We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marvis Cox Sr. . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marvis below.
Marvis , 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?
My strong work ethic stems from the inspiring examples set by my mother and grandmother. Growing up, I witnessed my mother’s dedication as she worked double shifts to provide for the family, and my grandmother’s commitment to caring for all her grandchildren. Additionally, my father’s occupation as a bus driver showcased the importance of diligence and responsibility. These influential figures instilled in me a deep appreciation for hard work and the value of perseverance. Their unwavering dedication and sacrifice, as well as my time and training in the military serve as a constant reminder for me to always strive for excellence and make a positive impact in my community.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I was born in Chicago, Illinois in the winter of 1981. I entered into the United States Army Infantry, E5 Sergeant was my final rank. I entered the Army in 2001 and was sent to Iraq to serve in the war of Operation Iraqi Freedom (9/11). I served 9 years overseas (3 deployments) and was honorably discharged due to service-connected disabilities from the war. I have been happily married for several years to my wife Jacquiline. We have a blended family of five children of whom we love deeply. I graduated from Waubonsee College in 2015 with two Associates Degrees. I am a best selling author, overseer of YoungSavedLeaders Clothing, ClassEDefined LLC, and Life Coach for urban and troubled youth. I am also a Motivational Speaker. I recently became a member of the FORBESBLK COMMUNITY. I plan to continue to write and give back to my community as much as possible. I hope to one day open my own nonprofit so troubled youth can come and learn discipline and leadership skills to assist them with becoming successful, despite the difficulties and challenges of their environment. I have a couple of books coming out in 2024, one in particular with my youngest child Marvis Jr entitled “My Superpowers Are Not Weird” which speaks on our journey of going through his autism and how it affects his everyday life but also serves as a reminder of how special he is.
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?
1. Hard work: The value and importance of hard work were instilled in me from a young age. This quality has been instrumental in my journey, as it demonstrates my dedication, perseverance, and willingness to put in the necessary effort to achieve my goals. To further develop and improve on this quality,I continue to challenge myself, set ambitious goals, and maintain a strong work ethic. I always seek opportunities to learn and grow, and always strive to give my best in everything I do.
2. Responsibility: Growing up with a strong sense of responsibility, as influenced by my grandmother, has played a significant role in my journey. This quality entails taking ownership of my actions, being accountable for my commitments, and fulfilling my duties and obligations. To enhance my sense of responsibility, I cultivate self-discipline, prioritize tasks effectively, and practice time management. Additionally, seeking out leadership roles or projects that require me to take charge and make decisions, as this further develops and strengthens my sense of responsibility.
3. Dependability: My father’s example as a reliable bus driver has likely shaped my understanding of the importance of dependability. Being dependable means being trustworthy and consistent in delivering on your promises and meeting expectations. To improve this quality, I focus on building trust with others by following through on my commitments, communicating effectively, and being reliable in my actions. Cultivating a reputation for being someone who can be counted on, and strive to maintain high standards of reliability and consistency in all aspects of my life.
For folks who are early in their journey and want to develop or improve on these qualities, my advice would be:
1. Embrace a growth mindset: Believe in your capacity to learn, grow, and improve. Understand that qualities like hard work, responsibility, and dependability can be developed over time with effort and practice. Cultivate a mindset that embraces challenges, sees failure as an opportunity for growth, and is open to continuous learning.
2. Seek mentors and role models: Surround yourself with individuals who embody the qualities you want to develop. Seek out mentors or role models who can provide guidance, support, and inspiration. Learn from their experiences, observe their behaviors, and seek their advice on how to cultivate and improve upon these qualities.
3. Set goals and take consistent action: Define specific goals that align with the qualities you want to develop. Break down these goals into actionable steps and consistently work towards them. Be disciplined, committed, and consistent in your efforts. Celebrate small victories along the way and use setbacks as learning opportunities to refine your approach.
Remember, personal growth is a continuous journey, and developing these qualities takes time and effort. Stay focused, persistent, and resilient, and you will gradually enhance these qualities and make significant progress in your journey.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
1. Leveraging strengths: Focusing on our strengths allows us to maximize our potential and excel in areas where we have a natural aptitude or passion. By capitalizing on our strengths, we can develop a unique skill set that sets us apart from others and enables us to make a significant impact. It is essential to identify and nurture our strengths because they often serve as the foundation for our success and fulfillment.
For example, my strong work ethic, sense of responsibility, and dependability are qualities that have likely contributed to my achievements thus far. By continuing to invest in and enhance these strengths, I can build upon my existing foundation and further excel in areas that align with these qualities.
2. Developing weaknesses: While focusing on strengths is important, it is also valuable to invest effort in improving areas where we may not be as strong. Developing weaknesses helps us become more well-rounded individuals and expands our capabilities. It allows us to adapt to new challenges and seize opportunities that may require skills outside our comfort zone.
For instance, let’s say I have identified public speaking as an area where I feel less confident. By investing time and effort in improving my public speaking skills, I can enhance my ability to communicate effectively, influence others, and present my ideas with clarity and confidence. This can open doors to new opportunities, such as leadership roles or public-facing responsibilities, that can further propel my journey.
3. The power of synergy: Striking a balance between leveraging strengths and developing weaknesses can lead to a powerful synergy. By combining our strengths with a well-rounded skill set, we can become more adaptable, versatile, and resilient. This allows us to tackle a broader range of challenges and seize diverse opportunities that come our way.
For example, imagine I have a strength in analytical thinking and a weakness in creative problem-solving. By investing in developing my creative problem-solving skills, I can complement my analytical strengths with a more holistic approach to problem-solving. This synergy can lead to innovative solutions and a broader perspective in my work.
It’s important to go all in on our strengths while also investing effort in areas where we may not be as strong. By leveraging our strengths, we can excel in areas that align with our natural abilities and passions. Also, developing our weaknesses helps us become more well-rounded individuals, adapt to new challenges, and seize diverse opportunities. Striking a balance between these two approaches can lead to a powerful synergy that propels our personal and professional growth.
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PaProVi Publishing, ClassEDefined LLC
