Talent Isn't Enough For Success, You also need that "it" factor!

This week I had the pleasure of attending the Recruiters' Forum at the University of Illinois Urbana, my alma mater.  The key not speaker for the event was Justin Spring, men's gymnastics coach.  This year his team lost and lost miserably.  His message was about talent and the it factor.  What is the "it" factor? Stay tuned.

Justin addressed the HR professionals, recruiters, and managers in the room and he told us when recruiting, "talent isn't enough".  Whoa! That was a hard pill to swallow.  Most recruiters and hiring managers look for the best and brightest.  After all what school you went to, your G.P.A., your previous experience all listed on your resume neatly packaged tells the hiring professional whether you are successful or not, right? Wrong.

Think about your own work environment, you may work for or with someone that has all the credentials and looks good on paper yet doesn't quite measure up.  Why is that?  Many people are skilled interviewees or simply have great connections that place them in positions of leadership and influence.  They may have been promoted over the years, however, none of those factors guarantees the person is a great or effective leader.

So what is the "it" factors needed to accompany talent? HEART!  Yes, heart.  When one's heart is in their job, position, or task; they are passionate, determined, dedicated, and relentless laser focused on achieving their goals.  Surprisingly, if a person has heart yet lacks talent, the talent can be developed.  Its easier to develop talent than to develop a passion in an individual for a task.  

Ironically, listening to The Magic of Thinking Big this morning, a scenario is referenced where a swimmer was afraid to jump in the water and compete.  His knees buckled, he began sweating, and almost fell apart.  His coach walked up to him and said jump with your heart and your head will follow!

I'm also reading the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, the night before attending the forum, I read the Law of Connection, one part of the chapter 'The Heart Comes First'.  "Effective leaders know that you first have to touch people's hearts before you ask for their hand....You can't move people to action until you first move them with emotion." 

Imagine, hiring someone or recruiting someone for your team that already has the heart and emotion.  If you are an effective leader and you cultivate that, success and growth are inevitable for your team or organization.  

Interesting enough nevertheless, most recruiters, recruit talent alone few look for the heart/passion in an individual. If a person looks good on paper, they're hired.  They could be the most negative, cancerous person in the department however they know their job and do it well.

However, if you are a business owner and leader this message is for you.  Choose heart/passion over talent.  Talent can be developed easier than heart/passion can.

There are 260 days left in this year, make them count!!!!!!

You may have experienced disappointment, lack, set backs, loss etc. Nevertheless, you are still here, life goes on, and you must Take Charge, OWN your Life, and be in CONTROL visit us at www.epiphanyessentials.com to learn more about how you can Live Your Life on Purpose!


by J. Hawk

Namaste, Peace, Love, Joy, Abundance, Health and Vitality to ALL!

Epiphany Essentials Links

Website: www.epiphanyessentials.com 
Twitter/FaceBook/Instagram @EpiphanyEssentials
Email: johnai@epiphanyessentiials.com 

WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS - What! An All Natural Antibiotic? Food Matters

There are 261 days left in this year, make them count!!!!!!

You may have experienced disappointment, lack, set backs, loss etc. Nevertheless, you are still here, life goes on, and you must Take Charge, OWN your Life, and be in CONTROL visit us at www.epiphanyessentials.com to learn more about how you can Live Your Life on Purpose!


by J. Hawk

Namaste, Peace, Love, Joy, Abundance, Health and Vitality to ALL!

Epiphany Essentials Links

Website: www.epiphanyessentials.com 
Twitter/FaceBook/Instagram @EpiphanyEssentials
Email: johnai@epiphanyessentiials.com 

When No One Sees Your Vision Except You, Give Up?

I am currently reading the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell.  One of the laws is the Law of Respect.  The story begins about a woman who was missing teeth, worked as a maid/servant a few months out of the year, save her money all of a sudden, she'd "disappear" for months and then reappear broke looking for more work.  The woman referenced was Harriet Tubman.

What struck me most about her story told briefly in the chapter is that her husband didn't support her.  What would you do if your spouse didn't support your dream/vision?

Harriet Tubman told her husband she wanted to escape and help others.  At the time, her husband was a "free" man.  Her husband told her in so many words he wouldn't support her on top of that he told her he would turn her in!  Now granted he wasn't a slave however, he surely had a "slave" mentality.

When you share your vision/dreams with those closest to you, it may be difficult for them to see your vision or support your dream if they don't have the right mentality or mindset. How will you handle it?  Will you give up on your dream or will you be like Harriet Tubman and leave your husband, free yourself, and in turn free others?

Most of us who dream and have visions our goals are simply about us, they are about the betterment of others.  So, food for thought, how would you handle the situation?

I know a woman who wanted to purchase rental property however her husband was not in agreement.  He didn't want to mow the lawn, maintain and upkeep the property, he basically didn't want to be a landlord.  Unlike Harriet Tubman, that woman gave up on her dream.

Who do you choose to be like? The mystery woman or Harriet Tubman? 

Men this applies to you as well. I remember watching The American Dream: Jackson Five Story.  One day Joe Jackson went out and bought new speakers and equipment, Katherine was upset.  She was upset because the children needed new shoes.  Watching the movie as an adult when I saw that scene I said 'she doesn't see the vision'.  Katherine Jackson at that time didn't see the vision, she wasn't looking into the future, all she knew was her children needed new shoes NOW.  Imagine what would have happened if Joe Jackson wouldn't have stuck to his vision for his children and his family?

Who do you choose to be like?  Will you pursue your dreams and work towards your vision if your parents, spouse, children, friends, close family, and others whom you respect, admire, and love don't support you?

There are 262 days left in this year, make them count!!!!!!

You may have experienced disappointment, lack, set backs, loss etc. Nevertheless, you are still here, life goes on, and you must Take Charge, OWN your Life, and be in CONTROL visit us at www.epiphanyessentials.com to learn more about how you can Live Your Life on Purpose!


by J. Hawk

Namaste, Peace, Love, Joy, Abundance, Health and Vitality to ALL!

Epiphany Essentials Links

Website: www.epiphanyessentials.com 
Twitter/FaceBook/Instagram @EpiphanyEssentials
Email: johnai@epiphanyessentiials.com 

MINDSET & MOTIVATION MONDAY'S - As A Man Thinketh

There are 263 days left in this year, make them count!!!!!!

You may have experienced disappointment, lack, set backs, loss etc. Nevertheless, you are still here, life goes on, and you must Take Charge, OWN your Life, and be in CONTROL visit us at www.epiphanyessentials.com to learn more about how you can Live Your Life on Purpose!


by J. Hawk

Namaste, Peace, Love, Joy, Abundance, Health and Vitality to ALL!

Epiphany Essentials Links

Website: www.epiphanyessentials.com 
Twitter/FaceBook/Instagram @EpiphanyEssentials
Email: johnai@epiphanyessentiials.com 

SUPER SOUL SUNDAY - NO LIMITS!!!!!!!!!!!

There are 264 days left in this year, make them count!!!!!!

You may have experienced disappointment, lack, set backs, loss etc. Nevertheless, you are still here, life goes on, and you must Take Charge, OWN your Life, and be in CONTROL.


by J. Hawk

Namaste, Peace, Love, Joy, Abundance, Health and Vitality to ALL!

Epiphany Essentials Links

Website: www.epiphanyessentials.com 
Twitter/FaceBook/Instagram @EpiphanyEssentials
Email: johnai@epiphanyessentiials.com 

FINANCIAL FREEDOM FRIDAY'S - FEAR + IGNORANCE = POVERTY 2

This series of Financial Freedom Friday's was inspired by quote that led to a debate.  

"The main cause of poverty or financial struggle is fear and ignorance, not the economy or the government or the rich." Robert Kiyosaki


Income tax season is still among us, the deadline to file is April 15th for individuals. Businesses had to file by March 15th.  Business taxes must be done before personal taxes can be completed.  As the profit or loss from the business is absorbed by the personal taxes.

Tax time is a strange time in the ghettos of Chicago and other low income areas.  People are dressed up outside of tax preparation offices enticing people to come in and file their taxes.  Not only do they want you to file, they want you to file early and get a RAPID REFUND.  The rapid refund is apart of 'The Poverty Business' "John T. Hewitt, a pioneer in the tax-software industry, recognized the opportunity.  The founder of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.  (JTX) says that his company grew in the 1980s, "we focused on the low-hanging fruit: the less affluent people who wanted their money quick."

People in low income, impoverished areas pay hundreds of dollars out of their income tax refund to receive their money within 24 hours.  The simple fact, they can't wait 10 days for their refund, they turn their lack of patience into PROFITS for companies like Jackson Hewitt to the tune of BILLIONS 1,000,000,000.00 of dollars. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

This is a great example of Fear + Ignorance = Poverty.  

One shouldn't even be excited about receiving an income tax refund, we should owe the government money at the end of the year.  We will save that for Part 3, stay tuned!

There are 267 days left in this year, make them count!!!!!!

You may have experienced disappointment, lack, set backs, loss etc. Nevertheless, you are still here, life goes on, and you must Take Charge, OWN your Life, and be in CONTROL visit us at www.epiphanyessentials.com to learn more about how you can Live Your Life on Purpose!

by J. Hawk

Namaste, Peace, Love, Joy, Abundance, Health and Vitality to ALL!

Epiphany Essentials Links

Website: www.epiphanyessentials.com 

Twitter/FaceBook/Instagram @EpiphanyEssentials

Email: johnai@epiphanyessentiials.com 

1st Annual Emerge Conference: Empowerment Conference for Women

We are so excited about our upcoming Emerge Conference.  This will be an afternoon of shopping, pampering, and most importantly EMPOWERMENT for all women attending.

We have some awesome vendors and service providers (all female) confirmed for this exciting event taking place on Saturday, April 25th.  Its not too late to join us ticket sales end this Sunday, April 12th online.  For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.epiphanyessentials.com/emerge 

Service Providers & Vendors 

Nail Technician - Elisa Williams
Massage Therapist - Ekisha Turner
Mobile Bartender & Mixologist - Charrise Gordon of Toast!
Satin Butters & Oils - Delisa Mosley and Angela Jones
Hand Sugar Scrub - Altis Kelly
Rosie's Expressions - Rosie Simmons

If you would like to be a vendor or service provider contact us at www.epiphanyessentials.com 

There are 268 days left in this year, make them count!!!!!!

You may have experienced disappointment, lack, set backs, loss etc. Nevertheless, you are still here, life goes on, and you must Take Charge, OWN your Life, and be in CONTROL visit us at www.epiphanyessentials.com to learn more about how you can Live Your Life on Purpose!

by J. Hawk

Namaste, Peace, Love, Joy, Abundance, Health and Vitality to ALL!

Epiphany Essentials Links

Website: www.epiphanyessentials.com 

Twitter/FaceBook/Instagram @EpiphanyEssentials

Email: johnai@epiphanyessentiials.com