We recently connected with George Williams and have shared our conversation below.
George , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I developed a strong work ethic as a result of a life changing event that happened to me at the age of 13. My grandfather died during that time, leaving my grandmother alone in the house in which my mother and her 8 siblings were raised. What’s significant about my grandparents is the fact that they lived in a small rural area located in central Virginia. They had worked hard all their lives and still raised chickens, pigs, and a calf or two at the time of Grandpa’s death. Additionally, they grew a vegetable garden every year and my grandmother canned her fruits and vegetables. Most importantly, they didn’t have indoor plumbing or heat. Cooking meals and heating the house during the Winter was the result of a wood stove in the kitchen and an old fashioned “pot belly” wood stove in the living room.
I am a middle child from a family of 4 boys and 2 girls. We knew one of the boys would have to help my grandmother with chores after Grandpa died. We always assumed it would be my oldest brother as he was 16 at the time and had just gotten his driver’s license. Afterall, he could drive Grandma into town to get food and supplies as needed. Furthermore, he was bigger and stronger than the rest of us, so it just made sense that he would live with my grandmother. Instead, my mother told me one day after school that she wanted me to go live with my grandmother and help her out. In my 13 year old mind, that spelled doom because I knew very well that meant doing chores before and after school.
It didn’t take long to realize my life was now different from my siblings after moving to my grandmother’s house. Every day before school, I would feed the pigs and go down the hill to the spring to get water. Surprisingly, many people have no idea what a spring is when I tell my story. In nature, sometimes a spring develops when water collects or pools up from a running stream or creek. The water is filtered by rocks and makes for a natural spring that is perfect for drinking. Additionally, every day after school my routine was to repeat the morning chores of feeding the pigs and going to the spring for water that allowed Grandma to cook and to have water in the house during the night. Additionally, my evening routine included chopping wood for cooking and heating. Nothing quite compares with the warmth generated by a wood stove. Every day was this way from age 13 until I left home for college at age 18. My brothers and sisters and I rode the same bus to school, but life was very different for us. They would go home and watch the Andy Griffith Show and Gunsmoke until my parents came home from work. I rode the bus about a mile down the road to Grandma’s house and did daily chores.
What I dreaded as a 13 year old kid turned out to be one of the best things that could have happened to me. I developed not just an incredible work ethic, but discipline and a strong sense of independence. I became aware of those benefits once I enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University where I got both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees. I worked during my college years with the only exception being freshman year. The lessons learned along the way have served me well over the years. I still get up at 6:00 AM to start my day and I am thankful for my grandmother and the wisdom she shared with me. Today I am an author and business owner and I have the good fortune to work with my wife and son. Setting goals and working hard to achieve them is my life’s motivation and it all started with performing daily chores while living with my grandmother.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am an author whose focus is on the needs and aspirations of autistic adults. I have written 3 books related to the topic and currently finishing an audiobook on life tips for autistic adults.
It is extremely rewarding to write about the needs and lives of adults with autism. This is an area that means a lot to me personally as the father of a 26 year old autistic son. Society must be in tune with people with learning and processing differences as they interact with the world around them. Providing insights and perspectives that support independent living for autistic adults is key and brings me a tremendous amount of satisfaction.
I am expanding my speaking schedule to include non-profits, colleges and universities, and autism centered organizations.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Having the willingness to work various types of jobs while becoming a writer. Sometimes this meant working jobs that did not require a college degree, but offered time and flexibility for me to pursue writing as a career.
2. Developing patience has been key to becoming a writer. This has been vital to my writing career as I was impulsive and impatient as a younger adult. The events of my life have brought me to a point where tolerance is more important than my agenda. It is important to allow sufficient time to build a business or advance a successful career.
3. Make continuous learning a priority. Learning never stops along the way toward becoming a recognized leader. Keep looking for ways to improve and become the best at what you choose as your life’s work. Seek the advice of seasoned experts in your field as they can help you overcome areas of struggle.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am currently seeking speaking engagements at colleges and universities that provide support programs for autistic students. Young adults with autism are enrolled in colleges worldwide and need support in multiple areas to achieve successful outcomes. I have a unique perspective as an autism dad, rehabilitation counselor, author, and homeschool instructor. I am eager to share my experience with administrators interested in exploring how to best serve autistic students enrolled at their institutions of higher learning.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://adultautism2.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adultautismexpert
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-williams-069b1722/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Gwriter3
- Amazon: https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/bookshelf
