Transitions

Transition:

“[A] movement, passage, or change from one
position, state, stage, subject, concept, etc., to another; change.”

 

What thoughts flood your mind when you think about change?

We don’t like change. Many will never embrace change. Experts say the number one fear we face is, “If I am not in control something bad will happen.” I am one of the weird ones who thinks it’s fun, exciting, and adventurous. At least I think that way when I’m in control of the change. But when a change was thrown at me that I didn’t plan for -losing a job – it took a “minute” to embrace that change and turn it to transformation.

Change is a reality we all face.

We often equate change and transition as the same or similar experience. However, there is a significant difference between them. Author of Managing Transitions, William Bridges, explains the difference in this brief video. In the 25th Anniversary Edition of his book he highlights three simple yet significant phases to transitioning with change both personally and organizationally:

  1. Let go of the old ways and the old identity we had. This first phase of transition is an ending and the time when we need to help people (and yourself) deal with the losses.
  2. There will be an in-between time when the old is gone but the new isn’t fully operational.This time is called the “neutral zone”: it’s when the critical psychological realignments and repatternings take place.
  3. Come out of the transition and make a new beginning. This is when people develop the new identity, experience the new energy, and discover the new sense of purpose that makes the change begin to work.

Embracing Growth

Choosing to embrace the transition rather than fear the change happening is the difference between growth and stagnation. Here’s what I’ve embraced during my 10-plus month transition:

  • I may not be able to control my circumstances, but I can control how I choose to respond to them.
    Decisions made by others were out of my control and affected my life profoundly. Choosing to see the opportunities and embrace the change made the difference in how I allowed it to affect me.
  • Reaching out for help and support is critical.
    Asking for help has brought new friends to my life and strengthened old friendships.
  • Be vulnerable.
    I have a few close friends I am 100% open with. It has been critical to have their support and honest advice during this long transition season.
  • Listen.
    Equally important is that I hear what they have to say. Because I trust them I know I will be given the advice I need to hear, not what I want to hear. Listening to truth is critical.

Opportunity

Change is good. Change is opportunity. Our view of it makes the difference in whether we emerge on the other side wiser, stronger, and prepared or confused, frustrated, and ready to give up .

Are you more focused on the fear of the uncertainty ahead or the truth that you will emerge on the other side stronger, wiser, and more courageous than you are today?

Keeping it real,
Cheryl

Bridges, William (2017-01-09T22:58:59). Managing Transitions, 25th anniversary edition: Making the Most of Change (Kindle Locations 302-311). Da Capo Press. Kindle Edition.

 

 

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  • nathanwebster
  • September 10, 2018

Podcasts & Blogs

Enjoy our Content!

Podcast Blogs

January 6, 2019

6 Digital Marketing Predictions for 2019

December 23, 2018

Let’s Be Honest About The Grind

December 9, 2018

Referral-Based Networking, Portland Style

November 18, 2018

Chapin’s Tips on Crowdfunding & Peer to Peer Fundraising

November 11, 2018

Choosing which Marketing Works Best for Your Business

November 4, 2018

Which is Best, Self-Employment or Job

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My Faith

September 21, 2017

I Almost Died

February 9, 2017

Pray or Worry, You Can’t Do Both!

October 23, 2016

Godly Endurance

October 14, 2016

Pride is Your Enemy

September 18, 2016

Humble Yourself

September 15, 2016

Your Story is for God’s Glory

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Social Entrepreneur

October 27, 2018

Transitions

September 26, 2018

Fearing Failure

August 26, 2018

The High Cost of Burnout

July 26, 2018

The Power of Help

June 25, 2018

My Greatest Hurdle….

May 23, 2018

Moving Toward Difficult Conversations

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BE Your Dream! Programming

10 Steps to Starting a Nonprofit

John Lee Dumas

Black Girl Magic with Chauntrice

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Nike Raises Brand Authenticity with Colin Kaepernick

Nike Raises Brand Authenticity with Colin Kaepernick

Typically, I won’t talk about current events unless it directly deals with me in some fashion. In the last couple of years, I’ve had a few folks come up to me and ask my opinion of the former 49er’s Quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, kneeling during the national anthem. Since all of these folks I talk to are my friends, we have a civil and great discussion about different perspectives.

We both agree with each other, but we stand fast to our beliefs and go about our way. No problem.

Yes, I find Kaepernick doing the work others failed to do, even as a former United States Marine–but once a Marine, always a Marine–that proudly served honorably. I have no problem with the social good symbol Kaepernick is bringing to many Americans that never had to pay attention to the historical act of police brutality towards African Americans.

The beautiful culture about any branch of service is the uniforms. Within the first few months (during boot camp) of being in, we didn’t wear civilian clothes. Everything that made us individuals was stripped away by choice and agreed to become a Marine all that mattered. It wasn’t until we all started looking at drivers licenses, the differences stood out and allowed everyone to talk with one another without a wall of defensiveness and/or divisive character attacks.

Seek to Understand to Be Understood

Towards the end of my active duty, I found myself hearing those conversations again but at another level of unity and camaraderie. As we were forced to live with each other 24 hours, 7 days a week, work together as a team, the personal biases faded away because we made time to understand.

One of the biggest issues with our current climate is people are failing to understand what’s being said. A small choice with big ramifications.

The basic skill of listening is being thrown out the window. In the military, we wanted to listen to each other because we actually cared about another. We could still listen, disagree and remain close without sacrificing our relationship.

When Kaepernick started to silently protest, his message didn’t resonate with a lot of people because police brutality doesn’t happen in their neighborhoods. Even for myself, I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood and we didn’t have any of those issues. But because we currently live in a 24/7 news world with cameras to publish content anytime, the transparency has never been to this level of accountability.

Therefore, I had to talk about it with fellow marketing guru, Kent Lewis.  We talked about it in the podcast, along with other things. In Kent’s words, “Nike’s decision to fire some of their customers…”

Kent continued the discussion with a LinkedIn article below.

Nike’s Just Do It ad campaign Featuring Colin Kaepernick: Brand Genius or Genocide?

On September 3rd, (Labor Day), Nike posted a new ad campaign celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Nike’s Just Do It campaign. The ad features unknown aspiring athletes as well as established elite Nike professional athletes (including Serena Williams and Odell Beckham Jr.), but what makes the ad remarkable is the former professional NFL quarterback who narrates and is featured briefly at the end of the ad. Former quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, Colin Kaepernick, has become a martyr of sorts since October 2nd, 2016, when he became the first (black) professional athlete to kneel during the National Anthem. His appearance in the ad sparked a controversy that has clogged the social media feeds and press coverage the entire week.

Contrary to conservative rhetoric, Kaepernick’s controversial actions are not rooted in a blatant disregard or disrespect for America or Americans. Kaepernick, inspired in-part by the suggestion of a fellow San Francisco 49ers (white) teammate and former veteran, started kneeling during the national anthem, to protest the treatment of African-Americans in the U.S., particularly around police brutality and social injustice. His highly visible action created an immediate firestorm, which was fueled as other teammates and teams followed suit. The NFL, government officials and public denounced the action as un-American.

Signed by Nike in 2011, Colin Kaepernick hadn’t been featured in any major ad campaigns previously. The timing is not a coincidence of course. Kaepernick is on the tail end of winning a lawsuit against multiple NFL team for collusion (agreeing not to hire him because he was the first to kneel). He hasn’t worked since 2016, but his new undisclosed contract with Nike includes an apparel line for Kaepernick and a contribution to his charity, Know Your Rights.

Finish reading the article, go here, and check out all the links and images.

Enjoy the episode!

Click here to submit your iTunes review!

Dream Big,
N

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Create, Produce And Promote

Create, Produce And Promote

Remember when you were a kid and did arts, crafts, and color during your free-time? We came up with some wild ideas. The masterpieces were fridge-worthy or even put up on our wall.

Somewhere in life, we stopped becoming artists.

As entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs, you’re more inclined to be solution-oriented, fix problems, and an individual with answers. Not have all the answers, but the most popular ones in your industry.

We can’t be all things to everyone, so why not focus on what we can do really well.

I don’t want to spoil the podcast, so I’ll keep this blog really simple. You don’t need permission to be:
– create
– innovate
– engage
– build
– design
– draw
– collaborate
– compete
– curate
– and improve

Let’s use our imagination, our skills, and our passion to make the world a better place.

Dream Big,
N

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The Power of Help

 

One of my greatest strengths (and my greatest weakness) is fierce independence. It is my greatest strength when I set myself to accomplish what must be done. It becomes my greatest weakness when I refuse to ask for help. One of my favorite authors, Brené Brown, in her book The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to be and Embrace Who You Are, has this to say:

 “One of the greatest barriers to connection is the cultural importance we place on ‘going at it alone.’ Somehow we’ve come to equate success with not needing anyone. Many of us are willing to extend a helping hand, but we’re very reluctant to reach out for help when we need it ourselves. It’s as if we’ve divided the world into ‘those who offer help’ and ‘those who need help.’ The truth is that we are both.”

I’ve spoken with many leaders of small to mid-size nonprofits in recent months and noticed an interesting and concerning trend: there are many people with passionate, giving hearts who begin the hard work of starting a nonprofit or social enterprise without doing the necessary personal and professional prep work to equip them and their organization for a sustainable future. Venturing out like this can be an incredible opportunity to learn; it can also create a mess when we don’t get the right help from the right people and places.

I want to pause and give credit to every individual who has embarked on this marathon.

It takes vision and courage to see a need and be willing to do something about it. It takes grit to do it blindly and, “figure it out.” It takes authenticity, vulnerability, and even greater courage to ask for help when we don’t know what to do next.

Developing organizational infrastructure is critical to the long-term sustainability of an organization. Jim Collins in his book Good to Great in Social Sectors says:

“…start by focusing on the First Who principle—do whatever you can to get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people into the right seats.”

This process takes great strength, wisdom, and discernment. It will require asking – and listening to – help from those outside your organization.

How and when do you ask for help?

  • First, be self-aware. Do what you must to assess your own strengths and weaknesses.
  • Second, be willing to have difficult conversations with your team about their strengths and weaknesses.
  • Third, Listen. Ask questions so you can understand what strengths are missing in your team.
  • Fourth, (and most important), get help from those who have the expertise to take you forward. It may be an Executive Coach, fundraising consultants, business consultants, or others.

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is the strongest thing you can do for yourself, and your organization. Take it from me, a fiercely independent woman who has learned (the hard way) to accept help from those who can when I cannot

Keeping it real,
Cheryl

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Your Giant Fights for You

Your Giant Fights for You

In boot camp 20 years ago, we were awakened by US Marine Corps Drill Instructors banging garbage cans screaming at us saying get up to the sound of reveille. It wasn’t the most pleasant form of waking up, but we learned to accept and deal with it.

Towards the end of boot camp, you already know what to expect and you get up ready to go. Matter fact, most of us had the person already awake wake us up beforehand so we could shower and shave before reveille sound it.

What will it take to wake up you’re sleeping giant and have it fight for you on a regular basis?

In this episode, I really enjoyed talking about what that giant is in your life, my life and life in general. I think sometimes we forget what keeps us going. We forget why we start the process. So I’m glad I’m able to shed a little bit a light on my sleeping giant and how he fights for me.

Click here to subscribe and give us a review on iTunes.
Click here to subscribe and give us a review on Soundcloud.

Click here to submit your iTunes review!

Dream Big,
N

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Wake Up Your Sleeping Giant

Wake Up Your Sleeping Giant

When I look around I reflect back on my short time on being on this earth, we have made a lot of improvements. Thank God for technology, it has quadrupled everything that we do. I remember on Friday nights using my blockbuster card and getting some Jiffy popcorn and having a grand ol’ time for $40 (which was a deal). Now, for only a small fraction and a mobile device, everyone in the household could be watching something different.

Technology has definitely made things a lot easier. From the ways that we communicate and engage, to how we do business. Even by becoming an entrepreneur, the barriers to entry have immensely lowered.

However, for all the good there is a bad. And this episode I’ll talk about how it has allowed us to be a lot more dormant when it comes to our own gifts. The giant that allows us to be great is in a deep slumber.

Click here to subscribe and give us a review on iTunes.
Click here to subscribe and give us a review on Soundcloud.

Click here to submit your iTunes review!

Dream Big,
N

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My Greatest Hurdle….

Memories…

A friend recently asked me what my greatest hurdle in developing my career has been. My mind instantly flooded with many memories. Some amazing and beautiful. Others painful and overwhelming. It seemed like writing a letter to my younger self about how to overcome would be the best way to process the question.  I want to share that letter with you. This process has been therapeutic and encouraging to my (now older) self. It is honest and vulnerable. My hope is it will inspire you to step into a similar journey.

To my younger self,

What a journey you have had. Looking back at all you’ve experienced, there is much I want to tell you. History cannot be changed. This letter will not change what has been. Time machines are pure science fiction. This letter is meant to encourage you to stay the course, no matter what obstacles you find in front of you. Regret nothing. Be intentional to look for opportunity in every encounter in front of you;  most of all the good, the bad, and others..

There are many hurdles ahead of you. The greatest one, the one with the power to take you down, is you. Your childhood held many challenges. Many voices spoke lies over you. Choose to not believe them. Choose to accept who you are created to be. Lean into it. Every beautiful part of who you are.

Your passion for life will inspire others. Your strengths will take you far in life.

You are a woman with great purpose. Some will tell you that your power, one of your greatest strengths, is a weakness. Don’t believe them. It is the greatest thing about you. Don’t let the views of others keep you from your purpose. Your power is not a corrupt power. It is the hidden strength of wisdom and discernment. You have the ability to see potential in every situation. This is not an accident. It is how you are wired. It is good.

Some will tell you your value as a woman is rooted in tradition. It is rooted in their belief system. Don’t believe them. As a woman you bring a specific perspective to the leadership table. A perspective unique to who you are. A perspective to be valued. Never fear sharing your perspective. Never fear the gift of leadership within you.

Overcoming the hurdle of yourself means you must be intentional to dig deep. It means you must take ownership of painful things in your life. Learn from them. It means not only accepting yourself; it means loving yourself.  Most noteworthy, my younger self, it is imperative you know this: confidence is not pride. Be confident in who you are.  See the beauty in every moment. If you do all these things (and more), you will go far.

What’s next?

There is much, much more I plan to say to my younger self in the days and weeks ahead. I know that each of us faces hurdles in developing our careers. Most of all as Social Entrepreneurs. Some hurdles are financial. Some are gender or race based. Others are, as in my case, hurdles we choose to put on ourselves.

I would love to hear from you. What has been your greatest hurdle? Have you overcome it? How did you overcome?

I am looking forward to the conversations ahead!

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The 4 P’s of Marketing

I believe somewhere in the world this sentence is said about a 100 times a day, “I had a really great idea.” And then the dialogue goes back and forth with a trusted confidant.

It looks something like this:
Confidant- so what was it?
Great Idea- if I tell you, you can’t tell anyone. Ok?
Confidant- ok. I won’t.
Great Idea- so this is my idea… [the great idea]. So what do you think?
Confidant- that sounds cool. Why don’t you get some help with it and make it into a business?
Great Idea- I don’t want them to steal it, so I’m working on a non-disclosure agreement (aka, NDA).
Confidant- oh, ok.

[a year later]

Confidant- so how’s the business coming along?
Great Idea- I’m still working on my on NDA.
Confidant- have you made any other progress on it?
Great Idea- well, some but I’m being careful to I speak to about it.

I’ve lost count how many times I’ve had this conversation with someone. We all have great ideas, but some of us don’t know how to implement into reality. In my opinion, the idea isn’t that great yet. Not until you have a recurring customer give you a raving review.

When starting a business from a simple idea, you’re not thinking of the framework or the logistics of repeat customers. Not unless you have a marketing background.

One of the core principles of marketing is the 4 P’s. In the digital era of non-stop constant ads, we’re being bombarded with it. Every company has a strategy and if the budget allows, there is a mass amount of dollars being invested to get you to buy. Within 30 to 90 seconds, they have told you the following:
1. Product (what they’re selling)
2. Price (how much)
3. Place (where you can purchase)
4. Promotion (why it’s a special offer)

In this podcast, I go into explaining this a bit more. Even though we had some great episodes on marketing in the past, I wanted to break it down a bit more for those who want granular nuggets. To check out the other previous episodes, click below:
Marketing with Kent Lewis of Anvil Media
Online Marketing and Social Media
Marketing Campaigns and Channels Pt. 1
Marketing Campaigns and Channels Pt. 2

Click here to submit your iTunes review!

Dream Big,
N

Photo by Rodion Kutsaev on Unsplash

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  • nathanwebster
  • May 9, 2018

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My Business is Personal

Nathan A Webster

My Journey

The business acumen I've acquired throughout the years required many hours of the grind without any recognition, love or rewards. I ain't mad, because it taught me to rely on the finished product, results and outcomes. Throughout the passion of keeping my head down, I learned an incredible amount of invaluable knowledge that I won't sit on. I know firsthand how hard to work and not have access to resources. Hence, why I content comes from out of my rejection, humiliation and the succession of my businesses.

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Podcast Episodes

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Years in Business

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Years Fundraising

EXPERTISE

I've been blessed to experience leadership at high levels from different industries. One of the most valuable lessons I've learned is to always bring value to the table. Value comes from the experience of being the practitioner.

Multi-Functional

I've excelled in the US Marine Corps, corporate leadership, academia and self-employment.

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Producer

I've created profitable content, videos, business plans, and college curriculum.

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Author

I've written books for my nonprofit programs and aspiring nonprofit founders.

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Dowload on Soundcloud

For Android users, listen to Social Entrepreneur with Nathan A Webster.

Latest Articles

My articles of goodness, and other contributing authors.

January 6, 2019

6 Digital Marketing Predictions for 2019

December 23, 2018

Let’s Be Honest About The Grind

December 9, 2018

Referral-Based Networking, Portland Style

Load more

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