I spent 9 years climbing the corporate ladder in a career in finance, but after a 2 week Contiki trip to Italy in 2002 I decided to completely change my life and become a tour manager and I have never looked back.  I’m able to manage detailed logistics & multi task, while at the same time be incredibly excited & giddy when I see something fun, sparkly or tasty.  I can easily get a full bus worked into a frenzy over a specific scone, dessert or beautiful site.  From a work perspective, the most prevalent compliments that I get about myself are my organizational skills, my attention to detail and the fact that I treat everyone equally regardless of their “status” within an organizational structure.  Then once they see past the “hard skills” it is often my positivity, genuine excitement for the joy of life and gratitude over the little things that are remarked about (and that I laugh a lot and loudly).  In my corporate days I used to keep these 2 aspects of myself completely separate (serious hard working in the office, fun only with friends).  Once I started tour managing I realized that by embracing and authentically sharing all facets of my personality, I could create a space of safety and security for clients along with a huge amount of laughter & joy.  Being fully myself gave them permission to be fully themselves and created genuine moments of connection with my groups.  If I had to narrow my life down to one specific trait/ motivation it would be to both seek joy & choose joy (both sayings which are plastered all over my home 🙂