Today, we get to meet Paula. We all know and love Paula for for being a wiz at websites and all thing’s social media, but, today, we get to get to delight in her wisdom. I think the the thing that strikes me most is her balance between work and play. I know she talks about the WWW as the Wild World of the Web, but I would like to change that around a bit to describe her: She is a Wiz, is super Witty and fun when you spend time with her, and has a lot of Wisdom to share. When you encorperate your values of empathy, kindness, and creativity as main tenets of your business, you build solid relationships. When you give in these relationships from the heart with no expectations, you receive more that you thought possible!
Share something about yourself that can’t be found on your resume.
Growing up, I secretly wanted to be on Broadway, particularly in musicals. I was active in show choir and school plays in high school. My most acclaimed role (in the Vernal paper no less!) was being the wicked stepmother in Cinderella. I still enjoy that creative part of me, but would never want to do it as a living.
Who is/has been your role model/mentor? And what is one key thing they taught you?
One of my early role models was a manager at the U of U library during college, Walter Jones. He taught me that regardless of what your experiences in life have been, you can choose to remain kind and have empathy for other people. He was a very mild-mannered person who had lived through some harrowing and horrible experiences, but kept his perspective clear and his belief in the worth of others strong. His was a good example of leadership.
If you could travel anywhere in the world – money is not an issue – where would you go and why?
I’ve always wanted to go to Fiji. I loved the musical/movie South Pacific and that vision of a mystical island has stuck with me as a vision of paradise.
What is a motto or phrase you live and/or work by?
At its most simple, try to walk in someone else’s shoes. Compassion is your gift to yourself.
I’ve always loved the story of the Two Wolves: The old man tells his grandson the story of the two wolves inside of people who do battle. One is evil – anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, resentment, false pride, lies and ego. The other is good – joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, empathy, compassion, generosity, truth and faith. When the grandson asks which wolf wins, his grandfather says “the one you feed.”
Who is your must-listen-to or must-read author, blog or video blog? How do they inspire, motivate, encourage and/or help you?
I love to read for fun and relaxation, so most of my book recommendations are Sci Fi or Fantasy novels. Guy Gavriel Kay is one of my favorite authors, one of those with a book that kept me up all night alternately crying and smiling. For inspiration on a more practical level, Maya Angelou is someone whose perspective on life reaches out and taps me on the heart.
Any last words of wisdom to share with UTWNG members and future members?
Build great relationships in your life. What you give to other people comes back in unexpected ways and at unexpected times, but giving without expectations is the only way those times will be able to surprise and delight you.