Can I be honest with you? I have been so emotional watching this idea that God gave me be birthed (see the video below). Watching all the pieces coming together from hard work and experiences over the years that were getting me prepared for this moment and I had no idea! Life usually works that way. Even the trademark applications made me giddy & I was hands-on because “knowledge properly applied is POWER.” (I’m not a lawyer but I do consult them for my business. )
When I think about ALL the things my coach & I were working on until I shared this ONE idea with her. The one idea that came to me as natural as breathing and she saw the genius IMMEDIATELY. “You’ve got to do this!,” she said and started working with me to lay it all out.
When I think about all the magazines I have worked for and projects I have worked on, sharing my advice, creativity, and industry knowledge only to be ignored. I thank them for ignoring me because what they ignored was the foundation for what I was purposed to do now. I also saw them fail, so this was a powerful lesson in trusting my instincts and not giving into doubt or limiting beliefs and question my expertise. A lot of people you encounter have the facade of having it altogether until you look behind closed doors and realize the truth. You question your expertise while they know what they do not know and either have no plans to grow and or operate fraudulently. Imagine that!
Wisdom Tip: If you are a giver, your success may often be hindered when you are unknowingly attached to takers and those who want to use your gifts but God has certain things for YOU to do. As we say in the south, God bless your heart, because it is your nature to GIVE all that is within you and often results in you GIVING away what God intended for YOU. What will you do when you are depleted? What will you do when you finally take the time to focus on your dreams, wants, and desires and none of your “attachments” rally to your side to help you?
If this is where you are now, do not feel discouraged but move to action. Takers are like givers: they do what comes natural. As natural as it is for you to give is as natural as it is for them to take. You must be the gatekeeper of your gifts and give them with discernment but never depleting your value, wealth, or purpose.
I’m so thankful for my God-given gifts, abilities, anointing, and amazing staff that are PERFECT for this dimension and the next. I remember the early days of doing it all alone and it is nice to be able to pursue my passions and pursuits while creating opportunities and wealth for others.
If you only knew how personally & professionally I was stretched this week…God showered blessings to fuel the push I needed and, every step of the way, my staff said:
What do you need, boss?
What else can we do for you?
I’m on it.
I don’t think I will ever be able to express my gratitude for the work they do, but I try to frequently. There is no action they perform, big or small, that I do not appreciate. I guess it is the former, sometimes undervalued employee in me that never forgets what it is like to work diligently and not have it 100% appreciated. I made a vow that when I became a CEO, I would never take the “that’s what I pay them for attitude.”
Alesha Brown, CEO
Alesha Brown, LLC dba Fruition Publishing Concierge Services
Editor-in-Chief, Published! Magazine
Award-Winning Entrepreneur|Publisher|Transformational Speaker