I am not afraid of what walks in the dark.

I am not afraid of what walks in the dark.

I recently said this aloud to a friend of mine during a much-needed video catch-up call. I was specifically referencing the calm and peace that I have felt, which has grown during "the quarantine" and the current Black Lives Movement (it's not a moment, ya'll). You're probably asking yourself if my casual video chats are always full of such seriousness. 

The answer to that question is a resounding "yes." Ask anyone who knows me, and they'll probably tell you as much. I am, by all definitions, a "serious person." I just happen to also love to laugh, be naturally well tempered, flexible in mindset, and open to unknown experiences and new people.

But don't get it twisted, I am #serious and #ambitious. I'm a #firesign, and I came to burn bright.

Which takes me right back to my quote. It's this same "seriousness" that has shaped my worldview and, most importantly, my character. I am what many would call a "confronter"...(there's some heavy air quote usage going on here, but stick with me). Whenever I am in an uncomfortable situation, I have the habit of digging in. Now, this doesn't mean that there haven't been times where I have run faster than Usain Bolt or Allysen Felix and hid under a rock. However, most of the time - I stand in front of my problems. I meet them on the road, ask them to have a seat, and then work through it. This tactic has served me well and is what even got me into both receiving coaching and providing coaching. 

For as long as I can remember, my practical and hyper-rational approach has made me a go-to "fixer" for my friends and family. If there's an issue, I listen impartially, think deeply, consult the universe and provide my thoughtful opinion. After over 2 decades of this approach to work, school, and life, I realize that in times of crisis, it's even more of an asset than I previously believed it to be. In 2017, I began working with my good friend (and now biz partner), Tonesha Sylla. You can hear more about our journey together in season 1 and season 2 of the Life of an Empath Podcast. Season 2 drops at the end of this week, so stay tuned. (FYI, I co-produce the podcast with T!) The work that we did initially focused on my business and professional development, but soon went into my intuitive development. I won't get into too many details about the latter, but if you want to hear more, send me a note or get in my DMs! The guidance and coaching I received about my work life were really centered around emotional clarity. Now, what's that mean? This means that we worked on identifying the emotions attached to my work, clearing out the roadblocks based on past experiences, and developed a plan to align my work with my soul purpose. 

So, what did this allow me to do? It allowed me to figure out exactly how what I did for work matched with what I was placed on this earth to complete. Spoiler alert, my professional life isn't a perfect match! Nonetheless, Tonesha helped me identify what I could do to bring more of me to work, which I began applying immediately.

Needless to say, the process was earth-shattering and uplifting. I had to confront a lot of things about me and even as a "confronter," I was still shocked by what I learned and how much further I needed to go.

You see, that's why I don't fear the unknowns...or as I say "what walks in the dark." Even the most psychically gifted of us can't see everything that's headed our way. Still, we can be prepared by going deeper. ESPECIALLY when it comes to professional pursuits. Maybe now you're asking, "What's the point of this story"?

I share this small part of my journey as a way to understand why Tonesha and I launched The Empath Accelerator. We both know how limiting it can feel to not be able to show up authentically yourself in the workplace and in our careers. Tonesha will be focused on emotional clarity. I will be helping participants cultivate their authentic voice and translate that into everything from resumes to portfolios. With this in mind, I have an ask for you. Check out our I Fund Women campaign and/or apply to participate in the accelerator. We have an intentional and purposeful focus on PoC womxn, especially Black Women. We invite you to come and get the clarity that you deserve and the development that can help you excel in work and life.