Ask, Believe and Achieve: Be Bold, Be Fearless and Believe!

It was the December 13, 2013 when I made the leap of faith to leave my abusive, dead end and damaging job as a Director of Social Services at an international nonprofit. I was broken, beatdown and betrayed by a job I used to love. I have experienced ageism, racism and any kind of ism that I was able to experience. I gained weight, lost sleep, had night tremors and became temporary cray cray due to working in an abusive, toxic and unhappy environment. I have suffered in silence and took it out on the ones I love.

One day, I was on a free teleclass that changed my life for the better. I was sitting on this conference call desperately ready to change my life by any means necessary. I have reached my rock bottom as a professional woman who have reached the pinnacle of her career. I was 30 years and I was a Director of a nonprofit agency. Mama, I have made it!!! I looked amazing on paper but I was a Hot A$% Mess in reality.

It was meant for me to be on this call because I officially but unofficially found out about life coaching through the amazing Valorie Burton. She shared of story on how she moved passed a divorce, depression and desperation. I was silently on the other end saying 'Yass" because I have been divorced, depressed and desperate for a miracle. I remember saying how I was over being a social worker because I have been there and done that and haven't felt as if I made a big enough impact on the world. I knew I couldn't save the world but I realize that I haven't even saved myself. Yikes!

As Valorie Burton kept describing what she does, I kept envisioning myself speaking, teaching, coaching and writing. I just didn't know where to start when it came to coaching, finding clients nor speaking. I knew that I can put together empowering events for women because I have hosted numerous of natural hair events and empowering events for women. I put a check mark next to that. I knew that writing was a piece of cake because writing and blogging came easily to me. Check mark next to that. But I was stuck on this entire coaching piece even though coaching is closely to clinical social work. I have left that area blank. After Valorie Burton discussed her new book "Happy Women Live Better Lives" she proceed to say that she is hosted a Coaching Training Intensive in Reston, VA in May 2014. I screamed to the mountaintops or rather in the spare room and my husband ran in and asked what happened. I proceeded to tell him that I found my passion and purpose through coaching.

My husband asked me what did I need and I told him financial support and emotional support because I knew I was going to endure something while seeking my purpose. Well fast forward a month later at my abusive workplace. One day I fell ill and was on medical leave for a week from my job. My supervisor called me and disregarded my illness and thought I was faking. How can you fake an illness when your primary care physician put you on medication and medical leave. I have never felt so disgusted, undignified and worthless. Well that all change once I went back to work on December 13, 2013. Well that morning, I took the leap of faith and put down a deposit to attend CTI in Reston, VA. My husband called me to let me know that he have received a raise and promotion at his job. He said the magical words that any significant other can say...QUIT YOUR JOB! Chile, I hurried up and typed my letter of resignation, packed up my office and left the premises. I never felt so liberated in my life. I had to literally block my supervisor's number because she stalked me via phone.

When I achieved my certification in life coaching, I wasn't afraid of putting myself out there because I was once broken, considered a failure and confused. I said in order for me to obtain clients and help other women to be unapologetic and peaceful while pursuing their passion and purpose. I knew how it felt not having peace and I just wanted to help women find their peace and happiness within.

In conclusion, if I would have stayed at my former employer, I wouldn't be making a major impact in my life and the lives of others. I wouldn't be able to use my voice to share my story and help other women pursue their life passion and purpose in a peaceful and unapologetic way.  This past weekend, I used my voice in a powerful way and told my story to the women who needed to hear my story. Many of these women like myself suffered in silence until Sunday. Sunday during my workshop, I gave them permission to use their voice. I gave them permission to find their passion and purpose in a powerful and peaceful way. Many of us are not living in peace. Many of us gave our power away to negativity, toxicity and bullying. Today, I want you to know that you are powerful, valuable, beautiful and great enough!

Ask, Believe and Achieve all your hopes and dreams. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Take back your voice, beliefs, power and hope!

Much Peace, Love and Light!
XOXO,
Andrea

Coaching Question: What is one thing you must quit in order for you to achieve greatness?
PS: The pictures above are from my first major speaking engagement in Pikesville, MD at the Heal a Woman to Heal a Nation, Unlimited You Conference

I Was Sick And Tired of Being Sick and Tired: How Quitting My Job Led Me to My Passion

                           "I am sick and tired of being sick and tired."- Fannie Lou Hamer
In 2013, I was sick of tired of being sick and tired and I decided to transform my life by becoming a certified life, motivational and business coach. 


Drea's Journey to Coaching:

I've spent the last eight years providing therapy, case management and clinical direction to those who are in imminent crisis within their life. I have worked with dialysis clients to homicidal and suicidal youth and adolescents. I have witnessed the highest of highs and the lowest of lows as a master level social worker. I have watched and groomed myself to go from a case manager to Director of Social Services at a "premier" nonprofit. God have an amazing way to let you know that you are not maximizing your full potential.

Let's take it back to Summer 2013, I was thriving and loving my career as a Director of Social Services. I love my supervisor, work environment and colleagues. Despite, supervising three case managers with various personalities type, I maintained and thrived in that position. During the transition period, my supervisor called an emergency meeting to let the staff know that he and his family are being relocated to a new territory and to prepare for his departure. At first, I went through the denial period because I had a lot going on such as planning for my vow renewal ceremony, adjusting to the position and meeting a grant application deadline. My vow renewal ceremony came and went, the grant application was turned in and we received funding and I went away for a week to St. Thomas, USVI with my husband to celebrate our two year anniversary.

I truly believe that God was preparing me for my departure. When I returned from vacation, I was still in denial until I met my new supervisor. As soon as I met my new supervisor, I had a dark and heavy spirit come over me in which it was quite puzzling. I didn't ignore the feeling, I affirmed my feeling and started making preparations to fulfill my dream. My supervisor and I tried to build a working relationship in which it never flourished due to underlying issues, pre-judgement and miscommunication on both ends. We all play a part on the breakdown of the working relationship. I had to put on my big girl panties to take accountability for my role.

The Moment I Became Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired, Literally!

Fast forward to November/December 2013, I was on a teleclass hosted by Rosetta from Happy Black Woman. She had Valorie Burton, a certified coach and author on books such as positive psychology and coaching. Valorie was promoting her new book, "Happy Women Live Better" and briefly discuss her certified coaching programs. I knew I participated in that teleclass for a reason and that reason was to maximize my potential and fulfill my purpose. I remember buying "Happy Women Live Better" and it transformed my life because I was stuck, unhappy and stressed.

In December, I became extremely ill and suffered with work related illnesses such as migraines. I had migraines for days and weeks until I became hospitalized. The pivotal moment happened when my physician informed me that I need to take a medical leave and order me to bed rest. At that moment, I vowed to fulfill my purpose and never allow myself to endure injustice behavior and exist in chaos. My supervisor was furious at me because "I didn't appear sick" and I just wanted time off. Once I was cleared to return back to work, I informed my supervisor that it was my last day, turned in my keys and badge, collected my belongings and gracefully left. It was such as courageous and brave thing to do but I choose me over my "lucrative" salary and position. As soon as I left my job, I enrolled into Valorie Burton's CaPP (Coaching and Positive Psychology) Coaching Training Intensive program. I didn't know how I was going to afford and get to Virginia but God provided a way and I am thankful to him.

I am proud to say that I am a 2014 graduate of the CaPP: Coaching Training Intensive program and I am a certified personal coach. I am thankful that I went through my previous experience because I didn't know my own power and strength that I possessed. I am proud of myself because I advocated for myself and realize my worth is non-negotiable.

I tell my story because there are so many people especially women who are going through a horrific experience professional or personally. I am here to encourage and empower you to let you know that tough times don't last long and you have the power within to change the situation. It may feel and look uncomfortable and sometimes confusion but you are a powerful and amazing being. Keep pushing and remember you are stronger than what you think.

I love you all and you will get through it.

XOXO,

Drea

I want to hear from you! What are you sick and tired of? Are you ready to transform your life? Comment, share, or simply say hi.