Embracing My Journey ~ Living with passion & purpose!

She’s “Dedicated to transforming adversity into better productivity and leadership while keeping a healthy life balance of priorities, family and relationships.” Her name is Mary Lee Gannon and she’s sharing her story today, welcome Mary!

Tell us about the path you traveled to arrive where you are today:
I am a productivity and leadership advice expert who is living proof that anyone can turn his or her life around quickly with some simple focused strategies as is detailed in my book “Starting Over” which will be released in November 2009 by New Horizon Press. At the age of 35 I was a stay at home mother with four children under seven-years-old and a self employed husband. I had an allied health degree at which I was making $27,000 a year when I left the workforce to raise my children. I was in a difficult marriage and filed for divorce as a leap of faith. A few months later I realized an overwhelming avalanche of litigation and anger that resulted in the children and I going from living in a lovely residential suburb to being homeless, carless, and hungry. We went from the country club life to losing our home and poverty all within a few months.

I realized then that I was going to be the one to provide for myself and four children and had to figure out a way to do that. Public assistance was not the way I wanted to live my life. I had done the big cry and a lot of asking, “Why me?” but that got me nothing but more paralyzed with fear. While my children were young, I had done a lot of writing for organizations where I had volunteered and decided to send clips of my writing to the local metropolitan newspaper. The newspaper hired me as a freelance reporter and she went on to write for a number of other magazines, news and professional publications.

From there I earned a certification as an association management executive and went on to be a self employed public relations consultant, business writer, and then a trade association executive director, all work I did from home. When I needed adequate benefits for myself and the children after the divorce, I decided to enter the corporate world. I taught myself how to network, write grants and other skills and then went on to be the executive director of a foundation. Now at 48 I am the President and CEO of a hospital foundation after only having worked full time for roughly nine years.

What kept you moving forward on the days things were not going exactly the way you were hoping they would?
My faith. The opposite of faith is fear. And I leaned on my faith to help me find the energy to explore new things instead of worrying. Worry and guilt are two emotions that will only paralyze you.

What piece of advice would you give to someone who has decided they would like to live in a world of their own creation?
Define what that means. Sit down with a piece of paper and sketch what it will look like when you are at the end of your journey. Don’t sketch you at your next job. Sketch yourself where you want to be in a couple of year – living in the community you like, working at a career you love – not a job.

What special things do you do for yourself daily to maintain your momentum and energy levels?
I pray and do Yoga everyday.

If you could spend 3 days on a deserted island with two people of your choosing, who would they be and why?
They’d be my children (I have four.) They are the most interesting and engaging people I know.

What is your favorite audio material and what do you enjoy most about this material?
I listen to a lot of sales training material because it is useful to hear sales tactics used live instead of just reading about them in theory.

What is your favorite reading material and what gives it that special place in your heart?
I have five books on my nightstand at all times – all nonfiction. This is where I have learned a lot of what they don’t teach you in school. I’ve learned a lot about management, sales, dedication, inspiration and more through these books.

Who has inspired you and what is it about them that you found inspirational?
My children for they have been through a lot at a very young age but have rebounded with kind souls, courage, dignity and achievement.

What do you see in your future?
I see myself writing more books, speaking on the topics of leadership, personal turnarounds, and productivity.

Where is your favorite place in the world to spend time, what is special to you about this location?
The beach. Any beach. The sound of the ocean lapping on the shore, the smell of the sea air and the view of sun sparkling water that stretches just about to eternity is the most peaceful setting in the world for me. I fully shed all inhibitions and sea and hear calmly my calling.

Who has been your greatest support system and how have they shown you their support?
My closes friends have been an incredible source of support in my life. And my friends changed as I traveled through my journey. In hardship you begin to clearly see who the angels are in your life.

What / who are you most thankful for and why?
I am most thankful for my children and my faith. Both are an endless sea of joy and comfort.

What is your favorite way to contribute or give back?
My entire journey has been laced with giving back. Volunteering is how I learned new skills that helped me to achieve my professional accomplishments. I volunteer on boards for several non-profits and I do grass roots level volunteering for a crime prevention organization as well as others. No matter how bad you think your life is, help somebody and you will realize how blessed you really are.

Please share the top three things you feel people would benefit from doing if they truly desire to create the life of their dreams?
1.) Be fearless not reckless. 2.) Ask questions or figure it out. 3.) Make sure what you are doing is helping people.

What products and services do you offer to assist others on their journey?
My book “Starting Over” will be released in the November of 2009 by New Horizon Press. On my site www.StartingOverNow.com you may access a free e-book, numerous free articles and tips sheets on what you need to do to start over successfully. Sign up for my free e-newsletter at info@startingovernow.com.

Thank you for taking the time to share your story with our readers. I encourage everyone to take a few minutes, visit http://www.startingovernow.com/ and connect with Mary today!

Be healthy, be focused and be the best you that you can possibly be!

In gratitude,
Caryn Gottlieb FitzGerald

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Caryn Gottlieb FitzGerald has been a network marketer and connector since 1990. She is a published author, her passion is writing and she spends much of her free time meditating and connecting with like minded individuals.  Caryn walked away from Corporate America in 2003, she continues to achieve the goals she sets for herself and has created the life of her dreams.  Today, Caryn assists others in creating the lifestyles they desire through network marketing, privately owned businesses and spiritual lifestyle coaching. Ready to move forward in your life?
Connect with Caryn at: http://www.carynfitzgerald.com/contact.htm
Or on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/carynfitzgerald

This entry was posted on Monday, September 28th, 2009 at 5:00 am and is filed under Caryn's writing, Living the life of my dreams. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.