Hello,
This week I interviewed Emily Heckman, a book editor, and writer. The best part of her day is when she can figure out how to make an author’s messages clearer, basically solving their problems. The worst part of her day is the isolation of her job. She described it as “My job is solitary, it is hushed, and high focus works with no interaction.”
I then asked her is your job your passion or your purpose? She then sighed and said, “that’s a great question.” She then said it’s both, and that she started by following her passion, and then once responsibilities came into the mix like children, it began to become her purpose. Then I asked her what did you want to be when you were young? She said a flight attendant first so she could travel a lot, then a photojournalist which she was one, then she ended up being an editor/writer. She truly wants to be a writer, but she said it’s not in the cards for now.
How she got her job started with working in a press in Berkeley, then worked in New York at big-time presses, then in freelancing which doesn’t pay as much but is just enough. She then commented on how working with new writers is harder, but really helped her learn because the writer and her, the editor were learning together. But then, on the other hand, working with prominent writers like Stephen King because they were experienced also helped her become a better editor.
I then asked her if you had another job what would it be? Then she surprised me and said a lawyer, she would go to law school then defend the copy write of artists, musicians, and writers. She says the most important thing is for a person to be acknowledged for their work.
I then asked for advice, and here it is: To make space in your life for creative endeavors and to do what you love. Then she said I know that sounds cliche, but my advice is more don’t give up doing what your love to make a living.
This week a learned a lot. I learned that most people just want to solve problems. In every single one of my interviews, everyone has said that their favorite part of their day is solving problems which are very interesting. I also learned that motivation leads to success. Emily is an example of motivation leading to success.
Comment below a time where your motivation has lead to great success.
Thanks,
Alegra
I then asked her is your job your passion or your purpose? And she just said, “It’s my everything.” Her only other passion is taking care of her son’s cat. When she was young and all her life she only wanted to be a dancer. I mean dance is her everything.
How she got the job, she has today all started with her roaming around and living out of a suitcase. She was working professionally as a dancer then, and she would take any job she got. She said it was the time of her life, but when she came to the quaint town of Santa Barbara, she decided to settle. She said it was the most beautiful town she’s ever seen. I then asked if you were to have another job what would it be, and she said I can’t imagine another situation.
I asked her for wise words for the young, and here they are. Follow your passion, there is no other way. Too often we say follow the path that pays the most money. But follow your passion even though it does not spend a lot of money.
This week I learned a lot about how to approach how to get a job, and how your job affects your lifestyle. This interview made me want to follow my heart and to believe in myself. I thought about how it worked for Mrs.Rudenko, that she’s lived her life fully. And I thought I want to live my life fully and to pursue everything as much as I can. This interview made me consider the direction that my life is going in. And that sometimes the course of your life can be unknown.
She thinks her job is her passion and her purpose. One thing she really loves his dogs and animals in general. She has a dog named Karma and loves her very much. She said that if she had another job, she would volunteer with dogs or work in a shelter. She said she would even walk dogs just so she could have the opportunity to work with dogs.
When she was young she wanted to be a teacher, then a social worker. I thought it was interesting she didn’t precisely pursue either of these and that instead, she was a probation officer for 18 years. She got this job because she knew Janet Wolf from a previous post, and offered to volunteer for her once she decided to run. I found it interesting that she did not expect to get this job, and she got this job by taking advantage of the moment. I think that this proves that if you use opportunities to your advantage, it turns out well.
Her wise words for the young are to do the things you love even if it’s volunteering. Hang around people with similar interests, and maybe you will be inspired. And to be ready for unexpected chances because they will come up.
Her favorite part of her work day is working with customers, and watching her staff learn and grow. She also said when an event is successful it makes her happy. I enjoyed hearing this because it inspired me to care more about others.
The worst part of her workday is a tricky customer or stealing. This made me realize that in the real world difficult or scary things happen and you have to deal with them to be an adult.
She then described how she has many passions and purposes and that this job has passion and meaning to it. Her other passions included Interior Designer or a Chief-Operator of multi-national cooperation. At this point, she laughed and said I just love solving problems and organizing things.
Then I asked what did you want to be when you were young? And she said an artist, a costume designer, and then finally a business owner, which she is today. This made me think that when your 16 or even 20 you can have no idea what to do with your life and eventually you’ll find what you want to do.
Every week from now on I will leave with wise words from each person I interview so here’s the first: She stated don’t worry about finding the perfect career, volunteer, try new things, experience things hands-on, and you will see your path.
passionvspurposeblog 