99 THINGS WOMEN WISH THEY KNEW BEFORE GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THEIR DREAM JOB is a speed read written by professional race car driver, Sarah Fisher, that gives women the knowledge and tools to broaden their careers. Peppered with quotes from other female pioneers who have made names for themselves in their respective industries, this book offers success stories and tips aimed at creating opportunities for a new generation of women leaders. Whether you’ve just begun window-shopping for your dream job or are finally kicking up your heels in your own corner office, use this guide to harness the horsepower of your own potential.

Excerpts

#2: Learn to be an Inspiration to Yourself

Inspiring yourself is rooted in realizing who you really are. Developing who you are means providing yourself with opportunities to challenge yourself and push the limits of what you can become.

When I’m in the race car, I push the car to the edge of its limits. We are constantly pushing the car until grip is no longer existent. Then we challenge it to go one-step further for increased speed. Sometimes this results in a crash. But, when we crash we gain a plethora of data about the car. That data will not only prevent us from repeating the error, but also continue to support our endeavors towards safety. We can then realize what the tipping point is and how far we can push the envelope the next time.

I’m inspired to overcome challenges; not only from my experiences, but also in learning from others. Having mentors and role models remains as important today as when you’re a kid. Learning from those who have come before us who have achieved success is important. The knowledge and inspiration they provide will light a fire within us to carry forward toward what we aspire to be.

Being inspired means not losing touch with the things that make you feel alive, while keeping your mind focused on your interests. It also means setting and working towards your goals. For me, there’s nothing more inspirational than achieving something I’ve set out to do.

Sometimes inspiration comes from making time for yourself, regardless of how busy you are or how fast you’re driving. The best ideas come when you least expect them—and when your mind is unclouded.

Karen Jackovich is an Emmy-winning expert in television development, programming, producing and Executive Producer at GoldJack Entertainment, LLC. Jackovich spent time as Executive Producer at People Magazine Television Development and at NBC News. Jackovich shares her thoughts on being an
inspiration to you:

Perseverance and a good attitude are two things that stand out in any successful career, as well as in your personal life. This is nothing new. Those old sayings, like “When fate hands you a lemon, make lemonade.” (Dale Carnegie) and “When one door closes, another one opens.” (Alexander Graham Bell) might seem like New Age rhetoric, but, with today's economy and shrinking job market, you really need to reinvent yourself while keeping up with the trends in your industry. Above all, keep a positive attitude. People expect miracles to happen every single day...and sometimes they do!

#17: Brag Binder

Besides your portfolio, it is good to keep what I like to call a “Brag Binder.” This is usually in the form of emails from satisfied clients or notes of praise from your boss.

In your list of email folders on your computer, add one and call it “Brag Binder.” Whenever you get an email thanking you for a job well done, appreciation for staying late to finish a project, or a glowing email from a client; drag it straight to your brag binder. Also, print out a hard copy to add to your portfolio.

Potential employers will love reading about what an asset you could be to their business!

 

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