Social Media + Finding Your North Star

It was 2011 and I was sitting behind my desk as the Marketing Manager at a Private Equity firm, where the highlight of my day was ordering lunch with one of the Analysts I had befriended.

He'd teach me how to analyze a company’s growth potential for acquisition, which lit my brain on fire. I found it fascinating.

But then I’d go back to my little cubicle where I’d send my ideas off into the place where all good ideas go to die - someone’s inbox.

I’d stare out of the window knowing there had to be something more than this.?

I had no idea what it was, I just knew it wasn’t this.?

All I had was this vision of being around creative people, being able to work on a variety of projects, and someday speaking on stages.

One day my brother sent me an email with a link to a Youtube video and the message “thought you’d like this”

It was a video of Gary Vee talking about Social Media and the Thank You Economy.

He painted a picture where empathy was central to winning in this space.

This is it! This is what I’m meant to be doing.?

There wasn't a lot of info out there at the time so I started testing strategies out myself and shared learnings on my blog.

I lined up interviews with different advertising agencies because no business was hiring for social media yet, they were still asking about the ROI.

I ended up joining a digital agency as their first Social Media Manager in a team of 3.

And within a few years, there wasn’t a person in our 300+- agency who wasn’t somehow involved in social.

I was leading the social department until I eventually quit 4 years ago to start up my own social media coaching business.

Social media changed my life.

But all through university and up until this point I had never had a North Star. Only a knowing that when I find it I would know.?

I had moved around in the corporate world and never felt like I fit in.?

The good news is it is totally ok. Sometimes it’s not possible to know what you want to do in the future because it doesn’t exist yet.

My former self had no clue that my future career was something I could aspire to.?

The world is changing quickly and the options for our Northstar are constantly evolving.

Instead, I’ve always been guided by things that are impactful and keep me curious.

And this internal compass guided me to leave places I’d outgrown, to pivot, upskill and evolve until I found my North Star.

And when I look back in hindsight - I'd say the 3 principles to finding it was:

How does it feel?

Intuitively it felt right, there was an inner knowing about it.

What lights me up?

Looking at it on paper it was at the intersection of the things that lit me up. It bridged my fascination with strategy, consumer psychology, and creativity.

What are my values?

It aligned with my values of spontaneity, curiosity, and empathy.

Following your North Star isn't always linear, but following your intuition will make sure you always feel aligned.

H x