Meet Kelly Knowles

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelly Knowles. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kelly, so happy to have you on the platform with us today and excited to chat about your lessons and insights. Our ability to make good decisions can massively impact our lives, careers and relationships and so it would be very helpful to hear about how you built your decision-making skills.

One of my taglines is: Because Actions Matter – And So Do You. Decision-making skills continue to be a work in progress! Yet, I want to start with the influence of my mom and dad for these skills. Neither of them insisted on making my decisions for me – and this actually helped me to move into adulthood with a few less scars!

An example: When I was in elementary school, there was a girl in my class who was made fun of for her dated 70s style clothes. This was during a key period of the early 80s when “preppy” was really coming into force. I remember being so sad for her and coming home to share that. My mom said, what do you want to do about it?” That was profound – because it helped me to decide if I wanted to be pitiful or actually do something for the positive. Even though we were working class ourselves, my mom helped me pick out some clothes from my closet, found where the girl lived and got permission to bring the clothes by to her. It was done in the most kind manner that offered dignity and also taught me to take action on things I care about. That we can always take some kind of action. That is just one story of many I could tell!

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?

My story is not finished. Even in my mid-50s, I see constant change and hope that I am continuing to grow as a person. I don’t want to enter these later years bitter or cranky, but optimistic and open to what I can contribute in this next phase of my life! I own a small business, Kelly K Consulting where I am honored to provide live and virtual speaking on tops that find inner-leadership at their foundation. In addition, I am in a brand new “corporate world” job where I am learning so many new skills around project management that I just hope my brain cells are connecting fast enough! That has forced me to reexamine (again) my approach to how I learn – especially when I don’t learn as fast as I want or something is so very new. It is making me live my “have a beginner’s mindset” in true fashion! I am also gathering ideas for my second book centered around life in your 40s and 50s. It’s working (copyright) title is: You’re Gonna Need More Than Tweezers – A Guide to Joyful Living in Midlife and Beyond! It is the follow-up to my 2022 book: Chin Hairs and Other Things Mama Didn’t Tell You: From Surviving to Thriving in your 20s and 30s. This book has been available in paperback, on Kindle and Audible since 2022. This year, it was added to Spotify too!

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?

I recently shared with a mentee that, during my senior year of college, I wrote 3 things I loved doing on a piece of paper. Whenever I have participated in activities (whether paid or unpaid) around those three areas, I find that I am much more aligned in my purpose. I also think that self-awareness is simply critical. It’s not being “all about yourself” – it’s about knowing yourself and how you influence and are influenced.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

What a profound question. Part of me says, i would continue doing many of the things I do now. I lead a monthly book club with friends all over the country and also an every other week Bible study in my home. Those provide community and connection that I believe we all need! I would continue to study the Bible and deepen my growth knowing that this world is temporary. I would also endeavor to be mindful of my need for better nutrition and physical movement. As I get older, my body is telling me I better pay attention (just a simple jumping off a porch a few feet becomes a much bigger decision now!) and ensure I am doing what I can do be more fit. I can’t control everything for sure but I hope to do better at that element of my life. I would also increase my reminder to people that they are here on purpose, for a purpose. For sure.

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Image Credits

The are my photos. Kelly L. Knowles

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