Feeling Lost in Your Career Journey? Find Your Soul’s Work with Tammy Mifflin

Have you ever felt like you’re in the trenches? You’re pouring your heart and soul into your business, but the walls just seem to be closing in. You might be feeling overwhelmed, lost, or even questioning your entire purpose. If that sounds familiar, then this episode of the Abiding CEO podcast is for you.

In this conversation, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tammy Mifflin, the founder of Lighted Lanterns Consulting. Tammy’s story is one of resilience, faith, and finding your path in the face of challenges. We delve into her experiences, the inspiration behind her company’s name, and the light she’s bringing to the world of business through faith-based coaching.

About Tammy Mifflin

Tammy Mifflin, the visionary founder and CEO of Lighted Lanterns Consulting, launched the firm with an unwavering dedication to empower organizations and individuals to reach their fullest potential. With over 20 years of experience in sales, healthcare operations, talent management, and leadership development, Tammy brings a unique blend of expertise to her transformational career and content strategist role.

Throughout her academic years, Tammy’s exceptional writing skills were recognized with numerous awards, foreshadowing her future entrepreneurial path. Holding a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management and Innovation Entrepreneurship from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Wesleyan College, Tammy’s career journey has been marked by various leadership roles in renowned organizations, a testament to her impressive qualifications and experience.

In 2017, Tammy’s career trajectory shifted dramatically when a spiritual revelation inspired her to start her own business. Mifflin Consulting Company was founded within ten days, focusing on strategic business management. The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with inspiration from the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Maidens (Matthew 25), led her to rebrand as Lighted Lanterns Consulting – a name that encapsulates her mission to illuminate the path for others by helping them thrive. 

Certified as a Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and a Career Development Coaching Specialist (CDCS), Tammy harnessed her natural talent for writing to drive her career and content services business to new heights, earning her the moniker The Career Connoisseur and showcasing her commitment to excellence. Today, Ms. Mifflin channels her passion for writing and design into empowering individuals and organizations by helping them craft compelling narratives.

Tammy’s zest for life shines through her diverse interests outside the office. A self-proclaimed mystery buff, she enjoys trying to outsmart detectives in the latest crime series or diving into a gripping novel. Her adventurous spirit leads her on journeys both near and far, from impromptu weekend getaways to exotic international destinations, each adding unique mementos and enriching experiences to her collection. Tammy’s four-legged companion, Phoebe Grace, serves as her Chief Happiness Officer, ensuring she takes regular breaks from her writing sessions to enjoy life’s simple moments.

With spirituality and faith as her cornerstones, Tammy is driven by a profound sense of purpose and direction. She advocates positive and progressive outcomes, leveraging her passion, purpose, and prayer to help individuals and businesses unlock their true potential and achieve meaningful success.

Discovering Purpose: A Conversation with Tammy Mifflin

Tammy, founder of Lighted Lanterns Consulting, shares her journey of transformation from strategic consulting to a faith-based approach centered around preparation and spiritual guidance.

Tammy’s story resonates with many entrepreneurs – she began her career with a clear direction: med school. However, life had other plans. A professor’s discouragement sent her on a new path, one that ultimately led her to her true calling. This experience is what inspired the name of her company, Lighted Lanterns Consulting. Drawing from the parable of the 10 virgins, Tammy realized the importance of being prepared – not just with skills and knowledge, but also with a sense of purpose. Lighted Lanterns Consulting isn’t about getting people just any job; it’s about guiding them towards careers that align with their passions and fuel their spirits.

Originally Mifflin Consulting, the name change during COVID symbolized a deeper mission: to prepare individuals for success in their careers and lives, aligning with spiritual principles. Tammy shares, “I kept hearing this voice and this nudging, like, ‘You need to change the name, you need to change the name’. And so I changed the name to Lighted Lanterns Consulting.”

Competition in Career Services: Standing Out with Faith

In a saturated market like career services, Tammy discusses how integrating faith-based principles has set Lighted Lanterns Consulting apart. She highlights the role of prayer and spiritual guidance in helping clients not just find jobs but align their careers with their life’s purpose. By focusing on service excellence and spiritual leadership, Tammy exemplifies how businesses can thrive by integrating core values into their operations.

The Power of Imperfect Progress

As our conversation deepened, Tammy opened up about her struggles with perfectionism. She described the fear of failure that often held her back and the pressure to constantly achieve flawless results. This vulnerability resonated with me, as I know perfectionism is a common pitfall for many entrepreneurs.

Tammy’s journey towards overcoming perfectionism involved a significant shift in perspective. It was about embracing the concept of “loving” imperfection. She shared a humorous anecdote about how Grammarly, a grammar-checking tool she used, started detecting a new tone in her writing after she embraced her faith more fully. The tool identified it as “loving,” a stark contrast to the previous “confident” or “informative” tones.

This story beautifully captured Tammy’s transformation. By letting go of the need for everything to be perfect, she opened herself up to a more authentic and loving approach to both her business and her life. Instead of viewing setbacks as failures, she sees them as opportunities to learn and grow. The key, she emphasizes, is to give your all – 110% effort. If things don’t work out as planned, it doesn’t diminish your worth. It may simply mean there’s a different path waiting to be discovered. Trusting in God’s plan allows you to surrender the need for control and embrace the journey, imperfections and all.

Losing Your Seasoning and Finding It Again: A Spiritual Journey

One of the most powerful moments in the interview is when Tammy describes a period in her life where she felt she had lost her “seasoning.”  This metaphor refers to a lack of spiritual vitality. She describes going through the motions – working full-time, attending church, maintaining a devotional routine – but without the deep sense of connection she once had. This experience became a turning point. Tammy realized the importance of prioritizing her spiritual well-being – she started to carve out time for focused prayer and reflection, allowing herself to reconnect with her faith.  This renewed connection brought a powerful transformation.  The “loving” tone Tammy noticed in her Grammarly reports reflected the inner light she had rediscovered.

Trusting Your Inner Compass

Tammy emphasized the importance of having a strong spiritual foundation, particularly during challenging times. She likened it to a compass, guiding you through the uncertainties of the entrepreneurial journey. She explains that having that spiritual connection is what keeps you grounded, no matter what’s going on around you.

Building Your Pit Crew: A Support System for Success

No entrepreneur is an island. Tammy highlights the importance of having a strong support system – she refers to this network as your “pit crew,” the people who will refuel your motivation, adjust your course, and cheer you on during your entrepreneurial journey. This pit crew can include a spiritual advisor, a mentor, or a board of advisors. Each member brings a unique perspective and skillset to the table, helping you navigate challenges and achieve your goals.

Looking Ahead: Goals for Light Atlantans Consulting

Looking towards the future, Tammy shares her vision for Lighted Lanterns Consulting, including plans to expand services, update the website, and offer free webinars. Her goal is not only to enhance career opportunities for individuals but also to foster leadership and legacy within organizations. By envisioning a continuum of support from resume building to retirement planning, Tammy aims to create lasting impacts on both personal and professional lives.

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, Tammy’s journey is an inspiration to entrepreneurs wrestling with purpose, overwhelm, and self-doubt. By aligning your work with your faith, building a strong support system, and trusting in the process, you can achieve success that goes beyond the bottom line. Remember, you are not alone. With Tammy’s guidance and your own unwavering faith, you can find your light and create a lasting legacy that uplifts yourself and those around you. So, take a deep breath, trust your intuition, and get ready to shine!