​

Hey Reader -

Transition is upon us, with many people feeling left in the messy middle. One theme has emerged in my conversations: People want to live on purpose. Creating a life filled with people, places, and things you love sounds enticing, but does it also seem overwhelming? You're not alone if you're unsure where to start.

Here's the good news: It's possible to break down big goals into manageable, realistic, and attainable pieces. In the September series, Pivot with Purpose, we'll discuss how you can take charge of your next chapter by using your favorite people skills—like shrewd problem solving, creative thinking, and powerful collaborations.

Reinventing Can Be Fun

Lyn Slater didn't set out to be a fashionista. She was working as a social worker and decided to take a class to ease the mental load of her daily grind. She signed up at The Fashion Institute of Technology after learning their classes weren't limited to designers—a happy accident.

Lyn loved frequenting consignment shops and had a knack for paring striking black and white choices with bold pops of color. A fellow student loved her style so much that she dubbed Lyn "The Accidental Icon"—another happy accident.

Soon, Slater posted photos and blogged about her favorite designers, especially Japanese artists. Her posts quickly led to almost a million social media followers.

Lyn reflected, "Because I'm constantly reinventing myself, my life is always a surprise. I'm an improvisational person. I'm very in the moment. That thinking has served me well. It has created endless adventures, surprises, incredible friendships, and profound learning."

Be Cool, Calm, and Killing It

The word "purpose" can feel heavy, weighty, and serious. However, the case study shows that people living their purpose aren't stern, grim, or trying to capitalize on a splashy trend. Their enthusiasm and authenticity make them a natural magnet for lucky breaks and positive attention.

You may be thinking, "This sounds good, but my mental chatter keeps telling me a million reasons why it won't work." Reframe what your mind is telling you like a road trip. The nervous backseat driver, overanalyzing every possible direction, rarely gets to the destination faster.

By contrast, imagine a driver who thinks on their feet when they hit a surprise roadblock. The person who is agile, taking a sudden thunderstorm in stride. And bonus points if they keep their sense of humor and crack a few jokes along the way.

Likewise, you can practice the same qualities as you reinvent. Competencies such as handling adversity, listening to your instincts, being curious, and having the courage to follow that curiosity make for more than an enjoyable trip—they're also valuable marketable skills.

So, calm your concerns and cast yourself in a new role. Although you're navigating twists and turns of a new road, you can also be the driver who's cool, calm, and killing it.

Here are three mindset swaps to kickstart your next era:

The bottom line is simple: Having fun and living life on purpose can go hand in hand. So, release the tension that comes with needing a picture-perfect plan. Make the most of a new path that includes fresh alliances and the joy of happy accidents.

All the best,

Michelle Mains

​

Keep the Soul Boss inspiration going!

• Check out my latest book, Soft Skills Basics in a Flash​
• ​Michelle Mains on Pinterest​
• ​Michelle Mains on Instagram​
• ​Michelle Mains on Twitter​
• ​Facebook Soul Boss community ​
• Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Amazon Music​
  ​
• Soul Boss inspiring books about soft skills at Amazon​