Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Shelley Paxton as seen in PBS, Forbes, CBS, CW, and Thrive Global is an author, international speaker, & transformational coach. She can best be summed up as a burnout fighter and fire re-igniter who is rebelling for rewriting the traditional script of success starting with her new book, SOULBBATICAL: A Corporate Rebel’s Guide To Finding Your Best Life (published by Simon & Schuster 1.20). Shelley spent 26 years as a highly regarded marketing and advertising executive, stewarding some of the world’s most iconic brands, including Harley-Davidson, Visa, McDonald’s, and AOL and walked away from it all to launch her own company, Soulbbatical and become the Chief Soul Officer of her own life. Her mission is to liberate the souls of leaders and organizations by inspiring them to realize their greatest purpose and potential. As a certified professional coach, she works with executives at Fortune 100 companies & with fellow rebel soul individuals and entrepreneurs. She holds a marketing degree from Boston College and graduated from iPEC, one of the country’s premier coaching certification programs. Paxton has trained with some of the top teachers in the world including Brene’ Brown, five-time New York Times bestselling author.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
SOULBBATICAL: A Corporate Rebel’s Guide To Finding Your Best Life
I wrote the book I wish I’d had as a guide when I walked away from Harley-Davidson and a wildly successful 26-year career as an Advertising and Marketing executive. The only (adult) life I’d ever known. I know what it’s like to feel scared and alone and still convinced to your core that there’s got to be more to life; a greater calling and purpose. And, I know how amazing it feels on the other side. This book is me putting an arm around the reader saying, “I got you.” Let’s go on this Soulbbatical journey together.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t know if these are unusual, but they work for me:
I’ve trained myself to write to a Deep Focus playlist on Spotify. I start the playlist 5-10 minutes before I’m ready to dive into writing. It gets my brain primed.
When I’m in book writing mode, I set aside entire days for writing versus smaller chunks of time. This is the best way for me to get into creative flow (and I recently learned that neuroscience backs this up!).
Before I start writing, I do a guided creativity meditation (usually on the Calm app).
The most inspiring places for me to write are in nature (near water) or by a cozy fire.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m a Brené Brown devotee. I love her insight, humanity, struggle, and tell-it-like-it-is straight talk. Her work is leading a movement and I want mine to do the same!
What are you working on now?
In addition to speaking and coaching, I’m launching my own podcast called Rebel Souls in early Fall (2020). The mission is to awaken the rebel within each of us and use it as a force for good. I’ll be having conversations with business leaders, entrepreneurs, authors, activists, artists, athletes, and anyone else who is rebelling FOR who they are, what they want, and the impact they want to have in the world. We’ll be celebrating inspiring stories of authenticity, courage, and purpose. Stay tuned!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social Media, my newsletter, my publicity team at Noel Elie Productions and encouraging readers to share what resonated with them.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Authenticity is the truest form of rebellion. Show up, be you, own your voice, and the magic will happen.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
On the other side of fear is everything you want. Well, that’s my interpretation of what I heard, and it’s been a go-to mantra for me ever since. It helps me to convert fear to fuel when I need it the most.
What are you reading now?
I’m a non-fiction junkie and one of those people who always has her nose in multiple books at a time. At the moment, here’s what’s on my nightstand:
The Soul of Money:Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Life by Lynne Twist
Food Fix: How to Save Our Health, Our Economy, Our Communities, and Our Planet – One Bite at a Time by Mark Hyman, M.D.
Fierce Free and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You by Jen Hatmaker
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People to Talk About Racism by Robin Diangelo
What’s next for you as a writer?
I can already feel the ideas for book #2 (and possibly #3) percolating. But I’m slowing myself down to savor the moment of my very first book baby being out in the world. It’s a dream come true – I don’t want this moment to pass me by. Follow me on Instagram (@soulbbatical) to learn about future projects as they unfold.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The one that I go back to again and again, and recommend and gift most often, is The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav. Pure gold.
As I joke in the book, I traveled with a back-breaking load of personal development books (yes, the good old-fashioned paper kind) for inspiration. My biggest influences and other favorites included:
Brené Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection, Daring Greatly, Rising Strong
Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning
Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art
Gay Hendricks’ The Big Leap
Tim Ferriss’ Tools of Titans
Michael Singer’s The Untethered Soul
Jen Sincero’s You Are a Badass
Author Websites and Profiles
Shelley Paxton Website
Shelley Paxton Amazon Profile
Shelley Paxton’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account