Professionally, I’ve spent the past seven years searching for the perfect job. I’ve worked for a gamut of companies from small start-up ventures to Fortune 500s, selling everything from vaccines to virtual worlds. I’ve had some glamorous experiences along the way: lunches with Alec and Billy Baldwin, an awards event with the cast of The Sopranos, an impromptu meeting with Tommy Hilfiger; some intense ones too: teaching a room full of doctors about immunology (what do I possibly know about immunology that they don’t?!), holding my breath as I demoed beta software for a room full of business execs, and training classrooms full of young, hungry sales reps how to sell. What have I learned from it all? That there’s no such thing as the perfect job. Each has its ups and downs but I’ve learned many valuable skills – and pushed myself beyond what I thought possible – along the way.
Despite all of the amazing things I’ve gotten to do in my professional career, I’ve had a deep desire to write since I was a little girl. Like most writers, I wrote my first book at 5 or 6 years old. It was a story about a little girl with 18 brothers and sisters who all had to share one bathroom (talk about conflict!). I always looked at the world with an inquisitive eye and was that (annoying) child that incessantly asked why? I’m a big believer in living your life and doing the things you desire. On my first date with my husband, he told me that he had always wanted to try skydiving. I had always wanted to, too. So, guess what our second date was?
Over the years, I’ve met many smart, capable people who are unhappy because they hate their jobs but are too afraid to go after what they really want in life. I can relate to these people because I’ve been one of them. That’s why I decided to launch Beyond the Gray, to inspire and motivate people to go after the things they really want in life. I also write travel articles for The Savvy Explorer, and contribute to Lehigh Valley InSite and Writer Unboxed.
Interviews with Erika
- 2147 Miles: “Erika Liodice, Writer by Night”
- Write it Sideways: “Q&A with Bloggers Erika Liodice & Ashley Prince”
22 comments
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November 5, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Chasing the dream « Manner of Speaking
[…] young woman named Erika Liodice writes a blog, “Beyond the Gray”, on inspiration and chasing your dreams. She came […]
November 24, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Catherine doyle
Hi Erika
I heard about your blog from John Zimmer (we are both members of the Geneva Writers Group).
I really admire your attitude to life and your blog is great!
I am a fellow ‘follow your dreams’ type who only recently took the plunge and gave up fulltime paid employment to spend a year in Italy!
If you’re interested, my blog tells humourous stories our our traumas…
http://cathscache.blogspot.com/
Cheers
Cath
December 7, 2009 at 11:08 am
Liliana Leon
My Dearest Erica!
I found myelf going through a rough patch in New York and decided to leave my last blog, Risks Romance and Redlipstick. I don’t know what came over me, it was a bit of everything I think- I became unsure, insecure, and a bit deppressed and I gave myself a break to get myself together. Then, I remembered your site and after spending a whole day reading- I decided to start a new blog. This new blog is called, Liliana Says…- and I would love to keep on following your site! Erica, your site truly has the power to change someones thoughts and feelings- it gives people HOPE!
I’m not sure what I did to follow you last time but I dont know how this time, can you help? 🙂
I hope all is well Erica! I cant wait to share your site with my friends here in New York!
Your Friend,
Liliana Leon
December 7, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Liliana
Yeii! I added you!! 🙂 Thank Erica!!! 🙂
December 8, 2009 at 10:09 am
Erika Liodice
That’s great, Liliana! Glad I could help!
February 10, 2010 at 11:14 am
Mitchell Scott Davis
Thanks for your blog; I’m enjoying the positivity very much on this cold, snowy day.
February 11, 2010 at 11:20 am
Erika Liodice
Hi Mitchell,
Thanks for reading! I’m so glad to hear that Beyond the Gray was able to shine a ray of positivity through yesterday’s blizzard!
Erika
April 6, 2010 at 10:17 am
Writer Unboxed » Blog Archive » Unpublished Writer Position – Finalists, Finally
[…] Reid Erika Liodice Barb Mountjoy Christy Hayes Laura Espinosa Erika […]
April 6, 2010 at 4:48 pm
amy sue nathan
Erika,
I grew up in Philadelphia and have cousins in Bethlehem – one of whom works at Lehigh.
Nice to *meet* you (again).
Amy
May 17, 2010 at 9:56 am
Emily
Hi Erika,
I work at AU’s College of Arts and Sciences and wanted to see if I could link to the piece you wrote about commencement. I really enjoyed reading it. Please email me when you have a chance at eschmidt@american.edu.
Thanks,
Emily
July 27, 2010 at 10:47 am
News: A “Dream Chaser” Interview With Inspired Living Blog | The Passion Project
[…] few weeks ago I was asked by Erika Liodice, creator of the blog Beyond the Gray: Inspired Lives Unfolding, to do a “Dream Chaser” […]
September 1, 2010 at 10:05 am
ritaroberts
Hi again Erika. I have been reading your blog about your time in Greece and you sound as if you really enjoyed it. I said that my favourite place was Delphi but of course there are so many more just as interesting such as, Santorini. It was a shame you did’nt get time to go to the Museum at Delphi I have some photo’s I took when we were there last year would you like me to send a couple to you. Incidently I admire your positive thinking, and doing the things you most love to do especially travel, thats if one gets the oportunities of course. I did just this and took the plunge by selling up my home and everything to move to Crete, this was at my retirement age,everyone of my friends thought I was nuts,but I do have a lovely partner John who was willing to do this with me.But now I have the urge to travel to other places,have been to Egypt and loved it. I would like to go and see Machu Pichu but worry that the journey is to long so may settle for Rome instead.
September 1, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Erika Liodice
Hi again Rita,
It sounds like we are kindred spirits! I would cherish the opportunity to see your photos. I’ll send you an e-mail about it.
Congrats on taking the plunge and moving to Crete! I admire your courage.
Erika
October 13, 2010 at 8:07 am
ritaroberts
Hi Erika, Just to say thankyou so much for publishing my story on Beyond the Gray. I will continue reading other stories on your blog. I will also let you know if I am lucky enough to have my book published.
You are doing a great job helping others to cope with their life with your positive advice.
October 19, 2010 at 11:33 pm
Erika Liodice
Thanks for sharing your story, Rita!
Keep in touch,
Erika
November 22, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Alan Paul
Hi Erika. I’ve been lurking around your site and enjoying it. I would like to touch base with you about my upcoming book Big In China, which I think will be of interest. More info in an email. Can you possibly drop me a line?
Thanks.
Alan Paul, The Expat Life columnist, WSJ.com
November 23, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Erika Liodice
Hi Alan,
Nice to meet you. I sent you an e-mail this afternoon.
Look forward to hearing from you!
Erika
December 13, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Don’t Over Think It « Beyond The Gray
[…] About Erika Liodice […]
March 9, 2011 at 11:03 am
Zilvinas Juraska
I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the layout of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better?
March 22, 2011 at 11:57 am
Erika Liodice
Hi Zilvinas,
Thanks for letting me know your thoughts about the design and layout of my blog. To answer your question, yes, I’ve been considering updating the design to help readers have a more meaninful connection here. I appreciate your suggestion about adding more photos and spacing. I will keep that in mind as I investigate my options.
Thanks again 🙂
Erika
May 13, 2011 at 10:45 am
Ashley Prince
Hi Ericka, I can’t believe it took me so long to follow your blog, but I truly enjoy it and I can see why you were picked as a finalist. 🙂
And I love that you have aspired to write and travel since you were young. I have had the writing and travel bug since I was little, dreaming about the places I could go and luckily I married a man who has the same traveling bug.
Keep up the writing!
Ashley
May 16, 2011 at 9:53 am
Erika Liodice
Hi Ashley,
I’m so glad you found my blog and are enjoying what you’re reading here. Sounds like we have a lot in common!
Happy writing (and travels)!!
Erika