Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jillian Abby. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jillian, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Purpose felt highly elusive to me for most of my life. I watched friends commit to careers that they hoped to have for their lifetime, while I made wild leaps from CPA to Licensed Massage Therapist to craft beer bar owner. I watched people have a passion for their art, birdwatching, roller derby, and a myriad of other things, while I hopped from hobby to hobby looking for something I could commit to for more than two weeks. I kept changing constantly to fill the emptiness that I thought was what purpose would fill. What I realized is that I had to face my shadows, the parts of myself I struggled to love and accept. Once I could do that, once I felt whole in my body and at peace with myself, I was presented with opportunities that absolutely lit me up inside.
I realized through sharing vulnerable details of my own self-love journey, that I had a unique gift to connect to others through storytelling. I started sharing my story (and stories of others) on social media, through my podcast, and by starting a blog. I eventually landed a book deal with Hay House publishing, landed incredible contracts writing heartfelt stories for Fortune 50 companies, and found opportunities as a motivational speaker for audiences across the US. Storytelling with heart and humor is my passion, but it’s a discovery I don’t think I would have ever made without working on the aspects of me that I feared most.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Everyone has a story. Many people I’ve met have shared that they’ve always wanted to turn their life experiences into a book. Many business leaders I’ve met want to deliver inspiring content that helps elevate them as a thought leader. Many individuals who may be struggling want to laugh through the hard times and grow their hope for the future. I am grateful that through my business, Storyteller Soul, LLC, I am able to help people with all three. I teach classes in preparing book proposals that will get an author noticed and consult on the development of their stories. I write speeches, blogs, and special interest stories for business leaders and organizations who look to connect memorable personal stories to professional mission and vision. And, because I’m still not ready to venture into the realm of stand-up comedy, I instead soak up public speaking opportunities– particularly related to sensitive or challenging topics. If I can bring humor to the topics we are scared to talk about, I feel like it becomes disarming to most people and they can begin to listen more easily. My book, Perfectly Queer (Hay House 2023) and my Substack “Reframe with Jillian Abby” are perfect examples of bringing levity to challenging subjects.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1) Your perceived weakness may be your strength. What I mean is that in whatever way you don’t fit the traditional mold of what you’re “supposed to be” for an opportunity, may be the thing that helps you stand out in the crowd. Many people are surprised that I don’t have a degree in anything related to writing or communications. My degree is actually in business and I have worked in a zillion different careers, none of which were in writing until now. That background has given me an unusual advantage in two ways: I approach messages from a strategic perspective and I’m exceptional at connecting the dots between seemingly-unrelated areas. Do I throw around commas like Oprah gives away cars? Yes. But that’s what having a solid editor on my team is for.
2) Learn to listen to your intuition over your ego. There was a time where I would take on any job or client that came my way. Today I only work with individuals or companies I feel aligned with and inspired by. My clients range in size from solopreneurs to Fortune 50 C-level executives, but they have the same things in common: a passion for what they do, integrity in how they do it, and something interesting about the way they approach life.
3) Don’t chase the money. Money is important and everyone should be appropriately compensated for their work, but it’s just the result of an energetic exchange. When I focus on dollars, sometimes I miss projects that feel more meaningful to me. And what I’ve found is that those meaningful projects often grow into bigger and more meaningful opportunities. When we’re solely focused on dollars, we get sucked into the toxic hustle culture and can easily burn out. When we follow the work that feels aligned with our purpose, the money almost always follows.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
I used to internally snicker when anyone told me they had a life coach. The hard-core perfectionist within me wondered why the heck someone would need coaching on how to live. Sports coaches? Okay. Speech coaches? Sure. Business coaching? Made sense. Life coaching? I thought that’s what YouTube was for. I have since changed my tune in a major way and have worked with several incredibly talented life coaches who have helped me take my career and my personal life to levels I never dreamed possible. And that’s the point. I didn’t realize how many ceilings I had put on myself. I didn’t realize how many stories (most of which were not based in fact) about what I could and couldn’t do, or dream, or desire.
Coaching, in any form, is about identifying where someone is at and helping them see where they can get to. It’s tough work. It’s truths I don’t always want to hear. But, without a guide pointing out my barriers and blindspots, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve the level of success I have personally, professionally, and financially. And my life coach is part of my cheering section through it all.
Contact Info:
- Website: jillianabby.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillianabbyauthor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillianAbbyAuthor/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianabby/
- Other: https://jillianabby.substack.com/
Image Credits
Photos from Jess Veguez Photography, OutCoast, and personal images.
