This year I took a bold step in branding myself #SlayerOfTheMic. In various posts, tweets, and videos, I professed that I was what events needed. That I was the person who would make sure your attendees left raving about their experience.  
 
Do I have a booking agent? No.
Do I work with a PR company? Nope.
Does someone manage my social media? No way.
 
If I wanted to get my name out there, I had to hustle. First of all, I needed to believe in my capabilities and that sometimes could be the hardest thing. Research shows that people who are comfortable with promoting themselves are not only more successful in landing a job from an interview, or in my case, being booked for a speaking engagements, but go on to build stronger networks — within their organization and outside of it — and are more successful in business and throughout their careers. The key word here is comfortable.  Ask yourself this: Do you know people should hire you or do you want people to hire you?  Are you comfortable enough in your abilities to sell yourself? If you answered no to any of these questions, make it your priority in 2017 to change that way of thinking.

Lesson 2: Compare Less, Celebrate More.
This is an everyday lesson. You can be having a grand ol' day and the minute you open some form of social media; you are bombarded with reminders that someone else is doing better than you. Once upon a time, I would totally deny that feeling but then I decided to be honest with myself and acknowledge the occasional feeling of not being enough. In my big Jam bubble, I know I am enough, but that's definitely not an everyday emotion. As a woman in business, media, and education, it's very easy to solely focus on staying on top and running yourself dry.  2016 reminded me that I didn't have to be current 24/7 to be relevant. 
Jealousy and envy are natural human emotions to experience. It becomes an issue when you let it consume you. I've learned how to self-reflect in moments like this.  I take a moment or 5, to acknowledge why I'm feeling this way (who I'm focusing on, what about it is bothering me, etc.) then take 10 minutes to recognize what I'm doing in my life that needs to celebrated. When I stop to think about my achievements, even the smallest ones, it brings me back to a place of balance. I no longer let the feeling of inadequacy consume me.

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Once again I found myself this year shaking my head at people who were using their platforms to encourage people to run themselves dry. Why do people believe that this is the best solution to achieve your goals?

​I-just-don't-get-it. 

​Although I wasn't adopting this mindset, I was slacking on showing myself some TLC. I am very fortunate to have wonderful benefits that allows me to go for regular massages. Have I been using them? This is a luxury many don't have and it's actually terrible that I'm letting it go to waste. So, I have a new attitude for 2017 (don't we all the during the first week of January? Haha) From regular appointments, to eating less at restaurants, I understand that my health is my wealth. I've been sharing this message a lot these past few weeks as I know some people need the reminder as well. Just like I said earlier about selling yourself: if you won't do it for yourself, no one will do it for you. The same rule applies for self-care. I don't want to sound like the Debbie Downer of 2017, but our time is not guaranteed. Use the days you have to love and nurture the vessel that is going to carry you through your life adventures.

Leap, Jam! Leap! This was a constant reminder I picked up from other incredible women I learned from this year. I thank them for being sources of support and encouragement!
2016 has been so rewarding because I took those chances of faith. I understand that this frame of mind isn't easy for everyone. It’s only natural to overestimate the possibility of failure and underestimate our ability to handle the situation should something go amiss. That’s the fear sitting on your shoulder whispering in your ear.  
By learning how to leap, I learned how to ignore the whispers and have enough courage to make choices that can ultimately improve my life.  I like to say, if it doesn't bring shame to my mother, go against my values/beliefs, then it's a risk worth taking!

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​So let 2017 be your year to leap. Look at the possibilities rather than outcomes and applaud yourself every time you take a step. I'll be cheering for you.
 Cheers to another year of lessons, of growth, and of happiness!
-Jam
 

Last week I had a revelation. It dawned on me, yet again, that although our work environments expect us to go above and beyond, some people around us, don't. Why is this so? Is it jealousy? Is it competition? I've tried to figure this out for years and I still haven't figured it out!

I took this topic to Facebook Live and I'm glad I did because I had friends who felt comfortable enough to talk about their passion conflicts in their work places.
Below is the full video and I am absolutely confident that it will resonate with many of you. If you know of someone else who can benefit from this message, please be sure to share this blog with them.


Stay well friends,
​Jam