What inspires me? You!

Lauren Novo is a senior at Florida State University with a double major in Media/Communication Studies and Creative Writing. Additionally, she serves as the staff writer for Trusteria Services, a regional company in Tallahassee, and as a public relations staff assistant for RB Oppenheim Associates, a local PR agency. Connect with her on Twitter, LinkedIn and read her blog, Gen-Y PRogress: Lauren Novo’s PR Journey.

Last week, Jason asked what inspired me. He invited me to write a guest post, highlighting why it is I’m always giving back to others, through my blog in particular.

I was flattered. But also taken by surprise. Jason is the one who continuously shares my posts; who leaves encouraging comments on my blog; who asks how my week is going and offers to help in any way he can; who recently contributed to my “Art of” series; and who dropped everything he was doing to write me a glowing letter of endorsement for an award entry.

And he thinks I give back? He wants to know what inspires me?

What inspires me… is all of you. All you professionals who take the time out of your chaotic lives to pay it forward to the next generation of PR pros.

Seriously, think about it. Deirdre Breakenridge is recognized as one of the industry’s greatest thought leaders. She’s written highly acclaimed books and owns her own company. Valerie Simon is a vice president at BurrellesLuce and freelance writer for The Examiner.

Do you think either of these two women needed to start #PRStudChat – a monthly Twitter chat between PR students and professionals—to build up their resumes and portfolios? I doubt it. They have already “made it.” What they are doing is above and beyond. They are selflessly giving back as devoted mentors.

There’s also Arik Hanson, an APR-certified professional who has participated in various local and national online initiatives. Most recently, he teamed up with Valerie to start the “Help a PR Pro Out” (HAPPO) campaign. He has a job. In fact, he owns his own business. He doesn’t need to concern himself with helping PR job seekers connect with employers. It’s a choice. An admirable choice.

I could go on and on, but you get the point.

So yes, I do my best to give back too. I use my blog to help my peers when opportunities arise. As an extension of the HAPPO initiative, I’ve started a “PR Job Seeker of the Week” series every Friday. But so what?

I’m only 21 years old. I’m a senior at Florida State University for another month, but a student always. I’ve got a long way to go. There is much more I can and will do, and I have my many mentors—both near and far—to thank for that.

That’s what inspires me.

What inspires you?

Five Ways to Celebrate Your Success.

“What we do in life echoes in eternity.” -Maximus (Gladitor, 2000)

How many times have you been asked, “Are you successful?” If so, what did you answer? If you answered no, take a step back and think.  At any point in your life, you are a success.  It doesn’t matter if you are 18 or 38 years old, we all have been successful.

The problem is that we mostly measure success in physical ways, like how much money we make.  However, success is what YOU define it as.  If you think making $50,000 a year is a success, so be it.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

For others thought, it may be completing a course in marketing or becoming certified as APR in public relations.  The bottom line is that we all have successes, or victories, during life.  We just don’t celebrate the little ones, we tend to celebrate the “bigger” ones.

Take the time to celebrate the small successes because when the bigger ones happen, you won’t be surprised.  Here are five ways you can help measure your own success.

1.  Make your goals attainable- Don’t set out to do something that is wildly impossible.  Start small and work your way up.

2. Rate yourself- Are you happy with where you stand currently?

3. Preparation- Arm yourself with as much information as possible.

4. Stay focused- Don’t let ANYONE push you off course.

5. Be confident- This is most important.  If you aren’t confident in yourself, how can you even start on the path to personal success?

Starting now, view yourself as a success.  As you build your portfolio and resume, these little success will help you in life.  It will lead to bigger things as well.

GO WITH CONFIDENCE!