Depression landed me my dream job
OMG…. I had no idea that sharing my story over the last week would birth such a huge response!!!!
Thank you all so much for your kind words, thoughts, and messages of inspiration, they truly resonated with my heart and I will forever keep them close.
As you can imagine I received tons of questions and I will be answering them on an upcoming Ask Dr. Jinneh chat later this month, but for now I do want to answer one question that I was asked, that I actually have never really been asked.
ThinkUP Friend: Dr. Jinneh thank you for sharing your story. Your level of vulnerability and transparency is truly one of a kind. I was wondering exactly how did living and overcoming depression become the catalyst for you launching your business.
Here’s the deal. I never had a desire to start a business. My dream job was working as a Senior Consultant for a nonprofit organization. I have always loved helping people, serving others, and traveling and at the time that was exactly what I was doing.
Then my life changed. I know it sounds cliché’, but it really did. I received an invitation to speak at a school and encourage students to “Dream Bigger”. That talk changed my life! Instead of inspiring them to dream bigger and bolder they actually inspired me to shift my focus from my profession to my purpose.
I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was excited. Super pumped, but nervous as ever as I had never spoken to a large crowd nonetheless thousands of students (and ya’ll know that students can sometimes be your hardest crowd to win their approval).
As I sat in my chair with my knees knocking, heart racing, and tears dripping down my face, I heard a quiet still voice say to tear your speech up and talk. I ignored it but heard it two more times. Reluctantly, I obliged.
I walked on stage. Shared and spoke straight from my heart in a room that was so quiet you could literally hear a pin drop. The message was life changing. You can actually watch it here.
When I walked off stage…there was a line of students waiting to take pictures, get a hug, and just share how much my story inspired them to dream bigger (this was pre-ThinkUP).
While their praises and compliments were a true blessing that was not what actually solidified my calling. It was the little girl standing in the back of the line waiting patiently for me. She told me that she had not been to school in weeks and was actually planning on ending her life today, but something told her to come to school. That something was connected to my obedience to stand boldly in my truth. She then spoke these words that have forever changed my life,
“It is because of you that I choose to live again.”
It was February 23, 2010, that I realized that my obedience was tied to her destiny.
So yes, my story of living with depression, accidentally launched my business. It launched my speaking career→birthed a best-selling book → produced a consulting company → and led to business coaching.
Now, I am just doing what I love…. teaching amazing individuals How to ThinkUP and create the future they desire in their mind first!
I was able to turn my mess into a message and I am believing that you can do it as well. What’s your story? Who needs you? Who’s waiting for you? What do you need to do immediately to step into your purpose?
If you need help, shoot me an email and we can chat! This is your time to live boldly and chase your dream!
ThinkUP!
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