Moonshot Mentor with Laverne McKinnon

We live in a world in which stressors are non stop. Combine that with a culture that values grinding away and a “never give up, never surrender” attitude and we’ve got a recipe for disaster.  So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or just plain drained, you're not alone. It's not uncommon to grapple with depleted resilience and struggle to bounce back from curveballs.But here's the thing: resilience isn't just a trait you're born with—it's a skill you can develop and nurture. In my latest blog, I dive into the art of resilience-building to help you reclaim your inner strength.Imagine a life where setbacks don't derail you, where challenges become opportunities for growth, and where you feel empowered to face whatever comes your way with confidence and grace. I share a real-life story of someone who has just done that.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit moonshotmentor.substack.comListening is the cornerstone to a successful and long career, fostering loving and compassionate relationships, and building confidence and esteem. I write and talk about listening frequently, and yet I haven’t taken the extra step to hear from you by asking what’s important in your life and in your career. Would you be willing to fill out a brief questionnaire that will help me become a better listener? Your answers will shape my future blog posts and future offerings.I’ve got so many ideas on how to deepen and expand our community and I would love to learn more about your priorities, what’s most on your mind, and where and how you want to grow. My purpose in life is to help other people across their finish lines. It’s an honor to do this work one-on-one, in groups, in workshops & retreats, and here in this space. I love hearing how you’ve finished screenplays and novels, pivoted your careers to find joy, asked for a raise and a promotion, started new businesses, and found work-life balance.I’m inspired by the transformations I’ve witnessed by clarifying your values, articulating your life purpose, naming and doing battle with the gremlins, giving yourself permission to grieve career setbacks, and envisioning and living a life that brings you fulfillment. Truly, it’s an honor. If you like what you’re reading, please subscribe or share. It will help me reach my moonshot of 5000 subscribers.Finally, and most importantly, I want to thank you. I was terrified when I first launched my blog, petrified when I added the blogcast (aka the podcast of me reading my blog), and then frozen in fear when I added the video component. Your thumbs up, hearts, and comments gave me the courage to keep going, and over time, my fear has thawed, and I’m ready to keep challenging myself - all because of you. I deeply appreciate your time and consideration. Thank you for filling out this questionnaire. You’re helping me reach my moonshot. 

I’ve just had a major personal breakthrough by doing something that is totally out of character for me. I shut my mouth trap. Thanks to Craig Ferguson for the pro-tip on the three questions I need to ask myself before speaking up. It’s such a battle of ego vs. empathy! Check out this week’s blog, which involves Trader Joe's Movie Popcorn,  the best chicken kabob pita sandwiches from Amir Falafel, and whoops (!) forgetting to turn off the car.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

Should I quit my job is one of the most frequent questions I get asked as a career coach. Whether you're pondering your current job satisfaction or considering a career change, this week’s Moonshot Mentor blog offers practical insights and strategies for making informed decisions.I take a business tool I learned when I got my MBA and repurpose it for career assessment. It’s called return on investment (ROI), and it challenges you to evaluate what truly matters to you in your career and how to maximize your professional fulfillment. It provides a powerful framework for assessing the true returns we receive from our jobs and examining the investments we make in our careers. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

As an overachiever, I’m always looking for ways to define and measure success – especially as it relates to being in command of my career journey. In this week’s blog, I share how to use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to redefine success on your terms which includes saying goodbye to endlessly comparing yourself to others. Which we all know is not helpful at all .. and yet so hard to stop!  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

Have you ever worn a tank top or flip flops in the winter? Have you ever thrown perfectly fine milk out because the sell by date is in the past? Have you ever dumped a healthy plant because it’s no longer in season? These are all examples of how our society is overly focused on what’s new and what’s in season.In today’s blog and podcast, I take that mistaken belief system that “new is better” and look at it through the prism of ageism in the workplace.  I explore its prevalence, manifestations, and impact on individuals. Additionally, I examine how ageism intersects with the concept of disenfranchised grief, shedding light on the emotional toll it can take on older workers. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

Assessment is the key to career longevity. Judgment is the fast track to being a flash in the pan. Assessment creates a path forward. Judgment creates a black hole. Assessment is curious and full of possibility. Judgment is a slammed door. Check out this week’s blog to learn more about how assessment over judgment is the cornerstone to career clarity and growth. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

Have you ever heard the phrase “fake it till you make it?” There’s definitely value in embracing this approach, but a more effective way to gain confidence is to lean heavily into courage — which does not mean pretending to be something that you’re not. When seeking to bolster your confidence, the one crucial ingredient you can't afford to overlook is courage.In this week’s blog, I explore the correlation between courage and confidence and share three tips on how to grease the wheels of confidence building. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

I had  a scary wake-up call recently when I was caught in the whirlwind of juggling multiple responsibilities while neglecting my own well-being.  It was a valuable lesson for me on how stress often lurks beneath the surface and then rears its ugly head and stops me in my tracks.  But here’s the thing, I actually think I’m pretty good at self-care. This recent experience though taught me that I was checking off boxes rather than truly getting the rest I needed. In this week’s blog, I share what happened as well as a brief look at the societal norms and workplace expectations that contribute to the normalization of stress, particularly in the entertainment industry. I also offer up practical strategies for recognizing and addressing the warning signs of stress in our lives so we can course correct together and take care of ourselves.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe

It's the end of January and I'm wondering if all your good intentions on how you're going to navigate the year and achieve your goals is slipping through your fingers? If yes, you're not alone. (If no, you’re a rock star!) Setting goals can be a thrilling ride, but often, the road to achieving them is paved with unexpected twists. If you've ever found yourself frustrated or contemplating ditching your dreams, this week’s podcast is for you. I explore the seven biggest mistakes in goal-setting and how to get yourself back on track.Check it! 🚀 This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit moonshotmentor.substack.com/subscribe