Meet Stacy Burrell

We recently connected with Stacy Burrell and have shared our conversation below.

Stacy, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome. 

I overcame imposter syndrome the moment I realized that showing up as someone else guarantees that you will receive what belongs to someone else. Working in an industry dominated by powerful white men caused me to betray myself. Over time, I learned that when you wear a mask, it encourages others to do the same. I remember preparing for my 1st corporate training opportunity, questions came to mind about which hairstyles, make-up, and clothing would be “appropriate” for work. Being the only black woman in the space left me without a point of reference, so I would straighten the life out of my hair, brighten my face with make-up and polish my Mary Janes. One day I woke up and got tired of believing that I had to become someone else to be accepted. I learned to embrace myself first before placing that expectation on others. My mother would always say, “be yourself, everyone else is taken”. Wise words from a wise woman!

Embracing my personal and professional identity has been a process, one that I’ve taken on with courage. My faith in God and commitment to Jesus Christ has given me the confidence I need to enter any space authentically. I hope my life inspires others to be brave, bold and beautiful!

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself? 

What people should know about me is, like the ocean, who is King of a thousand streams, I remain humble, knowing that humility will give me power and strength (Wayne Dyer).

Summarizing who I am now is difficult due to my constant evolution. In all that I do, I find a way tell my story.   Whether I’m conversing with a homeless person, teaching a seminar, or delivering a speech, my goal is to help people see aspects of themselves in my story. Every person is capable of more than what they can see or imagine, my mission is to help them see that.

Over the past 6 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to work independently under contract with Hope for Prisoners, one of the top re-entry agencies in the country. I’ve created curriculum and content to help support emotional wellness and workforce development for incarcerated men and women. This work has brought me a level of fulfillment that I am eternally grateful for and I’m excited for what the Lord has in store for me next.

Delivering a TED Talk would be a dream come true, something I aspire to achieve soon! This year, I’m excited to “let go” of my plan and allow God to orchestrate my next move. Last year, a woman prophesied that “work” would be a spiritual playground for me and I’m ready to PLAY! One thing I know for sure is that God must be wrapped up in it.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most? 

Gratitude is the most important skill that I have acquired and strengthened over the years. This is something that I work on every day. I tell myself to be grateful for the life that I have, not the life that I want. Also, I create a gratitude list daily and write down 10 things that I am grateful for. Focusing on what’s in front of me has helped me become more intentional in my personal and professional life. Compassion is another great quality, one that every leader should practice daily. My Father taught me to treat others with kindness and respect.

Every day I thank God and ask him to keep me humble and flexible. Being flexible is a struggle because life is full of swift transitions! Sometimes you feel like you may get swept away or maybe you can’t see your way through. Grace has given me an anchor during tough times, and thanks to my parents, that anchor is Jesus Christ.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development? 

Honestly, I’m not the type to sit down and “curl up” with a book! I love a short, powerful read that I can easily digest and utilize every day. One book that has played an important role in my personal development is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. Game changer! My biggest challenge in life was not taking things personally, but this book taught me how to change my perspective and regain my power. There have been times when I’ve felt the need to be perfect, now I’ve accepted that doing my best is more than enough. These days, I’m impeccable with my word, as the Bible says, “Life and death is in the power of the tongue”. Finally, assuming the best in others prevents me from anticipating the worst. I’ve learned not to attach negative intent to people’s behavior and to approach others with compassion.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Beating Burnout

Often the key to having massive impact is the ability to keep going when others

Leadership Development
Where does your generosity come from?

Over the years, we have consistently been blown away by the examples of generosity we’ve

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your