I love sharing the hunt everywhere I go, with everyone I meet. I thought I would ask the hunters I admire to share what success means to them so we can all learn from the amazing people I am fortunate to know. In this space, you will hear from politicians, outdoors enthusiasts, and entrepreneurs – each of whom is hunting down what means the most to them.
Meet Suzy Farbman. She is my mother, an inspiration and one of the foremost hunters in my life. From birth, she taught me to respect nature, to love life and to be myself. None of these were easily taught or learned, but I like to think we are both better for it. I always remember her actively writing and observing the world around her, it was one of the reassurances I leaned on when I decided to author a book myself. Suzy is strong in ways I will never be and I love her all the more for it.
1. What does success mean to you? Success to me is being the best I can as often as I can. And balancing family, career, friend and personal time:
As a parent: Knowing my children are leading productive, constructive and loving lives.
As a wife: Scheduling together time, communicating, compromising, acknowledging, listening, loving, and letting go.
As a friend. Checking in. Not taking things personally.
Emotionally: Being grateful for so many blessings. Experiencing joy every day. (And when I’m feeling anxious or less than joyful, trusting that the feeling will pass.)
As a creative person. Expressing myself—whether writing a book or blog post, setting a table, designing a room or just cooking a pot of soup.
2. How do you set goals? I try to do something productive every day. Also, to limit my objectives, based on time and energy constraints. At this point, I am trying to improve at golf and bridge. When our children/grandchildren are around, I focus on them
3. What was your breakout moment? I can’t name just one, each breakthrough in my career: my first job as an ad copywriter in Chicago; next as a journalist with Fairchild Publications; then with the Detroit News; Detroit Monthly, Better Homes & Gardens. Then publishing 2 books. Then starting a blog. I think breakout moments keep happening. Cancer was also a breakout moment. It helped teach me how loved I am. And how, with the grace of God, good medical attention and a loving family and friends, to carry on.
4. Who was your greatest influence? My mother, Barbara Handel, for her creativity and wit. (I was also deeply motivated by her regret in not pursuing a career earlier in her life.) My grandmother, Deborah Wilkus, for her grace and elegance.
5. How do you influence others? I am convinced the best way to influence others is to look for the positive in them. To sense their best traits, acknowledge them and show confidence in them and their abilities.
