham. Her inspiring story of a relentless work ethic […]
The post Celebrate Failures, Pinpoint Your Purpose and Never Settle for “No” – with Tiffany Pham appeared first on NextFem.
Courage, risk-taking, integrity, authenticity – all of these play into effective leadership and executive presence. We are talking about these topics and more today as we find nuggets of wisdom and practical knowledge in today’s conversation with my amazing guest. Suzanne Bates is the CEO of Bates, and is an internationally recognized thought leader in […]
The post Cultivate Executive Presence to Enhance Your Leadership Influence – with Suzanne Bates appeared first on NextFem.
What are the psychological effects of being diagnosed with a medical condition? What if the condition is incurable and has likely caused weight gain, the growth of facial and body hair, mood swings, anxiety, depression, and infertility? You would want help from a mental health professional if you received this diagnosis of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), […]
The post The Mental Side of PCOS – It’s Not Just a Bad Mood – with Dr. Gretchen Kubacky appeared first on NextFem.
Are you a switcher? If you’ve moved from one career to another, then you are a switcher, which is becoming a more common theme in today’s workplace culture. Some people are afraid to make a career move because they fear being labeled a “job hopper,” or some other negative connotation. Today’s guest, Dr. Dawn Graham, […]
The post Switching Careers to Land Your Dream Job – with Dr. Dawn Graham appeared first on NextFem.
What does it mean to truly find your soul purpose? You’ll hear today how it’s so much more than following a dream or pursuing a passion. We are discussing intuition, soul contracts, and Akashic records. You’re guaranteed to be intrigued by this discussion! Jennifer Longmore is an internationally-acclaimed soul purpose expert, three-time bestselling author, and […]
The post Intuition, Soul Contracts and Akashic Records to Unlock Your Soul Purpose – with Jennifer Longmore appeared first on NextFem.
Would you like to defy the aging process? Would you prefer your mature years to be a time for you to bloom into your full glory? Mary Jaksch joins the show today to discuss how you can reset your life’s clock. Mary Jaksch is a Zen Master, psychotherapist, author, blogger, expert on personal fitness and […]
The post From Crossfit to Zen Master: It’s Never Too Late to Reinvent Yourself – with Mary Jaksch appeared first on NextFem.
Have you felt it? There are many words to describe it – that feeling of being stuck, stagnant, “in a rut,” and tired of the same old thing. If you’ve lived enough years to be in midlife, then you can probably look back at what you anticipated your life would be and realize that reality […]
The post The Ambition Decisions: What Counts as Success for Women – with Hana Schank and Elizabeth Wallace appeared first on NextFem.
What is it that makes some people extra resilient, willing to persevere through even the toughest obstacles, laughing in the face of the fear that stops others in their tracks? There are many words to describe this quality, but more importantly, it’s easy to see the results, because the people who overcome are the ones […]
The post Helping Others Achieve Their Dreams Before You Achieve Yours – with Carmela Rea appeared first on NextFem.
Is negative energy in control of your life? You might be surprised to know that negative energy can take a toll on your mind and your body. We are discussing energy and so much more in today’s “can’t miss” episode. Carolin Hauser-Carson is an award-winning author, pleasure whisperer, and soul liberator. Traumatic events in childhood […]
The post Don’t Let Negative Energy Block Your Path to Purpose – with Carolin Hauser-Carson appeared first on NextFem.
What is your leadership style? Can you balance a strong influence with a softer side that truly cares for those you lead? Society seems to brainwash us into thinking that these two ends of the spectrum are mutually exclusive and simply cannot coexist with success. Today’s guest, Lisel Welden, proves that leadership that cares can […]
The post Scaling Compassionate Leadership from Nike to Lyft and Beyond – with Lisel Welden appeared first on NextFem.
Do you show your true self on social media? Could you “put it all out there,” the good, the bad, and the ugly? As you shrink in horror at these questions, you’ll probably admit that you’ve bought into societal pressure to project that image of perfection. Today’s show is about being real, being raw, being […]
The post Being Real Without Being a Hot Mess – with Christine Wild appeared first on NextFem.
Are you tired of the grind of the 9 to 5 world? Maybe you’ve dreamed of working independently from home as a consultant, freelancer, or independent contractor. Chances are that you envision the opportunity to maintain a healthy income combined with increased flexibility, autonomy, and control over your own success. The gig economy may hold the answer for you. Don’t miss today’s show to find out more!
Diane Mulcahy is here to discuss the flexible work force, the future of work, and what people should consider if they want to make the leap from full-time employee to well-paid gig worker. Diane is a writer, speaker, consultant, and a current adjunct lecturer at Babson College. She is also a Senior Fellow at the Kauffman Foundation and the author of the book, The Gig Economy. Her class at Babson on the gig economy was named by Forbes as one of the Top Ten Most Innovative Business School Classes in the country. Her work on the gig economy has been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, The Harvard Business Review, The NY Times, The Wall Street Journal, PBS, and as part of NPR’s future of work series, among others.
Diane’s background as an innovative thinker
After attending Harvard for both undergraduate and graduate school, Diane knew right out of college that the traditional style of work was NOT for her. She wanted ways of working that provided more geographical flexibility and more flexibility in working with a variety of projects, assignments, and people. Diane eventually figured out how to make this work, and she has been working independently--and NOT in an office--for over a decade. In “practicing what she preaches,” she has created an interesting portfolio of creative gigs over the years.
What is “the gig economy”?
Diane begins by explaining that the gig economy is NOT Uber drivers! The gig worker is anyone who is not a full-time employee in a full-time job that might function as a consultant, independent contractor, freelancer, part-time worker, and on-demand worker. Don’t think of the gig economy as a marketplace for disposable labor, because it actually covers a wide range of income levels, education levels, and a huge number of industries and sectors of the business world. Skills diversification is easier within the gig economy because of the online learning opportunities that are available to help people acquire specific skills. Labor platforms exist for these workers in which specific skills and job experiences are targeted.
The pros and cons
You might look at the gig economy and think it’s a glamorous world! Diane says the glamour comes from the control you have over your life and the freedom to decide when and where you work best. Diane loves to be “geographically agnostic,” not having to be in the place where her employer or client is. What independent workers love is being autonomous, flexible, and having control over their work and their schedule. One drawback is that the transition from full-time work is challenging and managing the “small business” aspect of this work can seem intimidating. If gig work is for you, Diane says you have to exercise personal preference in what you like to do, then try to minimize or outsource everything else.
How the gig economy works for procrastinators
Like anyone who works from home in any capacity, being a gig worker can be difficult for those who tend to procrastinate. Not having set demands on your location, schedule, and work can be too much freedom if you’re not careful. Diane says that having clear deadlines works well for motivation, even for interim work. Some have found that working for a specific amount of time and then giving themselves some kind of reward is beneficial. You have to figure out what works best for you in managing your energy and focus. Fortunately, there are many apps that can help you set goals, manage distractions, and even allow a virtual ( or literal) co-working experience.
Job security vs. income security
Diane says that there is no job security anymore in full-time jobs, even for the best workers. You have to face the velocity at which our current economy moves and how rapidly companies can change through takeovers, mergers, acquisitions, and startup failures. It’s simply a myth that you’ll have job security if you’re a good worker. For income security, you have to evaluate the lifestyle you live vs. the lifestyle you want. Consider your priorities, values, and what success really means to you. Step back and look at the fundamental building blocks of your life and see if you need to make changes to have the income level to support your ideal lifestyle. Diane says, “Don’t fall into the trap of the status quo.”
Being a gig worker through the phases of life
The gig economy can be for anyone of any age. Millennials work in the gig economy mostly in side gigs, due to their limited work experience and their passion, curiosity, and need to network for the future. Mid-career people tend to work in the gig economy because of the flexibility, because most of them want to protect family time. Their intent is different from millennials, in that some have the goal to start their own businesses and they want to “test the waters” to see if they can make a living. Retired workers realize the need to stay engaged and earn the extra money they need, so the gig economy is perfect for them. In the gig economy, independent workers still have to save for retirement through a traditional IRA or Solo 401(k). Most people don’t know that they can save faster because the contribution limits are much higher for independent workers.
What to charge for your work
Diane advises that you research and figure out what others in your field are charging. Young people may not realize their value and be tempted to settle for less. Have an advisor like an accountant or financial planner to consider your options for investing and saving. Approach independent work as you would in running your own business. Understand what others are charging and where you fit into the competitive market. Diane says that it’s OK to start out charging a little less, but be conscious of moving up the “client value chain.”
Listing independent work on a resume
Side gigs can be listed under community and volunteer activities. Remember that not all side-gigs are income generating. List independent work under “other work experience” on a resume. Some independent workers form an LLC or business, and then list clients and the types of work they do. The trend on LinkedIn iis to use generic descriptions of work and then more specifics in the profile. Diverse work experiences will always make your resume or LinkedIn profile much more interesting.
Highlights of the Episode:
Resources:
The Gig Economy by Diane Mulcahy
The Number by Lee Eisenberg
Fem Five:
Favorite book for women? The Gig Economy and The Number by Lee Eisenberg
Favorite self-care hack? “Periods of silence and solitude”
Best piece of advice and who gave it to you? “I don’t remember who gave it to me, but, ‘Follow your energy. You’re more likely to be productive, efficient, and high quality if you follow where your interest and vibe is leading you’.”
Female thought leader of CEO you’re into right now? Susan Fowler of Uber and the reporter Sarah Lacy
One piece of advice you’d give your five years younger self? “Take the silence and solitude and time and reflection to figure out what you want---and go after that.”