Motivational Monday: Start Where You Are

Last week I had a great opportunity to do two more media segments with Fox 45 and WBAL respectively doing what I love – sharing tips and talking about my family. I have no doubt that everything in life happens the way it’s supposed to happen. So I just continue to thank God for the amazing doors that He continues to open for me. I’m learning more and more every day about the importance of setting your intentions.

There are several things that I wrote down in my journal in the beginning of the year. Two of them were speaking at more events, and doing more media segments under my blog name. My first speaking engagement was at Steve Harvey’s Act Like a Success Conference in March. From there, I was invited to be a keynote speaker for a women’s history event for a local government agency. I also was invited to teach a workshop for the Northern VA Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. I got to speak on Mentor Monday a few weeks back, and will be speaking at a women’s conference this weekend at Morgan State University. So far, I’ve spoken at 10 events this year, and have done 5 local TV media segments.

I have to physically write this down because while for some people, this isn’t a big deal, it is for me. Speaking in public and actually having fun with it, is a very big deal for me. And I share this because I want to inspire you and encourage you to set your intentions, believe, have faith and follow people who inspire you to dream bigger and push harder. Align yourself with people who will encourage you to start where you are with what you have.

One of my big time inspirations is Eric…ahem…Dr. Eric Thomas AKA ET The Hip Hop Preacher. If you’ve never heard of him, you have no idea what you’re missing out on. Seriously, you’ll be asking yourself why you didn’t know about him sooner. I started listening to his YouTube videos as a source of inspiration almost two years ago, and love his weekly TGIM (Thank God It’s Monday) segment on YouTube. This is someone who not only has overcome homelessness, dropping out of high school (then later getting his GED), and marrying young, but inspires millions to reach for the stars and beyond on a daily basis. He works with, and inspires Fortune 500 companies, as well as inner city youth. And he has a wonderful marriage with his wife of over twenty years. Huge congrats to Dr. Eric Thomas who just received his PhD from Michigan State University in Education Administration.

Watching clips from his recent graduation reminded me that all he did was start where he was with what he had. And even when things got tough, quitting wasn’t an option because there were too many people counting on him. And while you and I may not be Eric Thomas, we have people counting on us too. So giving up or throwing in the towel now, is not an option. If I would’ve stopped trying after the first or second time I was turned down for a speaking or media opportunities, I would’ve missed out on all the great ones I’ve had and the ones still to come. I don’t have any special training or degree in communication or speaker training. But I have the mindset to simply: just do it. I’m okay with learning as I go, and researching what needs to be learned.

I love this quote by Dr. Thomas:

All you need to succeed is average skill; but if you have phenomenal will, there’s nothing you can’t do. Start where you are with what you have because what you have is plenty.

Eric Thomas quote - success

Check out this short clip and special message from ET below:

What area of your life will your phenomenal will take over for you this week?

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11 Comments

  • Kita
    May 25, 2015 at 1:59 PM

    Congrats to you for your speaking it’s an honor to give others hope and to see what happens when you put your mind to anything you do. I use to speak years ago but lately I am afraid I have nothing to offer. The will to do it is what drives you.
    Kita would like you to check out…How to travel when you can’t afford it.My Profile

    • Christine St.Vil
      May 26, 2015 at 12:23 AM

      Thanks so much Kita! I was feeling the same way for awhile but trust and believe: you definitely have something to offer. We all do. What I’ve realized is that it’s usually that thing that comes so easily to you, so you think it’s not really a gift.

  • Mimi
    May 25, 2015 at 2:34 PM

    i think I have tried and succeeded then failed at many thOnes that somewhere along the way the wind has been knocked out of my sails. This encourages me to keep going even when I don’t see the fruits of my labor immediately. I know the day will Come.

    Congratulations on your success!
    Mimi would like you to check out…Kindergarten Here We ComeMy Profile

    • Christine St.Vil
      May 26, 2015 at 2:46 AM

      I can definitely understand the wind being knocked out of you Mimi. I’m so glad you found this encouraging because I am a prime example of picking up the pieces and staying in action. Your day will definitely come!

  • Michellette "MimiCuteLips" Green
    May 25, 2015 at 8:37 PM

    You are walking in your light and I love it. I spend a lot of time worried because I don’t know my purpose. I constantly feel like I’m missing out on something but I don’t know what it is. Kudos to you for sticking with it and knowing what you want. Soon as I figure out what it is I want and where I’m supposed to be I’m all in.
    Michellette “MimiCuteLips” Green would like you to check out…New Baby Alert: Minbie BottleMy Profile

    • Christine St.Vil
      May 26, 2015 at 2:48 AM

      Hey Mimi! Thank you for your sweet words. Often times our purpose is what comes natural for us. And sometimes we search for something that was under our nose the whole time. You have some amazing talents. I encourage you to write down all the things you enjoy doing and that come natural to you. Oh yeah, and there’s this really great book called Whose Shoes Are You Wearing? 12 Steps to Uncovering the Woman You Really Want to Be 😉 There’s a whole chapter on “Finding and Living Your Passion” 🙂

  • Julian @BoldFearless1j
    May 25, 2015 at 9:11 PM

    All the yes’s in the world! Yes to Dr. Eric Thomas. Yes to starting where you are with what you have. And absolutely yes to NOT QUITTING. Right on time sis…
    Julian @BoldFearless1j would like you to check out…How a Devastating Realization Led to a Radical Change in My LifeMy Profile

  • Nancy Laws
    May 26, 2015 at 7:52 AM

    Thank you for this Christine! How awesome…It would be nice if you could write a piece teaching how to get speaking and media opportunities, I got one recently, but it was because I spoke to someone about my work and realized after that it was a reporter who was interested in doing a segment. It was sheer luck! I would love more tips on that…

    • Christine St.Vil
      May 27, 2015 at 8:18 AM

      Hi Nancy! Thank you so much! And thank you for that, I can definitely put together some tips 🙂

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