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CHOOSING MY TEDx TALK TOPIC
A couple of months ago, I told you guys I was gearing up for my TEDx Talk. And boy oh boy am I happy to finally share it with you. From January through April 1st when I did my talk, I worked with the team at Columbia College to come up with a topic that really felt authentic. Funny how it turned out to be Standing In Your Authenticity.
MY ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY
For the last five years, I have been living that topic in more ways than one. I have been taking this entrepreneurial journey and it has had its winding curves that have been a little difficult to navigate. Being able to write down the ins and outs of my path for my talk was such an introspective experience.
TEDx TALK ANXIETY
Speaking of the talk, I have to admit that I had major anxiety about it. When anyone hears the words Ted and Talk, there is serious pressure associated with it. I usually NEVER get nervous speaking in front of crowds or even on national tv where there are millions of viewers watching. It is as natural as breathing but for some reason, this was a little different. I’m pretty sure I had dreams of pulling out several times. I felt exposed and had to share my real truth and what it meant to be a boss on my own terms. After this process, I can guarantee you that I truly grew.
I’m so grateful to Columbia College for allowing me to speak this year and share my truth. It was such a fantastic experience. Now without further adieu, here is the video. I hope you like it!
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Jocelyn: I watched your Ted Talks and I found it so interesting and compelling. The things you share and talk about can reflect aspects of my own life. I am working a dead end job that I feel like drains all my creative energy and doesn’t do a good job at paying the bills, but it does pay the bills. I have for years wanted to do my own blog. I constantly am cooking and writing recipes. I like you, started in my Grandmother’s kitchen. I have always loved recipes and been writing down and formulating my own since I was a young’in. It is like there is a block that keeps me from pursuing the blog. I think, who I am , I have no professional training. Am I too late to the food blog game, that is already oversaturated as it is? What if it doesn’t eventually grow into something more that could pay the bills. Because I would have to work my regular job and do the blog. Then I think it would take away time from other things that are just as important, like my yoga and spirituality. And those are aspects I would want to share along with the cooking and memories. I see bloggers like you who are wildly successful and others who give it up. I actually saw your name on another food blog I used to check out “Southern Boy Dishes”. But he quit blogging in 2015. Some people find their niche while other never do and abandon it and cut their losses. I am happiest when I am home in my kitchen, cooking, even when it’s just cooking for myself. It feels like pure joy and happiness. I just want to turn that feeling into my all the time reality instead of getting up on Monday morning and going to a job that will never make me happy. I sometimes feel guided that I should be doing this, but those doubts, fears and insecurities are always there. In yoga there is a saying that showing up to the mat and making the time is the hardest part. The rest is just being fully present in the moment and letting go. You are an inspiration.
Awww thank you so so much for this. I really have no idea if it is too late. There are bloggers that have started recently and have broken into this overcrowded market because they have something unique to say. If it is truly what you want to do and it is your life’s passion, you should pursue it without doubt period. Life is about taking risks.
I have totally connected to a lot of what you said here. I find myself wondering where I rank or f I do rank on a list of some of the top food bloggers as well as an African American food blogger. I love that we have you to pioneer and pave this road for us to learn from. I too had an ideology of who I should be after graduating from college. When I starting to step into the light of my food blog could be the beginning of my true calling for me, I was like “am I really going to blog about recipes and my life as a mom and wife and get paid?” I still think it’s kind of bizarre but I have to think that is what it looks like on the surface. Bloggers are some of the hardest working professionals on the planet because chances are we are doing food photography, recipe development, marketing, video editing, and so much more. There is so much in that job description but it so worth it when opportunities like doing a “Ted Talk” comes your way. Keep doing what you are doing. I’m watching and learning from you. Thank you for inspiring me and being a great food blogging friend!
We are seriously such hard workers, and we do so much. People will never understand the hard work that gets put into this business but I’m so grateful to be doing it. Thank you so so much for your sweet comment!
Thank you for your candid, open, sharing, Jocelyn. While I absolutely adore you, your website, recipes and youthfulness, my message is that it’s never too late to ‘do you.’ I am 64 years seasoned. In my 20’s to late 40’s, I did me quite successfully. Then, overwhelming turmoil occurred for more than a decade in my life, and I lost myself.
Thank God, I’m back. My message is, it’s never too late to do you. Thanks for your talk.
Absolutely! Thank you so so much for the super sweet message. It means so very much to me!
You are amazing my friend.
I love you my friend!!!
YOU ARE AMAZING!!!