7 Success Lessons Learned in 1 Month

It has been a month since the launch of our podcast. A whirlwind month filled with mostly surprising highs, thankfully only a few surprising lows and 7 surprising lessons. I thought I'd share with you the ways I am changing and growing in hopes that you may take away a nugget or two to cary on your journey of success.

1. Sharing Your Voice is Rewarding. I immediately knew I enjoyed interviewing fantastic women and felt their messages would resonate with many, but I was surprised to learn that I would feel such great satisfaction and reward from not just listening to, but sharing these stories with others. I feel like it's Christmas eve the night before a new podcast comes out because I just can't wait for you to open each special gift.

2. Doing Isn't So Scary After all. I wanted to launch a podcast a year before it finally happened.  I was afraid of the unknown, afraid it wouldn't be professional, afraid it would be a flop, afraid- afraid- afraid. It was the little women living rent free in my brain instilling the doubt and fear. When I finally decided to ignore her and just DO THE WORK- take the steps necessary to make it come to life- IT WAS EASY. What I found is- the fear of the unknown was so powerful... but I was MORE POWERFUL.  Now that we are sharing an amazing and different message each week, it's not scary, its exhilarating! It's exhilarating because I am operating in a space of inspiration and joy. I am no longer afraid.

3. If You Love What You're Doing Negative Voices Weaken. It's easy to live or die by the comments people offer about you- isn't it? I am learning that if you love what you're doing- those comments become less harmful. I say I am learning- because I am just like you- a work in progress. But, I've become highly aware of how sharing my voice and giving a voice to others is my gift. This flower is blooming. What is your gift? I challenge you to share it with others!

4. Perseverance Pays Off. I've had two HUGE disappointments happen to me this month with the podcast. Only a few trusted people knew about these... until now. The first- all the interviews we taped at the launch party got deleted. I don't know how. My equipment requires a three step process to delete. It happened. I brainstormed (and mourned) for three days, trying to figure out how to save it. I wasn't able to. Then my 9-year-old daughter reminded me of our Facebook and Periscope videos! She said we could use that audio. She thought and thought- just like me for 3 days... and she persevered through to give me a solution. I still need to work on that podcast.

Then, I spent a marathon day recording a dozen podcasts (amazing content to come) and when I got home I realized the content was recorded incorrectly for mobile devices. Again- three days of brainstorming and seeking technical help- but then on the 4th day I discovered a solution to save it!

Never give up. If you suffer a huge disappointment- you can somehow overcome. NEVER GIVE UP.

5. The Success Continues Here.  The podcast is one way for us to continue the Success Mission! So is this blog! Weekly blogs are a wonderful way to give a voice to more people. I want to share YOUR success. Email me to learn how. jodeekenney@gmail.com


6. Failure is OK and So Is Changing Your Mind- Giving Up is NOT an Option. Over the last couple weeks you may (or may not) have noticed I am experimenting on the best days to make our new blogs and podcasts available. I want to be able to provide you this content when YOU want it.

Also- I want to update this blog. If you're a tech person looking to make an in-kind partnership email me! jodeekenney@gmail.com

I have many crazy ideas rolling around in this head. The above are just a couple of them. Before, I'd probably stick with a single plan. Only post on a certain day- even if it wasn't working. Or, I'd ask about tech help and forget it if I didn't receive an answer. Now- I'm learning- you just need to take action. If you don't try- you won't succeed. Being willing to fail means you're also willing to succeed! No risk- No reward!

Be BRAVE. Lets take risks together!

7. We Must Build Each Other Up. We are stronger together than we are apart. Our fates are intertwined. Let's be successful together. Tell me what you want to accomplish. Share your dreams, fears, successes. I would love to know what lessons you've learned. Can I help you achieve your goal? How?

In the last month I've become inspired and humbled by your support and I want you to know it means the world to me.  Leave me a comment below. I'd love to hear how you're doing.

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Lessons Learned From Disconnecting

When I decided to disconnect for my week-long vacation part of me thought I might go through withdraw symptoms and another part of me thought it would be easy. It was a little bit of both with a healthy dose of lessons learned from my disconnect.

1. On the first day I had to physically stop myself multiple times from clicking on the Facebook app to get my "News". I wondered what was going on in some of my friends who frequently post through out the day. Was Kristy having any pregnancy symptoms? Did Tony post another picture of a gigantic pizza made at his shop? Did Johnny "like" or comment on a status update? These are all people I don't know personally but have come to rely on hearing from on a daily basis.

2. I discovered Facebook was the most missed app... but only for the first day.

3. After I got through day 1- I realized I could do this and I actually had so much more time on my hands! Without the need to keep up with comings and goings, posting a witty link or blogging about an interesting topic- I had A LOT OF TIME.

4. With so much extra time on my hands I went about addressing some much ignored projects around the house. This made my husband very excited (NOT). Let's just say... one of the projects is painting the brick on my house.

5. I even started attacking the garage which had become a place where we put items we didn't know what to do with.

6. I only heard from a couple friends. Have we become a world addicted to social media?

7. My husband would say yes... after all he admitted that when he was checking his Facebook during a nice dinner out without the kids! I actually got pretty upset about that... and even more when he checked it again a little while later.

8. I missed sharing with you the fun at the NKOTB concert, didn't hear about a fun activity being planned for my kids (all spread through Facebook) and I relied on friends to post pictures of events like the Firefly 5k- but toward the end of the week I didn't feel the need to pull out my camera to document that wonderful meal- I just ate it.

I woke up Sunday, got my coffee and enjoyed some conversation with the kids and spent several hours piddling around the house before checking back in. It surprised me how much I no longer "needed" social media. I think there is room for it- for sure, after all I am a News Anchor. It's my job to stay informed and communicate with people- but I no longer need to check in every waking moment for fear of missing something.

It surprised me how much the people around me had their faces in their phones checking in on others- while having a conversation with me. Was I not enough entertainment? Did I do that to them when I was "connected"? Either way- I hope to be more intentional when using it. I do love it. It's fun and I enjoy sharing with you and learning about you- I just promise to be more present when we are face to face. It was probably the greatest lesson I learned.