Is this room getting smaller or is my vision getting bigger? I find myself using humor to avoid sinking like the titanic in the sea of ​​professional discontent. From time to time, I throw myself a lifeline of idle conversation just to keep breathing in between board meetings. But inevitably a feeling of dissatisfaction still lingers deep within me.
I try to hide behind my desk enjoying a false sense of control and stability. However, I can hear the voice of creativity and within me the longing to break free from independence. Freed to act as agents on my behalf, ready to call upon the world for my potential. But fear takes over me and keeps me locked inside this greenhouse.
As I stared at flickering phone lines, my screen saver, and now-cold coffee, I realized that what seemed like exceptional work, exceptional boss, exceptional office, and exceptional salary has actually turned out to be the greatest obstacle to my potential and the pursuit of my Dreams.
You could say that this revelation became my defining moment. Oh, plus the fact that I got fired due to pay cuts and my car was stolen just a month before. However, he had to make a choice. I had to decide if I was going to return to a professional career or start the scariest journey of my life with uncertainty using my creativity, gifts, abilities and faith as my guide. Was I going to build my own empire or was I content to be a slave in someone else’s?
After much prayer and tears, I consider the path to be more difficult but more rewarding. I chose the path that led me to freedom, unlimited possibilities, strength, courage, prosperity, and greatness. My life suddenly became a blank canvas. Daily, I found myself creating a masterpiece. I became an entrepreneur. Actually, an entrepreneurial mom.
I built a center for the development and empowerment of women. A place where women can
they will strengthen their abilities, develop their self-esteem while learning concepts, methods and tools to obtain and achieve their dreams. I call my dream Academy 2020 Women’s Development and Empowerment Center. Now my dream will help others to achieve theirs.
I longed to pursue my heart’s desire and didn’t know where to start. Then life presented me with this diamond in the rough opportunity. It’s like the old adage, “when life hands you a lemon (in my case a basket full of them), go make lemonade.”
My favorite quote is from Linda Ravenhill. She says, “The opportunities of a lifetime must be seized during the lifetime of the opportunity.” Basically, this means chasing the opportunity while the opportunity can be seized. The uncertainty and seeming instability can be overwhelming, but you will never get anywhere sitting in the rocking chair of fear.
Now I run a corporation, create a curriculum, and manage staff while doing the dishes. And I find myself transforming like Clark Kent from apron to power suit in an instant. Dude, it can be done! Here are some ideas to help you part the Red Sea from him.
#1 Get a boost of faith
This will not be an easy path. And I can tell you this: it will be a road paved with success, opportunity, reward, self-satisfaction, and the fruits of your labor. Before you grab your gear though, let’s talk about some valuable lessons I’ve learned over the years.
The first lesson I learned that I want to share with you is extremely vital to your success as a mom entrepreneur. Rule number one; look for your source of strength in something deeper than just yourself. On this journey there will be days when you just won’t have the strength to lift a paperclip. Therefore, you must be able to access something deeper within your spirit in order to gain an elevation of faith. I suggest prayer; go to a positive and empowering church, meditate, or just take a break.
#2 Surround yourself with supportive people.
There’s nothing like a naysayer on a winning basketball team. The team just had a winning season in a row, but all Charley the Complainer can remember is every missed free throw and how many times he didn’t get the ball. I learned not only to have a strong faith system and to have a strong support system.
I teach a class at my academy called Significantly Single. The class is designed to encourage women who are in a season of being single. One of our most vital teachings is about relationships.
We teach that there are four relationships that each person shares in one way or another. We teach that one of the most valuable relationships anyone can have is the one added to by providing support and unconditional acceptance and love.
Then there are those relationships that multiply you. The people in these relationships make you feel invincible, strong, and powerful. They celebrate you and not just tolerate you. These people are master entertainers. They see the good in almost everything about you, but they balance their exuberance and support with wisdom. They are your personal cheerleaders.
Then there are those relationships that divide you and keep you from your goals. These relationships separate you from your heart’s pursuit and turn your vision into mediocre thinking. The person in the relationship may have great intentions but the pessimism in them thwarts the potential in you.
Finally, the most damaging relationship is the one that takes you away. One sign that you’re in the presence of a “taker” is this: you walk out of their presence emotionally and spiritually exhausted because you’ve just spent the last 45 minutes countering every negative word with optimism. This type of relationship will cause you to abort your search and will divert you from your destiny.
I believe we need a variety of friendships, however only relationships that help and inspire us to stay in the game.
#3 Maximize the moment
There is a series that we teach called Maximizing the Moment. It is based on the series created by TD Jakes. In this class we teach you to maximize the moment of each opportunity that has been given to you. You must see every event that comes your way as an opportunity to optimize time and maximize the potential of the moment.
As I close, I remember when my car was stolen. Then shortly after I was laid off from my job due to cutbacks. I found myself in a very unknown place called the Valley of Unexpected Twists. I am a single mom. I remember thinking what am I going to do now? As I stood outside in my yard with tears streaming down my face repeating, “What am I going to tell my daughter?” Thinking “will she see me differently?” and “will she see me as a failure?” Suddenly, my life had taken an unexpected turn. I was left with several questions.
As time passed, those questions were answered and I suddenly realized that the path I was on was heading to a dead end. At the time I couldn’t see it, so someone with greater insight and a much broader vision had to help me change my course to lead me to the pursuit of my dreams. Thanks God! The uncertainties of life can make you better or make you bitter. The choice is yours!