(Almost) every Friday, I curate the best links on how to find work that you love, be excellent at what you do, and unlock any door that stands in your way. Here’s your list for today!
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
FIND WORK YOU LOVE
Is life “harder” now than it was for your parents…at least in terms of finding great work? Is the economy affecting our “spiritual self-confidence?” This NY Times columnist has an intriguing perspective.
Feeling adrift? Here are 100 fascinating questions to help you remember who you are…and what you’re amazing at doing. Here’s my fav: If a mysterious benefactor wrote you a check for $5,000 and said, “Help me solve a problem — any problem!”…what would you do with him or her?
Oprah visited the Stanford Business School and had a few things to say on career, life and leadership. I love this up close and personal video interview with Lady O.
BE YOUR OWN BOSS
Got a million things on your to-do list? Don’t even know where to begin? Here is the complete guide to structuring your ideal workday (including tips on when, exactly, to suck down that first cup of coffee!)
Renting a house or apartment? It’s tough to figure out how much you can afford…when you’re not sure how much you’re going to be earning, each month! If your income is not-so-consistent, here are some smart tips on how to sort out your budget.
Still drowning in debt? Here are 3 really smart money-management tips. (I have to say “I second that emotion!” to #3. A tough one to accept, especially for boot-strapping types like myself.)
NEAT TOOLS AND INVENTIONS
Speaking of expenses…before you budget for food, check out the new non-food sensation: Soylent. Cooking is overrated anyway, right?
More popular than Monopoly? Apparently, old-school board games are having a comeback. If you’ve ever dreamed about designing your own game, now’s the perfect time!
Is Chrome your favorite web browser? Here are 13 extensions and apps that you won’t believe you ever survived without.
LIFE LESSONS
A thought provoking TED talk on “failure” by Sarah Lewis. Turns out coming in “second place” might give us more motivation than winning the blue ribbon.
Nobody wanted to believe that a “mere kid” could invent something so groundbreaking. But even after 199 rejection letters and 1 “maybe,” he still kept going…and diagnosing pancreatic cancer will never be the same.
Heart-wrenching spoken word poetry from the always-brilliant Sarah Kay. If you have a daughter, sister or a mother, share this with them.
GET OUT OF THE HOUSE
Visiting New York? Need a caffeine fix? Here are the best places to go.
Want to take a vacation this summer … but still need to buy plane tickets? Here are three mobile apps that can help you book flights with supersonic ease.
I love this multi-generational exchange project that pairs students in Brazil with Americans living in a retirement home. (The seniors help the kids with their English. The kids help the seniors feel more connected to the world. A win-win!)
Find great work. Do great work. And have a great weekend!
—Ellen
Images: Paul Strand and Carolyn Allen Photography.