Meet Dawn Myers

We were lucky to catch up with Dawn Myers recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dawn, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I learned resilience from living with dysthymia – a type of depression that may increase or decrease but typically lasts a lifetime. It’s not usually the kind of depression that keeps you in bed for weeks or makes you want to kill yourself, but it can leave you feeling that you’d be better off if you weren’t here. It takes a consistent effort to rise above those thoughts.

For people fighting with dysthymia, any moments of boredom or confusion usually result in self-blame and feelings of distress, until the next activity that requires critical thinking arises.

Adam Grant, author of the book “Hidden Potential,” uses the sea sponge as a metaphor for human growth and development and is an example of how I maintain resiliency .

Here is a breakdown of the analogy:

Sea sponges are not passive absorbers:
Contrary to popular belief, they’re not just mindlessly filtering water for food. They actively select what they take in, filtering out harmful particles and toxins.

Sea sponges are adaptable:
They can adjust their filtering process based on their environment, ensuring they get the nutrients they need to thrive.

Sea sponges release beneficial nutrients:
While taking in what they need, they also release oxygen and other helpful compounds back into the environment.

I don’t just absorb information passively:
I actively participate in my own growth. When learning or receiving feedback, I’m selective. I focus on what’s valuable and discard negativity or unhelpful information.

I’m adaptable:
My approach to learning and growth adjusts to the needs of different situations. I seek out diverse perspectives and learning methods. I am always seeking feedback and opportunities to improve.

I contribute to others’ growth:
Just like the sea sponge benefits its environment, I share my knowledge and experiences with others to help them grow. I actively mentor and coach others to help them develop their skills and navigate challenges. I foster collaborative learning environments, so we can all grow from the perspectives and experiences of others.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I recently launched Resilience Collective, a vibrant online community where strength and support meet. I believe that life is a journey filled with both joy and hardship, and that within each of us lies the incredible ability to rise above challenges and thrive.

It’s a safe space to connect with like-minded individuals on the same path. Together, we explore and build emotional, social, and psychological resilience through:

Shared experiences:
From workshops and group discussions to social gatherings and peer support circles, members have the opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together.

Supportive systems:
By fostering an inclusive environment members gain the courage and confidence to overcome roadblocks.

Comprehensive resources:
Valuable tools, strategies, and information to equip members with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate their personal and professional lives.

There following membership groups make up Resilience Collective:

• Employers
• Leaders
• Human Resource Professionals
• Human Resource Consultants

Resilience Collective is a journey of self-discovery and professional development within a community. We don’t have to go it alone!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Life’s path isn’t always straightforward, but there have been three guiding principles that have profoundly impacted my journey: finding my purpose, lifting up others, and walking in community.

1. Finding Your Purpose: Making an Impact

There’s a powerful sense of fulfillment that comes from aligning your actions with a purpose bigger than yourself. For me, it wasn’t about achieving personal accolades, but about creating a positive ripple effect. This purpose became the compass that guided me through challenges and fueled my motivation.

Finding your purpose can be a journey of self-discovery. It might involve reflecting on your values, your experiences, and the change you want to see in the world. Once you identify it, your purpose becomes the driving force behind your actions. In my case, it led me to becoming a mental health advocate and continues to motivate me to seek out opportunities to make a positive impact.

2. Lifting Up Others: The Power of Shared Growth

Our paths are rarely walked alone. There’s an inherent value in empowering and supporting others on their journeys. Mentoring, sharing knowledge, and simply offering a listening ear can make a significant difference in someone’s life.

Lifting up others isn’t just about helping them succeed, but about creating a cycle of growth. When we help others reach their full potential, we create a more vibrant and supportive community for all. This approach fosters collaboration, innovation, and a sense of shared responsibility for collective progress.

3. Walking in Community: Strength in Connection

Humans are social creatures who thrive in connection. Walking in community means surrounding yourself with supportive and inspiring individuals. It’s about building relationships based on mutual respect, shared values, and a willingness to walk alongside each other through thick and thin.

Community provides a sense of belonging and a safety net. When facing challenges, knowing you have a group of people who believe in you and have your back can be incredibly empowering. Furthermore, a strong community fosters knowledge exchange and collective problem-solving, allowing individuals to learn from each other and achieve greater things together.

These three pillars – finding your purpose, lifting up others, and walking in community – are not independent forces. They are interconnected and mutually reinforced.

Finding your purpose provides the “why” behind your actions, while lifting up others extends the impact of your purpose beyond yourself. Walking in community creates a supportive environment where both your purpose and your efforts to uplift others can flourish.

By embracing these principles, I’ve not only navigated my own journey with greater clarity and purpose, but I’ve also witnessed the positive impact it can have on the world around me. These are the guiding lights that will continue to shape my path as I move forward.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I love collaborating – it’s one of the reason’s I created Resilience Collective.

I am looking for employers, leaders, HR professionals, and HR consultants that want to learn and grow together to make an impact and create that ripple effect in their sphere of influence.

Find out more here – https://www.dawnmyers.com/community-memberships

-or-

Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnemyers/

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dawnmyers.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnemyers/
• Other: https://resiliencecollective.circle.so/checkout/resilience-collective-membership

  https://resiliencecollective.circle.so/checkout/hr-consultants-membership

  https://resiliencecollective.circle.so/checkout/leaders-membership

  https://resiliencecollective.circle.so/checkout/human-resource-professionals-membership

  https://resiliencecollective.circle.so/checkout/employer-membership

Image Credits

Chris Fragiskatos Photography