Literary Las Vegas: Alexia Vernon

As owner of Catalyst for Action, a business coaching and training company, Las Vegas author Alexia Vernon draws on her background as an actor and dancer to empower audiences all over the country. Part self-help instruction, part hands-on workbook, her book "Awaken Your CAREERpreneur" encourages readers to move beyond being employees to turn callings into careers. For more information, visit awakenyourcareerpreneur.com.

Excerpt from "Awaken Your CAREERpreneur"

The notion of praxis comes from the Brazilian educational philosopher, Paulo Freire, who believed that too often human beings get stymied in their thinking. He believed that it is vital for us to take action, reflect upon it, and then take new action based upon the reflection, which he calls transformation.

Praxis is not a linear process. Instead it's a continuous one of balancing smart action with reflection and then new, more informed action.

I see the praxis process as being like an octopus. You want to have your tentacles out at all times, pulling in possibilities for success as well as feedback on how you are doing, so that you can keep stepping up your game and engineering new levels of achievement. Now, a lot of your SUCCESSwork has asked you to assess your strengths and areas for growth. It is also important to solicit and be open to outside feedback.