Two Questions That Changed Everything
My book is about how I answered two questions with a knowingness I never knew existed.
“If this is the next 30 years of your life, is this enough?”
That’s the question my heart whispered to me during the height of my corporate success.
The second question was a simple one from a little girl in a homeless shelter. She rocked my world and started a national movement I could never have imagined.
From Corporate Success to Purposeful Impact
Purpose, Passion and Pajamas: How to Transform your Life, Embrace the Human Connection, and Lead with Meaning, is the story of my leap off the corporate ladder to find my life’s true calling. Going from corporate executive to nonprofit founder wasn’t easy, but after massive fear and doubt, overdrawn bank accounts and credit cards, countless sleepless nights, and tears that could fill the Atlantic, I overcame challenges I thought would ruin everything. I met each turn with faith, determination, and moxie.
I found and powered my purpose, and the chain of events set in motion by that little girl is creating a legacy we can only attribute to the magic of the human connection. “Heart of the Matter” lessons at the end of every chapter provide the insights and lessons that supported the creation of the Pajama Program. This year, the Program celebrates its 24th anniversary, having delivered more than eight (8) million pajamas and books to date through its 40 chapters around the U.S.
This journey has taken me from Marketing VP in the television business in NYC to a little girl’s question in a homeless shelter to Oprah to boardrooms and stages across America to teach about purpose and the human connection.
Leading with Purpose and Inspiring Change
Inspiring others to follow their heart became the message that grew louder for me with every page I wrote. While I had “bosses” in my corporate career, I was learning what true “leadership” really means. I wanted to share many of the lessons I’ve learned because they don’t apply just to starting something new. They pertain to how we find our North Star and live our days, and how we lead others. As Pajama Program grew, I was amazed at how many times someone asked me how I left my job to enter unknown territory. When I soon realized most of those questions came from people who silently wanted to do the same thing. I realized I had something valuable to help them with their own introspection process and journey.
Finding Meaning and Creating Lasting Impact
My book resonates with those looking for a life and career path with meaning. Many who find themselves in a job that feels empty. Leaders will discover the roles that purpose and human connection play in the success of their organizations now, and how the impact of their vision leaves a legacy that lifts people for generations to come.
Honesty, Lessons, and the Power of Connection
Thank you, “Authors’ Lounge,” for sharing my book with your members! When we are open about the uncomfortable turns and stumbling blocks we face on our paths, we are supporting and empowering others to face their rocky roads.
Revealing all the things I did wrong as well as right, and the challenging times I faced and how I barely made it through turned out to be the most valuable advice I could give in my book because it’s honest. My book is filled with ups and downs, just the way life is!
I share many life and leadership lessons including, “It’s not the Power of One that changes things, it’s the Power of One-ANOTHER that moves mountains and moves people.”
A Guide to Amplify Live Insights
I am speaking now, and my goal is for my book to be a guide that offers more of the life and leadership insights I offer LIVE audiences.
Empowering Leaders and Building Legacies
I am now a TEDx speaker and am writing my third book. Following Purpose, Passion and Pajamas, my second book, Purpose, Passion and Moxie: How to Lead the Way and Leave a Legacy, is a workbook to help you start a nonprofit from scratch to success.
Supporting leaders and teams is an integral part of my work now. I produced and hosted two national Purpose Summits in New York and created The Purpose ACER workforce training program and 12 Masterclasses to help leaders align the goals of the company with the goals of its employees.
Many local and national media have been generous in supporting Pajama Program and our story including OPRAH, TODAY, GMA, The Early Show, CNN, Fox & Friends, The Huckabee Show, O Magazine, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Glamour, SELF and Parenting Magazines. A highlight of my journey was the day our Pajama Program staff rang the Nasdaq Stock Market Opening Bell in 2016. A graduate of Fordham University, I live in Irvington, N.Y. with my husband, Demo.
For more on my work:
https://www.genevievepiturro.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevievepiturro
