[quote]Get clear on what I want, why it’s important to me, talk to my top 1% team to understand key issues and gain a different perspective, take small steps, and disregard challenges. And the real key is to actually take your idea and put it into action, work really hard, and disregard the word “no.”[/quote]
Alissa is the Founder and CEO of Finerman Living LLC. She is a Business/Life Coach, motivational speaker, and author of Living in Your Top 1%: Nine Essential Rituals to Achieve Your Ultimate Life Goals. She traded in a Wall Street career so she could give back and inspire others to do what they love and raise the bar in their life. She bridges her experiences as a former professional tennis player, Wall Street professional, and motivational coach to inspire others to think bigger and get results. Alissa holds an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and a BA from the University of California, Berkeley. She received her coach training from New York University.
Alissa works with entrepreneurs and business people with or without titles and speaks to organizations to empower people to convert their ideas into actionable steps. She has appeared on national radio stations including CBS, Citadel Broadcasting, and Clear Channel Radio, and has worked with the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the Milken Scholars Program, LA Business Journal, Universal Sports, Merrill Lynch, Pepperdine Law School, Dress for Success, and Vistage International. She has been featured in theHuffington Post and is a regular contributor to Virgin.com (Richard Branson’s site). She believes anything is possible when you are ready to move forward.
Alissa was an All-American tennis player at the University of California, Berkeley and competed on the Women’s Professional Tennis Circuit, achieving a world ranking of #202 in doubles. She continues to challenge herself and completed a half Ironman triathlon and was ranked #1 in the USTA National Women’s 40 Doubles in 2008 and 2009.
What are you working on right now?
I’m negotiating a deal with a Korean publisher to get my book, Living in Your Top 1%, translated and published in the Korean market. This is my first international deal so it’s exciting.
What does your typical day look like?
I no longer have a “typical” day and this is why I love what I do. Each day brings a new opportunity and source of inspiration. That being said, I get up every morning pretty early and fill my day with a mixture of inspiring things such as coaching clients, writing articles for some great sites including Tiny Buddha, Virgin, and The Daily Love, giving/preparing talks (I’m speaking at the NAWMBA conference in Dallas and at Dress for Success in LA), preparing proposals, reading material from my industry, learning, and carving out time for myself to do yoga, play tennis, or hike.
What is the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
The worst job I had was my last job in finance because I was completely unfulfilled in my work. The company told me one story when I was hired and then a different story once I worked there — needless to say, it was not where I wanted to stay long-term and eventually left that role to start my own coaching business.
3 trends that excite you?
Change in distribution methods of publishing, power of social media, increasing impact of coaching.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Get clear on what I want, why it’s important to me, talk to my top 1% team to understand key issues and gain a different perspective, take small steps, and disregard challenges. And the real key is to actually take your idea and put it into action, work really hard, and disregard the word “no.”
What inspires you?
People, new ideas, learning, and people who redefine what’s possible.
What is one mistake you’ve made, and what did you learn from it?
Waiting until I was 40 to redefine the meaning of success which for me is about making a positive contribution to the world.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I’m willing to share all of my ideas. So feel free to email or post any question on my Facebook Page. The best idea I can give people is to go after what you want today and to believe in yourself. Any age is the perfect age to pursue your passion. Nelson Mandela sums it up perfectly, “It always seems impossible until it is done.”
What do you read every day, and why?
I love to read and spend time reading what influencers in my industry are saying to stay up to date on trends …when I read books, it’s always personal development books. I like Success Magazine, Harvard Business Review, Wharton Journal, various blogs in my industry including The Daily Love, Tiny Buddha, Seth Godin, and other sources such as Forbes, CNN, CNBC etc. I think it’s really important to stay up to date on what’s going on in your market.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read, and why?
There are so many incredible books and it really depends where you are in your life and what you are looking for…since I just wrote my first book, I think that’s the obvious choice for those looking to be inspired and turn their ideas into action. The book is called, Living in Your Top 1%: Nine Essential Rituals to Achieve Your Ultimate Life Goals. It’s a quick read and a great way to raise your game. Right now, I’m reading The Art of Happiness.
What is your favorite gadget, app or piece of software that helps you every day?
I’m always on the go so my blackberry is key for me (yes, I know I need an iPhone)…and I love my iPod for working out!
Three people we should follow on Twitter, and why?
This really depends on what industry you’re in….I follow people that make me smile, think, inspire me, or are influencers in the personal development space.
Who would you love to see interviewed on IdeaMensch?
Steve Jobs and Oprah.
When is the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it.
Today, after class talking to my yoga teacher!
How do you make a change if you’re not happy in your job?
This is a really common question. I think the first step is to be honest with yourself that where you are is not working. Then you have to get clarity on where you want to go. This is the tough part of the equation. You do this by reading different books, talking to people in various industries, and working with a coach or mentor. I spend the majority of my time with clients in this area because often people are good at their job but it’s not fulfilling. Once you have clarity on where you want to go, it’s a matter of having the courage to take a small step and start to turn your ideas into action. It’s a process like everything else.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job as a coach?
Seeing people experience top 1% moments in their life and making their vision a reality. I love seeing clients do what others think is impossible.
Connect :
Please connect with me on FB, Twitter, and LinkedIn. You can learn more about coaching on my website, sign-up for my monthly newsletters, and take the Living in Your Top 1% quiz at www.AlissaFinerman.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/alissafinermantop1
Twitter: @alissafinerman
Link to book on Amazon, Living in Your Top 1%
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.