Change Your Circle, Change Your Life (Guest Jamar Jones - Writer and Founder of Foureva Media)
SHOW NOTES:
Contact and Follow Jamar Jones: Linkedin - Instagram - Website
Foureva Media (formerly Relatable Marketing and Foureva Productions)
Clubhouse: @foureva
Foureva Podcast - Website
CONTACT HEATHER:
Zeitzwolfe Accounting: Website - Facebook
Contact Heather: Instagram - LinkedIn
Book a Discovery Call (via Zoom) - Click Here
Heather & Get the Balance Right - Link Tree
Set up a strategy session with Heather - HERE
Work Life Balance
Everyone Needs It. Including Me.
The Harsh Reality of a Workaholic….
If you’re a regular listener of the podcast, you may have noticed that we haven’t had a show in the last two weeks. I’d like to explain. This was a tough decision for me, because I made a commitment to myself to record a podcast each week without any gaps. I managed to keep up my commitment every week for the past 11 months.
But life got in the way and I need a break. Just like the show’s title, Get the Balance Right, I needed to get some balance back into my own life. I needed some time off. I decided to go on vacation and during this time I planned on taking a one-week hiatus from the podcast. Unfortunately, during this week, my 94-year-old mom, who was on hospice, took a turn for the worst. She was declining fast and tragically my flight back was delayed by a day. As soon as we flew in, we went to see her. But by the time we got there, my mom had entered a comatose state.
I spent the next several days by her bedside, holding her hand, kissing her forehead and telling her, “I love you,” all while watching her die slowly, without and food and water. Seeing my mom completely unresponsive was beyond difficult. Seeing her body withering away has made a mental impression that I will never be able to shake.
It was an emotionally-charged week, spent with family and loved ones, that was full of sadness and retrospection.
My mom, Audrey Zeitz died on May 4th around 4am. After I received the news that she passed, all I wanted to do was curl up into a ball on the floor, cry into my pillow and let my cats lick up my tears. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to wallow in my pain, because I just didn’t have the time. As you may know, I’m a CPA and I’m quickly headed towards the tax deadline. I’m sure I will bawl my eyes out in the future, as I go through my mom’s possessions, but this week I had to work on tax returns.
Here I was with my grim reality. Motherless, with a pile of work and clients (thankfully) waiting patiently.
My built in “free” (air quotes) time had been used going on vacation and being by my mom’s bedside, there was no wiggle room time left for bereavement.
I had gotten myself in a situation that was ridiculous. I became a business owner to give myself more freedom, but here I was shackled to my desk. I know I’m not alone in this. As business owners, we need to build in enough slack for emergencies, but oftentimes we don’t. We think we can do it all, until life’s tragedies slap us in the face.
Having to work, while emotionally in pain is not healthy, but at least I can learn from it. The vital lessons I learned from this predicament has put fire in me. I am on a mission to bring more balance to my life.
I’m the first to admit that I’m a bit of a workaholic, an overachiever, and have a tendency to stretch myself thin between running my own accounting business, producing a weekly podcast, volunteering and so on and so on and so on. BUT and I mean a BIG BUT - After this deadline, things are going change. Just like the title of this podcast, I’m going to get the balance right. Dear listeners, you are my witness and so is my mommy; may she rest in peace.
But what about you? I know I’m not the only one who needs to improve work-life-balance. Here’s what I want to do. Let’s vow to support each other and hold each other accountable. To prove my dedication, I plan on having future podcast shows that will help teach and inspire us to get more balance in our lives. Not only is it my mission for myself, it’s my mission for you as well. So more to come next week on this topic.
My Mom (Audrey Zeitz) was goofball and a clown. That’s where I got it from….
Audrey Zeitz - 90th Birthday Bash - Featured in the Oregonian Newspaper (Click picture to view article)
Audrey Zeitz hamming it up for the camera, doing her best Billy Bob Realness.
On this episode, we are joined by by the charming and talented Jamar Jones, the founder of Foureva Media and the host of the Foureva Podcast. He is a video marketing and branding expert, along with a speaker, motivator and self-proclaimed comic book enthusiast. Jamar Jones oozes with positive energy from every pore. But that wasn’t always the case. As a teenager he was angry and felt lost, he experienced racism and had to deal with the stress of attending four different high schools. Despite his challenges growing up, Jamar went on to have a successful music career and built his communication agency from the ground up. Now Jamar has a team of 10 people working for him. He attributes his success to the people he surrounded himself with; his circle of influence in life and business. Now he’s taken his personal experience and written the book, Change Your Circle, Change Your Life.
This episode explores the importance of having a healthy work-life balance, the power of networking and the impact that others can have in your life. We discuss Jamar's experiences, which inspired his book, along with methods you can utilize in your own life in order to grow as a person and an entrepreneur.
Live Networking
Don’t Be Shy. Be Real. Be Curious. Create Magic.
This week we’re discussing changing your circle, to change your life. This can take time and a lot of effort, but the magical results all start with your willingness to try.
I have found over the years that true human connection can be a powerful mechanism to help you develop your own potential.
These long-lasting connections often start from networking. To make this happen, you have to approach networking from a place of giving and not about what the other person can do for you. This human connection should take place during all networking, whether live or virtual. During COVID, we have been unable to go to live conferences and other networking events, but soon this will change. I know a lot of people hate live networking because they feel like they have to sell themselves; there’s pressure to have a clever elevator pitch. But guess what – nobody wants to be sold too at live networking events.
Forget about your elevator pitch, because no one cares. People don’t remember elevator pitches; they remember how you made them feel.
If you come off salesy, then they’ll feel icky. Stop being nervous at live networking events. Instead of talking about yourself, be curious, be giving, and ask the others about themselves. Most importantly, be genuine and don’t be shy. People want to be heard. The reality is, people love talking about themselves and if you are truly interested and ask probing questions, people will remember how you made them feel wanted.
This reminds me of my mom (Audrey Zeitz). She showed compassion towards everyone and made them feel special because she was non-judgmental, no matter if they were considered a freak or weirdo in society. Her understanding and vitality for life touched so many hearts, and changed their life for the better. All throughout my life, people would tell me that they wish my mom was their mom. She had that type of effect on people. My mom, who was part of my circle of influence, set the example, when she met someone new, she used that opportunity to make them feel happy, special and entertained. It was her inspiration that gave me courage to be myself and not be shy around strangers.
I know live networking can be stressful for some people, but when we’re able to do so again, I urge you to take chances and try. To push yourself, give yourself a goal. If there are people you know at the event, get to know them better. Set a number that you want to reconnect with.
Give yourself a quota, to meet new people. But be bold and daring, your goal should include people who are at the level you want to achieve. Be courteous and friendly and do not expect anything from anyone. Be there to build community and stay connected.
If someone gives you a business card, after your conversation, take out a pen and write on the back of the card. Scribble some key notes from your conversation, so you can remember it later. By the next day, send them an email or connect with them on LinkedIn, you can use your notes as a reference. Please be appreciative and not phony. You never want to squander this opportunity. Because you have no idea what magic this one connection might bring. Through the power of networking, you can change your circle and as a result, change your life.
Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Do you have a podcast and would like to invite Heather Zeitzwolfe to be a guest? If either apply, please fill out our guest request form.
Tools Heather Recommends…
Miro Virtual Collaborative Boards
The online collaborative whiteboard platform to bring teams and ideas together, anytime, anywhere.
Do You Want Hassle Free Payroll?
Gusto is a great solution! Use this link and receive a $100 Amazon Gift Card when you sign up.
Buzzsprout is an amazing podcasting platform. The best way to host, promote, and track your podcast. You get $20 with this link when you join Buzzsprout. Happy podcasting!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
