We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shaun Pezeshki. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shaun below.
Hi Shaun, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
When I think about my resilience, it’s been shaped by a lot of personal struggles and growth over the years. I grew up as a gay kid with Filipino and Iranian roots in the early 2000s, which wasn’t exactly easy. I felt like I didn’t fit in anywhere and faced a lot of rejection.
There was a time when I was so desperate for acceptance that I even tried catfishing online. It’s not something I’m proud of, but looking back, I can see it came from a place of feeling really insecure and just wanting to connect with someone, anyone.
All these experiences – dealing with people fetishizing my race, battling stereotypes in the dating world, even transitioning from my party-hard 20s in San Francisco to seeking deeper connections in my 30s – they’ve all contributed to building my resilience.
It hasn’t always been a smooth ride, you know? But each challenge forced me to really look at myself, figure out who I am and what I value. I’ve had to learn to accept myself, flaws and all, and to have empathy for others who might be struggling too.
I guess you could say my resilience comes from this ongoing journey of self-discovery. It’s about taking those tough experiences, learning from them, and using that knowledge to become stronger and more self-aware. Even now, I’m still working on finding that balance between being true to myself and navigating societal pressures.
So yeah, my resilience? It’s rooted in all these experiences – the good, the bad, and everything in between. It’s about taking those hits, reflecting on them, and keep moving forward, always trying to grow and find my place in the world.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
So, let me tell you a bit about myself. I’m Shaun Pezeshki, and I’ve built my career around being a bit of a techie for businesses. You know how sometimes companies have all these great ideas for optimization but struggle to make them happen with technology? That’s where I come in.
I’ve got this mix of marketing know-how and tech skills that I’ve been using to help all sorts of businesses get more bang for their buck. It’s not just about throwing the latest gadgets at a problem – it’s about finding smart ways to use technology to really engage people and make a difference to the bottom line.
What really gets me excited? It’s when I can blend creativity with tech solutions. There’s something magical about taking a client’s vision and turning it into a reality with the right tech strategy. Whether I’m working with a small brand or a bigger agency, I love diving in, understanding what they need, and then mapping out a plan that’s going to work for them.
But you know, there’s more to me than just the tech stuff. I’m really passionate about making the world a bit more inclusive. I like to advocate for Asian, Middle Eastern, and LGBTQ+ communities mostly through writing. I also sometime write for a publication called Prism & Pen, which is all about amplifying LGBTQ+ voices. It’s important to me that my work isn’t just about business, but also about making a positive change in the world.
Now, here’s the thing – I’m actually at a bit of a crossroads in my career. I’ve done a lot in the tech strategy world, and while I’ve loved it, I’m feeling this pull to try something new. I’m not quite sure what that ‘something new’ is yet, but I’m excited to find out. I’m in this phase of exploration, you know? Trying to figure out where I can take all these skills and experiences I’ve built up and use them in a fresh way.
So while I can’t tell you about a new product launch or a big expansion, what I can say is that I’m on the hunt for my next big adventure. I’m keeping my eyes open for opportunities where I can really make an impact, maybe in a field I haven’t even considered yet. It’s both scary and thrilling, but I’m ready for the challenge.
I guess what I want folks to know is that I’m not just a tech guy or just an advocate – I’m someone who follows his passions. And right now, I’m on the lookout for that next thing that’s going to let me do just that in a new and exciting way.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
First off, adaptability. Man, has that been crucial! Especially in tech, where things change faster than you can blink. It’s like, one day you think you’ve got it all figured out, and the next day there’s some new trend or tool that flips everything on its head. Being able to roll with those punches, to pivot when I needed to, that’s been huge. If you’re just starting out, my advice would be to get comfortable with change. Embrace it, even. Every time something new comes along, see it as a chance to grow, not as a setback.
Second, I’d say creativity. And I don’t just mean in the artsy sense. It’s about bringing that creative spark to problem-solving. In my field, it’s not enough to just fix issues – you’ve got to come up with solutions that no one else has thought of. That’s what really sets you apart. For the newbies out there, try to expose yourself to all sorts of different experiences. The more diverse your knowledge base, the more creative your solutions can be. Don’t be afraid to think way outside the box – that’s where the magic happens.
Lastly, and this might surprise some people in tech, but empathy has been absolutely key for me. Whether I’m dealing with clients or working on social causes, being able to really understand where people are coming from has made all the difference. It’s not just about hearing what people say, but really getting what they need, you know? If you’re early in your career, practice active listening. Really try to put yourself in other people’s shoes. Trust me, it’ll pay off big time, both professionally and personally.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When life starts to feel like it’s piling up on me, I’ve got this go-to move that really helps – I write. I’ve got this blog that’s basically just a public diary. It might sound a bit weird, putting your thoughts out there for everyone to see, but man, does it help!
There’s something about getting all those jumbled thoughts out of my head and onto the screen that just… clears things up, you know? It’s like, once I start typing, I can actually start to make sense of what’s going on in my mind. And yeah, I try to keep it semi-professional, but it’s still pretty raw and real.
The cool thing is, it’s not just for me. Sometimes people read what I’ve written and they’re like, “Dude, I totally get that!” It’s kind of amazing to realize you’re not the only one dealing with this stuff. It makes you feel less alone.
When things get really crazy, I’ve got a few other strategies:
I break things down into tiny bits. Like, if I’ve got this massive project that’s freaking me out, I’ll chop it up into these little baby steps. Suddenly, it’s not so scary anymore. It’s just one small thing at a time.
I’m not too proud to ask for help. Sometimes you just need to vent to a friend or get some advice from someone who’s been there. It’s amazing how a quick chat can totally change your perspective.
I try to do this mindfulness thing. I know it sounds a bit woo-woo, but seriously, just taking a few minutes to breathe and be present can really chill you out.
And this one’s big – I set boundaries. I used to be terrible at this, always saying yes to everything. But now I know it’s okay to say, “Sorry, I can’t right now.” You’ve got to protect your own time and energy, you know?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shaunpezeshki.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/shaunpez
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/shaunpez
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/shaunpez
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