Today, February 25th, after re-reading the transcript of the speech Steve Jobs–the creator of Apple–gave to the 2005 graduating class of Stanford University I have decided to begin teaching and coaching others online concerning their issues with both business and life.
I will be 54 in April, and considering that I have been searching for what I love to do for the last few years, trying to figure out how to make the rest of my life meaningful and satisfying, reading that speech made me understand that it was time to make a commitment to something concrete.
I have been a businesswoman and writer, a poet and a bookkeeper, a freelance writer and a salesperson, an administrator and a manager, a boss and business owner, an intense researcher and student of internet marketing and life university, a self-development enthusiast, a dreamer and entrepreneur, for a total of 40 years. I have been a lover for 54.
I have been married more than once, (not telling) raised children as a single mom, experienced near-death, the loss of a grown child, been clean and sober for one year yesterday, (yeah!) been diagnosed as bi-polar, (finally I have a label) and have always pretty much lived by the creed shared by Steve Jobs in his speech, “Stay Hungry. Be Foolish.”
I have always followed my heart, in both business and my personal life. I have made a lot of mistakes, but I have also made a lot of good decisions and lived a very full and interesting life. (not that I am saying the interesting stuff is over, no way, no how!) For the last few years I have been writing and blogging full-time while I studied internet marketing and worked on getting my personal life back on track.
Needless to say, I’ve been very busy.
Having said all this, I think doing what I love involves doing what I have been doing naturally since I was six years old; telling people what to do. It was my bat, my ball, and my yard, which meant I went first.
Perfect logic, no room for debate.
But seriously, my friends in high school always came to me, the skinny, geeky, four-eyed brainiac, for advice about boys and help with homework. I was totally flattered and eager to help. I have always drawn immense satisfaction from helping others. That has never changed. I don’t help people out strictly to feel good about myself. (I’ve been on a spiritual journey and investigated thoroughly my motives and behavior, that’s how I know my actions are mostly and most often, truly altruistic) although, being human, I must admit that the satisfaction derived from assisting someone with a problem and seeing it be solved certainly doesn’t hurt my self-image.
I have always been fascinated by what makes people tick, why we do the things we do, and what this life is all about. I have been a fan of Wayne Dyer since I was in my 20s. If you are familiar with Wayne Dyer, then you can pretty much figure out my mindset. If you are not familiar with him, Google is your friend. It will be one of the most important searches you’ve ever made. I have also learned a lot from teachers like Dr. Phil–”How’s that workin’ for you?”, and “I want you to get excited about your life!”–Zig Ziglar, the Father of Self Improvement and Motivation–Kahlil Gibran, author of The Prophet, a book no one should die without reading–and of course Oprah, who truly has changed the way us women view ourselves and the world–and her good friend Mya Angelo, poet and philosopher extraordinaire.
I guess you could call me a problem solver. And a nurturer. As an example, I am presently living with two other adults. I have somehow become the go-to person for information and advice about the computer, the internet, and business related matters. I did not intent this to happen. I am also beginning to strongly resemble a Jewish mother when it comes to things domestic. I frequently cook and I must insist that you eat! I try to feed everyone.
Considering these matters, I have made up my mind that what I should really do with the rest of my life is to help people online, since that is where I spend so much of my time, with business, sales, personal and writing related issues.
I will be building a website and/or blog over the next few weeks for this purpose. I guess right now I am officially giving myself the label of “Business and Life Coach!”
I will keep you updated on how things are coming along and give you the URL when the site is ready. In the meantime, if you need advice on business or relationships, don’t hesitate to leave me a comment here and I will get right back to you. (If the issue is too personal, you can send me an email to kdg.up.onward@gmail.com)
Have a blessed and happy day, Stay Hungry. Be Foolish.
Denise Kincy Grier