“Wherever you can start is where you’re supposed to start.” ~Lalah Delia
what would you tell your younger self? (#384)
I see these types of questions all the time and get asked them quite a bit, too:
What did you want to be when you were little? What would you tell your younger self?
As a kid, I often got my schoolwork done quickly and then started chatting with my classmates. Suffice it to say that I had many a report card saying, “Jess talks too much.” Looking back, that was just a bit of foreshadowing. 😏
My love for sharing what I am learning has been a constant thread throughout my life.
In first grade, my teacher set up a puzzle table in her classroom and encouraged us to work on puzzles when we finished our work. This became my favorite activity. Not only did it cut down on the chitchat, but it also became a great outlet for me, sparking a lifelong love for puzzles.
Mrs. Fitzgerald’s kindness and support made me want to be a teacher. Later, in high school, I was inspired by George Clooney’s character on ER (yes, I’m dating myself 😂) and dreamed of becoming a pediatrician. (Didn’t hurt that he was easy on the eyes).
Growing up, those were my examples, which became my possibilities. This was the short list of career options I thought I had:
Doctor
Teacher
Lawyer
Accountant
Secretary
But everything changed when I interned at a tech company. I was exposed to a world of possibilities I never knew existed.
And now, with the advancements being made in technology, there are even more exciting careers and opportunities to explore. While I didn’t become a doctor or a teacher, I’m honoring those interests by sharing my knowledge and helping people.
If I could go back in time, I’d tell little Jess to:
Follow your curiosity. Trust that feeling in your gut when something lights you up.
Don’t be afraid to try new things. The insights you gain from these experiments will shape your life.
Believe in yourself. Your story, experiences, and perspectives matter.
Now, I’d love to hear from you! What did you want to be when you were younger? What advice would you give to your younger self?
On to the picks!
P.S. In terms of looking back and journeys, it was so great being featured by Tammy Reese during #BlackBusinessMonth. Check out the interview here.
Note: This email may contain affiliate links. If you click through my link and make a purchase, I may receive “thank you money” at no additional cost. I only recommend products that I use and love.
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#love 😍
📺. Watching: Wheel of Time. I dove into this series only knowing that Rosamund Pike was involved and the preview was mysterious. I watched the first episode and was immediately hooked. The classic “chosen one” storyline with a twist: It could be one of five people. Who will it be? A world steeped in magic and mystery. The age-old battle of light versus dark, good versus evil. I started watching season 2 the other day. Have you watched? If not, do you have a go-to show when you need some magic or an escape?
#read
How To Free Up Two Hours In Your Day
“To free up two hours of your work day, all you have to do is free up 15 minutes of every hour.
The best way to do that is to look at the activities you spend most of your time doing and figure out how you can shave a little bit of time off of them.”
I love this approach because it feels small and manageable. Where can you grab 15 minutes in your day? During meetings? Email/social media checks? You can use the reclaimed time to work on your side hustle! 😉.
💡 Try this next week and see if you can free up 30 minutes. What would you do with that extra time?
#icymi
😍. Last issue’s top pick: She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
🎤. ASK: My goal is to book
321 (!!) paid speaking gig this year. If you know of one, I’d love an intro. I talk about side hustles, newsletters, and finding self-care in a busy life. Learn more about my speaking offerings here.💡. Want to start your side hustle but need a game plan? My new $9 offer is for you!
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#lifevibes
#supporters ☕️
Thank you, Kelly, Melinda, Tawanna, Gia, Lori, Ayana, Krista, Jessica, Annetta, Constance, Tunde, Jen, Michelle, Emile, Bex, Kim, Angela G., Lauren B., Chelsea, Amy, Ricky, Kirsten, Vin, Julie, Nicole, Hmza, Greg, Kristin, Kirstyn, Jess, Cheryl, Krysta, Adrena, Vidya, Kristyn, Danielle, Keryn, Terry, Vanessa, Meredith, Lauren, Meg, Maria J., Chivon, Kim, Luciano, Colie, Chasity, Laurie, Latienda, Collette, Anne, Kristen, Liz, Katherine, Monale, Betsy, Melissa, Lindsay, Jennifer, Kayla, Madison, Rae, Stephanie, Christine R., Christine M., Frances, Hannah, Chris, Brandy, Mea, Kristian, Maria K., Avery, Adam, Barbara, Shenee, Desiree, Lisa, Kandice, L’Oreal, and LaVerne for being #jesspicks supporters!! ❤️
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