Ep. 111: Jenn Swanson – Adapting Your Dream Throughout Your Life
Chasing Dreams with Aimee J.
English - October 11, 2017 12:00 - 36 minutes - 33.9 MB - ★★★★★ - 57 ratingsPersonal Journals Society & Culture Business aimeej careers chaseyourdreams chasingdreams culture dreamchaser goals inspirational motivational selfhelp Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
“Communication Diva” is the tongue-in-cheek, sassy title of podcaster and author (and church minister) Jenn Swanson. Jenn doesn’t actually believe anyone can be a diva of communication but does passionately insist that we could all do with a little practice! Through her podcast, public speaking, workshops, individual coaching, ministry, and recently published book, Jenn lives out her personal mission statement: to connect, encourage, and empower others and to help people “know they can.” Aimed at high school and college graduates (and with a gentle nudge toward personal awareness and growth), What They See: How to Stand Out and Shine in Your New Job takes readers beyond the interview and into the three-month probationary period of new employment.
TWEET: I didn’t want to deal with paperwork but wanted to do pastoral care with patients. @jennswanson2
Finding what calls to you:
Do you follow what “calls to you”? Jenn shares how she spent 23 years in the hospital business, but then left to follow her dreams. After securing her instructor’s license, she went into teaching medical terminology and found it was something she enjoyed. “There was something about teaching that was calling me,” Jenn says. But she didn’t stop there; she went on to get her ministerial training part-time while working at the hospital—and added another profession to her repertoire.
TWEET: Why should I slow down when I love what I’m doing? @jennswanson2
Don’t overload your plate!
Do you feel compelled to say YES to everything that comes along? So many people “overload” their plates by never learning to say NO. Jenn says you must be ruthless about your self-care and not let yourself get overloaded. Something may sound fun, but you have to look after yourself first and foremost. Always remember that your family must be your top priority.
TWEET: DONE is better than perfect. @jennswanson2
Omigosh—I have to do this!
Do you regularly step “outside your comfort zone”? Jenn says that the more she taught, the more she realized that there was a great need to be able to communicate effectively. Using language properly reduces tension in relationships---and couldn’t we all stand to communicate more effectively? Jenn explains how she found podcasting, met some great people who helped her along the way, and got hooked!
TWEET: Take what you love to do and turn it into a paying gig. @jennswanson2
Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream chaser to take—“Set a goal. It’s one thing to imagine a dream, but it’s another to write it down or tell someone you’re gonna do it. It adds another level of commitment. Break it down into small steps and do ONE thing today.”
OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:
[1:15] Jenn’s eclectic background and her initial dream to pursue acting[3:14] Why Jenn didn’t go to acting school[6:25] Pursuing another dream in serving others[9:10] Balancing jobs, school, practicum training, and family[11:05] Getting ruthless with self-care[12:20] How Jenn’s kids lived out her dream of theater school[15:00] Discovering the world of podcasting[17:40] Looking back on 6 years of podcasting[19:33] Unexpected opportunities[21:14] Upcoming plans for Jenn[23:29] Doing it on your own terms[25:30] Why slow down?[27:48] It’s never too late![29:28] Changing your mindset[30:20] How Jenn’s book came to be[32:25] ONE action for a dream chaser to takeRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Jenn’s Website
Jenn on Twitter
“Communication Diva” is the tongue-in-cheek, sassy title of podcaster and author (and church minister) Jenn Swanson. Jenn doesn’t actually believe anyone can be a diva of communication but does passionately insist that we could all do with a little practice! Through her podcast, public speaking, workshops, individual coaching, ministry, and recently published book, Jenn lives out her personal mission statement: to connect, encourage, and empower others and to help people “know they can.” Aimed at high school and college graduates (and with a gentle nudge toward personal awareness and growth), What They See: How to Stand Out and Shine in Your New Job takes readers beyond the interview and into the three-month probationary period of new employment.
TWEET: I didn’t want to deal with paperwork but wanted to do pastoral care with patients. @jennswanson2
Finding what calls to you:
Do you follow what “calls to you”? Jenn shares how she spent 23 years in the hospital business, but then left to follow her dreams. After securing her instructor’s license, she went into teaching medical terminology and found it was something she enjoyed. “There was something about teaching that was calling me,” Jenn says. But she didn’t stop there; she went on to get her ministerial training part-time while working at the hospital—and added another profession to her repertoire.
TWEET: Why should I slow down when I love what I’m doing? @jennswanson2
Don’t overload your plate!
Do you feel compelled to say YES to everything that comes along? So many people “overload” their plates by never learning to say NO. Jenn says you must be ruthless about your self-care and not let yourself get overloaded. Something may sound fun, but you have to look after yourself first and foremost. Always remember that your family must be your top priority.
TWEET: DONE is better than perfect. @jennswanson2
Omigosh—I have to do this!
Do you regularly step “outside your comfort zone”? Jenn says that the more she taught, the more she realized that there was a great need to be able to communicate effectively. Using language properly reduces tension in relationships---and couldn’t we all stand to communicate more effectively? Jenn explains how she found podcasting, met some great people who helped her along the way, and got hooked!
TWEET: Take what you love to do and turn it into a paying gig. @jennswanson2
Guest Recommendation: ONE action for a dream chaser to take—“Set a goal. It’s one thing to imagine a dream, but it’s another to write it down or tell someone you’re gonna do it. It adds another level of commitment. Break it down into small steps and do ONE thing today.”
OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:
[1:15] Jenn’s eclectic background and her initial dream to pursue acting[3:14] Why Jenn didn’t go to acting school[6:25] Pursuing another dream in serving others[9:10] Balancing jobs, school, practicum training, and family[11:05] Getting ruthless with self-care[12:20] How Jenn’s kids lived out her dream of theater school[15:00] Discovering the world of podcasting[17:40] Looking back on 6 years of podcasting[19:33] Unexpected opportunities[21:14] Upcoming plans for Jenn[23:29] Doing it on your own terms[25:30] Why slow down?[27:48] It’s never too late![29:28] Changing your mindset[30:20] How Jenn’s book came to be[32:25] ONE action for a dream chaser to takeRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Jenn’s Website
Jenn on Twitter
Jenn on Instagram
Jenn on Youtube
Jenn on Facebook
Jenn’s FREE 5-day Jumpstart Your Job Search Challenge
TWEETS YOU CAN USE:
TWEET: I’ve had to get ruthless about self-care and not “overloading my plate.” @jennswanson2
TWEET: I was filling a need that came directly from podcasting. @jennswanson2
TWEET: What the world needs is people who are excited to get out of bed in the morning and go to work. @jennswanson2
https://youtu.be/Ya3NPvpRL2o