Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jayda James. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Jayda, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
I was not confident as a child. As a matter of fact, I was deathly afraid of speaking in front of an audience and I always felt invisible. As pitiful as that sounds, it has become a story that I share with women and youth today. Growing up, I always felt as though the insecurities I had and the challenges I faced were unique to only me. You could not have paid me to believe that classmates, peers, and friends were experiencing some of the same things; feelings of inadequacy, being unlovable, or low confidence. My journey has become one that others find hard to believe today. People are in awe when I stand in front of an audience and talk about how crippling that made me feel as a young person. They say, “No way!” when I talk about feeling ugly and never enough. Shockingly, I did take these negative feelings into my adult life, not because I did not have amazing people in my life who validated and affirmed me, but because I never shared these feelings and so no one ever knew. After creating my Facebook community, Phenomenal Black Woman, I felt this need to let other women know just how powerful, beautiful, and important they are. Creating this group made me feel strong and confident, not because I was any different, but because I now saw that I was the same; the same as everyone else. All those years of feeling as though I was invisible were gone. Not only could they see me, they actually wanted and needed something I had to give! The way I was able to develop my confidence and self-esteem was to step out of my comfort zone and believe that I had something to offer the world.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a published author, educator, certified life coach, and CEO of a NFP. Right now, I am focused on combining my talents and starting my own consulting business. Professionally, I have been in the field of education for 27 years now and a lot has been accomplished over that time. I taught grades one through six for 20 years and I was a Gifted Enrichment Specialist for 4 years. Now I am an assistant principal at an elementary school and I do enjoy the students and the multiple ways I get to assist teachers and staff as well. For some years now, my professional life has not combined well so I am currently figuring that out. My NFP Organization, Phenomenal Black Woman, Inc. has hosted an annual event for 6 years now, Hats & Sundresses, and it is an amazing event where we get to honor black women in multiple fields that are out here being phenomenal every day! I am my brand and my tagline is “Discover the Phenomenal Within”. I want people to know that they have all they need to be successful in this life inside of them. Know who you are, believe in that, evolve that and let the world hear your voice!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. Loving people 2. Paying attention
3. Trusting ME
You have to forget what other people saying and listen to that voice that keeps pushing you. When everyone else around you is telling you you’re crazy or you shouldn’t do something….forget them! For whatever reason, people want to count each other out. They want to see others struggle so they can keep feeling good about themselves. The only way you overcome obstacles is by believing that you will actually overcome them!
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
The biggest area of growth for me has been to protect my peace at all cost! I decided that I was no longer going to allow other people to dictate what I do or how I feel. My life is mine and my path is already paved by the God that I serve so what other people say only matters if I can trust that you actually care about me and my success. If I do not believe that you are for me then it is extremely difficult for me to listen to you and take what you say seriously. My peace comes from within which is why I can be calm when others around me are in panic mode, why I can smile and be grateful when people around me are negative and angry. I move differently and that is okay! I love me and that feels good!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: jaydatjames
- Facebook: Jayda Tennille James MEd
- Linkedin: Jayda Tennille (Tabor) James, M.Ed
