Meet Octavia Goredema: Career Coach, Host & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Octavia Goredema and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Octavia, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I would say the most important factor behind my success is being focused. I prioritize the work that really excites me. I’ve learned how to laser focus on what I want to do, and the steps I need to take to do that.

I set big goals, but I try not to let them overwhelm me. I just focus on the next step, one at a time. I think it comes down to be being willing to do the work, and not being too attached to if things go wrong or right. No one wants to make mistakes of course, but if you don’t try stuff, you’ll just never know. I make so many mistakes! Of course, they sting in the moment, but then I pick myself up and try and figure out how to fix it.

I’ve also learned to trust my instincts and to pay attention to what I need to do my best work. For example, right now I’m writing a book. At the beginning, I had to learn how to approach writing each chapter while also handling all my work commitments that included managing a team, delivering coaching services and hosting a weekly show.

At first, I tried blocking out an hour here and an hour there for writing on my calendar. That failed miserably. Other stuff would crowd into those slots, and even when I honored the time, it took me a while to get into the flow of what I needed to do. When the hour was up, I didn’t have much to show for it, which was so frustrating. I came to realize I needed to try carving out an entire day, not an hour. I changed my approach, and it made a huge difference.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m the founder of Twenty Ten Agency, a career coaching company. We work with companies across the United States, and we specialize helping underrepresented professionals advance their careers.

I became a career coach because I’m passionate about helping people reconnect with their potential. Especially, during the hardest of times. During the past year, the pandemic has thrown so much at so many. I’m incredibly proud of how we’ve supported individuals as they endeavor to do their best at work during the toughest of times. This feels more important, and more rewarding, than ever before.

In addition to my work at Twenty Ten Agency, over the past few months I’ve co-hosted a weekly show about leadership for Harvard Business Review. I’m also currently writing a book, that will be published by Wiley, to help underrepresented women navigate their careers.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in the South Bay, so a walk along The Strand from Redondo Beach up to Manhattan Beach is a must do. The beaches are so beautiful. Make sure to catch a spectacular sunset from one of the hills overlooking the ocean in Palos Verdes. And if you can, make sure to try Dilan’s Caribbean Grill food truck. You can track where it is via their Instagram @dilanscaribbeangrill. It visits my office a couple of times a week and the food is so delicious. Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Pinterest has powered so many of ideas, projects, and accomplishments. For me, the ability to visualize what I’m working towards is incredibly important. Whenever I have the seed of an idea for a project I want to embark on, I start a Pinterest board. Then I start pinning, brainstorming, researching, and planning. Then, after I’ve visualized it, Pinterest helps me focus and stay on track. Every night, before I go to sleep, I review my boards and mentally prepare for the next day.

I also use Pinterest to track my accomplishments. I create a board for each calendar year, and then I pin photos of the special moments. It’s much better than writing a list because you can see it. By the end of each year I can reflect on milestone moments, large and small, that I may otherwise have overlooked or taken for granted.

Website: http://www.twentytenagency.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octaviagoredema/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/octaviagoredema/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OctaviaGoredema

Pinterest Profile: https://www.pinterest.com/octaviagoredema