April 8, 2025 • 36 mins
In this episode of Purpose Project, host Leslie Pagel interviews Kristina Fattorusso, an entrepreneur and realtor who found her purpose in an unexpected way. Kristina shares her journey from corporate America to a thriving career in real estate, driven by her passion for helping others. The discussion explores the importance of aligning personal purpose with professional life, overcoming limiting beliefs, and maintaining a balanced mindset. Kristina offers insights into how purpose and passion integrate into the workplace and the benefits for both individuals and businesses.
00:00 Introduction to Purpose Project
00:21 Meet Kristina Fattorusso: Entrepreneur and Realtor
01:42 Discovering Personal Purpose
02:51 Purpose in the Workplace
06:23 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs
07:26 Kristina's Journey to Real Estate
14:45 Aligning Personal and Business Purpose
19:37 Mind, Body, and Spirit: Integrating Purpose
20:52 The Power of Routine and Time Blocking
23:17 The Importance of Connection
26:05 Maintaining a Positive Mindset
28:33 Purpose in the Workplace
34:11 Final Thoughts on Purpose and Limiting Beliefs
Purpose Project is a research study on the topic of life's purpose. You can follow along in the making of Purpose Project:
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LinkedIn: @purposeproject-media
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Leslie (00:04):
Purpose can have a way of showing up when we least
expect it, and this story is aperfect example of that.
Hi, my name is Leslie Pagel andwelcome to Purpose Project.
In this episode, I sit down withKristina Fattorusso.
Kristina is an entrepreneur,she's a realtor, and she is
(00:25):
someone whose path to purposehappened in a very unexpected
way where her instincts led theway to a thriving business,
rooted in her purpose of helpingothers Kristina brings powerful
insights about purpose in theworkplace.
Let's take a listen.
(00:46):
Kristina, thank you so much forbeing on Purpose Project.
I am looking forward to having aconversation about how purpose
shows up in the workplace.
Kristina (00:55):
Thank you so much, Leslie.
I'm looking forward to it.
Leslie (00:59):
Before we dive into the topic, share a little bit with
us about you.
Who is Kristina, both personallyand professionally?
Kristina (01:09):
Sure.
Um, so Kristina Fatso.
I live in Northern Pennsylvania.
I was born and raised in NewJersey and then made it over to
the Pennsylvania side back in2001.
Um, I've been in corporateAmerica for 25 years and then I
delved into real estate, whichI've been doing for almost eight
years.
(01:29):
Um, I work with my husband, sowe're a team and I'm licensed in
New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
So it's been fun to see thecorporate side and now as a 10
99 employee on the other side.
Leslie (01:39):
Very cool.
Very cool.
Um, a question that everyonegets asked on purpose project
is, do you have a personalpurpose and if so, what is that?
I.
Kristina (01:52):
My personal purpose is to help other people.
Um, I have this innate, uh, Iguess feeling that I get so
excited when I help otherpeople.
So that's why real estate hasbeen such a good fit, because I
get to help people, whetherthey're selling or buying or
investing, um, sitting at thatclosing table and just seeing
the smile on their face, thatthat's all the satisfaction I
(02:15):
need.
Leslie (02:16):
Yeah, I remember home shopping about 20 years ago and
um, yeah, it's a big investmentand having people to help you
alongside that, um, I canimagine is a rewarding I.
A, a great way of living outyour purpose.
Kristina (02:33):
Definitely.
Yeah.
And, and you know, it's theirbiggest financial, decision and
move that they're gonna make.
So it gives me great pride andalso comfort to know that they
trust me and that they, I canhelp them with that entire
process from beginning to end.
Leslie (02:49):
Absolutely.
So season one of Purpose projectwas very focused on individuals
who had clarity in theirpurpose, and they were living it
out every day.
And one of the things that Irecognized is that I.
Sometimes they were living itout through their work, like
getting paid for it, and othertimes they weren't.
(03:12):
And it, it got me reallyinterested of this topic, which
we're here to talk about todayof purpose in the workplace.
Mm-hmm.
And would love to hear yourthoughts on how, just, how does
purpose show up in theworkplace?
Kristina (03:27):
So I, I feel that, you have to have a passion for what
you're doing.
So if you don't, and it's like anine to five grind and it's, I
always think of that commercialtime to make the donuts.
So if you have that feeling, Idon't feel like that's really
suiting your inner purpose.
If you, if you get up and you'reexcited to do what you wanna do
(03:48):
every day, and you don't payattention to the time, um, my,
my day flies by and, you know,I, I don't have.
Set hours and, and I don'tthink, oh, I have to do this or
I have to do that.
I just, I do the work and Idon't think about it.
So I feel like you have to bepassionate about what you're
doing and, and that from, thatstems your purpose.
Leslie (04:09):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
That is definitely somethingthat emerged in season one is
this, this overlap of purposeand passion and.
And it was almost like, thepassion was how purpose was
lived out.
Yeah.
It's kind of what you're sayingis like, if you can find your
(04:31):
passion in the workplace.
Then it could be a place thatyou could live out your purpose.
Kristina (04:38):
I agree.
And I feel like also, you couldhave your passion and it could
take you, to different places tofind your purpose.
So, you know, you could pick anindustry, um, something that
you're good at and, and it couldstem to other opportunities if
you're passionate about it andyou have that innate purpose.
That drives you forward.
And I feel like it's also aboutenergy.
(05:00):
So if, if you're open to that,you're gonna draw those
experiences to you.
Whereas if you're in somethingthat you don't enjoy, um, and
you're not happy about it, thenit's, again, it's, it's kind of
like you're, you're just goingto work and there isn't any
other purpose that you'regetting out of it.
Leslie (05:18):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
And I have to imagine that thereare people out there that are
doing that, right?
They're, they're working injobs.
That aren't aligned with theirpurpose is, have you ever been
in that situation?
Kristina (05:34):
Yes.
Yeah.
Um, you know, starting out incorporate America, at first you,
you just wanna get a job.
You wanna be able to havebenefits and get paid and, and,
um, then you can, you can buildon that.
But, um, there are positionsthat people are in that they're
not happy.
Um, and you could either sit bythe wayside and just.
(05:55):
Keep doing it and be miserableor think, you know, this is it,
or, and those are limitingbeliefs.
Or you can expand and think ofsolutions instead of focusing on
the fear.
Um, you know, and thelimitations.
You can think outside the boxand think, okay, I'm not happy
doing this.
What am I good at and whatdrives me?
(06:17):
Um, and that's gonna propel youforward.
Hmm.
Leslie (06:21):
I love that.
Could you say a little bit moreabout the limiting beliefs?
'cause that's the first timethat's come up on the show.
Kristina (06:29):
Okay.
Yeah.
Um, you know, the, there'speople with limiting beliefs.
You could think, I don't haveenough money, I'm not good
enough to do.
Um, you know.
Said task, and, and you, you getin your head.
So when you think of, uh, thesaying, mind over matter, if
you, if you kind of get out ofyour head and stop sticking to
(06:50):
those limiting beliefs, whichyou know, it, it turns into
negativity.
And so again, that's what you'redrawing to yourself.
If you're stuck in, I'm nevergonna have enough money, I can't
pay my bills.
But if you open yourself up andremove those limiting beliefs
and kind of expand.
The way that you think andbecause what you think, um, you
(07:11):
can make that a reality, right?
So if you're focused on that allthe time, that's what's, that's,
you're gonna stay there.
But if you, if you remove thoselimiting beliefs and get past
that, then sky the sky's thelimit.
Leslie (07:23):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Do you mind sharing your storyof getting to being a realtor?
'cause.
Yeah, you shared it with me andI think it's a, I think it's a
story of fate really.
Um.
I don't know, but yeah, shareit.
Kristina (07:41):
I, I definitely think it was fate.
So I was in corporate America,um, at the time for 20 years,
and, uh, they had eliminated11,000 people.
Um, anybody that was a directorabove.
And so of course I was.
Heartbroken and thought, oh mygoodness, now what?
And I was driving the one dayand I saw this sign outside that
(08:04):
said, real estate classes starttoday.
So I just kind of, my, thesteering wheel, I didn't even
think about it.
I just kind of.
Pulled into the parking lot andwent inside and, and asked if I
could sign up for the classes.
And, um, it took about threemonths and then you had to sit
for your test.
But I just, I, I love it.
Um, I've always loved houses.
I love working with people andhelping people.
(08:27):
And my, uh, first year I hadrookie of the year, not only for
my region, but for the company.
So, you know, again, it, it goesto the point that you may not
think that you're good atsomething, but if you have an
innate passion.
For something.
I, I feel like it draws it outand, um, you know, I, I, at
first, I'm not gonna lie, I wasworried about, you know, as a
(08:48):
realtor, you, you could, you,the typical person, you could
probably make 30,000 the firstyear, and then you build on
that.
Mm-hmm.
Um, because you don't get paidif, if, if the transaction
doesn't close.
So.
Um, I actually, uh, was, wasthinking about that and then I
got a call from a vice presidentthat who was also laid off and
(09:10):
he went to a different company.
Um, and he asked me, he said,you can work remotely, can you
come work for me?
I know you're still doing realestate, so you could do both
and, if you get into a bind,just.
Just talk to me, tell me if youhave a closing and, and I'll
cover for you.
So it was like I couldn't evencreate, um, a better situation
or scenario.
(09:31):
And I did that for three and ahalf years.
And then I was solid on the realestate side.
And so I decided to leavecorporate America altogether.
So again, it was, you know, thelimiting beliefs at first.
Like, oh, I'm not gonna haveenough money.
How am I gonna pay?
And then after that, I justthought, I can do this.
I, I can make this work.
(09:51):
And then, you know, different, adifferent opportunity came
along.
Leslie (09:54):
Mm-hmm.
Had you, at the time that thishappened, where you lost your
job, you see a sign and just gutinstinct respond to it at that
point?
Did you already have?
Clarity in your life's purpose.
Kristina (10:12):
So I, I like to do a dream board every January.
I feel like it sets the year.
Um, and I went back and lookedat my dream boards and I noticed
that they all had differenthouses, like the architecture or
different rooms I love to read.
So I always had a picture oflike a chair sitting in front of
a built-in bookcase.
So I've always been drawn tothat and, and I, I kind of
(10:36):
laughed when I thought about it.
Um, it was kind of like I was, Iwas planning it and then, you
know, the opportunity came upand I just pulled into the
driveway and signed right up.
Leslie (10:47):
Wow.
Yes.
Yeah.
At that time though, was itclear to you that like.
That I want to be working in ajob to help people.
Like I,
Kristina (11:00):
it was, so that's, I did think about that, that, I've
been working for these companiesand working toward their goals
and, what do I like to do?
What's my goal?
And, and it was, um, workingwith other people or how could I
help other people and, and realestate, I mean, that's.
That's the whole job descriptionin a nutshell, is that you're
helping other people.
(11:22):
So it, it was a nice transitionand I, and I thought, you know,
I wanna work on my own.
I wanna be creative.
And being a realtor, you can getcreative with that.
So I went and, I took mybroker's license for
Pennsylvania, so I have mybroker's license, so I don't
have to sell all the time.
I, I could go and, and run anoffice, open an office or, um,
(11:45):
you know, there's differentopportunities with management.
So even though you're, a 10 99employee, there are other
avenues.
I know some realtors that go onto be appraisers.
Some that do interior design.
And staging.
So a again, with the limitingbeliefs, don't just think that
you're pigeonholed into acertain career.
(12:06):
Mm-hmm.
Leslie (12:07):
Um,
Kristina (12:07):
just think about what you're good at and what you're
passionate about.
And then it won't feel like ajob.
Leslie (12:12):
Yes.
Yes.
And how important is it fromyour perspective to find a job
where you are living yourpurpose?
Kristina (12:27):
I think it's very important.
I think about, grandmothers orgrandfathers have said, oh, our
advice always was you shouldstay in that job.
You should do that.
You have to make money and youhave to have benefits.
And so that's what we're raisedwith.
But, as I get older and havenieces and nephews and, they're
starting college and, that'swhat I tell them is, do do what
(12:48):
you love.
Do what you enjoy because lifeis too short and, and you don't
wanna look back and have regretsor think about coulda, should,
or would've.
instead, dig into what you'regood at and you're gonna attract
good opportunities to you.
So again, it's about the energy,the mindset, and honoring
yourself really,
Leslie (13:08):
Uhhuh, absolutely.
And, yeah, it's, to me, what Ihear there is having clarity and
yourself, and who, and whatlights you up and where your
strengths are too, and what youenjoy doing, and not having the
limiting beliefs that, well, Ican't make money from that, you
(13:30):
know?
Kristina (13:31):
Right.
Leslie (13:32):
Because you never know.
Kristina (13:35):
Yeah.
I've been reading, a bookactually by Napoleon Hill, think
And Grow Rich, and he talksabout Henry Ford and Henry Ford
didn't finish high school.
He, I don't even think hefinished, uh, grade school.
I think he went to school, upuntil a certain age.
And then, he had a job.
But look at, what he did and howhe turned out and, the impact
(13:55):
that it has, not only on, ourcountry, but the world.
Leslie (14:00):
Mm-hmm.
Kristina (14:00):
So you think about that, and again, like he, he
wasn't stuck in a limitingbelief.
He, he was following what he waspassionate about and people told
him, you know, I, in the book itsaid he, he told his employees,
I want you to create a V eightengine.
And they tried to do it and hestepped away and three weeks
later he came back and said,how's it working?
And they're like, we stillhaven't figured it out.
(14:22):
And he said, you're gonna figureit out.
You're gonna make it work.
And, and then he came backanother three weeks later and
they had figured it out, but hewasn't gonna take no for an
answer.
And innately he knew that he hadthe brain power and they were
gonna figure it out.
And they kept, getting down onthemselves and they're like,
this is impossible.
And he's like, no, it's not.
You're gonna figure it out.
Leslie (14:43):
Yeah.
Yeah.
So we've talked about, living ina job, working at a job where
you can live out your purposemm-hmm.
And how, and the employee'sperspective of that.
Right?
How life is short.
Find something you love, dosomething you love.
But let's take a look at thebusiness side of it.
(15:04):
Why is it good for business?
Kristina (15:07):
So for, for business, and I guess we could use the
Henry Ford example too.
Um, that's a company and,they're in business to grow and
also to have an impact on theirconsumers and they want their
consumers to come back.
So, it's important to make surethat all your employees are on
the same wavelength in terms ofyour goals and having a mission.
(15:28):
Statement and driving thatforward in the culture.
And so if you're building, astrong culture, then you're
gonna be successful.
You're only as successful asyour people are.
So just making sure thateverybody's on the same page and
marking, marching toward.
The same goal.
And then also thinking about theimpact that it has.
(15:49):
And, and another example in thatbook was, um, bill Gates with
Microsoft.
And you think about that with,with computers and how it's
grown over the years and allthe, the software and what we
can do.
And with ai and, you know, noone has an alarm clock anymore.
We ha we have everything on ourphone between the cameras.
(16:09):
Flashlight, the alarm clock.
So, um, those are companies thathad a mission and then they just
kept building on it and growing.
Leslie (16:19):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And bringing people in thataligned their purpose.
Right.
Perhaps to the purpose of thebusiness.
Yeah.
Yeah.
One of the things that I'venoticed in this season is when I
ask the question.
How does purpose show up in theworkplace?
(16:40):
There's two perspectives thatcome up.
There's one, the employee'sperspective, which is what you
talked about when I show up towork and I'm living my purpose
through that.
The other is the perspective ofthe business and the purpose of
the business and what we justtalked about it feels like is
(17:01):
when those two overlap, when youcan have employees in the
business.
That are aligned with thepurpose of the business, great
things can happen.
Kristina (17:11):
Absolutely.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And that's both grow, you know,individually you grow and then
as a company you grow.
So it's a way
Leslie (17:19):
that mm-hmm.
When it seems like that is alittle bit of your story, the
success that you've had, right?
Kristina (17:29):
Yeah, absolutely.
Um, I never thought that.
That would all transpire.
I thought that I would probablybe at that company and retire,
but, when you're throwing acurve ball, you just have to
keep your options open.
But I also believe, there'sgreater forces at hand.
And to your point, it was fate.
And, um, you know, people say,oh, you're so natural at it.
(17:51):
And I don't feel like I'mnatural.
I'm just passionate about it andit makes me happy.
So.
Leslie (17:56):
Yeah.
Yeah.
When Rookie of the year, I mean,you had a successful.
Start.
Kristina (18:04):
Yeah.
And I wasn't expecting thateither.
And I honestly didn't track mynumbers or anything.
I just, would go and helppeople.
And so when they came to me andtold me that, not only for our
region, but for, it was for NewJersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware,
and Maryland.
I'm like, oh my goodness.
I had no idea.
So.
Wow.
Leslie (18:24):
That's awesome.
Thank you.
I'm hearing a lot of positives,right?
You know, when we work at a jobthat is aligned with our
purpose, it doesn't feel likeMonday.
When it's Monday and you knowall the things and it benefits
the company.
But are there any downsides fromyour perspective or from your
experience?
Kristina (18:45):
I would just say because you're so driven and
you're so passionate aboutsomething, um, that people think
you're available 24 7.
So, and I, I like to be superresponsive, but at the same
time, I have to take a step backand remember, you know, I have
personal life too, and, and Ihave a husband and a dog and
chickens, and I have to makesure, you know, everyone's taken
(19:08):
care of.
So, um, I, I do feel like.
It could be draining.
You have to be mindful of that.
So just practicing gratitude,um, every day and having a
routine, um, time blockinghelps.
Okay.
Um, and just making sure that,you know, you're taking care of
mind, body, and spirit.
It's not just you're grindingand, and, you know, helping
(19:31):
everybody.
Because if you're not healthy,then you can't help anyone.
Leslie (19:35):
Right.
Yeah.
So, mind, body, and spirit,where, where does purpose fit in
those?
Where would you put it?
Kristina (19:43):
I would say spirit.
Um, I feel like, we're all bornwith, a strength, whether we, we
know it right away.
You know, there's some people,I, I think about Andre Bocelli
and how beautifully he sings andhis son sings with him and his,
his daughter.
Um, it is it genetics?
I think about that too.
Are you born with theseabilities?
(20:04):
Um, especially when it's all inone family.
But other people, you figure itout later in life, um, as you
plug away and you, and you havesome, some failures, um, and,
and you step up from that andlook within to see what's going
on.
Where do I wanna go?
Um, why am I here?
You, you ask all the deepquestions and I feel like if
(20:26):
you're always.
On a high, you're not gonna beable to get to the core of that.
So, you do need some failures,um, in order to, to overcome
them and, and challenges so youcan look within to see how you
can be a better curing.
Leslie (20:42):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And going back to the mind,body, spirit, take care of the
whole person as well, right?
Yeah.
I love that because, I startedPurpose Project, the idea came
up almost a year ago and I foundmyself a little bit of wrestling
(21:03):
with this feeling of wanting togo all in and I have another, I
have a job that I do.
and then purpose project is.
My passion, it's that thing, butI find myself wanting to pour so
much into it and having thisperspective of mind, body,
spirit, and you've gotta takecare of all of them.
(21:26):
And purpose kind of fits in thespirit, but, but.
I, I need to balance it all.
I can't put it all into spirit.
Right.
Yeah,
Kristina (21:35):
right, right.
I know.
It is, it's definitely abalance.
Um, and I, I think with the timeblocking, that helps because
that's another thing, um,especially as a 10 99 or
self-employed.
Person.
People are gonna wanna start tocontact you as soon as they wake
up.
So they could be texting at six30 in the morning, or nine 30 at
night.
(21:56):
Um, so also thinking about aroutine, like, I'm not gonna
look at my phone until 9:00 AMwhen I get up.
I'm gonna take care of me.
I'm gonna do some gratitudes.
I'm gonna read somethingpositive.
I'm gonna exercise and then I'llbe ready.
Because again, if you're nottaking care of yourself, you're
not gonna be in the rightmindset.
And, um.
(22:16):
You know, you, you're, you'regoing to be able to better serve
them if you're in a bettermindset.
Leslie (22:21):
Yeah.
Did you just walk us throughyour morning routine?
Is that your routine?
Kristina (22:25):
I did, yes.
I also like to write twopersonal note cards and send
them out to, people that I know,or past clients.
And I feel like I have some penpals now.
And you know, you don't reallyget a handwritten note card
anymore.
So I, I have people that arelike, I, I love that I have it
up on my corkboard because Ijust don't get them.
(22:47):
So I love that.
Or, or I have, um, past clientsthat have sent me gifts for
Christmas, like a beautifulhand-painted ornament, and I
didn't even know that about her,that she's an artist and that
she hand paints.
Paints things.
And um, so it's fun to learnmore about people and share, and
I feel like when you're in theright profession and you're
(23:07):
following your purpose, thatthose, those little perks pop up
too.
And, and you, you create, uh,greater bonds with people.
Leslie (23:15):
Yeah.
Well it is, that is one of thethings that I learned from
season one and, um, it's theword connection.
And the power and importance ofconnection.
And it's in three regards.
It's connection to ourselves,it's connection to each other.
And then connection to theenvironment.
(23:37):
And you spoke to both the firsttwo for sure, with your daily
habits, your routines.
Yeah.
So every morning you write a, isit a daily routine where every
morning you write two?
I do it, um, Monday through
Kristina (23:52):
Friday.
I give myself a little, youknow, on the weekends I try to
sleep in if I can a little bit.
But, um, yeah, I, I do it Mondaythrough Friday and, and, um,
I'll write it down so I don'tforget, you know, it could be a
month or two later and I'm like,did I write that person a note
cart?
So, um, you know, I have mystamps, I have my note cards, I
(24:12):
have everything ready.
And, uh, I also, it's, it's, uh.
It's soothing for me, um, justto, and it's not like a short
note.
I, I, I listen to people whenthey talk, so it's, it's asking
them, you know, how did it gowith, with, um, your son and how
does he like college or, it'spersonable.
Leslie (24:31):
Right.
And
Kristina (24:32):
again, it comes back to the connection and, and
that's important to me.
Leslie (24:36):
Yeah.
Yeah.
So, to reemphasize this point,it is taking control of your
day.
And a great way to do it is toprotect your mornings.
Yes.
And uh, don't pick up the phonefirst thing, right?
It can wait.
It's gonna be there.
(24:56):
Take charge.
Start your day the way you wannastart it.
Kristina (25:00):
Right.
And we're so trained to look atour phone because that is
everything.
It's like our computer in ourhands.
So I just feel like if you'relooking at it, then your heart
rate goes up and you'rethinking, oh my gosh, I have to,
I have to hurry up and I have todo this.
And it kind of, if, if you dothat, then it's gonna throw off.
Again, giving yourself that timeand that solitude and, and just
(25:21):
thinking about the day and yourgoals.
And, I have a planner and I'lllook at it every day and write
down.
So if I know something'shappening the next day, I'll
make sure that's top of mind, soI'm not just going freely and
about my day.
I, I have a set time schedule.
Leslie (25:38):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I love that.
Kristina (25:41):
Obviously people, they'll throw you some curve
balls especially in real estate,if I have a listing and, a pipe
burst in the basement, then ofcourse that's gonna throw your,
your day off.
But, you know, other than that,uh, you just, you try to stick
to the schedule and if you misssomething, then carry it over to
the next day.
Leslie (25:57):
Right.
Don't let it.
Completely derail your routine.
Yeah.
Just, it might be a little blip,but get back on it.
Right.
Yeah.
I love this idea of limitingbeliefs and the stories that we
tell ourselves and, I thinkthere's a story in there about,
well, I need to check the phone,you know, and it's, no, we
don't.
We just slept through the wholenight.
(26:20):
Another hour, hour and a half.
Isn't gonna change anything.
Kristina (26:25):
Right, right.
I remember someone, giving me,an analogy.
Think about when you're walkingin Manhattan, in New York and
all the people, and just thinkof like little bubbles over
their head and the thoughts thatthey're thinking and it's, you
know, chaos and, you know, ifyou attribute.
To all the thoughts in your day,so you, you know that you're
(26:46):
gonna have a lot going on andplus you are having people
contact you and they're havingproblems, so why not take that
time to just kind of sit and begrounded and then move on with
your day,
Leslie (26:57):
right?
Yeah.
Do you feel like that practicehelps you throughout the day?
We talked about the morning, buthow does that help you?
In the middle and end of theday,
Kristina (27:09):
it definitely does.
And even, sometimes duringlunchtime, I'll meditate, I'll
take a couple minutes.
And again, it's just, it'sgrounding yourself, because
things can get crazy and I justthink it's so important to,
again, take care of you.
Whether you're working for acorporation or you're.
Or yourself and, a friend, whenI worked in corporate America,
(27:32):
it would be so crazy and he'dsay, let's just go outside and
do a lapper on the building andjust look at the clouds.
And you could just feel yourheart rate go down and it was
like you hit the reset buttonand it could only be for 10
minutes.
Um, so I think that's reallyimportant for people too.
Leslie (27:48):
Yes, yes.
And that is the impact ofconnecting to the environment.
It really is.
Yeah.
It's going outside and lookingat the stars or the clouds or
the snow.
It's snow.
There's snow on the ground herenow at the time that we're
recording this, so
Kristina (28:05):
yes.
Yeah.
And I, I do, I walk the dog, Itry to walk him every day.
Obviously if it's like 20degrees out, I won't, but I do
feel like that helps reset.
Um, and I've met people on thetrail that I've become friends
with, or originally they didn'tknow my name, they just knew my
dog's name and they'd say, hi,Vito.
So I love that too.
I love, again, coming back tothe connection and people, and,
(28:28):
you know, bringing peopletogether.
I, I love that.
Leslie (28:31):
Yes.
Yes.
It does feel like your purposeis really intertwined in your
business, in your personal life,in your community.
It's, it's a part of all thethings that you do.
Kristina (28:46):
Yes, absolutely.
Yeah.
And
Leslie (28:48):
we can't separate it at work.
Right.
We don't put a purpose to theside and then go to work.
Right.
Right.
Yeah, I'm imagining that thereare people in this world that go
to a job and they do have to puttheir purpose aside.
Any advice for them?
Kristina (29:08):
I would just say, um.
Just think about again, whatyou're good at and, and you
know, every, like I said,everybody was born with a
talent, whether you know it ornot, and just really delve into
that and think about it and whatyou enjoy and just.
Dream and, and think, you know,if I didn't have to come to this
job, what would I do?
(29:29):
Um, I love to travel, so again,that ties into real estate.
I get to travel to differentareas.
Um, I, I had a listing that wastwo hours away and my husband
came with me and I did an openhouse, and then we, we went out
to dinner after that.
So try to, try to make it funtoo.
Just get creative and, and havefun.
Leslie (29:50):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Any other things left unsaid onthe topic of purpose in the
workplace or purpose in generalfrom your perspective?
Kristina (30:02):
In terms of advice, just whatever you do, um, with
your purpose, always do it withintegrity.
Um, and again, honor yourselfand, and I always say go with
your gut.
So if something doesn't feelright, follow that because it's
like a, an internal tuning fork.
So, um, you know, it's, it's,you.
Telling you something, whetheryou know it or not.
(30:24):
So listen to that.
Don't ignore it.
Um, and, and just follow yourheart and, and I know you'll
land where you're supposed to.
Leslie (30:32):
Yeah, and you did that when you turned that car that
one day, you know, in responseto the sign.
Right.
It sounds like that was gut justsaying, well, let's go.
Kristina (30:42):
It was I, yeah.
I didn't even know I wasturning.
I was like, oh, I guess I'mdoing this.
I'm committed.
Leslie (30:50):
Oh, well, I love it.
I do.
I believe that we spend so muchtime at work and.
Uh, I do think that why, even ina job where it might not
directly align with theirpurpose, that we can make
connection points to it.
And so, looking for thoseconnection points, doing it with
(31:10):
integrity and enjoying thebenefits of it.
Kristina (31:14):
Right, right.
Yeah.
And having fun and, and, andliving in the moment too, that's
important.
Mm-hmm.
Um, sometimes I feel like whenyou're, when you, especially if
you're working for acorporation, you get into their
goals and you're trying toaccomplish them.
And then again, it's like timeto make the donuts.
So if you sit back and have funand think, okay, this is almost
(31:38):
over and then we're gonna dothis.
Um, so just don't, dread things,have a positive outlook.
Um, my mom would always say thatwith about math, I don't love
math.
So, and I remember taking acalculus class and she would
say, think of it as the mostexciting thing that you've ever
done.
And I was like, I don't knowabout that.
But it does, it changes yourthought process.
(31:59):
So again, we're the master.
Of, of our own creation.
So we have to think about thatand what drives us and, and
just, you know, have hope andfaith that it's gonna take us in
the right direction.
Leslie (32:13):
Yeah.
Well, and the power of themindset, you know, and I think
of it as the power of the words.
And this example, I love it of,you know, I have to do this, I
have to take math class.
Right, right.
Versus I get to, I mean, so manypeople would love to get to take
math class, um, right.
(32:34):
You know, and just, uh, uh, thepower of the words.
But it's a mindset thing.
It is the, what we say toourselves.
Right.
Just switching it can reallytake something up a bit.
Kristina (32:48):
I've always heard that too, about if you, if you're
having a bad day, say you get upand you stub your toe, and then
it seems like the rest of yourday is like that.
If you just kind of sit back andhit the reset button or go
outside, go for a quick walk,um, it changes your mindset.
So I, I agree.
I feel like everything is drivenby your mindset.
Leslie (33:07):
Yeah.
When you're in it, like I'mimagining, you know, stubbing my
toe and then everything justkind of falling apart.
How do you push the reset buttonwhen you're just so.
So wrapped up in all the thingsthat are happening and you're in
that head space of just, this isawful, this day's awful.
Kristina (33:29):
I, again, it comes back to the connection.
So, you know, I could be drivingin one state and showing like
five houses and then I have togo over to the other side of the
fence and, and show four otherhouses.
And it's just connecting withthe people and then say they had
a bad day and they're telling meabout it, then I'm thinking,
mine's not really, not that bad.
I stubbed my toe.
(33:50):
You know?
Mm-hmm.
So just putting it intoperspective, I think that that
helps.
Leslie (33:55):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
And checking in with yourselfthere.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Being mindful of what you'resaying.
Yeah.
It comes back to the listeningto those stories and then
adjusting'em.
Mm-hmm.
Definitely love it.
Anything else, Kristina?
I, I, I don't think so.
(34:16):
I think we covered a lot.
I do too.
I appreciate you being onPurpose Project and sharing your
experience, your tips, your, um,advice.
I, I think that everyonedeserves a job that aligns with
their purpose and you've shared.
Some practical ways that we cando that.
(34:36):
So I appreciate you.
Kristina (34:38):
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Leslie (34:40):
Kristina is the first guest on purpose project to
bring up the topic of limitingbeliefs.
She reminds us that limitingbeliefs can be found in most
people.
It's that inner voice in theback of our mind saying, you
don't deserve, you can't.
You're not enough.
She reminds us that when thatnegative energy is connected to
(35:04):
our passions and to our purpose,it holds us back from fully
stepping into our life'spurpose.
But what if we could reshapethose limiting beliefs into
limit?
List beliefs into a voice in theback of our head saying, I can.
I am enough.
I deserve this purpose doesn'task us to be perfect, but it
(35:27):
does ask us to be present, to beaware of that voice in our head,
and it asks us to step forwardwith a mindset of positive
energy.
So what beliefs do you have thatare limiting your potential?
And how can you reshape those?
(35:47):
Redefine those into a voice ofpositivity, a voice of
opportunity.
Kristina, thank you for being onPurpose Project, and thanks to
all of you for tuning in.
Purpose Project is brought toyou for education and for
(36:10):
entertainment purposes.
This podcast is not intended toreplace the advice that you
would receive from a licensedtherapist or doctor or any other
qualified professional.
Purpose can have a way of showing up when we least
expect it, and this story is aperfect example of that.
Hi, my name is Leslie Pagel andwelcome to Purpose Project.
In this episode, I sit down withKristina Fattorusso.
Kristina is an entrepreneur,she's a realtor, and she is
(00:25):
someone whose path to purposehappened in a very unexpected
way where her instincts led theway to a thriving business,
rooted in her purpose of helpingothers Kristina brings powerful
insights about purpose in theworkplace.
Let's take a listen.
(00:46):
Kristina, thank you so much forbeing on Purpose Project.
I am looking forward to having aconversation about how purpose
shows up in the workplace.
Kristina (00:55):
Thank you so much, Leslie.
I'm looking forward to it.
Leslie (00:59):
Before we dive into the topic, share a little bit with
us about you.
Who is Kristina, both personallyand professionally?
Kristina (01:09):
Sure.
Um, so Kristina Fatso.
I live in Northern Pennsylvania.
I was born and raised in NewJersey and then made it over to
the Pennsylvania side back in2001.
Um, I've been in corporateAmerica for 25 years and then I
delved into real estate, whichI've been doing for almost eight
years.
(01:29):
Um, I work with my husband, sowe're a team and I'm licensed in
New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
So it's been fun to see thecorporate side and now as a 10
99 employee on the other side.
Leslie (01:39):
Very cool.
Very cool.
Um, a question that everyonegets asked on purpose project
is, do you have a personalpurpose and if so, what is that?
I.
Kristina (01:52):
My personal purpose is to help other people.
Um, I have this innate, uh, Iguess feeling that I get so
excited when I help otherpeople.
So that's why real estate hasbeen such a good fit, because I
get to help people, whetherthey're selling or buying or
investing, um, sitting at thatclosing table and just seeing
the smile on their face, thatthat's all the satisfaction I
(02:15):
need.
Leslie (02:16):
Yeah, I remember home shopping about 20 years ago and
um, yeah, it's a big investmentand having people to help you
alongside that, um, I canimagine is a rewarding I.
A, a great way of living outyour purpose.
Kristina (02:33):
Definitely.
Yeah.
And, and you know, it's theirbiggest financial, decision and
move that they're gonna make.
So it gives me great pride andalso comfort to know that they
trust me and that they, I canhelp them with that entire
process from beginning to end.
Leslie (02:49):
Absolutely.
So season one of Purpose projectwas very focused on individuals
who had clarity in theirpurpose, and they were living it
out every day.
And one of the things that Irecognized is that I.
Sometimes they were living itout through their work, like
getting paid for it, and othertimes they weren't.
(03:12):
And it, it got me reallyinterested of this topic, which
we're here to talk about todayof purpose in the workplace.
Mm-hmm.
And would love to hear yourthoughts on how, just, how does
purpose show up in theworkplace?
Kristina (03:27):
So I, I feel that, you have to have a passion for what
you're doing.
So if you don't, and it's like anine to five grind and it's, I
always think of that commercialtime to make the donuts.
So if you have that feeling, Idon't feel like that's really
suiting your inner purpose.
If you, if you get up and you'reexcited to do what you wanna do
(03:48):
every day, and you don't payattention to the time, um, my,
my day flies by and, you know,I, I don't have.
Set hours and, and I don'tthink, oh, I have to do this or
I have to do that.
I just, I do the work and Idon't think about it.
So I feel like you have to bepassionate about what you're
doing and, and that from, thatstems your purpose.
Leslie (04:09):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
That is definitely somethingthat emerged in season one is
this, this overlap of purposeand passion and.
And it was almost like, thepassion was how purpose was
lived out.
Yeah.
It's kind of what you're sayingis like, if you can find your
(04:31):
passion in the workplace.
Then it could be a place thatyou could live out your purpose.
Kristina (04:38):
I agree.
And I feel like also, you couldhave your passion and it could
take you, to different places tofind your purpose.
So, you know, you could pick anindustry, um, something that
you're good at and, and it couldstem to other opportunities if
you're passionate about it andyou have that innate purpose.
That drives you forward.
And I feel like it's also aboutenergy.
(05:00):
So if, if you're open to that,you're gonna draw those
experiences to you.
Whereas if you're in somethingthat you don't enjoy, um, and
you're not happy about it, thenit's, again, it's, it's kind of
like you're, you're just goingto work and there isn't any
other purpose that you'regetting out of it.
Leslie (05:18):
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
And I have to imagine that thereare people out there that are
doing that, right?
They're, they're working injobs.
That aren't aligned with theirpurpose is, have you ever been
in that situation?
Kristina (05:34):
Yes.
Yeah.
Um, you know, starting out incorporate America, at first you,
you just wanna get a job.
You wanna be able to havebenefits and get paid and, and,
um, then you can, you can buildon that.
But, um, there are positionsthat people are in that they're
not happy.
Um, and you could either sit bythe wayside and just.
(05:55):
Keep doing it and be miserableor think, you know, this is it,
or, and those are limitingbeliefs.
Or you can expand and think ofsolutions instead of focusing on
the fear.
Um, you know, and thelimitations.
You can think outside the boxand think, okay, I'm not happy
doing this.
What am I good at and whatdrives me?
(06:17):
Um, and that's gonna propel youforward.
Hmm.
Leslie (06:21):
I love that.
Could you say a little bit moreabout the limiting beliefs?
'cause that's the first timethat's come up on the show.
Kristina (06:29):
Okay.
Yeah.
Um, you know, the, there'speople with limiting beliefs.
You could think, I don't haveenough money, I'm not good
enough to do.
Um, you know.
Said task, and, and you, you getin your head.
So when you think of, uh, thesaying, mind over matter, if
you, if you kind of get out ofyour head and stop sticking to
(06:50):
those limiting beliefs, whichyou know, it, it turns into
negativity.
And so again, that's what you'redrawing to yourself.
If you're stuck in, I'm nevergonna have enough money, I can't
pay my bills.
But if you open yourself up andremove those limiting beliefs
and kind of expand.
The way that you think andbecause what you think, um, you
(07:11):
can make that a reality, right?
So if you're focused on that allthe time, that's what's, that's,
you're gonna stay there.
But if you, if you remove thoselimiting beliefs and get past
that, then sky the sky's thelimit.
Leslie (07:23):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Do you mind sharing your storyof getting to being a realtor?
'cause.
Yeah, you shared it with me andI think it's a, I think it's a
story of fate really.
Um.
I don't know, but yeah, shareit.
Kristina (07:41):
I, I definitely think it was fate.
So I was in corporate America,um, at the time for 20 years,
and, uh, they had eliminated11,000 people.
Um, anybody that was a directorabove.
And so of course I was.
Heartbroken and thought, oh mygoodness, now what?
And I was driving the one dayand I saw this sign outside that
(08:04):
said, real estate classes starttoday.
So I just kind of, my, thesteering wheel, I didn't even
think about it.
I just kind of.
Pulled into the parking lot andwent inside and, and asked if I
could sign up for the classes.
And, um, it took about threemonths and then you had to sit
for your test.
But I just, I, I love it.
Um, I've always loved houses.
I love working with people andhelping people.
(08:27):
And my, uh, first year I hadrookie of the year, not only for
my region, but for the company.
So, you know, again, it, it goesto the point that you may not
think that you're good atsomething, but if you have an
innate passion.
For something.
I, I feel like it draws it outand, um, you know, I, I, at
first, I'm not gonna lie, I wasworried about, you know, as a
(08:48):
realtor, you, you could, you,the typical person, you could
probably make 30,000 the firstyear, and then you build on
that.
Mm-hmm.
Um, because you don't get paidif, if, if the transaction
doesn't close.
So.
Um, I actually, uh, was, wasthinking about that and then I
got a call from a vice presidentthat who was also laid off and
(09:10):
he went to a different company.
Um, and he asked me, he said,you can work remotely, can you
come work for me?
I know you're still doing realestate, so you could do both
and, if you get into a bind,just.
Just talk to me, tell me if youhave a closing and, and I'll
cover for you.
So it was like I couldn't evencreate, um, a better situation
or scenario.
(09:31):
And I did that for three and ahalf years.
And then I was solid on the realestate side.
And so I decided to leavecorporate America altogether.
So again, it was, you know, thelimiting beliefs at first.
Like, oh, I'm not gonna haveenough money.
How am I gonna pay?
And then after that, I justthought, I can do this.
I, I can make this work.
(09:51):
And then, you know, different, adifferent opportunity came
along.
Leslie (09:54):
Mm-hmm.
Had you, at the time that thishappened, where you lost your
job, you see a sign and just gutinstinct respond to it at that
point?
Did you already have?
Clarity in your life's purpose.
Kristina (10:12):
So I, I like to do a dream board every January.
I feel like it sets the year.
Um, and I went back and lookedat my dream boards and I noticed
that they all had differenthouses, like the architecture or
different rooms I love to read.
So I always had a picture oflike a chair sitting in front of
a built-in bookcase.
So I've always been drawn tothat and, and I, I kind of
(10:36):
laughed when I thought about it.
Um, it was kind of like I was, Iwas planning it and then, you
know, the opportunity came upand I just pulled into the
driveway and signed right up.
Leslie (10:47):
Wow.
Yes.
Yeah.
At that time though, was itclear to you that like.
That I want to be working in ajob to help people.
Like I,
Kristina (11:00):
it was, so that's, I did think about that, that, I've
been working for these companiesand working toward their goals
and, what do I like to do?
What's my goal?
And, and it was, um, workingwith other people or how could I
help other people and, and realestate, I mean, that's.
That's the whole job descriptionin a nutshell, is that you're
helping other people.
(11:22):
So it, it was a nice transitionand I, and I thought, you know,
I wanna work on my own.
I wanna be creative.
And being a realtor, you can getcreative with that.
So I went and, I took mybroker's license for
Pennsylvania, so I have mybroker's license, so I don't
have to sell all the time.
I, I could go and, and run anoffice, open an office or, um,
(11:45):
you know, there's differentopportunities with management.
So even though you're, a 10 99employee, there are other
avenues.
I know some realtors that go onto be appraisers.
Some that do interior design.
And staging.
So a again, with the limitingbeliefs, don't just think that
you're pigeonholed into acertain career.
(12:06):
Mm-hmm.
Leslie (12:07):
Um,
Kristina (12:07):
just think about what you're good at and what you're
passionate about.
And then it won't feel like ajob.
Leslie (12:12):
Yes.
Yes.
And how important is it fromyour perspective to find a job
where you are living yourpurpose?
Kristina (12:27):
I think it's very important.
I think about, grandmothers orgrandfathers have said, oh, our
advice always was you shouldstay in that job.
You should do that.
You have to make money and youhave to have benefits.
And so that's what we're raisedwith.
But, as I get older and havenieces and nephews and, they're
starting college and, that'swhat I tell them is, do do what
(12:48):
you love.
Do what you enjoy because lifeis too short and, and you don't
wanna look back and have regretsor think about coulda, should,
or would've.
instead, dig into what you'regood at and you're gonna attract
good opportunities to you.
So again, it's about the energy,the mindset, and honoring
yourself really,
Leslie (13:08):
Uhhuh, absolutely.
And, yeah, it's, to me, what Ihear there is having clarity and
yourself, and who, and whatlights you up and where your
strengths are too, and what youenjoy doing, and not having the
limiting beliefs that, well, Ican't make money from that, you
(13:30):
know?
Kristina (13:31):
Right.
Leslie (13:32):
Because you never know.
Kristina (13:35):
Yeah.
I've been reading, a bookactually by Napoleon Hill, think
And Grow Rich, and he talksabout Henry Ford and Henry Ford
didn't finish high school.
He, I don't even think hefinished, uh, grade school.
I think he went to school, upuntil a certain age.
And then, he had a job.
But look at, what he did and howhe turned out and, the impact
(13:55):
that it has, not only on, ourcountry, but the world.
Leslie (14:00):
Mm-hmm.
Kristina (14:00):
So you think about that, and again, like he, he
wasn't stuck in a limitingbelief.
He, he was following what he waspassionate about and people told
him, you know, I, in the book itsaid he, he told his employees,
I want you to create a V eightengine.
And they tried to do it and hestepped away and three weeks
later he came back and said,how's it working?
And they're like, we stillhaven't figured it out.
(14:22):
And he said, you're gonna figureit out.
You're gonna make it work.
And, and then he came backanother three weeks later and
they had figured it out, but hewasn't gonna take no for an
answer.
And innately he knew that he hadthe brain power and they were
gonna figure it out.
And they kept, getting down onthemselves and they're like,
this is impossible.
And he's like, no, it's not.
You're gonna figure it out.
Leslie (14:43):
Yeah.
Yeah.
So we've talked about, living ina job, working at a job where
you can live out your purposemm-hmm.
And how, and the employee'sperspective of that.
Right?
How life is short.
Find something you love, dosomething you love.
But let's take a look at thebusiness side of it.
(15:04):
Why is it good for business?
Kristina (15:07):
So for, for business, and I guess we could use the
Henry Ford example too.
Um, that's a company and,they're in business to grow and
also to have an impact on theirconsumers and they want their
consumers to come back.
So, it's important to make surethat all your employees are on
the same wavelength in terms ofyour goals and having a mission.
(15:28):
Statement and driving thatforward in the culture.
And so if you're building, astrong culture, then you're
gonna be successful.
You're only as successful asyour people are.
So just making sure thateverybody's on the same page and
marking, marching toward.
The same goal.
And then also thinking about theimpact that it has.
(15:49):
And, and another example in thatbook was, um, bill Gates with
Microsoft.
And you think about that with,with computers and how it's
grown over the years and allthe, the software and what we
can do.
And with ai and, you know, noone has an alarm clock anymore.
We ha we have everything on ourphone between the cameras.
(16:09):
Flashlight, the alarm clock.
So, um, those are companies thathad a mission and then they just
kept building on it and growing.
Leslie (16:19):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And bringing people in thataligned their purpose.
Right.
Perhaps to the purpose of thebusiness.
Yeah.
Yeah.
One of the things that I'venoticed in this season is when I
ask the question.
How does purpose show up in theworkplace?
(16:40):
There's two perspectives thatcome up.
There's one, the employee'sperspective, which is what you
talked about when I show up towork and I'm living my purpose
through that.
The other is the perspective ofthe business and the purpose of
the business and what we justtalked about it feels like is
(17:01):
when those two overlap, when youcan have employees in the
business.
That are aligned with thepurpose of the business, great
things can happen.
Kristina (17:11):
Absolutely.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And that's both grow, you know,individually you grow and then
as a company you grow.
So it's a way
Leslie (17:19):
that mm-hmm.
When it seems like that is alittle bit of your story, the
success that you've had, right?
Kristina (17:29):
Yeah, absolutely.
Um, I never thought that.
That would all transpire.
I thought that I would probablybe at that company and retire,
but, when you're throwing acurve ball, you just have to
keep your options open.
But I also believe, there'sgreater forces at hand.
And to your point, it was fate.
And, um, you know, people say,oh, you're so natural at it.
(17:51):
And I don't feel like I'mnatural.
I'm just passionate about it andit makes me happy.
So.
Leslie (17:56):
Yeah.
Yeah.
When Rookie of the year, I mean,you had a successful.
Start.
Kristina (18:04):
Yeah.
And I wasn't expecting thateither.
And I honestly didn't track mynumbers or anything.
I just, would go and helppeople.
And so when they came to me andtold me that, not only for our
region, but for, it was for NewJersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware,
and Maryland.
I'm like, oh my goodness.
I had no idea.
So.
Wow.
Leslie (18:24):
That's awesome.
Thank you.
I'm hearing a lot of positives,right?
You know, when we work at a jobthat is aligned with our
purpose, it doesn't feel likeMonday.
When it's Monday and you knowall the things and it benefits
the company.
But are there any downsides fromyour perspective or from your
experience?
Kristina (18:45):
I would just say because you're so driven and
you're so passionate aboutsomething, um, that people think
you're available 24 7.
So, and I, I like to be superresponsive, but at the same
time, I have to take a step backand remember, you know, I have
personal life too, and, and Ihave a husband and a dog and
chickens, and I have to makesure, you know, everyone's taken
(19:08):
care of.
So, um, I, I do feel like.
It could be draining.
You have to be mindful of that.
So just practicing gratitude,um, every day and having a
routine, um, time blockinghelps.
Okay.
Um, and just making sure that,you know, you're taking care of
mind, body, and spirit.
It's not just you're grindingand, and, you know, helping
(19:31):
everybody.
Because if you're not healthy,then you can't help anyone.
Leslie (19:35):
Right.
Yeah.
So, mind, body, and spirit,where, where does purpose fit in
those?
Where would you put it?
Kristina (19:43):
I would say spirit.
Um, I feel like, we're all bornwith, a strength, whether we, we
know it right away.
You know, there's some people,I, I think about Andre Bocelli
and how beautifully he sings andhis son sings with him and his,
his daughter.
Um, it is it genetics?
I think about that too.
Are you born with theseabilities?
(20:04):
Um, especially when it's all inone family.
But other people, you figure itout later in life, um, as you
plug away and you, and you havesome, some failures, um, and,
and you step up from that andlook within to see what's going
on.
Where do I wanna go?
Um, why am I here?
You, you ask all the deepquestions and I feel like if
(20:26):
you're always.
On a high, you're not gonna beable to get to the core of that.
So, you do need some failures,um, in order to, to overcome
them and, and challenges so youcan look within to see how you
can be a better curing.
Leslie (20:42):
Yeah.
Yeah.
And going back to the mind,body, spirit, take care of the
whole person as well, right?
Yeah.
I love that because, I startedPurpose Project, the idea came
up almost a year ago and I foundmyself a little bit of wrestling
(21:03):
with this feeling of wanting togo all in and I have another, I
have a job that I do.
and then purpose project is.
My passion, it's that thing, butI find myself wanting to pour so
much into it and having thisperspective of mind, body,
spirit, and you've gotta takecare of all of them.
(21:26):
And purpose kind of fits in thespirit, but, but.
I, I need to balance it all.
I can't put it all into spirit.
Right.
Yeah,
Kristina (21:35):
right, right.
I know.
It is, it's definitely abalance.
Um, and I, I think with the timeblocking, that helps because
that's another thing, um,especially as a 10 99 or
self-employed.
Person.
People are gonna wanna start tocontact you as soon as they wake
up.
So they could be texting at six30 in the morning, or nine 30 at
night.
(21:56):
Um, so also thinking about aroutine, like, I'm not gonna
look at my phone until 9:00 AMwhen I get up.
I'm gonna take care of me.
I'm gonna do some gratitudes.
I'm gonna read somethingpositive.
I'm gonna exercise and then I'llbe ready.
Because again, if you're nottaking care of yourself, you're
not gonna be in the rightmindset.
And, um.
(22:16):
You know, you, you're, you'regoing to be able to better serve
them if you're in a bettermindset.
Leslie (22:21):
Yeah.
Did you just walk us throughyour morning routine?
Is that your routine?
Kristina (22:25):
I did, yes.
I also like to write twopersonal note cards and send
them out to, people that I know,or past clients.
And I feel like I have some penpals now.
And you know, you don't reallyget a handwritten note card
anymore.
So I, I have people that arelike, I, I love that I have it
up on my corkboard because Ijust don't get them.
(22:47):
So I love that.
Or, or I have, um, past clientsthat have sent me gifts for
Christmas, like a beautifulhand-painted ornament, and I
didn't even know that about her,that she's an artist and that
she hand paints.
Paints things.
And um, so it's fun to learnmore about people and share, and
I feel like when you're in theright profession and you're
(23:07):
following your purpose, thatthose, those little perks pop up
too.
And, and you, you create, uh,greater bonds with people.
Leslie (23:15):
Yeah.
Well it is, that is one of thethings that I learned from
season one and, um, it's theword connection.
And the power and importance ofconnection.
And it's in three regards.
It's connection to ourselves,it's connection to each other.
And then connection to theenvironment.
(23:37):
And you spoke to both the firsttwo for sure, with your daily
habits, your routines.
Yeah.
So every morning you write a, isit a daily routine where every
morning you write two?
I do it, um, Monday through
Kristina (23:52):
Friday.
I give myself a little, youknow, on the weekends I try to
sleep in if I can a little bit.
But, um, yeah, I, I do it Mondaythrough Friday and, and, um,
I'll write it down so I don'tforget, you know, it could be a
month or two later and I'm like,did I write that person a note
cart?
So, um, you know, I have mystamps, I have my note cards, I
(24:12):
have everything ready.
And, uh, I also, it's, it's, uh.
It's soothing for me, um, justto, and it's not like a short
note.
I, I, I listen to people whenthey talk, so it's, it's asking
them, you know, how did it gowith, with, um, your son and how
does he like college or, it'spersonable.
Leslie (24:31):
Right.
And
Kristina (24:32):
again, it comes back to the connection and, and
that's important to me.
Leslie (24:36):
Yeah.
Yeah.
So, to reemphasize this point,it is taking control of your
day.
And a great way to do it is toprotect your mornings.
Yes.
And uh, don't pick up the phonefirst thing, right?
It can wait.
It's gonna be there.
(24:56):
Take charge.
Start your day the way you wannastart it.
Kristina (25:00):
Right.
And we're so trained to look atour phone because that is
everything.
It's like our computer in ourhands.
So I just feel like if you'relooking at it, then your heart
rate goes up and you'rethinking, oh my gosh, I have to,
I have to hurry up and I have todo this.
And it kind of, if, if you dothat, then it's gonna throw off.
Again, giving yourself that timeand that solitude and, and just
(25:21):
thinking about the day and yourgoals.
And, I have a planner and I'lllook at it every day and write
down.
So if I know something'shappening the next day, I'll
make sure that's top of mind, soI'm not just going freely and
about my day.
I, I have a set time schedule.
Leslie (25:38):
Yeah.
Yeah.
I love that.
Kristina (25:41):
Obviously people, they'll throw you some curve
balls especially in real estate,if I have a listing and, a pipe
burst in the basement, then ofcourse that's gonna throw your,
your day off.
But, you know, other than that,uh, you just, you try to stick
to the schedule and if you misssomething, then carry it over to
the next day.
Leslie (25:57):
Right.
Don't let it.
Completely derail your routine.
Yeah.
Just, it might be a little blip,but get back on it.
Right.
Yeah.
I love this idea of limitingbeliefs and the stories that we
tell ourselves and, I thinkthere's a story in there about,
well, I need to check the phone,you know, and it's, no, we
don't.
We just slept through the wholenight.
(26:20):
Another hour, hour and a half.
Isn't gonna change anything.
Kristina (26:25):
Right, right.
I remember someone, giving me,an analogy.
Think about when you're walkingin Manhattan, in New York and
all the people, and just thinkof like little bubbles over
their head and the thoughts thatthey're thinking and it's, you
know, chaos and, you know, ifyou attribute.
To all the thoughts in your day,so you, you know that you're
(26:46):
gonna have a lot going on andplus you are having people
contact you and they're havingproblems, so why not take that
time to just kind of sit and begrounded and then move on with
your day,
Leslie (26:57):
right?
Yeah.
Do you feel like that practicehelps you throughout the day?
We talked about the morning, buthow does that help you?
In the middle and end of theday,
Kristina (27:09):
it definitely does.
And even, sometimes duringlunchtime, I'll meditate, I'll
take a couple minutes.
And again, it's just, it'sgrounding yourself, because
things can get crazy and I justthink it's so important to,
again, take care of you.
Whether you're working for acorporation or you're.
Or yourself and, a friend, whenI worked in corporate America,
(27:32):
it would be so crazy and he'dsay, let's just go outside and
do a lapper on the building andjust look at the clouds.
And you could just feel yourheart rate go down and it was
like you hit the reset buttonand it could only be for 10
minutes.
Um, so I think that's reallyimportant for people too.
Leslie (27:48):
Yes, yes.
And that is the impact ofconnecting to the environment.
It really is.
Yeah.
It's going outside and lookingat the stars or the clouds or
the snow.
It's snow.
There's snow on the ground herenow at the time that we're
recording this, so
Kristina (28:05):
yes.
Yeah.
And I, I do, I walk the dog, Itry to walk him every day.
Obviously if it's like 20degrees out, I won't, but I do
feel like that helps reset.
Um, and I've met people on thetrail that I've become friends
with, or originally they didn'tknow my name, they just knew my
dog's name and they'd say, hi,Vito.
So I love that too.
I love, again, coming back tothe connection and people, and,
(28:28):
you know, bringing peopletogether.
I, I love that.
Leslie (28:31):
Yes.
Yes.
It does feel like your purposeis really intertwined in your
business, in your personal life,in your community.
It's, it's a part of all thethings that you do.
Kristina (28:46):
Yes, absolutely.
Yeah.
And
Leslie (28:48):
we can't separate it at work.
Right.
We don't put a purpose to theside and then go to work.
Right.
Right.
Yeah, I'm imagining that thereare people in this world that go
to a job and they do have to puttheir purpose aside.
Any advice for them?
Kristina (29:08):
I would just say, um.
Just think about again, whatyou're good at and, and you
know, every, like I said,everybody was born with a
talent, whether you know it ornot, and just really delve into
that and think about it and whatyou enjoy and just.
Dream and, and think, you know,if I didn't have to come to this
job, what would I do?
(29:29):
Um, I love to travel, so again,that ties into real estate.
I get to travel to differentareas.
Um, I, I had a listing that wastwo hours away and my husband
came with me and I did an openhouse, and then we, we went out
to dinner after that.
So try to, try to make it funtoo.
Just get creative and, and havefun.
Leslie (29:50):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Any other things left unsaid onthe topic of purpose in the
workplace or purpose in generalfrom your perspective?
Kristina (30:02):
In terms of advice, just whatever you do, um, with
your purpose, always do it withintegrity.
Um, and again, honor yourselfand, and I always say go with
your gut.
So if something doesn't feelright, follow that because it's
like a, an internal tuning fork.
So, um, you know, it's, it's,you.
Telling you something, whetheryou know it or not.
(30:24):
So listen to that.
Don't ignore it.
Um, and, and just follow yourheart and, and I know you'll
land where you're supposed to.
Leslie (30:32):
Yeah, and you did that when you turned that car that
one day, you know, in responseto the sign.
Right.
It sounds like that was gut justsaying, well, let's go.
Kristina (30:42):
It was I, yeah.
I didn't even know I wasturning.
I was like, oh, I guess I'mdoing this.
I'm committed.
Leslie (30:50):
Oh, well, I love it.
I do.
I believe that we spend so muchtime at work and.
Uh, I do think that why, even ina job where it might not
directly align with theirpurpose, that we can make
connection points to it.
And so, looking for thoseconnection points, doing it with
(31:10):
integrity and enjoying thebenefits of it.
Kristina (31:14):
Right, right.
Yeah.
And having fun and, and, andliving in the moment too, that's
important.
Mm-hmm.
Um, sometimes I feel like whenyou're, when you, especially if
you're working for acorporation, you get into their
goals and you're trying toaccomplish them.
And then again, it's like timeto make the donuts.
So if you sit back and have funand think, okay, this is almost
(31:38):
over and then we're gonna dothis.
Um, so just don't, dread things,have a positive outlook.
Um, my mom would always say thatwith about math, I don't love
math.
So, and I remember taking acalculus class and she would
say, think of it as the mostexciting thing that you've ever
done.
And I was like, I don't knowabout that.
But it does, it changes yourthought process.
(31:59):
So again, we're the master.
Of, of our own creation.
So we have to think about thatand what drives us and, and
just, you know, have hope andfaith that it's gonna take us in
the right direction.
Leslie (32:13):
Yeah.
Well, and the power of themindset, you know, and I think
of it as the power of the words.
And this example, I love it of,you know, I have to do this, I
have to take math class.
Right, right.
Versus I get to, I mean, so manypeople would love to get to take
math class, um, right.
(32:34):
You know, and just, uh, uh, thepower of the words.
But it's a mindset thing.
It is the, what we say toourselves.
Right.
Just switching it can reallytake something up a bit.
Kristina (32:48):
I've always heard that too, about if you, if you're
having a bad day, say you get upand you stub your toe, and then
it seems like the rest of yourday is like that.
If you just kind of sit back andhit the reset button or go
outside, go for a quick walk,um, it changes your mindset.
So I, I agree.
I feel like everything is drivenby your mindset.
Leslie (33:07):
Yeah.
When you're in it, like I'mimagining, you know, stubbing my
toe and then everything justkind of falling apart.
How do you push the reset buttonwhen you're just so.
So wrapped up in all the thingsthat are happening and you're in
that head space of just, this isawful, this day's awful.
Kristina (33:29):
I, again, it comes back to the connection.
So, you know, I could be drivingin one state and showing like
five houses and then I have togo over to the other side of the
fence and, and show four otherhouses.
And it's just connecting withthe people and then say they had
a bad day and they're telling meabout it, then I'm thinking,
mine's not really, not that bad.
I stubbed my toe.
(33:50):
You know?
Mm-hmm.
So just putting it intoperspective, I think that that
helps.
Leslie (33:55):
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
And checking in with yourselfthere.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Being mindful of what you'resaying.
Yeah.
It comes back to the listeningto those stories and then
adjusting'em.
Mm-hmm.
Definitely love it.
Anything else, Kristina?
I, I, I don't think so.
(34:16):
I think we covered a lot.
I do too.
I appreciate you being onPurpose Project and sharing your
experience, your tips, your, um,advice.
I, I think that everyonedeserves a job that aligns with
their purpose and you've shared.
Some practical ways that we cando that.
(34:36):
So I appreciate you.
Kristina (34:38):
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Leslie (34:40):
Kristina is the first guest on purpose project to
bring up the topic of limitingbeliefs.
She reminds us that limitingbeliefs can be found in most
people.
It's that inner voice in theback of our mind saying, you
don't deserve, you can't.
You're not enough.
She reminds us that when thatnegative energy is connected to
(35:04):
our passions and to our purpose,it holds us back from fully
stepping into our life'spurpose.
But what if we could reshapethose limiting beliefs into
limit?
List beliefs into a voice in theback of our head saying, I can.
I am enough.
I deserve this purpose doesn'task us to be perfect, but it
(35:27):
does ask us to be present, to beaware of that voice in our head,
and it asks us to step forwardwith a mindset of positive
energy.
So what beliefs do you have thatare limiting your potential?
And how can you reshape those?
(35:47):
Redefine those into a voice ofpositivity, a voice of
opportunity.
Kristina, thank you for being onPurpose Project, and thanks to
all of you for tuning in.
Purpose Project is brought toyou for education and for
(36:10):
entertainment purposes.
This podcast is not intended toreplace the advice that you
would receive from a licensedtherapist or doctor or any other
qualified professional.
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