Ep 136 -- Be Brave and Commit with Heather Vickery

We talk a lot about authenticity because it matters. And while it may seem daunting, it can actually make things easier. When you don’t try to fake it, you don’t waste brain cycles and energy trying to maintain a façade.

There are 3 questions to ask yourself when you prepare to talk to an audience:

1. Who are you really?
2. What do you have to offer your audience?
3. What do you have to gain from the experience?

Integrate this framework into your prep work to put yourself on the path to success.

“Man up,” is a phrase I don’t like. Most folks understand it to mean that it’s time to just do something that’s hard or that you’re afraid to do it.

But obviously, it’s sexist. It implies that being afraid to do things is womanly and doing the tough stuff despite fear is manly.

I prefer the exhortation to, “Fortify!” instead of “man up.” Sometimes you do need to muster all your energy and willpower to accomplish something tough. “Fortify” captures that spirit without insulting a significant portion of your audience.

I’m thinking about this today because today’s guest is host of The Brave Files podcast, personal coach, speaker, author, and musical theater enthusiast, Heather Vickery. Heather often finds herself telling clients, “So what? Do it scared.”

Heather Vickery is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, keynote speaker, business owner, and transformational coach. But Heather isn’t just a savvy businesswoman − she’s an inspiration.

The founder of Vickery and Co., Heather helps organizations build an environment of honoring “The Whole Employee” so that they have empowered team members, happier clients, higher retention and make more money!

Heather is a featured expert on achieving an authentic and meaningful life and designing your own roadmap for balance and success.

A mother of four, Heather’s world turned upside down after a major life transformation and divorce, suddenly, she had the freedom to be her most authentic self. She discovered that this same authenticity empowered her with the confidence she needed to repair, rebuild, and reach her life’s vision and goals. Today, Heather leverages her entrepreneurial skills and expertise to coach individuals towards greater personal and professional fulfillment. Through her story of personal bravery, perseverance, and resilience, Heather inspires audiences and empowers attendees with the tools they need to live bold and meaningful lives. A strong believer in strengthening her community, Heather also serves as vice president for The Children’s School and as a board member for the About Face Theatre, Chicago’s premiere LGBTQ theatre.

Heather is the executive producer and host of The Brave Files Podcast featuring real stories from people living courageously.

Heather is the author of “Gratitude Journal: Shift Your Focus.”

She works with people all around the globe to help them build Brave and empowered life’s.

It’s great that I get to share Heather’s conversation this week. As I write this we are just a few days away from the Thanksgiving Holiday in the United States.

Giving thanks and expressing gratitude is an important life skill, and on December 3, Heather can help with that.

Heather’s new book, Grow Grateful: A Gratitude Journal for Kids and Families will be released on December 3rd.

This book is designed to help you create intentional and impactful conversations with kids about gratitude. Doing so will lead to life-changing habits that increase their own happiness and wellbeing and give you delightful quality time together.

The second edition of Heather’s earlier book, Gratitude Journal: Shift Your Focus is also available.  This beautiful journal offers space to record gratitude, personal wins (high fives), and 180 unique prompts to help you connect with gratitude in unique and often surprising ways.

What I think is important about these books is that the focus isn’t just on being grateful because it’s the right moral, ethical, or spiritual thing to do. Heather talks about gratitude as something that is good for you. It raises your spirits and helps you feel better.

These can be great presents for various holiday events, or they can even help you kick start a gratitude practice for yourself or your kids as we approach the time for New Year’s resolutions.

Heather’s Website

https://vickeryandco.com/

Heather’s Podcast — The Brave Files

https://vickeryandco.com/podcast/

Heather on Twitter

https://twitter.com/vickeryandco

Heather on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-vickery/

Heather on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/VickeryandCo/

Heather on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR_G121FlzXy90nVWuGwCuw

Grow Grateful: A Gratitude Journal for Kids and Families

http://brave.vickeryandco.com/growgrateful

Gratitude Journal: Shift Your Focus

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1733618503/ref=as_li_tl

• Don’t, “Man up.” Fortify instead.
• Check out Heather’s Brave Files podcast and books at the links above.
• Share this episode with one other pers0n by giving them the link http://2MinuteTalkTips.com/Heather.
• Don’t get best…get better.

2-Minute Talk Tips is the public speaking podcast that helps you become a more effective speaker in as little as 2 minutes a week.