In this episode, I decided to switch it up for a change. Instead of interviewing a guest, I’m being interviewed on my own show for the first time ever! That’s right! I brought my amazing colleague and sister-friend, Porsha Hargrove, on my podcast to ask me about my decision to go back to school for my doctorate degree.
You may not know this, but I LOVE to learn and I’m passionate about educating, inspiring, and encouraging women to pursue their biggest goals and wildest dreams. I’ve always wanted to complete the highest level of education so I wouldn’t have any limitations or be forced to settle for not having the right qualifications.
In middle school my best friend, Nyali, and I made a pact with each other – she would become a medical doctor, and I would become an attorney. My life took me down a few detours along a non-traditional path of education. As I learned more about law, I decided that it wasn’t for me. As an undergraduate student I took my first psychology class and instantly fell in love with the idea of studying people.
While going through a devastating divorce in 2011, I started graduate school. It wasn’t easy, but I earned my masters degree in psychology in 2013. No matter how many times I tried to ignore my dream of going back for my PhD, it kept resurfacing. It got so bad that I would lay awake at night contemplating if I had what it takes to actually do it
Every now and then I would research a new school, look into its doctoral programs and dream. I had spoken with admission counselors and was about to settle for another masters degree, but something wouldn’t let me do it. The truth is that I was trying to convince myself to play small because of fear.
In July of 2016 I finally made the decision to pursue my PhD. I realized that I was procrastinating and making excuses. I was afraid of not being able to manage school. But even with the fear, my dream would not go away.
In September 2016, I started my first class as a PhD student. Some people think I’m crazy for adding school to my overflowing plate. Some are amazed by my ambition and ability to do so much. But I can’t take the credit – this is how God made me. I’m just walking in the path that He designed for me.
In this episode, Porsha holds nothing back as she tries to get to the root of my “addiction to education” and why it means so much to me to achieve this goal. We had a lot of fun while uncovering my truth. I shared my best tips for ambitious working adults who want to go back to school.
I also created a special bonus for you. It’s a downloadable and “writeable” PDF that accompanies this episode. This worksheet was designed to help you sort through your dreams and goals and includes:
Once you sign up, you’ll become a VIP member of my community and will have lifetime access to all worksheets as they’re added to my Moms With Dreams library.
You can click here to gain access to this worksheet and library.
**I’ve also included an extra special bonus that you will only get as a VIP member. Be sure to get your worksheet so you don’t miss out on this special offer.
Remember that you can always write me at Erica@momswithdreams.com. Follow me on Twitter @Momswithdreams and on Instagram @EricaGordonLive. If you love listening to these episodes each week, subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play.
If you’re not a member of my awesome Facebook group, Side Biz Success & Life Mastery, I invite you to join the fun today!
See you next week!
Xoxo
Erica
Kym Kennedy is a personal development coach and mentor with 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur. As a child who grew up as a “latch key kid” with both parents working outside of the home, Kym knew that she wanted to raise her children differently.
Soon after becoming a mom, Kym created a successful home business based on her passion for cooking. Her business gave her the best of both worlds – an opportunity to contribute to her family’s income while being present for her children.
In this episode, Kym shares her secret for success, which begins with asking these two questions:
Answering them in this order will ensure that you are looking into your heart and giving yourself space to connect with your passion.
You don’t need a formal education in business to be a successful entrepreneur.
Kym built her business using trial and error. She got started and figured things out as she went along. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the how-to of things, but you don’t need to know it all – you just need to have an end goal (or know what you want to achieve) and be open to learning new skills
How to remove feelings of overwhelm:
When you start thinking big, you can quickly become overwhelmed at the thought of all that you have to do in order to accomplish that big goal or dream. Instead of trying to do it all in one step, Kym suggests that you take a step back and choose one step that you can take right now that will get you closer to your goal.
How to get out of your own way and get closer to your dream:
You have to work on your mindset. When doubt or fear shows up, you have to raise your vibration. Tap into information and resources (such as books, podcasts, etc.) that remind you of your ability to create and have anything that you want. Raising your vibration will allow you to see different opportunities – doors will open up for you.
How to reconnect with your passion:
Take a moment and think back to when you were a little girl and what you dreamt about doing when you grew up. Getting reconnected with that part of you will open up your heart and help you get out of your head.
Kym’s recommended reading:
The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho
She loves this book because it’s about our hearts, our own personal legends, finding your truth and encourages readers to follow their heart and go after what they truly desire.
Kym’s Projects:
She’s currently writing her book and expanding her alchemy coaching practice to help others enter into the life coaching industry.
Kym’s Parting Words of Wisdom:
“You are perfect as you are. You have within you everything that you require to fulfill your deepest dreams. Dream big and surround yourself with people who will support you and encourage you to play the biggest game that you can play.”
Where You Can Find Kym Online:
Website: http://www.kymmkennedy.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KymMKennedy
Instagram: kymmkennedy
“Life is full of lessons, even if pain is the teacher.” ~Dr. Samone Brown
Dr. Samone Smith-Brown is a certified life coach with a doctorate in psychology. She is the CEO of Your Symmetrical Self Life Coaching Services and host of Beacon of Light podcast. Her expertise in coaching and psychology enables her to help clients remove personal roadblocks so they can life full, joyful lives.
In this episode, Dr. Samone talks about abusive relationships, trauma and how she stopped herself right before committing suicide. Dr. Samone also teaches you how to achieve your “symmetrical self” and accept that you are deserving of all that you desire.
How Samone Discovered Her Calling
Right as she was about to take pills that would end her life, Dr. Samone heard a voice. That voice spoke directly to her about the pain she would cause her loved ones, especially her daughter. In that moment, she realized her purpose – that her pain caused by sexual and physical abuse could be used as a blessing to save others who were also suffering.
How Samone Picked Herself Up After Attempting Suicide
The Story behind Samone’s Brand, “Your Symmetrical Self”
Unbeknownst to her, Samone was developing the foundation of her brand while going through her own healing process. “Your Symmetrical Self” is the concept of achieving harmony within by learning how to balance your inner self with your outer self. She talks about the process of creating this symmetry and how you can align your inner feelings of confidence and self-worth with your outer beauty.
Steps You Can Take to Balance Your Inner and Outer Self:
Samone’s Current Project:
She is working on her first book about helping you discover and accept your total beauty. She’s including tips, strategies, and anecdotes to help you achieve holistic, symmetrical living.
Samone’s Parting Words of Wisdom:
“Life is a lesson, even if pain is the teacher. Don’t be afraid to encourage yourself.”
Where You Can Find Samone Online:
Website: www.yoursymmetricalself.com
Facebook: Dr. Samone
Twitter: @drsamone1
YouTube: Dr.Samone 1
Instagram: Dr.Samone
“Once you figure out what works and how to run a successful business, you can easily do it over and over again.” –Ann M. Strout
I had a chance to catch up with Ann Strout, who’s known as the Freedom Girl. Ann went from being an unemployed single mom, living in subsidized housing, and on food stamps to the owner of a thriving, six-figure coaching business.
Ann gave us a glimpse of her childhood as an orphan growing up. Her confidence was low as a result of abuse and neglect. Ann felt trapped by her limited resources. She endured treatment that no mother wants her child to experience. But she had an unbreakable spirit and an ability to see the possibilities in life.
The life-changing choice that Ann made:
Everything changed for Ann when her son was born. She felt free for the first time in her life. In that moment, Ann realized that she had a choice – she could either go back to the life that she’d been living and take her son through that, or she could create a different life for the two of them. Although she had no idea what that would be or how she would do it, Ann was willing to explore it.
How Ann began her journey of personal development:
Far too often, people stay in situations that aren’t good for them because of their limiting beliefs and lack of confidence in their ability to change. Ann admits that she had to work on her limiting beliefs before she could change her life. After a conversation with her mom, Ann started researching the internet and came across the book, Law of Attraction. This book changed everything about Ann’s life. Since then, she’s been on a continuous journey of personal growth and development.
3 Steps Ann took to change her life:
Ann’s 4 tips for starting your small or side business:
What Ann’s working on:
She’s in the middle of launching a new 12-week group coaching program. She invites you to join her in her new Facebook group, Marketing that Creates Freedom. In this group, Ann focuses on massive content around marketing strategy, planning, and time management to help people maximize their time and achieve greater results.
Where you can find Ann online:
Website: www.annmstrout.com
Facebook Group: Marketing That Creates Freedom
Twitter: @annmstrout
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Law of Attraction: The Science of Attracting More of What You Want and Less of What You Don’t by Michael J. Losier