Chasing Dreams with Aimee J.

What’s possible when you step outside your comfort zone, push the limits, and refuse to let anything hold you back? As you might imagine, the sky’s the limit! Today’s guest has proven at a young age that chasing a dream can be satisfying and fulfilling beyond your wildest imagination. 

Sarika Mehta appeared way back in Episode 29 of Chasing Dreams, almost three years ago. She’s part of a new feature for 2019, in which I’ll check in with a previous guest about once a month, and we’ll see how the dream-chase is progressing. When we last spoke with Sarika, she was an 18-year-old student at the Culinary Institute of America. Today, she’s graduated with an Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality and Business Management, with a concentration in Wine, Beverage, and Hospitality Studies. Sarika has found a love for hospitality as a whole, not just in creating dishes for people to enjoy, but in interacting with guests during their entire experience. Fascinatingly, Sarika received an email during the recording of this conversation about a job she had interviewed for and was offered a position as Food and Beverage Manager-in-Training with the Four Seasons Hotel in Denver.

Changing Directions

Do you have the guts to change directions when you need to? Sarika had spent much time and education in learning kitchen skills, but then she discovered the broader field of hospitality, learning to “speak two languages.” She found that she enjoyed the art of managing, which means taking the responsibility for the kitchen and the dining room working together fluently. Communication is the key to prevent a disconnect in the hospitality arena. Sarika says the important thing is to find what YOU love to do, no matter what path others around you are choosing.

TWEET: I like having the freedom to take advantage of opportunities that come my way. #chasingdreams

New Year, New Aspirations

How do you feel when the job you’ve longed for just lands at your feet? As we were recording this conversation, Sarika received an email notification that the job she wanted and had just interviewed for was hers. She will start in February as a manager-in-training at the Four Seasons Hotel in Denver. She enjoys the opportunity to rotate through different parts of the property and guest services operations to learn about a large scale operation. This new opportunity is a huge step where Sarika plans to experience lots of self-growth, new challenges, and more independence as her career advances.

TWEET: Get out of your comfort zone and push yourself to get out of your bubble. #chasingdreams

Thriving in the face of challenges

How do you learn to be independent in a new role in a new place? Sarika had to learn this skill when she lived and worked in Boston and didn’t know anyone there. Her advice is to surround yourself with what makes you feel comfortable, but not to be afraid to go, explore, and experience new things and new places. She calls it “being a tourist in your hometown.” It’s true that we take the things for granted that exist all around us, and we often don’t experience them until guests come to visit. In 2019, determine to explore and tour what’s around you, because you don’t need an excuse! 

TWEET: If you’re afraid of failing, then you will. #chasingdreams

Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream chaser to take--”Don’t be scared or nervous. Leave something old to pursue something new that’s your passion. Throw caution to the wind and take the risk. Don’t be afraid to fail---or you will.”

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [:12] Revisiting and catching up on new developments
• [1:36] How new experiences opened up for Sarika
• [3:22} Choosing balance
• [5:00] Figuring out the best track for YOU
• [6:52] What we can expect next for...

As we approach the end of 2018, have you spent any time reflecting on your year? On this, the last episode of the year, we’re spending some time reflecting on 2018, which was filled with the loss of many wonderful people. As much as we look back, though, it’s also a time to look forward to what’s coming up in 2019.

Some good things about 2018

What moves have you made in 2018? One thing I did was to move back to Baltimore, allowing me to be closer to my family, which is a good thing. I’ve also found a work-life balance that works for me. I took a trip to India and truly learned how to relax and be “in the moment”---and unplug. I had several nieces and cousins get married this year. Concerning the podcast, we hit 150 episodes this year and exceeded 150,000 downloads, which is utterly amazing! As we look ahead, think about the next phase for you and how you can improve.

TWEET: “Life is figuring out who you are---and owning it.” #chasingdreams

My top five lessons learned in 2018

What lessons have you learned this year? I want to share my Top Five, starting with #5: Get help. You don’t have to do it all yourself. People are ready and willing to help. #4: Find your voice and your vision. The world needs YOU and your uniqueness. #3: Embrace your fears. For me, it’s my fear of heights, so I have plans in place to face that fear in 2019. #2: Prioritize mental health. Negative influences can affect your life in bad ways. #1: YOU are what’s important. Each person is unique, distinct, and important.

TWEET: “Don’t let fear hold you back from your greatness.” #chasingdreams

Find YOUR value

Do you know how you affect the people around you? As a twin, I had to learn that no one person is more important than another, no matter what your status in life. Your light that shines out has an effect on all the people around you. Your story has a ripple effect that you don’t even realize. Don’t be the person your parents want you to be, but live YOUR life and be true to that.

TWEET: “I truly learned how to relax and vacation this year.” #chasingdreams

OUTLINE OF THE EPISODE:

• [1:00] Reflecting on the past year and some of the tough losses
• [3:05] Amazing things from 2018
• [5:28] Learning how to relax
• [9:32] Embracing new things with clarity
• [11:40] Lessons learned, beginning with Get help
• [16:04] Find YOUR voice
• [18:34] Embrace your fears
• [23:55] The importance of mental health
• [33:34] YOU are what’s important

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Aimee on Facebook

Aimee on Twitter

Aimee on Instagram

Aimee on LinkedIn

TWEETS YOU CAN USE:

TWEET: “I learned to truly savor and enjoy the moment I was in.” #chasingdreams

TWEET: “I wish more people could experience that feeling of tranquility and calm.” #chasingdreams

https://youtu.be/AG8rGDDUspc

Mental health---we all want it, but how do we get it and keep it? How is it connected to physical health? What should I do if I know something is wrong, but I don’t know where to go for help? Why is there so much stigma around the admission that I may need therapy or medications? Most people have had to face these questions at some point, but coming out on the “other side” is different, and using the struggle and triumph of our own weaknesses can bring hope and healing to others. My guest today has “been there,” and he’s here to share advice, wisdom, and answers.

Anthony Hayes had lived in the darkness of anxiety and depression for years, up until a decade ago. He has since become an author, podcaster, blogger, and most importantly, a father. He’s a good friend and I’m excited for you to meet Anthony!

Be selfish

Do you make time for yourself? If you aren’t healthy and taking care of yourself, then you can’t help others. It comes down to the familiar “airline oxygen mask on yourself first,” before you look to help someone else. Many people make the mistake of trying to help others without taking care of themselves. Taking care of ourselves gets lost in the shuffle of life. Anthony’s advice is to make the time for yourself, whatever that means for you. You deserve it!

TWEET: “Make the time for yourself, whatever that means for you. You deserve it!” @ahayes_mmi

What to do when you feel “off”

Would you have the courage to seek help if you knew you were mentally unwell? For Anthony, there wasn’t a major event or trigger, but he just woke up one day and felt “off.” He knew he needed professional help, so he arranged to see a doctor. He wrote his book as a therapy session for himself, when he dealt with major depressive disorder, ADHD, and insomnia. He says you have to WANT to change and find the balance, motivation, and medications that will work for you. It’s a long journey that requires daily maintenance.

TWEET: “You have to WANT to change and find the balance, motivation, and medications that will work for you.” @ahayes_mmi

Living with depression

How many people around you are dealing with a diagnosed depressive disorder? You probably don’t know, because there are people all around us who live fully functioning lives--in spite of battling depression. Most of us assume that a mental health issue is debilitating and will keep someone from living life daily, but that’s not the case. We all need to realize that our mental health has an effect on our loved ones around us--it’s not just about me. Anthony copes with his down days in ways he has found to be successful for him, and the dark days are less frequent now than they used to be. He finds healing in writing and music, and now uses his experiences to reach out and help others.

TWEET: “There are people all around us who live fully functioning lives--in spite of battling depression.” @ahayes_mmi

Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream chaser to take--”Create small habits every single day that will propel you to bigger attainable goals and habits. Integrate those into your daily life. Don’t be stagnant, but keep trying new things.”

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [:31] Why I wanted Anthony on the show
• [1:23] Looking at your vibes here at the end of 2018
• [2:25] A new year and a new chance
• [5:15] Finding time to be selfish
• [8:15] A selfish move for Anthony
• [10:00] Anthony’s experience with mental health
• [13:20] Finding self-realization
• [14:46] Constant maintenance of mental health
• [16:00] It’s OK to admit that you need help
• [18:39] Why mental health resources are so important
• [22:44] Advocates for mental health
• [24:07] Living life with depression
• [26:51] Seeing the physical effects of mental illness
• [27:59] Getting

We all know that dreams can change over time, as we gain clarity and wisdom with the experience that comes from successes and failures. My guest today readily admits that he had the wrong perspective just a few years ago, and it was only when he changed his approach that things fell into place. Join us to see how he found the right path to his most important dreams.

Alex Barker is no stranger to this podcast. He appeared way back in Episode 12, in 2015. Go back and take a listen if you haven’t heard our first conversation. Today, Alex has changed a lot of things in his life in chasing his dreams. He’s sharing with us how far he’s come, how the dream has changed, and how his chase has become different from the mishmash of distraction that it used to be.

What Alex has learned

Have you felt distracted and torn between the things you want to accomplish? Alex did a 66-day experiment and learned a lot about himself and his dreams. One lesson he learned was that he only has a certain amount of time each week to put toward his dream. He sometimes felt a lack of dedication and focus as his attention was diverted in many directions. Overall, he felt disappointed in where he was and felt like he should have been further along. Someone asked him what was stopping him, and he realized how his attention had been going in too many directions. He gave himself an 18-month ultimatum to make the progress he expected of himself.

TWEET: I felt trapped in the sense that I could never really say what was on my mind, for fear of consequences. #chasingdreams

Becoming debt free

Have you dreamed of being debt free? Most everyone has at some point, but have you taken definitive steps to make it happen? Alex took classes on finances and learned about investing, because he wanted to become debt free as quickly as possible. He and his wife lived off one paycheck each month and used the other to pay down their debt. He negotiated with his employer to help pay off his student loans and he made a plan to pay off their mortgage in just 3 years. It took a combination of disciplined living (it was NOT fun!) and using his business wisely to pay off the debts and fund their desired lifestyle.

TWEET: There’s no such thing as a failed experiment--only feedback. #chasingdreams

The future for Alex

What’s next in YOUR future? Alex has some magnificent things happening in his future. He’s working on a book that he hopes will come out in a few months. It’s called Indispensable, and is about creating a fulfilling career in the world of pharmacy. He’s also looking to host an online summit soon. His desire is to constantly show people that there are other paths, mainly because of the miserable people who are in the pharmacy business. Burnout is common and suicide rates are high. Alex has a heavy burden to help these people who are broken.

TWEET: Working for myself has completely changed my week and how I spend my time. #chasingdreams

Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream chaser to take--”If you have a dream, pick a date on which you will decide to either continue doing this or give it up entirely. Pick a goal or a deadline, and the rest will happen, or it won’t.”

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [:10] What’s happened in Alex’s life since 2015
• [3:32] Failures--feedback in disguise
• [13:40] Becoming debt free
• [17:33] The possibilities with discipline and a plan
• [19:34] The power in writing out your plans and dreams
• [21:06] How Alex’s life has changed since 2015
• [22:58] What was holding Alex back
• [28:04] What we can expect from Alex in the future
• [31:34] The importance of Alex’s work
• [33:10] ONE action for a dream chaser

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Alex’s Previous

How do you practice gratefulness? As we celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving Day, I’m inspired by thoughts of being thankful, and want to share those thoughts with you on this unusual solo episode. I’m traveling in India with my family, but I want to focus some attention--and intention--on this special day and the overall importance of giving thanks.

It’s the little things

What is the purpose of the Thanksgiving holiday? Putting the historical aspects of Pilgrims and Indians aside, the purpose of the day is to give thanks for what we have in our lives, and for most of us, that means the “typical” things that are easy to identify. We all think of family, freedom, enough food to eat, a good job, and things to enjoy in life. But wait---there’s more! Don’t forget the little things that make life special. They can be little moments, little joys, little triumphs, and little events that teach us unforgettable lessons. For example, I’m thankful for travel, for family in India, for spending time throughout my childhood here, and for knowing how to speak, write, and read my native language. When it comes down to it, some of the best things to be thankful for are the little things we are tempted to take for granted. Do we really need a special day to remind us to be thankful?

The negativity bias

Are you a “glass half-full” person? Unfortunately, most people are hard-wired to notice and emphasize the things in life that are going wrong, but we can’t let those things be the focus of our lives and be the force that guides us. We need to focus instead on what IS working and switch the mindset from the negative to the positive. When you have a bad day, be thankful that you’ll have another day and a new chance to fix things and make it better.

The power of constructive criticism

Do you enjoy hearing constructive criticism? Most of us would answer with a definitive NO, but there is power in constructive criticism and feedback. Don’t view it as a bad thing, but as something that helps us improve. Positive feedback that is warranted can be fuel for the fire that gets you going. You can find a way to turn every negative into a positive. Don’t fall into the trap of letting one negative piece of feedback erase all the positives! 

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [:10] Being thankful for little things, as well as the big things
• [3:50] Being thankful for my heritage
• [6:35] The things we take for granted
• [7:44] Overcoming the negativity bias
• [9:50] The power of constructive criticism
• [12:22] Don’t focus on the negative
• [14:17] How to focus on gratefulness
• [15:40] Habits of positive, thankful people
• [16:24} How to start your Gratitude List practice

TWEETS YOU CAN USE:

TWEET: “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.: --Robert Brault #chasingdreams

TWEET: Focus on what IS working in your life---and be thankful! #chasingdreams

TWEET: We underestimate the power of positive thoughts, feedback, and constructive criticism. #chasingdreams

https://youtu.be/hh1Vh7h2lKU

What are the valuable parts of YOUR story? What is the legacy you need to leave for the world? My guest today has a unique perspective on his role as a podcaster, believing he is entrusted with preserving today’s stories for future generations. 

Nick Goblirsch has been a podcaster and producer for nearly four years, while having a successful HR leadership career AND running a family household with his wife, Megan, host of the You Be You with Meg and Liv podcast. Despite having graduated with a degree in Fine Arts, design, radio, and video, Nick had long since turned off the passionate part of his life to focus on the NOW of raising children. A close friend of his started his own business, but needed someone with multimedia expertise. In came Nick, who for a small window of time every other week, started drawing on those dormant skills and escaped a bit from the day-to-day grind of his career to do something new and refreshing for a friend. As he started building his friend’s brand, that creative itch started surfacing again, and the passion for creating, sharing, and connecting was alive again. He set a goal of doing 200 full episodes with a few mini-sodes in between, and has set a mission to honestly connect with people around him, discussing timely topics that he can relate to and start a conversational experience that he can learn and grow from. 

Fighting imposter syndrome

Have you heard the little voice in your head that says you don’t belong? We’ve all heard it at one time or another, and Nick remembers well the voice that said he would never be good enough in the podcasting world. He finally tired of not celebrating his successes, and when he was asked to speak at a podcast conference, he felt like it was the culmination of everything he had done up until that point. The challenge was to learn something new, get good at it, and expand his network---but he DID IT. Nick shares how he learned to love himself, believe in himself, and take care of himself---and stopped fishing for compliments from others.

TWEET: Challenge yourself to learn something new, get good at it and use it to expand your network. It’s not as hard as you imagine. @dependent_nick #chasingdreams

Finding the spark again

Which of society’s “stupid rules” do you follow? For Nick, he thought making the decision with his wife to start having children meant that everything else in life had to be put on hold. In his mind, parenthood meant forgetting who you are and forsaking the dreams you might have. Fortunately, he found the spark again and the love for all things tech, especially in the world of video production. Being raised by his grandmother and an alcoholic father after his mother’s death put him in the position to embrace his independence, and this skill has served him well  as he became The Dependent Independent.

TWEET: Which of society’s “stupid rules” do you follow? @dependent_nick #chasingdreams

Finding his voice

Have you found YOUR voice? What is the legacy you should leave behind, not just for your own children, but for other generations? Nick is thankful that he has found his love for art and media again, and is using his talents to do something meaningful in the world. He shares a personal story about using his podcast to document thoughts and experiences that he hopes his children will appreciate one day in the future. He looks at his podcast as a time capsule in preserving memories that are the gift that keeps on giving for future generations. He says, “Everything you record is a legacy and an imprint on the world.”

TWEET: “Everything you record is a legacy and an imprint on the world.” @dependent_nick #chasingdreams

Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream chaser to take--”Don’t be afraid. Fear is crippling. Life is too short. It’s OK to be scared, but don’t let fear dominate...

How often does self-sabotage, fear, or doubt get in your way? Do your priorities align to give you balance and fulfillment in the life you want to live? We are covering these topics and more with practical tips from someone who is using her journey to help others in personal growth.

Kelly Resendez is a mom, business executive, bestselling author, and influencer. She loves helping others with strategies to overcome self-sabotage and find more joy. She’s the author of the new and already popular book, Big Voices, and is the founder of the women-empowered network of the same name. Kelly is passionate about helping people increase joy, reduce suffering, and learn to think differently. It’s her own journey that has helped her create the strategies and tools she shares in her books. Kelly is currently the Executive Vice President of Paramount Partners Group, which is a division of Loan Pal. She uses the same concepts of mindfulness, self discovery, and goal setting to help those in the mortgage and real estate industries create successful businesses.

Why Kelly wrote the book

Doesn’t everyone struggle with self-sabotage at some point? Kelly believes, as we all should, that everyone deserves to overcome fear, overthinking, and anxiety. Part of the responsibility we have in going through our journey is to grow and gain wisdom so we can share our story with others. Kelly’s book is an outgrowth of her journey and what she has been through. It’s a personal growth journey that began15 years ago. Now, her desire is to help others get to places of authenticity and self-actualization faster than she did.

TWEET: Don’t sabotage yourself - you can overcome fear, overthinking, and anxiety! @BigVoicesKelly #chasingdreams

How we can help our kids

As a parent, isn’t it a major concern to have our kids prepared for life and its struggles? We have to teach them to be wide awake and mindfully prepared for life, when their peers are not. Kelly found that the process of this growth can’t be forced or even affected, but it has to unfold naturally. As individuals, we have to endure enough pain that we “wake up” and make the necessary changes. The problem is that we send mixed messages to our children and make it more difficult for them to avoid the pitfalls. We have to be mindful as parents and be intentional about raising children in direct opposition to how the rest of the world raises them, or it will be a difficult process.

TWEET: We have to teach our kids to be wide awake and mindfully prepared for life, even when their peers are not. @BigVoicesKelly #chasingdreams

Getting the life you want

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have the life you want---right now? It’s a process, and Kelly shares some practical tips for getting there. You have to get clear about your priorities and create the vision of the life you want to live and how you want to feel. It’s not enough to set goals, because you’ll fall into the trap and get stuck with just setting new goals and never feeling filled with joy and gratitude.  Kelly says to open your eyes each morning and be bathed in gratitude. YOU have the power to change your outlook and the outcome. Get clear about the help that you need and don’t be afraid to ask. Commit to discipline and take action. 

TWEET:  Get clear about the help that you need and don’t be afraid to ask. Commit to discipline and take action. @BigVoicesKelly #chasingdreams

Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream chaser to take--”Write down your vision for how you want to feel in your life, and then start taking action on it.”

OUTLINE OF THE EPISODE:

• [:10] Why Kelly wrote her book about this important topic
• [1:40] What teenage Kelly struggled with most
• [5:30] How to get over self-sabotage and fears
• [8:20] What parents can do to help...

What does it take to truly chase your dreams? For many people, living up to everyone else’s expectations squelches the fearlessness that it takes to go after dreams. Today’s show is all about not losing the youthful exuberance and drive that sets us on the path to our dreams.

Monica Rivera is a NYC-based podcast producer, consultant, and speaker who is living a life full of experience by shaking up routines and challenging conventional thinking. She’s the host of YOU WANNA DO WHAT?!--a weekly podcast heard in over 70 countries. YOU WANNA DO WHAT?! Is a podcast about exploring interests, allowing ourselves to change, choose, and try, whether it’s a lifestyle, hobby, fitness transformation, career change, or a bucket list item.

Young dreams

Does Mom really know best? Monica’s mom didn’t think she could earn a good living or have a stable career doing something creative, so she pushed her into economics. Monica quickly realized it wasn’t her “thing,” but it put her on the corporate ladder. The younger Monica originally wanted to be a singer, and then the first Latina Supreme Court justice, and then a writer. Even though Monica won contests in school with her writing, her mom stepped in to turn her dreams into a different direction.

TWEET: If you want to do something, take the first action step and the rest will follow. @youwannadowhat #chasingdreams

Spotlighting diversity

Are there more dream chasers than you would expect? Monica says that everyone has a dream, but we don’t always have the freedom to chase it. She was in a corporate job and felt all her lights dimming. She was unhappy and felt that she wasn’t getting the opportunities she wanted. She knew she had to dig herself out of the hole she was in, and she asked herself, “What happened to the person I used to be?”

TWEET: I love connecting the stories of human experience with an audience. @youwannadowhat #chasingdreams

It’s NEVER too late!

Are you waiting to chase your dream? Even though it’s never too late, Monica hears many people say they are waiting for retirement or some other life event. We are conditioned to think we have all the time in the world---and this is the biggest problem in chasing dreams. Don’t wait for retirement! Monica’s advice is to start small by thinking about the things you really loved as a kid, and see if you can connect to those things now. Don’t think you have to give up all fun just because you’re an adult. Most people are way too tied to a timeline. 

TWEET: Ultimately, I want to tell stories and amplify voices. @youwannadowhat #chasingdreams

Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream chaser to take--”What’s the one thing you would wish you had done more of if next Friday were your last day? That’s your dream, so go chase it.”

OUTLINE OF THE EPISODE:

• [:13] How Monica was introduced to me
• [1:01]Young Monica’s dreams
• [4:05] Why Monica wants to tell stories and learn people’s “why’s”
• [4:44] Enhancing the creative side with photography
• [7:02] Sharing stories through the podcast
• [8:10] The determination of Cyrus Harper
• [10:07] Spotlighting diversity
• [13:15] Holding to our fearlessness
• [14:30] How Monica has grown
• [14:55] Monica’s dream podcast guest---Oprah
• [19:22] How millennials and Gen Z’ers are chasing dreams
• [21:40] It’s never too late
• [26:27] Being comfortable can become uncomfortable
• [28:36] The difficulty in embracing “different” 
• [32:27] A picture in a ball pit
• [34:00] ONE action for a dream chaser 

Resources:

Monica on Facebook

Monica on

Most people probably don’t realize the path that others take to success. We see the finished product and what looks like easy success, but we need to realize that there are very few who experience true “overnight success.” There is usually a long, hard path with ups and downs, and failures are more common than success. 

Dawn J. Fraser is a storyteller, educator and nationally-acclaimed speaker based out of York City. She is the host of the live show and upcoming podcast “Barbershop Stories,” which features storytellers performing true tales in barbershops and salons. Dawn has created programs for college students, educators and entrepreneurs to develop leadership potential through storytelling, and is an instructor with The Moth and The Story Studio. She was featured among some of the nation’s top innovators and change makers as a speaker at TED@NYC and has performed in shows including The Moth Mainstage, Story Collider, RISK and The Unchained Tour. She loves being a twin, a Trinidadian, and tweetable @dawnjfraser.

Being a volunteer

Would you chase your dream if it meant starting out as a volunteer? Dawn graduated in 2004 and went to work for a NYC non-profit. She was laid off and just wasn’t finding what she was looking for, which was using arts to build communities. The 2008 economic crisis made things even worse, so she started volunteering to help coach storytellers. It wasn’t long before she was performing and sharing her stories as the best way to help others. Focusing on volunteering still required Dawn to put forth the hustle and grind to survive - and she learned valuable lessons along the way.

TWEET: Sometimes your dream starts out as an unpaid gig, and if you pass on that volunteer opportunity, the next step becomes much harder! @dawnjfraser #chasingdreams

Making the leap

How do you respond when you know you should take a leap of faith? Dawn wanted to take an online course, but she didn’t have the money. She was told that this course would help sustain her in the future, because it would teach her how to run her own business and charge for her products and services. She made the leap, even though she didn’t think she could afford it, and she focused on developing her website and making contacts. She did all this while consolidating about $20K in credit card debt and learning the discipline to pay it off.

TWEET: Investing in yourself, even when you think you can’t afford it, is one of the smartest things you can do to change your situation. @dawnjfraser #chasingdreams

Seeing the payoff

Are you willing to put in the work to see the payoff? Dawn knew that as a businesswoman and entrepreneur, she had two models to choose from. She could have fewer clients and a higher cost or have more clients at a lower cost. Most people have no idea what a speaker goes through to get to the point of success; they don’t see the volunteer work it takes. There is really no such thing as an overnight success. Dawn explains the first step she took in getting her “foot in the door,” which was to hire a coach to get things going. 

TWEET: Most people have no idea what a speaker goes through to get to the point of success; they don’t see the volunteer work it takes. There is really no such thing as an overnight success. @dawnjfraser #chasingdreams

Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream chaser to take--”Use self-reflection, either through journaling, therapy, or talking to a friend. Self-reflection is important and can take many forms.”

OUTLINE OF THE EPISODE:

• [:55] Not a typical day job
• [8:22] Beginning as a volunteer
• [13:02] Finding joy in the road before her
• [17:25] Making the leap
• [21:25] Putting in the work
• [23:56] Two models for a speaker/entrepreneur to follow
• [25:52] Would Dawn change...