[callout] “I’m impressed with the people from Chicago. Hollywood is hype. New York is talk. Chicago is work.”

-Michael Douglas [/callout]

I’ve been impressed with Molly Page since I first interacted with her online in 2014. I became a monthly contributor to a site she manages, ThinDifference.com. (I interviewed Thin Difference’s founder, Jon Mertz, last year.)

When I saw Molly was releasing a book earlier this year, I was excited and we set up this interview for her to share with you! I think you’ll enjoy hearing from Molly as much as I’ve enjoyed working with her.

Who is Molly Page?

SS: Tell us a little bit about yourself. What roles do you play and where?

MP: I’m a writer and freelance digital strategist living in Chicago. I’m not a Chicagoan by birth; I’m a Chicagoan by choice! This city’s history, culture, and world-class architecture have won my heart. As a devoted consumer of culture and a perpetual student of social media, I’m typically in the process of learning something new.

I’m currently juggling a few different projects, and I love the variety that the mix provides in my day-to-day life. I serve as community manager for Thin Difference, I do some consulting work for the Chicago Architecture Foundation, and I’ve just written a book.

SS: We met through your work as Community Manager at Thin Difference (where I am a regular contributor). Tell us about Thin Difference and why you’re passionate about that site.

MP: I’ve worked with Jon Mertz, the force behind Thin Difference, for nearly four years. I’m passionate about the project because I believe in Jon’s mission to close the gap between generations. Cross-generational collaboration makes every team stronger.

I have the pleasure of working side-by-side with men and women decades older than I am in a few of my volunteer positions. I’ve gotten to experience mentoring as a two-way street. Of course, they have countless lessons to teach me, but there are things I can teach them too — when I’m brave enough to share, and they’re kind enough to listen. Seeing what Jon is pushing for play out in real life, makes me want the same experiences for others.

SS: You recently launched a new book. What’s the title and what’s the book about?

MP: I did! I’m fortunate to have turned my passion for living life as a tourist into a career. My book, 100 Things to Do in Chicago Before You Die, landed in bookstores on February 15, 2016. It’s not your typical travel book. The list format challenges readers to cross items off a Chicago bucket list.

I tried to fill the book with tidbits that would surprise even lifelong Chicagoans. Ideally, whether you’re visiting for the first time or you’re lucky enough to call Chicago home, you’ll learn something new and have fun in the process.

How Molly Page Battles Fear

SS: You’ve promised to be my tour guide whenever I finally make my first visit to Chicago. I’m excited! As a writer myself, I’m assuming you dealt with and are still battling fear with that new project. What does the voice of fear sound like for you?

MP: Writing, publishing, and now selling this book has been exhilarating and terrifying. I’ve always had a mean girl in my head that second guesses me when I challenge myself or try something new. Over the past year, she’s been rather vocal. She pointed out that I don’t have the knowledge, experience, or talent required to write a book. She warned I’d never finish on deadline. She told me that stores wouldn’t be interested selling my book, and I’d be wasting buyers’ time reaching out to them. She told me nobody wanted to buy the book. She tried to convince me that if anyone did buy the book, they would hate it once they read it. She’s kind of a jerk.

SS: What has fear kept you from doing in the past?

MP: Anyone who knows me — and my loud mouth — might be surprised by this answer. But fear has  kept me from speaking up (and sometimes still does). Tough conversations are where fear is most paralyzing in my life. It is a constant challenge to push past that discomfort and uncertainty and to calmly, and rationally, talk through things that matter. *shameless plug* Focusing on these benefits truly helps me, though!

SS: Thanks for the shameless plug, Molly. (Those links are two popular posts I wrote for Thin Difference on the benefits of and winning strategies for tough conversations.) Let’s keep talking about your battle with fear. What helped you become courageous in the face of fear?

MP: I’m incredibly fortunate to have friends and family around who love, support, and believe in me. They point me toward the truth and help me focus on what I can control. They encourage me and help quiet that mean girl’s voice. They challenge me and remind me that even if she’s right, even if I take a chance and don’t succeed, I’ll survive.

SS: What did you learn from the writing and launch process for your book?

MP: So far I’ve learned that a lot of my fears were unfounded. I wrote a book. I finished it on deadline. The book is in stores, and people are buying it. And the feedback I’ve gotten so far is positive. Of course, I’m still really in the thick of it, so can I answer this question again once I get a bit more distance?

Molly Page Encourages You

SS: Absolutely! I’d love to have you back here again. Okay, one last question before we let you go. What would you say to encourage readers who are battling fear?

MP: What I’ve learned about fear is that it’s often irrational and not typically based in fact. Though it’s a powerful emotion, it can be quieted with a bit of logical thinking. When I look at a situation that’s causing fear and let my mind explore the “worst case scenario,” I’m often surprised how survivable that scenario is! Typically my fear is ultimately failure of one kind or another. Reminding myself that failure is just a lesson-filled stepping stone toward whatever is next can put things into perspective.

Molly, thanks so much for sharing with us today. You can buy Molly Page’s new book, 100 Things to Do in Chicago Before You Die, on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. You can also follow her on Twitter or Instagram. And if you’re a Millenial in the workplace or you work with Millenials, check out ThinDifference.com. It’s a great resource to bridge the generation gap in the workplace.