Skip to main content

Tag: motivation

Why Not Take Your Own Advice?

Written by SharRon Jamison on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Why Not Take Your Own Advice?

Great News!

I finally took my own advice and transitioned my private community podcast to a public platform.

It took me a few years longer than I expected—because …well, I thought a public podcast had to be perfect.

But….I had to accept that my public podcast would not be perfect. First, because I don’t believe in perfection. Perfection is an illusion and an impediment to progress.

Second, I didn’t want to be bothered by all the bells and whistles of a professionally produced podcast. For example, I didn’t want to be responsible for editing, finding music, arranging interviews, etc. I didn’t want to do any of that. Yet, I deeply desired to share with a broader audience.

Thanks to some truth-telling and courageous soul-searching, I realized that my delay in entering the public podcasting world was due to my fear of being judged.

I probably should have realized that sooner, but I didn’t. And when I reflected more on my delay, I realized that keeping my podcast “private” for so long was an attempt to protect myself from criticism.

Why?

I didn’t want to be vulnerable to any more public critique. As a minister, leader, speaker, and author, I am constantly critiqued, sometimes very harshly, and I wanted to feel safe.

But I  realized that delaying my desires wasn’t keeping me safe. In fact, postponing the transition to a public forum made me feel like I was settling and shrinking, which of course, didn’t make me feel proud of myself.

Family, none of these feelings are easy to admit, but they are true.  No matter your success, no one is immune to first-time jitters. Even people who have accomplished a lot encounter fear, doubt, and anxiety about new projects.

That’s why I want to encourage you to think about your life.

I want you to identify if and how self-doubt or fear is causing you to dim your light, delay opportunities, or stay in unhealthy relationships.

I want YOU to ask yourself: 

  • Am I letting the fear of judgment deter me from honoring my goals or living my values?
  • Why does somebody else’s opinion of my work matter more than my OWN desire to offer something to the world?
  • Am I letting the status quo make me a prisoner of public opinion?
  •  Am I conforming to something I don’t even believe in or trust?
  • Will I regret not trying to pursue this opportunity?
  • What will I lose if I do or say nothing?
  • What will I gain if I try a different option?
  • How can a different environment or approach support my dreams and wholeness?
  • How does staying in my present state support my growth and development?
  • What would joy, kindness, or integrity do?
  • What do I really lose when I lose people who don’t believe in me?

Hard questions, right?

Here’s the truth:

  • You don’t have to be perfect to start something new.
  • People will always judge and critique you when you do something you want to do.
  • Delaying your dreams breeds frustration and sadness.

MORE TRUTH:

  • There will always be people who will downplay your creativity or question your decisions when you follow your heart’s desires.
  • There will always be people on the sidelines, on the couch, not living their dreams or not living their truth, who want to give you guidance and advice.  Unfortunately, their advice and opinions are usually based on ignorance, indecision, or inaction. 
  • There will always be people who will try to scare you away from doing what you want to do because they have failed or because they lack the courage to embark on their own unique path.
  • There will always be people who will belittle you vs build themselves.

That’s why you must ALWAYS search your own heart and make decisions that honor you, support your values, and align with your dreams.

My friend, you can do what you feel called to do. YOU CAN!

You don’t need to be perfect or have everything figured out. You can create, contribute, and serve imperfectly and do it YOUR way!

And even if it’s messy at first, trust that you will learn and gain the experience you need to improve in the future.

So, I hope you enjoy my imperfect public podcast, Deciding To Soar: Living Life Your Own Way. 

I also hope my testimony encourages you to do something you genuinely want to do in your life.  And if criticism comes, and I am sure it will, I pray that the joy of following your heart will inspire you to DARE TO SOAR HIGHER!

Blessings!

SharRon

P.S. If you want to subscribe to my newsletter, please click here.

Create A Life That Honors Your Soul!

Written by SharRon Jamison on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Create A Life That Honors Your Soul!

What would you do if you lived outside of the expectations and imaginations of others?

What would you do if you stepped into your full humanity and stopped denying yourself pleasure, joy, and rest?

What could you create if you left or changed your career to align with your dreams and desire for more freedom?

You would be healthier, happier, and more whole!

Living healtheir, happier, and whole is exactly what DARING TO SOAR HIGHER is about!

It is about SOARING beyond and above the expectations, narratives, and systemic barriers that try to undermine your fulfillment!

SOARING HIGHER is about honoring your own journey, following your own inner wisdom, and prioritizing your needs.

SOARING HIGHER is moving past and through your pain, reclaiming your true identity, and restoring your peace.

DARING TO SOAR HIGHER is about walking, talking, and embodying your truth, agency, and freedom so you can experience MORE OF YOURSELF!

And honestly, isn’t that what we ALL want?

We ALL want to be more of ourselves to experience MORE fulfillment, inner peace, and self-love.

In a few weeks, a few courageous folks and I will embark on a journey together to SOAR HIGHER, and you are invited to join us.

I am holding a special virtual open house to share more about the soul-nourishing journey. If you want to learn more, DM me, and I will send you the information.

In the meantime, please check out Deciding To Soar: Living Your Own Way! I recently transitioned the podcast to a public podcast, and I am so excited to share exciting and inspirational episodes with you!

Blessings!

SharRon

Some People Can Only Give Judgement, Not Support

Written by SharRon Jamison on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Some People Can Only Give Judgement, Not Support

I value confidentiality and never share who I work with, which may not be the best marketing decision, but it’s a choice I value.
Why?

There have been times in my life when I felt extremely lost and full of shame, and I needed sacred space-holders and secret-keepers who could help me navigate critical life decisions.

For example, in my early thirties, I made significant personal and professional blunders that destroyed my confidence and undermined my career.

During those difficult times, I craved a safe harbor because I needed a sanctuary that welcomed my full humanity—the good, the not-so-good, the complex, and the contradictory. I needed reassurance, community, and discerning counsel; I needed help.

And, I needed the right type of help because I didn’t need more judgment; I already gave myself large doses of that.

I needed a safe place, a spiritual respite where wisdom was shared, questions asked, exploration encouraged, and confidence restored.

But even though I searched for the right person to journey with me for months, it wasn’t easy finding a mentor/coach/therapist who understood the challenges of being a Black woman in corporate America. Finding someone who understood my lived reality and had the emotional agility to support someone like me was tricky.

Why?

I needed…

  • A person with the mindset of an entrepreneur who also appreciated the complexity of faith, the fluidity of sexuality, the emotional toll of being “the first or only,” and the importance of true liberation, as I defined it.
  • A holistic teacher who valued wholeness and didn’t use their “unlived” life or inexperience as the rubric to determine what authentic, courageous “living” meant for me.
  • An open-minded strategist who understood my unique struggles as a leader, entrepreneur, minister, and pioneer who was tired of living a compartmentalized life.
  • A spiritual healer who understood what it felt like to be applauded as a public success but intimately knew the excruciating pain of feeling like a private failure.
  • A mentor who had an open mind and could hold tension and tenderness with ease and efficacy.
  • A brave soul who understood what it meant to be a Black woman in a world steeped in misogyny and misogynoir.
  • An expert who understood trauma, oppression, and cultural conditioning.
  • A spiritual doula who could help give birth to my dreams and calling.

So, 25 years ago, I became the person I needed. I became the healer and coach for successful, multifaceted, multi-layered, and multi-hyphenated women. I became a safe place for folks to reassess their lives and to reclaim their deep desires  – without judgment or further marginalization.

Like you, I became what I hoped for, yearned for, and desperately craved—a friend for high-achieving, boundary-breaking, liberation-loving people who want “to stay near to themselves” and honor their own truth. (phrase by the author, Cole Arthur Riley)

If you crave a safe, sacred, confidential place filled with compassion, curiosity, and care, I would love to support you as you create a fresh path, discover a new identity, or challenge an old narrative.

What I know for sure: Life-changing decisions are more manageable when you have support that provides life-expanding insight, spirit-filled strategies, and time-tested wisdom.

Because when you are changing your life, you don’t need more judgment; no one does.

You just need a welcoming, loving place to help you reach your goals so you can live authentically and SOAR HIGHER!

Blessings!

SharRon

Opting Out Is Also A Courageous Option!

Written by SharRon Jamison on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Opting Out Is Also A Courageous Option!

Sometimes, after I facilitate workshops for corporate women, my heart breaks.

Why?

Some women are really struggling in corporate environments. And honestly,  I OVERstand because it is not always easy for me, either.

But here’s the truth….. sometimes you CAN’T listen to the advice of your friends, especially if they don’t have experience in corporate settings, don’t have to deal with workplace politics, or don’t know how to extend empathy.

Why?

Some people just don’t understand that corporate trauma is real.  Trying to exist and thrive in some corporate environments is extremely debilitating, spiritually exhausting, confidence-eroding, and disease-producing!

So, here’s a reminder for some of my corporate folks, especially women of color: Opting out of any unsafe situation is courageous!

You don’t need to continue anything or align with anything that jeopardizes your emotional, spiritual, or mental health.

You don’t have to carry the torch for all women!

You don’t have to endure disrespect to prove you “can do it” because your competence is undeniable.

You don’t have to be a punching bag to hold the doors open for other women or to help women get seats at the table.

You don’t have to sabotage or undermine other historically marginalized people to gain brownie points from people who really don’t like or respect you, either.

You don’t have to do any of that!

And not doing any of that does not mean you are not committed to your success and the success of other women.

It’s also does NOT mean that you are weak, selfish, or “hurting your race.”

You can be committed to gender parity, diversity, inclusion, and equity, AND care about yourself FIRST!

Honestly, YOU MUST honor yourself first!

And while you are “getting your entire self” together, find a loving community that can hear and support you without heaping more guilt, expectations, and cultural shame on your plate.

Remember,  YOU are not responsible for correcting systems and structures strategically designed to exclude and undermine you.

Your primary goal is to stay well and whole in an extremely sick system while you help to create something healthier and better for all humans.

Signed,

A Corporate Sister Who Knows & Cares

Do You Need To Sit?

Written by SharRon Jamison on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Do You Need To Sit?

As a child, when there was a storm, my elders would say, “Go sit your narrow behind down somewhere. God is speaking.”

Now, when I look at all the political and historical storms in the world, I wonder if God is demanding that we sit, not be idle, but to sit down somewhere.

Maybe God is insisting that we sit and get incredibly still so we can hear the unique voice of our Creator, which guides and governs us.

Maybe God is forcing us into contemplation so we can see the error of our collective ways and the smallness of our love.

Maybe God is summoning us to something greater, fairer, bigger, and bolder that will support the common good.

Maybe God is showing us how our desire for domination and our denial of our corrupt systems are obliterating the world.

Maybe God is calling us to examine how society is disintegrating due to injustice, intolerance, and inaction.

Maybe God is empowering us to create strategies to dismantle oppression, confront greed, challenge exploitative capitalism, and resist all vestiges of white supremacy.

Maybe God is refueling our spirits to fight for freedom, live with integrity, and heal our ancestral wounds.

Maybe God is intervening and integrating ways to reboot, rebuild, and redistribute resources so nobody goes hungry, unhoused, or unhealed.

Maybe God is reminding us of our humanity and the humanity of others so folks can stop dropping bombs and shooting bullets at defenseless people.

Maybe God is warning us to value people over profit, power, privileges, and perks so we can remember the sacredness of human life.

Maybe God is prompting us to talk to each other and to stop talking about each other so we can see that we have more in common than we think.

Maybe God is reclaiming our attention so we can focus on solutions that instill hope, promote harmony, and facilitate healing.

During storms, my elders wisely advised me to sit. And so, I am following their advice because I realize my anger and grief about what is happening in the world are starting to consume me.

Witnessing continued genocide, horrific violence, intentional starvation, political pandering, the lack of adequate healthcare, and other global atrocities requires me to gather myself so I can determine how to participate in what I pray about and hope for.

Life has taught me that sacred sitting is a meditative posture that prepares people to be visionaries, freedom fighters, game-changers, and truthtellers. It equips them to challenge the world’s ethos, create more humane paradigms, and confront the stifling status quo.

So, I find myself sitting, thinking about my next move, determined to make a difference even if I don’t know how to help in ways that would bring transformative healing, spiritual awakening, and paths for sustainable reconciliation.

I’m sitting – thinking and praying – because I know we can do better.

We are not powerless!

We are movement-makers! We are relational innovators! We are the hands and feet of a just God!

What about you?

Blessings to you!

Don’t Reject Any Part Of YOU!

Written by SharRon Jamison on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Don’t Reject Any Part Of YOU!

I used to hide parts of me because I felt ashamed, guilty, inadequate, dirty, and awkward.

I hid my truth so much that I stopped living in integrity, alignment, and peace.

I hid my genius so much that I didn’t honor my talents, gifts, and expertise and failed to contribute fully to the world.

I hid my love so much that I failed to make myself present, accessible, and “satisfy-able” which made me feel isolated and alone.

I hid my brokenness so much that I left people confused, frustrated, and concerned about my path, needs, and values.

I hid my pain so much that I suffered in isolation and succumbed to depression and despair, never asking for help or support.

I hid so much and hid so well that I lost myself in relationships, organizations, and perspectives.

I HID!

But I blossomed when I accepted those cracked, flawed, fragile, differently-shaped, multi-colored, frayed, complex, and authentic parts of me.

I grew! I evolved! I healed.

What I didn’t realize then was that all of the pieces …all of them…were valuable pieces and elements of my life journey. They were me! And rejecting those undesired pieces of me did not make them any less mine. Remember, rejection of a thing does not erase or negate a thing!

The truth is that the pieces that I rejected left me ill-equipped, unbalanced, and afraid to live fully. They made me suffer and kept me stuck in relationships and situations that further eroded my self-esteem and undermined my power. But accepting those parts gave me the confidence, knowledge, and power to assume my rightful place in the world.

Here are some questions: what piece of YOU and your history are you rejecting? How is rejecting parts of your past supporting your development and elevation in the future? What are you afraid for others to know, and why?

Whatever you are rejecting, please know that you have the power and strength to bring those pieces of you back home where they belong. And then, you can use them differently and more compassionately in the next season of your life.

Let’s Dare To Soar Higher as we welcome our pieces back home so we can use them as lessons, leverage, and laughter as we SOAR!

Reclaim Your WILL And Find Peace!

Written by SharRon Jamison on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Reclaim Your WILL And Find Peace!

Hey there,

How are you doing?

I wanted to check in because a lot is happening around the world. And honestly, the world feels a bit heavy right now. For some, it may even feel heartbreaking and emotionally exhausting as people struggle to be heard, seen, and protected.

I know many of you may be dealing with conflicting emotions and trying to make sense of contradictory narratives we hear in the media. But as you try to make sense of it all, I want YOU to remember the incredible strength YOU have inside you – the power of your WILL.

Lately, I have been speaking a lot about our WILL because our WILL helps us feel strong and grounded during difficult times. It keeps us hoping, working, advocating, and living without giving up or giving in to vitriol, negativity, and hopelessness. Most of all, our WILL ensures that we stay purposeful and focused as we navigate an evolving and sometimes turbulent world.

As you harness the power of your WILL, here are a few thoughts to consider.

YOU HAVE…..

W – Wisdom. Even though a lot is happening in the world, you have wisdom within and around you to move through complexity and uncertainty. You have inherited and acquired knowledge that you gained from your ancestors, upbringing, communities, spiritual beliefs, and life experiences that provide incredible insight and direction. So, access and apply what you know to make choices that honor your deepest values, desires, and dreams. Especially during political and social unrest, trust your instincts and intuition to navigate the path ahead, trusting that the answers you seek lie within your soul.

I – Imagination. Now more than ever, you must unleash your imagination to think outside the box and dream beyond your current reality. You must look inwardly and pay attention to the messages in your dreams, bypassing evidence, predictions, and naysayers to see opportunities for yourself and others. You must quiet the outside chatter to sense your inner hope and see a future filled with peace, justice, and dignity. Your ability to imagine is directly tied to your ability to create, innovate, problem-solve, and manifest what you need and want. Remember, tomorrow’s answers may not be limited to what you know and see today.

L – Levity. Since the world feels heavy, please make time and create space for joy, passion, play, and rest. Weekly, dedicate a few hours to drawing, laughing, dancing, and singing. Commune with nature, paint a picture, get a massage, or play a sport. Do something fun and light to rejuvenate your spirit, reconnect with your body, and renew your resolve. Levity will relax your mind, which will help you access your wisdom and activate your imagination as you pursue your path.

L – Liberation. Think and choose for yourself. This sounds easy, but opening your mind to new ideas is extremely difficult. But to operate fully in your WILL depends on your ability to listen, learn, and pressure-test what you hear about other countries, communities, and cultures. Because once you free your mind from other people’s beliefs and conclusions, you will create spaciousness for personal revelations, receive divine downloads, and unlock new possibilities for yourself and others. Remember… OPENNESS creates Opportunities.

Life is complex, and there are no easy answers, especially now. However, your WILL can ground and guide you through this unpredictable, challenging time. And when surrounded by supportive friends and fortified by faith, you will make it through this difficult chapter in your life.

I shared more about the power of our WILL in our community podcast. To listen, click here. (Choose a podcast server and subscribe to be notified when I release new episodes.)

As you navigate this uncertain time, you are also invited to join me for a free gathering next week called “Unboxed and Unbothered.” In 60 minutes, we will talk about the power of being unboxed and unbothered during times of transition and growth. It’s free, so sign up now because I am keeping the gathering intimate, so people can feel safe sharing.

My friend, I genuinely believe in the power of our individual and collective WILL – wisdom, imagination, levity, and liberation. And by activating our WILL, we can co-create a safe, secure world for all of us and a unique path just for you!

If this message resonates with your soul, will you do me a favor and share it with a colleague or a loved one? I want to ensure that people know about our community so that they can have support, too.

Remember to register for Unboxed and Unbothered.

Blessings to you!

SharRon

Experience More Victories

Written by SharRon Jamison on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Experience More Victories

I bet we all know people who are always starting new projects. One day they are opening a store. The next day they are going back to school. The next day, they are moving to a foreign country. The next day they are making a movie. The next day they are starting an organization. Every time you see them they are always starting a new venture. And, starting is the operative word.

But here’s the problem. They NEVER follow through on any of their plans. They talk, and eventually, people stop listening to them and supporting them. Even their friends and families lose interest in their grandiose schemes.

Having multiple ideas and interests is not bad; it’s great to be creative and multifaceted. But if you lack focus, you can’t move forward, follow through, or flourish. All you can do is have a life full of half-baked ideas, half-done projects, and half-developed goals.

Take time to evaluate your life. Pick a project or a few projects and complete them—or at least delegate them to someone else who can manage them for you.

Victory requires focus, so limit your focus because success awaits. (except from Deciding to Soar 2).

If you need support with focusing on what matters most, join us for the Dare To Be Me experience. Invest in yourself. Early registration ends soon.

Click here to join the waitlist: https://www.soarwithsharron.com/dare-waitlist

Blessings!

3 Clues You Are Elevating

Written by SharRon Jamison on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on 3 Clues You Are Elevating

Do any of these questions sound familiar to you?

How do I know when I am ready for the next level? When is it time to pivot or change my career? What unconscious beliefs are making me stay in environments that I have outgrown? How do I know it’s time to leave the marriage, the organization, or the faith tradition? When is the right time to start a business or accept a promotion?

As a coach and minister, I am frequently asked these questions when people sense or are experiencing transitions in their lives.

My response: Your life always gives you critical clues when change is coming. ALWAYS!

The clues may be subtle, but they are there. Trust me; when it’s time to go to the next level, the winds of change will gently whisper in your ear, urging you toward your next adventure.

So what are the clues? (I share more in the Dare To Soar Podcast. Click here to listen.)

In 25 years of working with leaders who inspire, change-makers who care, and folks who want to live fulfilling lives, I have identified three critical clues that indicate you are growing, changing, or elevating to new heights.

Being Sharpened: One unmistakable clue you are growing or elevating is feeling as if you are being sharpened. What does being sharpened feel like? It feels like developing a heightened proficiency in doing something, feeling something, or saying something.

Most of my clients say feeling sharpened also feels like elevated discernment that helps them create plans, predict outcomes, and detect hidden motives.

So, pay attention to your life. Notice if you have become more laser-focused, are taking more risks, or are questioning old narratives. Notice where you are spending your time and if you are hanging out in different circles.

Remember, sharpening is subtle and gradual and can be painful. And….sharpening in your personal life could prepare YOU for elevation in professional life and vice versa.

Being Strengthened: I know none of us likes to struggle, but strength comes from struggle. When we are forced to deal with rejection, overcome oppression, and endure hardships, we develop the spiritual, emotional, social, and mental muscles WE NEED to soar.

Why is developing those muscles essential? Stronger muscles help you fight bigger battles. And once you can withstand attacks and still ascend, you will become unstoppable.

So, pay attention to what’s challenging you and how you are responding to the challenge. You may just be positioning and preparing yourself for a beautiful new chapter in your life.

Being Sifted: Here is the hard part: growing and elevating requires some shedding and pruning. Why? Sifting involves sorting through and removing the old to make space for the new. So, when you find yourself being sifted— letting go or being let go— know that you are growing and elevating.

Remember, sifting is a refinement process. It’s a process of separating what is essential from what hinders progress. And even though it can be painful and lonely, being sifted is an indispensable, unavoidable step in the growth and elevation journey.

 As the late Dr. Maya Angelou wisely said, “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”

Sharpened, strengthened, sifted—all powerful clues that your life is changing. So, which clue is showing up in your life that will help YOU achieve beauty and fulfillment? Please reply to this message and let me know. I would love to hear from you.

I share more about the clues in our community podcast.

It’s time for you to SOAR Higher, and I am excited to see what the future holds for you.

Blessings!

SharRon

Gatekeepers Have Big EGOs But Little Power When You Are Rooted!

Written by SharRon Jamison on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Gatekeepers Have Big EGOs But Little Power When You Are Rooted!

Last year, someone thought they could block my progress and prevent me from achieving one of my goals. They thought they had the power to determine my destiny. Wrong!

I know people have also tried to block your progess because we all have gatekeepers in our lives. We all have people at our jobs, communities, and families who think they can control our destiny and dictate our futures.

That’s why being grounded in who you are is essential! When you know who you are and what you need, you don’t let gatekeepers stop you from pursuing your goals. You find a way to do what you feel called to do!

So how does being grounded in who you are – BEING ROOTED TO RISE – neutralize dream-blocking gatekeepers?

There are many ways, and I have listed the top 5 ways below.

1. Authentic Self-Presentation: Being rooted to rise helps you feel comfortable in your own skin. Remember, gatekeepers thrive on inconsistency and insecurity. But when you are consistent and comfortable in your own skin, you are more creative, resilient, and courageous. You show up as your fully empowered self, anchored in your identity, confident in your talents, and grounded in your integrity.

2. Confidence in Decision-Making: Being rooted to rise gives you confidence to make choices that align with your values and vision. When gatekeepers challenge your path or try to undermine your integrity, your confidence enables you to stand firm in your convictions and be stable in your pursuit.

3. Resilience in the Face of Rejection: Being rooted to rise helps you deal with rejection. It reminds you that rejection does not determine your worth or reflect your competence.  And when you don’t view rejection as a roadblock, you appreciate that rejection is only redirection to something better and greater.

4. Clear Sense of Purpose: Being rooted to rise provides a clear sense of purpose. With a strong sense of purpose, you will have the strength, resilience, and motivation to persist despite the odds.  Remember, gatekeepers have big egos but little internal power. So, when guided by purpose, you will always have the courage and ingenuity to find new routes and create innovative options to achieve your goals.

5. Genuine Connections: Being rooted to rise helps you build genuine connections with mentors, advocates, and allies. Having confidantes and colleagues to support and sponsor you is a powerful strategy to limit the impact of gatekeepers.  Remember, genuine relationships can open doors that gatekeepers can’t close or block.

The bottom line is this: when you are armed with self-knowledge and empowered by your innate wisdom, you can create a life that aligns with your values, needs, and aspirations…..despite the gatekeepers, naysayers, or haters.

REMEMBER: Stay Rooted & Watch Yourself Rise!

Have a great week!

Blessings,

SharRon