We were lucky to catch up with Shawna Peña-Downing recently and have shared our conversation below.
Shawna, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
I was born ready for the world. That’s what my mom has always said. For a long time, I wasn’t sure what that meant. She said I came into the world with a head full of hair, my eyes wide open, holding my head up. As I was a toddler, she said I would pull myself up and walk – never crawl. I was just ready to go, move, and do. Picture this: my mom would get me dressed for the day and sit me down to play or watch a cartoon while she did grown-up things around the house. But I rarely stayed where she put me. Instead, she’d find me a while later on the porch, in my diaper, singing, or dancing, or both. She’d often be notified by neighbors who were surely entertained by my performances. From an early age, my mom recognized a trait in me. And as I got older, I knew I needed to figure it out myself. Maybe you’re like me – born with a characteristic that someone has always said you embody. Or maybe you’re in the process of figuring out what traits you come by naturally, and what traits you want to grow or develop more as a person.
Here’s a fun fact: there are 20,000 adjectives in the English language that describe personality traits. Twenty. Thousand. That’s a lot of words you could use to describe yourself. Learning about our innate personality traits and how we identify with them can help us understand why we behave the way we do, why we react the way we do, and why we think or feel the way we do. When we embrace the traits that are uniquely our own and connect them with our strengths and values – that’s when we tap into our potential. Our self-esteem. Our confidence. This starts with affirming and validating those traits as the foundation. It took time to figure out who I am and what I bring to the table. I realized that there are some things I was born with. Other traits I had to learn and then grow into, refine, and practice over time. And I’m still doing it. It’s a lifelong process.
So do you want to know what my trait is? It’s confidence. It’s the thing I was born with and have developed further over time. Today, I’d like to share my confidence with you. The confidence to try, to learn, to explore, to ask questions, and to be curious. The confidence to speak up about your values and ideas. The confidence to name your own traits, identify how you might grow them further, understand why they matter most to you, and connect those traits to your potential to make a difference for others around you.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a dynamic multi-disciplinary artist and educator who thrives on bringing joy and creativity to every moment. My mission? To craft top-notch experiences that not only entertain but also inspire and educate. I’m a lifelong learner and lover of life, constantly donning my creative hats.
With more than a decade of teaching and storytelling experience, I’m your go-to person for arts education & integration, theatre performance, leadership facilitation, event & program coordinating, public speaking, and brand development & management. In the realm of Career Services, I’m here to guide individuals on their journey. Whether they’re exploring majors, diving into career options, or selecting occupations that align with their interests, abilities, and values – I’m here to make the process not just informative, but downright enjoyable.
But what makes me truly proud? It’s the fact that in everything I do, I exude confidence and empowerment. Those words are my constant companions, and I want to share that empowering vibe with everyone I interact with. Whether collaborating or simply sharing a conversation, I want others to feel inspired and empowered to try, learn, explore, question, and connect with their limitless potential.
Let’s embark on this exciting journey together, where confidence and empowerment take center stage!
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?
Creativity and Innovation: To develop and improve in this area, continue to seek inspiration from diverse sources, experiment with new ideas, and cultivate an environment that nurtures creativity in yourself and others. I encourage exploring different forms of artistic expression, embracing failure as part of the creative process, and staying open to unconventional solutions.
Communication and Storytelling: To enhance these skills, prioritize active listening, practice effective storytelling techniques, and hone your public speaking abilities through regular practice and feedback. Develop your communication skills by engaging in activities such as improv theater, writing exercises, and participating in storytelling workshops.
Relationships and Networking: Networking and relationship building are powerful tools for empowering yourself and others within your community and staying connected. Actively seek opportunities by networking with intention, setting clear goals, and surrounding themselves with mentors and peers who inspire and challenge them to reach new heights. Every opportunity is an opportunity forward.
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?
All the people in my community, my chosen family, my friends, and my colleagues have been instrumental in helping me overcome challenges, build essential skills, qualities, and knowledge, and ultimately, achieve success in my journey. Through shared trials and tribulations, creative collaboration, and communication, they all continue to be a source of inspiration, growth, and fulfillment, fueling my ongoing pursuit of joy, creativity, and excellence in all that I do.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnalacey/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/slpdowning/
Image Credits
Ky Shaieb Photography Ryan Miller-Rish
