Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2017 exceeded your expectations. It was definitely a year of peaks and valleys for me. Overall, I am grateful, thankful and appreciative of the journey. I will share more about those in a different post.
It’s officially 2018. And, many of us have been guilty of making resolutions over the years which, in many cases, end up going unfulfilled for one reason or another. I will lose 25 lbs. I will get married. I will buy a new house or car. I will exercise more. Any of these sound familiar? They all sound great. They are usually declared with good intentions. But, intentions and implementation are two totally different things. I ask you to consider NOT making any resolutions this year. Instead, consider goal setting as an alternative.
Goal setting is not the same as making a resolution. Goal setting consists of declaring an action and then, putting steps in place to ensure you meet those goals. It’s more intentional and carries more weight. There’s more of a sense of accountability and care associated with goal setting.
When setting goals, follow the KISS method-Keep It Short & Simple. Start with one or two personal or professional goals you’d like to meet. In the past, I’ve been guilty of having very lofty goals. I have grand ideas. And, while there’s nothing wrong with that, I have to be honest with myself about my ability to effectively execute them. I had to learn how to master the small steps and learn how to build a proper foundation. Practice makes perfect. By keeping my goals shorter and more realistic to my time and flexibility, I have been to master my goals MUCH better. It has given me the confidence I needed to try something else, then something else and still…something else.lol
If you’d like to gain a bit more clarity for your personal and/or professional life, check out the Work with Me section of my website. I’d love to help you develop your book or organization or help you gain clarity and confidence.
As 2017 begins to wind down, I am thrilled to share that I’ve been featured in Huffington Post again this year. What’s so amazing about this particular feature is having the opportunity to share another side of myself. Domestic violence and sexual assault have become signatures for me and set the tone for my branding. However, the REAL foundation for what brought me to this path was in entrepreneurship and personal development.
This book has afforded me the opportunity to be mentioned in the same company with some other pretty amazing global entrepreneurs. I’m learning some awesome information from them. As I continue to build my own brand and establish my professional identity, I am proud to be able to offer a wealth of resources by way of our book. You Need It, I Got It! is helping me to strategically dominate my niche. I believe it will do the same for you. Read the article here. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/16-global-entrepreneurs-to-pay-attention-to-in-2018_us_5a2ada1fe4b022ec613b81d4
If you haven’t already, purchase your e-book today. Consider gifting a copy to a friend or colleague.
Whether you celebrate Thanksgiving or not, I hope the day as well as this past weekend, has been one of positive experiences, good times, rest, relaxation and reflection. I created a newsletter to include some special offers in recognition of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday & Cyber Monday. I ask that you read it, share it and take advantage of the available offerings. Thank you for the continued support of all I continue to do in business and advocacy.
I’m pleased to share I launched a new book entitled “You Need It, I Got It!” and it made the Best Seller’s List. I am over the moon with excitement as I am now a 2x Best Selling Author. I am one of sixteen co-authors for this amazing book. I’d love to have you purchase it by using my special link here: http://bit.ly/igotit-joyce
Here’s a brief description of the book:
With almost 30 million entrepreneurs in the United States alone, it is easy to get lost in the shuffle, causing you to be overlooked, overworked, and overwhelmed in your business. To stand out, it is imperative for you as a business owner to foster brand sensibility and effectively market, and most importantly, follow through with the unique solutions you can offer to your ideal audience.
Compiled by Multi-Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Tieshena Davis, You Need It, I Got It spotlights sixteen trusted coaches, consultants, and advisors who share industry-specific lessons and strategies to teach you how to conquer common entrepreneurial challenges, tailor your passions to guarantee the betterment of your business, and dominate in your niche. Through transparent advice on tried-and-tested practices for success, this book provides an invaluable space for you to connect with global leaders in entrepreneurship and use their expertise to build on your own, making it possible for you to grow your audience, increase your visibility, and expand your influence.
Last week, I had the pleasure of spending time with Mildred Muhammad. While many around the globe know her as the ex-wife of the DC Sniper and being an amazing speaker and author, I am pleased to say that I have a different type of relationship with her.
I am proud to call her my sister, friend, colleague and fellow warrior in bringing education, awareness and overall change regarding issues related to domestic violence and sexual assault. When I first reached out to her, it was to be a guest on our nonprofit’s radio show, Boots on the Ground. Keep in mind, I’ve been following her for years. But, because of her celebrity, I was actually afraid to reach out to her, fearing that we were too small and she would not have time. But, because I do not believe that we should live or operate in the spirit of fear, I decided to go ahead and contact her. She was soooooo easy going and personable. I felt a real sense of conviction come over me. She was quite humble and graciously accepted the invitation to be our special guest.
But, it is what happened afterwards that makes knowing her more meaningful for me. She made me feel comfortable to share things I hadn’t shared with others. There are times when you just feel the need to keep your thoughts guarded, even when you need to share them. She advised me. She encouraged me. She corrected me. She reminded me. She made time for me. I knew from that moment on, I had a genuine connection with her. It wasn’t about social media likes or bragging about ‘who you know’. I know if I need her or just want to catch up, laugh or vent, I can do it. And, I believe she knows the same is true for her with me.
So, even though she was busy with speaking, workshops, book signings and radio interviews last week, she made certain we spent time together. It was not advertised. No selfies were taken to be posted.lol Just two sisters who share a foundation of faith and like minded spirits chatting. And, if you’re reading this and have not yet ordered the book, you can do so using this link: http://www.mildredmuhammad.com/publications.html
I had the absolute pleasure of being the Keynote speaker for this year’s Project STAND event. Project STAND is an annual fundraising event designed to provide awareness and resources to victims/survivors of domestic violence and the community at large. I’ve been fortunate to attend almost every year. And, our nonprofit organization, Walking Into A New Life, Inc., has benefited from the proceeds of the event. This year, I was privileged with the task of being the Keynote speaker.
In my address, I wanted to make sure attendees understood the importance of giving, being a good servant leader and being mindful of the language they use when addressing victims of abuse. I also stressed the importance of seeking help, counseling and trusting the judicial system. Among other things, talked about not simply encouraging survivors to just leave an abusive relationship without a plan, as that plan will help to determine when and how they can do it safely.
As always, we had a great time! Food, fun, fellowship and outstanding entertainment. If you didn’t attend this year, I suggest you make plans to come out NEXT year.
