We were lucky to catch up with Tonica Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tonica, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
I stay optimistic by choosing the way I look at everything in life in a positive way. Some days, I don’t feel like putting on my shoes to do my fitness routine. But, then I think about how grateful I am to have a healthy body that can move. Don’t feel like going to work today? But how awesome is it that you have a job! No enthusiasm to cook dinner? How lovely to have food to make and a kitchen to prepare it in… I don’t feel like these thoughts come naturally, and it is something I literally have to think of as an active practice. I don’t come from a particularly wealthy family, so I know what it’s like not to get something I want. I also know that I’ve proven to myself that with hard work and discipline, it really has been possible to achieve the goals I’ve set for myself. So, I just train my mind to see the positive in each of life’s situations, and the optimism just flows from there!
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?
I seriously have the best job in the world! I get to walk alongside young people in their journey of “what’s next?” and help them figure out an awesome plan! As a college planning consultant, I advise students on: choosing what classes they should take, what majors/careers would best suit them, which colleges would be great matches, and how to complete compelling and authentic applications for both schools and scholarships.
My favorite part of this process is the self-discovery that happens alongside these practical tasks. I get to encourage my students to do some soul-searching and really dig deep to start discovering what their purpose may be. Of course, we’re not always going to solve that at 17 years old. But, being intentional about their values, what excites them, and what they are passionate about certainly moves the needle in the right direction!
I pivoted to this career after being a teacher for most of my 20s. While I was very fulfilled by that job, I realized that, just like myself, our young people aren’t really guided to spend very much time planning for their future. There’s pressure on them, constantly, to figure it out, but there are not a lot of resources and support along the way. I still remember deciding “what to do with the rest of my life” simply because I liked my teachers, and summers off seemed pretty great! But, I think we all know that’s not quite the reality of being a teacher. I saw this happening with my students as well. They were making these huge life decisions without much discernment or direction, and I wanted to help.
So, Cardinal College Planning was born, and now I get to do just that! I still get to be a “teacher,” in a sense, as I educate students on the different options of colleges and universities, how they can maximize financial aid, and what effective essay writing looks like. But now, my role extends beyond that. I also get to be a sounding board for their hopes and dreams. I get to be their support system when it gets to be a lot balancing future planning on top of the regular roles of student, athlete, son/daughter, and friend. I get to encourage them to try something new or to see the good in a disappointing situation. It really is the best!
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?
The first quality that comes to mind is genuine care for the next generation. Plenty of people say, “oh, I could NEVER work with teenagers” when I tell them what to do, and I think- if you feel that way, you’re probably right! It’s a special desire in my heart to help these young people with their next chapter. I think they’re absolutely incredible! They’re curious and passionate and they want to do good in this world. I don’t think most people give them enough credit, but that’s okay, because I give them all the credit they deserve!
Another quality both in my exact line of work, but also one that is important to any entrepreneur, is remembering that people matter most. Yes, there are tasks that need to be completed and deadlines to meet, but in the end, how we treat others always trumps everything else. Just as these students are more than their GPAs and test scores, each human walking around needs to know they are valued and worthy. I think sometimes it feels tempting in the business world to just focus on reaching the next big goal or target, but not at the sake of anyone’s well-being.
Lastly, resiliency. We all know that life is not easy, but I feel like sometimes that’s just a thing we say when it’s all too real. No one’s life goes exactly according to plan, so we must develop grit and learn how to pivot quickly and effectively. I start working with these teenage students on some of these skills, but it is never too late to start developing qualities that are going to be helpful for the rest of our lives. Each time something went wrong in my entrepreneurial journey, I knew it was my responsibility to find a solution and take a new path. I feel grateful that there are so many books, podcasts, and trainings on these topics, so I’d recommend using all the resources around us!
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself that I have gotten through all of my most difficult days to date, and that will continue to be true, for all of us. I’m guilty of getting “imposter syndrome” pretty regularly, thinking that there are others out there that must be doing just SO much better than I am or that I’m never doing enough. But, I know that I am in this line of work for the right reasons, with a genuine heart, and that I am well-equipped. Someone else may do things differently, but that doesn’t mean that they are doing it better nor worse- it’s just different. We each have our own unique gifts and talents, and we need to use them to the fullest. From there, any weaknesses or blind spots can be fulfilled by outsourcing or learning a new skill. My advice is to get a supportive network- friends, family, and colleagues- that both encourage you and are also there to give you a reality check when necessary. Having others to share in our experiences negates the loneliness that sometimes comes with being an entrepreneur, or just a human in general!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cardinalcollegeplanning.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cardinalcollegeplanning/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cardinalcollegeplanning
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonicajohnson/
