On (Not) Playing by the Rules

You might remember the book (which then became a play) Nickel and Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich's undercover story about the millions of Americans who work full time for poverty wages.

Now she's written its white collar twin:
Bait and Switch: The (Futile) Pursuit of the American Dream.

I haven't read it—I'm not sure I want to. Because she says if you go to college, play by the rules, and stick by your employer, you too often end up in financial ruin.

That's not what I want to hear.

Then again, maybe that's why I wrote Mentor Me, and why I created a 10-Step Mentor Me Action Plan. Ehrenreich's research notwithstanding, I'd like to believe we have a hand in our own destiny. And if that means breaking the rules (responsibly) when it serves your larger purpose, when you want to matter—then it's all good.

Just ask former AOL Insider Mary Foley, who has made it her business to matter to lots of working women, like you, who want to live large. Mary transformed herself from a "good girl" who played by the rules into a Bodacious Woman who lives life like her nail color. Bodaciously!

Check her out—She's got some great bodacious ways.

Then go ahead—live life like you matter. Because you do.