Know Yourself, Know Your Worth.

"Oh Lord - know yourself, know your worth." - Drake It's been a minute since I've penned a personal post, so here it goes.

For the last month or so, I've really taken the time to reflect on my worth as an individual, and how I am adequately projecting that image to the world. Being the self-aware individual that I am, I've found that re-discovery periods like these have sent me down a rabbit hole, which can sometimes make the process even more difficult. But I've learned that being open to the journey and specific about what you want are vital keys to the exploration phase.

Speaking from experience, it is uncomfortable, daunting and down right scary to look into the mirror and ask yourself, "Who are you? What's your purpose? And where in the heck are you going?" If you know me, I am my own worst critic and I tend to put and insane amount of pressure on myself. Especially when you're uncertain about what is next, it can cause you to grow anxious about everything around you. But once I've got out of my own way, I've noticed that my load is a little lighter, and I'm much more focused on the things I want to accomplish.

If you've found yourself in the re-discovery phase, here are five quick tips that have helped me put things into perspective and move forward purposefully:

• Have quiet time. This could be in the form of writing in your journal, reading, yoga, meditation, prayer or just sitting in silence. While I love hopping out the bed and turning my swag on, I've done my best the last few weeks to take a moment in the morning to sit cross-legged with my eyes closed and just breathe. No scrolling through my phone for Twitter notifications or checking emails, just taking in the silence and stillness that is around me. It centers me, and allows me to gather focus for the day.

• Kick comparison to the curb. "Comparison is the thief of joy." It's so easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to others. But once you start looking over your shoulder at what the next Sally, Sue or Sam is doing, you lose sight of what it is you're supposed to be doing. While it's good to look up from your every once in a while, it's important to stay focused and keep pushing forward.

• Don't be afraid to ask for help. Yes, it is okay to ask people for help when you are in the midst of a struggle moment. I've said this time and time again, and have to constantly remember to take my own advice! Those that love and care about you want to see you succeed! I'm stubborn as all get out (I'm working on it, lol) but what I've learned is that the worst thing someone can tell you is "no." And when they do, keep asking until you get a "yes." It doesn't make you less that or weak to raise your hand. I've learned this the hard way several times and now that I know, I want to encourage you to not be afraid to raise your voice when you don't know the answers.

• It's okay to say no. The moment you realize what you truly want, you'll be surprised at how many opportunities pop up in front of you. Most of them will be good, but others could simply be distractions that could slow you down. Maintaining specificity is like self-discipline - once you've set your sights on a goal, you don't want to let anyone or anything move you away from it. I've learned that if something doesn't feel right, I'm not even going to take a step toward it. Say thanks, but no thanks, and keep on trucking baby!

• Let it go. Anything that has happened in the past can and will not define who you are. Take the lessons learned, apply them to where you are now, and continue to move forward with your head held high. Letting go doesn't just mean physically detaching yourself from things and people, but it also means releasing toxic thoughts. Negativity is a TRAP, so it's vital in this season to surround yourself with people and things that are only going to lift you higher.

I'm a firm believer in speaking things into existence, so speak positivity and life over your situation! Trouble don't last always and the best is always yet to come.

Here's to an amazing rest of the week!

Chasity

MOAM Presents: #SummerSocial

It's that time again! 

Join me next Thursday, July 16th at BlackFinn AmeriPub for the second installment of #SummerSocial, a networking event that dedicated to connecting and empowering young professionals who are eager to make change in their communities.

This month, I'm excited to have MOAM Jeff Tribble, Executive Director of The MusicanShip, join us to share how he has been able to travel the world and thrive professionally.

One question I want you to think about for next week:

If you could craft your dream career, what would it be? Is there anything holding you back from fully pursing it?

You can RSVP by clicking here, and please spread the word as far and wide as possible!

Any questions or concerns? Tweet me or leave a comment below.

See you there!

-C

Millennial on a Mission: Jennifer Greenhill

Happy July, millennials! This week's Millennial on a Mission is a collaborative writer who looks to bring the conversations of our generation to live through writing. Her current project, for everyone | from millennials, will be a collection of writings by millennials surrounding eighteen different topics.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like for you to meet Jennifer Greenhill.

Hailing from Prince George's County, Maryland, Jennifer graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in business administration and currently works as an Executive Assistant with an award-winning private equity firm headquartered in Washington, D.C.

CC: What inspired you to pursue your choice of career? What challenges have you faced in building your business/brand, and what have you learned from them?

JG: As a sibling to three sisters, I have developed in an environment that has prompted me to help and assist others on a daily basis. Career-wise, I enjoy conducting the day-to-day tasks the firm requires to effectively operate. On the other hand, my love is to write! In less than 140 characters, I am a collaborative writer who explores the small conversations of the world and transform them into literary works. The most challenging part of it all is to stay self-motivated to complete whatever literary project I am working on at the time in a timely manner.

To Jennifer, a Millennial on a Mission is someone who lives in the present fully and consciously. "I believe if everyone adopts that principle, the energy we contribute to this world and to each other will immensely make us charge toward positivity," she says. One piece of advice she would give to her millennial peers? Never give up. "It's okay to take a slower pace and a less traveled road -- just never give up." 

To learn more about Jennifer's other writing projects, visit her website and follow her on Twitter and Instagram. 

RE-CAP - #MCON 2015: The Power of Influence

Last week while visiting Chicago, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend MCON 2015. #MCON is an opportunity for corporate, nonprofit and public leaders to gather and discuss current movements that are shaping the way we think about our world from the perspective of art, media and business. Set in the Museum of Contemporary Art in the heart of Downtown Chicago, it was a cool experience to explore my hometown and learn from thought leaders about the power of influence in the areas of social media, philanthropy, civic activism and more. While there was so much amazing information shared within the two-day affair, below are a few important gems that left me feeling inspired and empowered to move forward:

1. Create a personal manifesto that gets you excited to live your purpose each and every day.  Artist Stephen Kenn kicked off #MCON by sharing this powerful statement that has really inspired me to take step back and re-evaluate how I want to leave my mark on the world. During his presentation, he spoke about how he started his business with his wife four years ago in which he designs and manufactures furniture in Los Angeles, California. He also shared obstacles he had to overcome, how his faith really sustained him through those tough times and what he hopes to achieve next. "Great art is the manifestation of conviction," Stephen said. He also encouraged the audience to "fight comparison and discover your greater narrative."

2. Trends fade. Truths remain. Sisters Amy and Jennifer Hood, foudners of Hoodzpah Design Co. and Steve Alfaro of Voto Latino were the experts featured on the Art Panel. Expanding on the design discussion that Stephen started, Amy, Jennifer and Steve shared how design is truly important to telling a great story. They also shared how important it is for brands and companies must keep it real when marketing to the millennial generation. "Millennials can smell from a mile away when marketing tactics are fake and overbearing," Amy Hood said. "When planning a marketing campaign, it's important to discover a way to engage your audience in a fun and authentic way."  

3. Stay vulnerable, humble and self-aware. My favorite one-on-one conversation was with Jonathan Newman, co-founder of Sweetgreen. (For those of you that don't have the luxury of living near a Sweetgreen, please remind me to take you when you visit The District - it's AMAZING.) Anyway, Jonny shared a number of great gems during his talk, but the one gem that stuck the most was when he began to speak on leadership. "Humility, self-awareness and vulnerability opens you up to human connection," he said. "It's okay that you don't know everything. Be willing to ask for help." As an emerging millennial leader, I think this point is EXTREMELY important for us to fully comprehend. The more we elevate, it will be critical for us to reach up, reach out and reach back to ensure success all around.

4. In change, there is so much opportunity. This is also another pearl of wisdom from Jonathan Newman, but after hearing all of the amazing speakers, this is overarching thought that brings everything together. No matter which sector you may work in, there is always a chance to bring forth something new, dynamic and fresh. There's always a better way to connect with people, a new way to use time effectively and ways to work smarter and not harder. As millennials, we're at a point in our lives where we can craft the next chapter of our journeys. We have the power to influence the way our global community connects, creates and solves problems. We must be willing to take that leap of faith in order to make it happen.

Overall, I enjoyed #MCON and hope to attend next year. Many thanks again to the good people at Achieve for the opportunity to attend such an inspiring event. Want to learn more about #MCON? Visit the MCON website and follow Achieve on Twitter.

Millennial On A Mission: Saranah Holmes

Happy Monday, friends! This week's Millennial on a Mission is a young lady who is passionate about entrepreneurship and doing good. Her platform, Daily Do Good, encourages millennials to "spread kindness one person at a time, one day at a time." Based in Washington, D.C., Daily Do Good (which recently raised $10,000 - congrats!) is fostering an online community of do-gooders who want to incite change in The Nation's Capital though volunteering and philanthropy.

I'd like for you to meet Saranah Holmes.

Born and raised in San Francisco, California, Saranah feels fortunate to have been brought up in a city so rich in culture. "I studied health science at San Jose State University and loved my time there," she recalls. "The school had roughly 24,000 students, but I never felt like a little fish in a big pond." Saranah then continued on to get her Masters in Public Health from the George Washington University. "My graduate experience was memorable, but I chose not to continue with a career in public health. Instead, I followed a path towards development, being an executive assistant and most recently an entrepreneur."

CC: What inspired you to pursue your choice of career? Who are some individuals you admire in and out of your field of work? What challenges have you faced in building your business/brand, and what have you learned from them?

SH: An idea came to me one day while reading Daily Candy -- why not have a daily email dedicated to nonprofits, philanthropy and GOOD stuff that's written in a fun and clever way? That idea eventually turned into the Daily Do Good, a one stop shop for all things philanthropic in the D.C. Metro area. I'm also taking what I've learned in my 10+ years of fundraising and event planning to offer consulting services to nonprofit organizations.

The person I admire the most is no longer with us. My father passed away in 2013, but he reminds me daily to always strive to do my best and not let obstacles stand in my way. My father grew up very poor and he never let his circumstances define who he was. He taught me to find another door if one gets slammed in my face, and to always do what I can to help others. While I don't have a marketing background or a business degree, I am curious and not afraid to ask for help. The biggest challenge has been monetizing my business and building a subscriber base. I'm very grateful to have received advice from people who are pointing me in the right direction.

To Saranah, being a Millennial on a Mission means taking advantage of all there is to offer in this age of technology and using it to turn dreams into reality. "When I was growing up, no one was talking about being an entrepreneur -- we were encouraged to think about a career working for someone else," Saranah says. "Today, being an entrepreneur isn't something that is seen as a crazy departure from the norm." Her advice to her millennial peers? Learn as much as you can from different work places. "Make sure you have a back up source of income and don't let fear keep you from stepping out on a limb."

To learn more about the Daily Do Good, be sure to visit their website and follow them on Instagram and Twitter!