Meet Paulette Perhach

We were lucky to catch up with Paulette Perhach recently and have shared our conversation below.

Paulette, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I definitely get my resilience from my experience in Peace Corps. I went to Paraguay without speaking more than a little Spanish. They also mix in the indigenous language, Guaraní, and I struggled so much with learning the language. But if I wanted to feel like a human being instead of an alien, I had to learn the language. My only other option was to go home. I had to dig deeper than I ever had in my life for the grit to study as much as I had to study. The frustration and humiliation were intense. But I learned Spanish and left with a mid level of Guaraní, the language in which I still often cuss when needed. My Spanish is one of my most prized assets because I worked so hard for it. I carry the grit it took me to earn it today.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a writer who helps others honor the little girl they were who dreamed of being a writer. I do that through my coaching program, The Finishing School for Writers, and through my software, The Writer’s Mission Control Center. Apart from that, I work on essays, articles, and my novel.

Whereas other brands focus merely on craft or productivity, we take a holistic approach and also help writers with mental health, wellbeing, and joy.

Everything is based on my FINISH Framework, which helps writers get their work done.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Mastery: The idea that I’m always learning and am committed to going above and beyond the level of effort most people are willing to put in. (I didn’t learn to be this way until I was almost 30, however. ) I suggest just 15 minutes of studying a day.

Resilience: Learning to shorten the Pout Zone and get straight to Reset Mode has been essential. The best way to improve this skill, sadly, is to just keep getting your ass kicked. Stay in the ring.

Community-Building: Surrounding myself with people working on the same goal has brought me joy, belonging, and a heightened sense of community. Go to events! Email writers whose work you love! Join an online writing group!

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

I was greatly changed by Carol Dweck’s Mindset. It taught me the importance of believing that you can improve. It’s the only way you can improve.

I often help my coaching students recognize when they’re in a fixed vs. growth mindset. If they say, “I’m not good at titles,” I’ll suggest something like, “Titling my work is a skill I’d like to work on more.” The doors just open.

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