Welcome to my website! I am excited to launch KJ Consulting Group, after working for over 15 years in education. I have been a high school teacher and coach, worked in higher education, recruited and trained teachers, supported first generation students as they transitioned from high school to college, and everything in between.
I Love Inspirational Quotes
In addition to coaching staff, students and teachers, I've been an athlete throughout my life. The result: I LOVE inspirational quotes. The headings below are quotes and themes from a woman who deeply inspires and encourages me - Brene Brown. You may have seen her TED Talk, read Daring Greatly, or heard her on Oprah's Super Soul Conversations. Brene is a licensed social worker and professor at the University of Houston, in the city where I lived for nearly five years, and she is genuine, brilliant, and inspiring.
"There is No Joy Without Gratitude."
This quote seems so simple yet so difficult to live out, particularly in a culture that is often hijacked by feelings of scarcity and negativity. As I embark on my work as a consultant, I strive to live out Dr. Brown's advice. I am grateful for the encouragement and support of my family, friends, former co-workers, and students, many of whom have become family. I am also grateful for each person and organization that I have worked with to date, as well as the challenges that I have faced and lessons I have learned along the way.
"There is No Creativity Without Failure."
This is another of Brene Brown's quotes that stuck with me. When we begin new projects, regardless of the industry, we have an opportunity both for creativity and for failure. Confronting this reality can cause fear and self-doubt to creep in. This has happened so many times since I began working as a consultant, as new projects - from writing college access curriculum, to forming an LLC - have both excited me and made me pause to wonder if I am up to the tasks ahead of me.
I reflected and realized that overcoming the fear of a challenge at work is related to overcoming fear in sports. I played countless basketball and softball games throughout my life and still remember the small fear and burst of adrenaline that came with the first sprint down the basketball court, and the first time I stepped up to the batter’s box.
Gaining Wisdom on the Peloton
Now as an adult, my athletic pursuits mostly consist of exercising, like trying out my brother's new Peloton. Those first few minutes on the bike were tough, and I considered quitting at about the seven minute mark, thinking I had put in a solid effort and would finish the full class next time. But I stuck it out, the music on the Peloton changed, and my brain and body stopped fighting each other. I was able to push past the initial fear of the unknown and make it to the middle of the exercise - feeling great, sweating but surviving to the end.
Productive Struggle at Work
I often experience a similar progression when approaching a new work project. There is often a small healthy fear of the unknown, some struggle in the initial stages as I get moving and determine the best path forward, and the positive feeling in the middle when the project takes shape. A moment comes when I realize that our hard work is creating positive outcomes for the client, and ultimately we look back at the finished project with a feeling of accomplishment. As in playing sports or exercising, I overcame the initial adrenaline rush, persevered with productive struggle, and the client and I emerged from the project with a victory, ready for the next challenge.
As I reflect on those moments of fear, I agree with Brene that setbacks in all aspects of life have taught me lessons - and I survived each time, emerging stronger and wiser. Each new challenge brings opportunities to learn, to be creative, and yes - potentially to fail. I vow to continually push myself and others beyond the fear - towards learning, collaboration, and creativity.
Let me Hear from You
Thanks for reading! Connect me with on Twitter @ConsultKJ or by email. Let me know some quotes that have inspired you, and how you push through fear of failure on the path to creativity. I'll see you on the blog or on the road!