What Is My Passion Thursdays: Meet Chanelle Yarber

Chanelle is the managing consultant behind BrightGirl Media. She has been an entrepreneur and communicator for as long as she can remember. She loves media and communications as well as helping others succeed. She has produced video and managed media for numerous brands during her career, including Samsung Mobile USA, NEC Casio, T.D. Jakes Ministries, Jet/Ebony Publications and Frito Lay.  She currently lives in Dallas, Texas. 

Here is Chanelle, in her own words, sharing her passion in finding her purposeful career and how you can too.

My passion and purposeful career is a digital media manager. I have considered and pursued a NUMBER of career choices! I've been in sports sales and marketing, mortgage broker and real estate investor and even a flight attendant! None of those jobs felt purposeful or gave me the energy to get up and make a LIFE, not just a living. I was once told that once you've found the thing you would do for free you've found your passion. I would create digital media (video, photo and written content) even if I wasn't paid for it. 

I have made many sacrifices in pursuing my career. I have let go of jobs in order to get to my passion. I have moved across country, and even sacrificed parts of my personal and social life to take on projects and focus on building my career.

I would advise others to just do it. Thinking about it, mulling over it, and asking others about it will keep you stagnant and likely will incite fear if you wait too long to step out. You only have one life to live and life is too short to spend it unhappy or unfulfilled. We each have gifts, talents and passions that need expression. Don't hold them back or put them off for what the world calls "financial security." With consistency the money will come. 

I can be found on Facebook (facebook.com/brightgirlmedia), Twitter (@brightgirlmedia), Instagram (brightgirlmedia), Google+ (BrightGirl Media) or via my website www.brightgirlmedia.com. 

Time to Unplug

We're taking the advice of fellow bloggers Jennifer Poe of Important Chocolate and Danyelle Little of The Cubicle Chick and taking some time offline.  It doesn't mean we're going to totally disavow the Internet, emails, or social media, but take the time to put life in perspective as we create a work/life balance.

There have been times when we have been way out of balance on either side, and it makes sense to reduce the "noise" so that we can find "clarity".  We'll continue to update the blog 1-2 times a week; check emails at least twice a day during week and once on weekends; make comments and interact on social media at least once a day during the week and unplug completely on weekends; and promote our  E-book, Take A Leap Career Mentoring Program, and WCP, LLC projects in online and offline platforms.  And if you need to get in touch with us outside of email or social media, a phone call is nice.  If you don't have our number, contact us via email at weconnectedprod[at]gmail[dot]com and we'll be glad to share our deets.

Here are some reasons you might find it necessary to unplug:

#1)  Refocus- whether in career or personal life, there are times you will find yourself needing to refocus.  For us, we find it in reading motivational books and magazines, talking to our Mentors, and in prayer.  Refocusing gives us new, thought-provoking, and think-out-the box ideas.  The creative juices are explosive.  Especially when you follow this tip along with #2.

#2)  Healthy lifestyle- as soon as we're off from work, we walk around our neighborhood trail.  Not only do we walk during the week, but also on weekends and vacations.  We also juice our fruits and veggies for instant and long lasting energy throughout the day.  We no longer feel sluggish at 2pm.  Taking time to unplug allows us to exercise, eat healthy, and put our energy into a strong body and mind.

#3)  Reclaim family time- we love finding time to spend with family whether in church, family gatherings, or sporting events.  There's nothing like being in the present with the ones we love.  And as the jet setting twins will have it, outside of SC, we also find time to visit distant relatives and often make trips to NY, NJ, TX, and NC.  Family means the world to us, and if we had a choice as to how to spend a day, it'll be with family.

What are some reasons you find it necessary to unplug?  Can you do it for a day? 3-days? 7-days? An entire month? Longer?  Please share a comment below.

Rhonda & Sharee