All politics aside, you can't deny Sarah Palin's got smarts. Money smarts, especially. The NY Post reported yesterday that she and daughter Bristol were paid $100,000 for a day-long photo shoot--in Sarah's own house. Not bad considering her previous salary was $125,000 per year, as governor of Alaska.
There was much kerfuffle when Sarah quit that job. People scoffed: How dare she leave Alaskans high and dry? Is she planning a run for the presidency? How could she possibly write a book? But look at her now: Fresh off the tour for her multi-million dollar, bestselling book; commanding six-figures for speaking engagements; and now, a contributor on Fox News. Her first appearance on "The O'Reilly Factor" drew almost 4 million viewers, up 22 percent from the show's numbers the previous night.
The critics, naturally, were less than floored. "C. OK, C+," wrote Newsday's Verne Gay. Even Fox executive Bill Shine couldn't say exactly when she'd be appearing next. "I would actually have an answer if the situation were different. We've back-burnered a lot of things because of the earthquake in Haiti," he told tvnewser.com. Translation: She won't be, um, covering Haiti, but we like her.
But trading in her politico pumps for a reporter's notebook was likely never in Sarah's plan. Or as Sarah might say, God's plan for her. This career transition isn't a reinvention, but a relaunch, onto a broader platform. Still the same Sarah, just on a more lucrative stage than her Facebook page. Folksy attitude? Check. Ironically anti-media message? Check. Floofy pageant hairdo? Check (okay, minus the Bumpit). Let's put in bluntly: Sarah's just cashing in.
In his book What Got You Here Won't Get You There, author Marshall Goldsmith writes that when you press successful people about the motives behind their self-interest, it usually comes down to four things: money, power, status, and popularity. "The hot button is different for each person. And it changes over time," he writes. In other words, you might not want-- or achieve-- them all at one time, so it helps to be clear on what's driving you at the moment.
With legal bills to pay and many mouths to feed, Sarah knows what she wants, and gosh darnnit, you can hardly blame her. Here were the career paths on the table: Stick to your prestigious day job, or get-wealthy-quick (and legally). What would you choose?
Coming up next time, the best reasons to quit your job, even if you don't have Ms. Palin's wide-ranging career options.
[Photo: tvnewser.com]
