We recently connected with Pinchas Taylor and have shared our conversation below.

Pinchas, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your professional career?

When I was 18 I got a summer job working as a telemarketer. I really did not want to take the job, because it didn’t really align with the type of work I wanted to do as a career. I took it only because it there were very few opportunities for a summer job as an 18 year old. However, when I looked back on it, the persistence necessary for doing well in telemarketing were actually quite valuable. If I could sell something to people that they really didn’t want or need, how much more so would I be successful if I WAS selling something that people both wanted and needed! The lesson I learned is that no matter what job you take, you can always use the experience as an opportunity to cultivate a skill that you may have never been able to gain without the experience.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a rabbi in south Florida who also has a coaching / consulting business for people of all faith backgrounds. When I was 15 I decided I wanted to be a rabbi, after considering the fact that I enjoyed spirituality, people, teaching, and learning. My organization, the American Faith Coalition, provides an opportunity for people of all religious backgrounds to enhance their relationship with God, based on the wisdom of the Hebrew Bible and scriptural tradition. We do this through group study, individual coaching, and establishing faith communities around the United States. One of the things that makes us different is that we help people solve their questions of faith and living with purpose, regardless of what their inherited faith was. Many people find difficulty becoming a part of a community, which takes a toll on their overall sense of happiness and wellbeing. We are proud to be able to help with the sense of belonging and faith connection that so many are struggling with. We are very proud of our in-person chapters around the country, and proud to offer hands on assistance in growth to many diverse people around the world. One important point to always remember is that we are about relationship not religion.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I’d say the one book that really impacted my worldview as an entrepreneur was “The 4-Hour Work Week” by Tim Ferris. More than anything else, it really helped poke holes in the assumed life that most people put upon themselves, namely, to get into a good college, in order to get a good job, in order to work your way up the career ladder, and continue working under someone for 40 years in a job that you may at best tolerate. This book really put into perspective some lifestyle changes that are useful in breaking free of that worldview, and the standard work-week and life-organization pattern.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

I made the decision to go in this direction at age 15, and I have never once looked back. I would absolutely choose this direction if I could go back.

Contact Info:

• Website: pinchastaylor.com
• Instagram: @pinchastaylor
• Facebook: pinchastaylor
• Linkedin: @pinchastaylor
• Youtube: pinchastaylor