In Episode 4 of #BrightIdeas, Autumn and I talk a lot about back-up plans and “if” versus “when” in terms of failure. We discuss how the way we frame aspirational planning to young people can completely alter their potential for success, and how the paradigm needs to shift.
Speaking with Autumn was such a pleasure! Her bright, sunny demeanor is freeing – and she says it like it is, which you know I love!
“What if we never questioned our ability to succeed?”
We talk a lot about defining success and coming into our own in terms of what that means.
What is your definition of success? Money? Power? Sitting at the table?
Is Success bigger than that? Living your purpose, maybe?
I came to a point where I reached all of the goals I set for myself, and quite honestly, it was a daunting period in my life… “What’s next?” rang loudly in my head, 24 hours a day. Shifting my perspective to purpose-based metrics allowed me the freedom to stop thinking and worrying all the time. Every day, I ask myself whether or not my actions that day made me happy, or proud, or satisfied. If they did, then it was a good day. If they didn’t, I think about what I can do differently the next day. Operating from a place of awareness and possibility is much more fun than feeling like you’re working against a timeline.
We talk about millennials and their ability to redefine success using the tools that they were raised on. Autumn says, “Maybe they’re onto something…”
Are we approaching the end of creativity?
I won’t spoil the rest of Episode 4, as it’s definitely worth the watch.
About Autumn
Normally, I would paraphrase an excerpt about my guest, but I can’t do Autumn’s writing justice, so I’ll leave it in her own words:
“I was raised on a steady diet of stories and magic by two young hippies who were more interested in adventure than rules. My wild childhood was good soil for me to bloom into an adult completely obsessed with storytelling.
Writing and storytelling are the only things I’ve ever really been interested in. I earned a BA in English from University of South Florida (GO BULLS!) and an MA in Writing from Manhattanville College. During my time in NYC, I worked as an Editor in Chief at a literary journal, a fiction associate at a literary agency, and an editor for illustrated books at Random House.
When the grind of New York City became too much, I came back home to Florida and started my digital marketing career. I’ve worked with brands like Walmart and Nestle, but I’m most proud of my work with local businesses and non-profits. I remind brands to BE human first. Only when we are all communicating as humans can we tell great stories — the brand’s stories, their customer’s stories, other stories that are simply too good to keep to ourselves. Woven into the storytelling is a strategy that moves an audience from passive viewers to enthusiastic fans.
I started my own book coaching, editing, and ghostwriting company in 2020. Like a lot of creatives, the pandemic sparked in me a desire to return to my first love — BOOKS. It is a kind of magic, to change a word or cut one line and watch a story suddenly come to LIFE. It is a beautiful alchemy when someone transforms from “I could never write a book” to “I’m a writer!”
That’s what I do M-F 9-5. When I’m not at the grind, I spend my time being a mom, baking sweets, reading just about anything I can get my hands on, writing short stories, and debating zombie apocalypse survival strategies. You know, regular human stuff.”