Mitzi Loveless

I attribute my success to strong determination and the investment of others in me. I have been helped so much by so many people in the last 40 years that I'm humbled by those who have taken the time to invest in me, to talk to me, to coach me, to train me. When I took the position I'm in right now, I had never heard 99% of the words that accountants use. It was like walking into a foreign country with a foreign language. There were so many people that jumped on board and said, this is what an audit is, this is what the PCAOB is, explaining all these terminologies that you hear all day long. Throughout my whole career, I have found kind people willing to give their time and invest in me, and I find that remarkable. So many people look at society and say there are so many mean people today, but I just haven't experienced that. I've experienced tons of people who are willing to give their time and energy to me. When I have experienced those curt, negative people, I get away from them very, very quickly. I'm the one that drives this car, so I can swerve to avoid them.

The best career advice I've received comes in two parts, and I'll let you pick your favorite. First, keep an eye on your joy level and don't let anyone steal it. We determine every morning that today's a joyful day, and as we move through our day with challenges, if that joy meter starts going down, back up, reassess, get grateful quickly, and protect your stuff. Don't let anyone steal your joy. This is my joy. Have that foundation in your own joy that is not made by other people. The second piece of advice is that nobody determines your worth but you. I tell women this anytime I speak. We go in for a job interview and they say we pay $75,000 or $175,000 for this position, and you say yes - that's the wrong answer. If you know your worth, it's $225,000. Don't determine your worth after you start working with people and find out they're making more money than you are. If you agreed to do a job for a certain dollar amount, you're not worth more three months later just because somebody else in the company's being paid more. They knew their value, you just didn't. We are selling our time for a dollar amount. We need to know what we're worth way before we walk in the door, and if they can't pay us that, we're in the wrong spot. That's just not where we're supposed to work.

Bring your authentic, genuine self to the table every single day. You don't need to be like someone else in the room. You don't need to be like your mentor. You need to bring yourself. You are unique.

The biggest challenge is still taking the time for myself. I see that with almost everyone in the work environment and in life. It's just taking that time to recharge, taking that time for self-care, taking that time spiritually, physically, mentally, so that you approach each day strong. At that time of 8 to 9 o'clock at night, take that time. Don't be on the phone, don't be in front of the TV. Take that time to recharge yourself. As for opportunities, they're endless. We have had so many women before us pave such a wide path. Yes, there's still things that we need to achieve, but the opportunities are endless. Once we get into these positions, understanding what you need to do, where you need to go - yes, there may be a challenge, but do that challenge. When that opportunity comes, burst through that paper ceiling, burst through that glass ceiling. Yes, you're going to face challenges, but you're well equipped to do so because of the opportunities that you already have and because of the path that has already been set.

I believe in integrated work and life, so to me, they're almost the same. The first criteria is always kindness. Second is joy. And without those two, I'm not proceeding with the job or the day.