Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Melo Doroff, author of One Decision Away.
Hi Paula, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I spent twenty successful years in corporate America, working as a Vice President for some of the world’s most influential companies, such as Goldman Sachs and BlackRock. An enormous task considering that I came to this country in my mid-twenties with no money, no English, and nothing more than a middle school education.
I grew up in poverty in Brazil, dreaming that one day I’d make it to America, the country I’d always thought of as the place you go to make something of yourself. My dream did in fact become a reality, and for a while I got by and did odd jobs, eventually landing a position as a receptionist in a small office. This would be the first stepping stone of many in the career in Financial Services that I was able to build.
I was raised by a grandmother who was, and still is, illiterate. My parents were not in the picture. I’ve never met my father and to this day, I have no idea who he is. My grandmother treated me as a burden, convinced nothing good would ever come of me. To put it simply, I was trapped. I know what it is to battle depression, to lack confidence, and to struggle with physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. I know what it means to long desperately for something, anything, to take away the pain – including wishing you’d never been born.
To be frank, publishing a book was definitely not in the cards for me! Growing up, we didn’t even have books in the house; the first time I read a book I was 17 years old. At school, we had notebooks and pencils, nothing more. Having never taken an English class in my life, the thought of writing a book in English was intimidating to say the least.
But after two decades working for Wall Street companies, I decided to leave a career that defined my success and dedicate the rest of my life to fulfilling my purpose as a career and life strategist. Today, I help high-achieving professionals and leaders find their path to more meaningful and authentic lives without having to quit their jobs… unless they absolutely want to, of course.
I am a Certified Professional Coach by the International Coaching Federation and a Certified Positive Intelligence Coach. I am a lifelong learner driven by the desire to become the best possible version of myself, and to help others do the same. I am passionate about Personal Leadership, High-Performance Habits, and Positive Intelligence. I’m also an avid traveler who enjoys meeting new people and volunteering. I live in Minnesota with my husband, two teenage boys, and my dog, Nina.
Fun Facts:
- I took up hiking in my late 30s and challenged myself to climb the tallest mountain in Africa.
- Before I started running at 29, I’d never even run a mile but I now have several marathons under my belt. Unfortunately, injuries prevent me from continuing, but those experiences have taught me that it’s never too late to try something new.
- I’ve recently been thrilled to receive early praise for my first book, One Decision Away, from three New York Times best-selling authors and the Chief Medical Officer for the US Olympic Committee.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not easy at all! I would say I’ve now spent decades learning to overcome life’s obstacles, and every single one has made me the person I am today. In fact, learning to embrace challenge and being transformed by adversity is a big part of my purpose right now; it’s at the very core of what I want to offer my coaching clients.
Growing up there was essentially zero emotional support or love in my world, but plenty of physical and sexual abuse. Depressed and lacking confidence, I ran away from home at 15 years old, determined not to go back until I made something of myself. But without any formal education, finding my way meant a lot of pretending that I was like the people I was meeting, just so I could fit in.
Before my 16th birthday, I married a man twice my age – unsurprisingly, this was an abusive relationship. A few more failed marriages later and I can say I learned the hard way that hope is not a strategy, and that it’s foolish to place your faith in anyone or anything other than God and the ability I have to make decisions to get myself out of any tough situation. I am the one responsible for my life.
I had to learn to create and execute plans to reach my goals, and stay committed to them no matter what. I had to learn that no one would ever be able to heal my wounds, or fill the holes in my heart and soul. That was my job.
Even years later, after I found myself at the pinnacle of my career, I realized that something was missing. I felt unfilled… and on top of that, ashamed for feeling that the life I had, the life I’d worked so hard for, was not enough. The journey wasn’t over for me yet. Leaving the security of a corporate job to start my business from scratch was terrifying. Since I knew nothing about how to run a business, the learning curve was steep. But again, it was another obstacle that taught me so much.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
When I reflect on my life, there were two very distinct phases that I found myself in. In both phases, One Decision Away is exactly the kind of book that I wished I’d had to guide me. So when I left my Wall Street career, my new purpose as a career and life strategist was to create that resource, and offer it to people going through what I had gone through.
The first phase was during my early 20s. Though I’d found my way to the country of my dreams, I felt completely lost. I had no idea what I needed to do to make it. The industry was competitive, and I was starting out with nothing, but step by step, I forged a path. I was able to go from that receptionist job to Vice President of some of the most powerful financial companies in the world.
Fast forward a few years, and I found myself in the second phase; I had achieved tremendous success in my career, complete with trophies, a nice office and the title of VP. But one day I remember sitting in my office, and it hit me: despite all that I had achieved, I no longer felt fulfilled. What people saw on the outside simply did not match how I felt inside. I felt like something missing. And I was right!
I’ve heard from so many of my coaching clients that they feel stuck. Whether it’s in an unfulfilling career or an unhealthy relationship, they feel that something big is missing. Some of them are like I was, climbing the corporate ladder but feeling lost and inauthentic. Others may have already achieved success by all society’s standards, but feel surprisingly empty.
Something I’ve learned in life is that when you go through hard times, you can either get bitter or get better. My goal with One Decision Away was to equip readers with strategies, principles, and tools to help them get better. No matter where you are now, you can get unstuck, reach your most important goals, and find that missing something. It’s about proactively creating the life you want for yourself, on your own terms.
Alright, before we go, can you talk to us a bit about how people can work, collaborate, or support you?
If you’re interested in learning about my coaching services, or just have questions, visit Pauladoroff.com to learn more and schedule a time to connect with me. I’m on Facebook and Instagram too, where I regularly share updates. Naturally, I’d encourage anyone to consider reading my book, too!
The book covers a range of topics, including what it takes to achieve true success, what can sabotage that success, and how to apply proven principals and tools for overcoming obstacles. Stories are powerful, and that’s why I share the stories of seven inspiring individuals who overcame tremendous adversity and completely transformed their lives – and exactly how they did it. The book comes down to something I believe with all my heart: no matter who you are or what your challenges in life, success and fulfilment are never more than One Decision Away.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pauladoroff.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pauladoroff
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paula.doroff.3
Paula Doroff is the girl on the left. She was 7 years old in this photo. Photo taken in the backyard she grew up in.
