Own I.T.

Jessica Valentine

[yogagirlcyberworld]

Keep moving with faith and don't give up. . I am discovering what it's like to live with faith. To live daily with uncertainty and trust that their is a greater purpose and great teachers in my path. . This photo was taken after a lunch with a coworker who also is spiritual and vegetarian businesswoman. She shared the life nugget to start enjoying my life. I took a 30 minute pause to buy myself flowers and a lavender coffee. This sign was in an alley behind @walton. . What a great reminder to jump back on the horse of being in pursuit of purpose. . There's been several major life shifts for me. From the city that I live in, type of yoga that I practice, what I do and what I'm expected to know professionally...it's been overwhelming. I know you, too, are going through shifts. . Let the season of fall be one of letting go. . One that you're able to get back on the horse - to being who you are, doing what you love, and having space to grow your capacity of whatever life throws you. . You have access to this through daily sweat, taking time to meditate, and journaling. The 3 Baptiste principles of Asana, meditation, and inquiry. . Enjoy a weekend of slowing down. You'll be able to get back on the horse more powerful than you have before.

[yogagirlcyberworld]

Being your best over being perfect. Give up the belief that you have to look good to be loved and respected. Life is messy and it is often the mess and imperfection that make it beautiful. Choose to be your best moment to moment. If you find yourself lacking inspiration (pull) or motivation (drive), find out what you're committed to and what disbelief to give up. I give up running myself ragged and not sleeping adequately. Being this way traps me into being in a tired and scarcity state vs. positioned from power and a state of abundance. You do have time. You do have tools. It's your responsibility to deploy them. Own it.

[yogagirlcyberworld]

Don't spend your time doing anything else. Have the discipline to love what you do. Show up fully.

[yogagirlcyberworld]

What are you bringing to the week?! I am creating a powerful week and putting attention on taking care of myself better so I can better serve others. I've noticed that there's a particular level of gardening (planting seeds, watering, pulling weeds) when it comes to launching a startup and new professional business venture simultaneously. Focusing on what is important now (W.I.N) will elevate you to do first things first. The extra, unnecessary, and distractions will slip away when you stand for what you want to have happen. Allow it to be AMaZing.

[yogagirlcyberworld]

Ask for What You Want

This Sunday’s church service ended with the Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

The past week has been a lesson in discovering the power of making request and actively seeking (and standing for) what I want to have happen. Where in your life are you shying away from being the force that you are? Whether it is asking for what you want in a relationship, in business, or in my case, borrowing a strangers phone charger this morning at a coffee shop when my phone was about to die…the first decision you have to make is to simply ask.

Now, asking for a raise or getting specific and vocalizing your needs can seem challenging if you play the card of “I don’t know what I want.” Consider you DO know what you want and you’re afraid to say it.

It’s made a profound difference for me this week in ASKING for what I want and calling myself out for where greatness is not present after declaring that 28. Coming back from Baptiste program Level 2 gave me fresh perspective to see areas of my life that were not working also known as default ways of being and acting, and the newfound experience to create what is needed as a listener and leader, for others as well as myself.

I notice that sometimes I am dishonest with myself. Specifically around limitations, temperature checking feelings, allowing myself to be unstoppable and not take rest…let’s be ridiculously unreasonable here, it’s time for you to call yourself out for where you are not asking for OR requesting what you need in your life.

You could be thinking, well how I do know what I want? Simple. Draw a circle on a sheet of paper, this could be for any area of your life or life in general. Inside the circle write everything that you want to have (and are committed to). Outside of the circle write what you don’t want. As human beings, we often set are attention on what we don’t want therefore we fail to start or we get the thing we don’t want. When in reality (and according to Baptiste yoga principle), our attention goes where our energy flows.  The more you focus on what you DO want, you are able to make requests that align with that.(Circle of Knowing What You Want Activity by Susanne Conrad).

Here’s my ask:

That you open up to what is seeking you in your life.

That you be a stand to share your values and integrate yourself as a leader.

That you manifest, declare, and ask for what you want.

That we as a community stand for and encourage each other.

That we go make a difference and be up to something larger than ourselves.

For myself:

That I give myself space and grace to fail (learn) frequently and continuously.

That I acknowledge the community of support around me in the present moment.

That I let go of anything (anyone or any habit) that withholds me from His greatness and purpose.

That I no longer stand to waste time on work that doesn’t make a greater impact.

That I get to live the best life by choice, action, faith, and full-self spirited expression as an integrated leader in all environments.

I invite YOU to ask for what YOU want. 

That is the way your world will end up serving others and yourself is through choosing and standing for what you want to have happen. And asking for it.

[micdotcom]

Meet the Girl Scouts that will earn badges for being cybersecurity experts

Samantha, a 15-year-old Girl Scouts ambassador in the greater Chicago and northwest Indiana region, said that one of her school friends had an issue with a classmate using her login to send out messages.

“The cybersecurity training will help girls avoid situations like this!” said Samantha.

It’s true: Girl Scouts will offer cybersecurity badges beginning in September 2018. The series will begin with 18 badges, covering topics from how to stay safe online, how to avoid online scams, cryptography, coding and computer skills needed to pursue a career in cybersecurity — to name a few. Read more. (7/24/17, 11:38 PM)

[yogagirlcyberworld]

What Gifts Do You Have to Share? We are all uniquely gifted. What gifts have you received and what do you have to share? This past week was my birthday. I was lucky to connect with family, enjoy dinner and conversation, kayak around Austin belly laughing, and lazily enjoy the pool. I returned from vacation, 9 days at Baptiste Level 2 in the mountains without cell service and limited internet. Coming back into a full (jam packed) week flooded with stimuli had me question the greater purpose of what I am doing and how I am contributing to the world. I notice I feel unfulfilled at the end of the day if I am not fully sharing gifts with other people. Whether that is time being present, supporting friends through tough times, coaching others...if I don't give and share, I feel stuck. Sweating can seem like a religion. A practice to cleanse spiritually and push yourself physically. This week I told myself I needed rest, I got to a breaking point of exhaustion from moving from one thing to the next without intention, and overall noticed how centered I was on the state of being in my body. Coming off the mountain, of Menla or any retreat or transformative experience, made me feel to uncomfortable. The discoveries made, seeing my life from a new perspective, cracking open the rawness of emotion after numbing for so long, and accessing power to vitality, self-love, and newfound strength seemed awkward to walk in to an old schedule. I questioned everything from the car I owned to space I lived, and even the work I create in the world. I learned that in my life, it is essential to take it slow. This Sunday morning I slept in, gave up caring what I put on the calendar / setting self-timers, and committed to having a true, slow, Soulful Sunday. I was moved to tears on the morning walk with my Labradoodle puppy, Zoey, as I knew today would be the time that I surrendered to resisting forming Own I.T., the company and non-profit. As I sit on the bench at Lady Bird Lake, being in awe of nature and getting present to gratitude, I had to pause for 45 min. to write this post. Recently I went into "hibernation mode" a.k.a when you don't know what to do, do nothing for the past month. I needed space to consider, at least that's what I told myself. I could write a novel on the considerations and doubts I had, but I'll spare the time. The single reason I am going to launch Own I.T. (and spend time with the legal paperwork) is because it is a gift. Own I.T. is for others and it's a gift meant to be shared. It's an access to professional freedom, leadership, and authenticity. The magic of creating this comes from synergy and the ideas and support of others, a question of "how can you help" that I discovered I was timid to ask. Before Level 2, I didn't fully grasp the personal power or leadership within me until I was on the mic teaching to 130 yoga teachers without having planned it ahead of time. So cheers to July 23, the first Sunday and week of my 28th year of life, being dedicated to creating something much larger than myself as a fun, creative, full expression of the amazing gifts given to me. What I noticed is that one part of me felt immensely courageous and the other side was completely terrified. Identify your gifts. Get present to what you have to share. Share yours gifts openly and lovingly. As a single twenty-something living in a new city, I deeply miss my community in Houston. I miss the people who allowed me to unravel and loved me anyways. What I am connected to is how my community - family, yoga, friends, ZTA, is bigger than any city. If you're curious to your greater purpose and wanting to discover your direction or True North (yoga reference), start giving your gifts away. Discover what it is like to share what you have from a place of abundance. Stop concerning yourself with the past. Start unraveling and letting go of ways that don't serve you.

[yogagirlcyberworld]

Birthday List of Gratitude, Accomplishments, and Learnings

It's my birthday and I want this day to be about celebrating the present. The greatest present in my life is the people who make it beautiful! 27 Accomplishment List 1. I'm grateful for having closer relationship with my parents, brother, and family members 2. I'm grateful for a new chapter moving to Austin and living downtown 3. I'm grateful for being healthy, strong, and mentally fit 4. I'm grateful for Drawing nearer to God and having spiritual grace and patience in my life 5. I'm grateful for a loving and inspiring yoga community - BIG Power Yoga in Houston, Wanderlust Yoga in Austin, Baptiste family worldwide 6. I'm grateful for evolving professionally by giving up being the observer and choosing to show up powerfully as a leader 7. I'm grateful for the amazing friends locally & beyond and the ability to love my tribe deeply 8. Im grateful for the travels, experiences, and spaces I've explored 9. I'm grateful to enjoy the present, specifically owning my age and not wanting to rush the process of faulting 10. I've achieved a deeper sense of self confidence to love myself purely and fully as beautiful, strong, confident, creative, curious, and a continual learner. 11. I've achieved leaving a job I was unhappy and comfortable in at a company that I loved. 12. I've achieved being a stand for others though Baptiste Level 2 and the Landmark Advanced Course. 13. I've achieved unapologetically doing what I want and trusting myself. I.e. getting the worlds cutest puppy, Zoey. 14. I've achieved letting old relationships and toxic fellas staying out of my life. 15. I've achieved a positive relationship with body image and food. 16. I've achieved running a half marathon in Brooklyn. 17. I've achieved valuing self-care and sleep. 18. I've achieved teaching yoga to 130+ yogis at Level 2 and completely letting go of the plan and entering the moment. Transformation. 19. I've learned to love harder. 20. I've learned that launching a company and non-profit requires grit, creativity, passion, and collaboration. 21. I've learned how to generate energy to serve and inspire others. 22. I've learned to step out of my comfort zone and speak at industry events as an access to sharing, authenticity, confidence, community, and leadership. 23. I've learned to remain faithful. 24. I've learned the power of declaration (moving to Austin, being in relationship, having puppy that is well-trained). 25. I've learned that the people in my life make me rich in love, happiness, and fill me up. 26. I've learned to let myself experience powerful emotions - from laying on the floor when I'm overwhelmed, allowing myself to experience negative emotions through anger and frustration, or the ability to laugh louder and sob fully. 27. I've learned to be grateful for God, my people, personal passion and possibilities, and the ability to fail (learn) more than I succeed.

[yogagirlcyberworld]

How I Got Over the Guilt of Taking Long, Old-Fashioned Lunch Breaks

It is my personal belief that lunch breaks are crucial to maintaining one’s sanity. You may not be surprised to find out that I came to this conclusion by dismissing such breaks as superfluous and...

[yogagirlcyberworld]

Mantra for July - Cultivate Connection

This morning as I was on a long walk with my labradoodle puppy, Zoey, I looked over my right shoulder and saw the rolling hills of Austin from the pedestrian bridge downtown. 

It isn’t common for me to stop and pause, I felt like this moment was one to capture and also one to get connected. I immediately turned off my music, set a timer for 5 minutes, and parked myself on a bench to sit and be still. 

As I began contemplating I heard the sounds of birds, the breath of runners, and realized the vast space in the environment around me. I realize that having strategic pauses in my life get me the most clear in choosing the next step to take on my journey albeit with my business, side-hustle of Own I.T., a LLC and non-profit to enroll and evolve rising leaders in the cybersecurity industry, and most importantly (and often the last on my list), personal direction. 

I LOVE the beginning, middle, and end of the month. It is a reminder for me to reflect, shift, set goals, and create intentions and actions for what I want to have happen.

If ANYTHING were possible, whether is it obtaining a new skill OR starting the relationship you want, a more improved one with yourself, finances, or a significant, the time is now to create.

After walking Zoey for 3 miles, I chose to take some alone time to focus on goals, doing the little and big tasks I’ve put off the rest of the week, and getting clear on the list of achievements to celebrate from the previous week. 

Saturdays are my day off. I choose to work on projects and it takes an act of Congress for me not to schedule the day fully or set timers on myself. So today I choose to only schedule a double-sweat and time to spend with friends, everything else is creative and extra.

I decided to take my creative juices on a walk to downtown, to enjoy Houndstooth coffee, and tackle the projects and “adulting” responsibilities I’ve been holding off on. As I was standing in line thinking about how good the Taco Deli breakfast taco (Jess Special, avocado, eggs, and also named after me) would taste, I got clear that the month of July for me is about connection. 

That means everything I do will be to allow space and create from the intention of connection. I notice how segregated I try to lead my life...yoga girl over here, cyber Bey over there, diva hustler boss babe there, and lastly, 27 and running from personal romantic relationships over there...yup, I admit it, getting “tied down” at 27 actually brings me the most fear. You see, I know that in my life when I get uncomfortable or are avoiding significant transformation or change, I travel. Ever since the end of February when I discovered I wanted to quit my first job, move to a new city, start a new job, and launch a non-profit, I began traveling A LOT. Now that this is no longer a secret, I feel free to share that the luxurious lifestyle painted on social media is not aligned with reality or how I actually am dealing with challenges and triumphs through this transition and monumental growth phase in my life. The past week I began cleansing. This looked like removing dating and social media apps from my phone, eating cleaner, sweating more, and getting present to the input and output in my life to live in a more conscious and intentional manner.

I have always wanted to blog. What held me back was the opinions of others or impact from others reading the hidden truth. This is a space and access to vulnerability. My intention is connection and this vehicle is the most authentic way to allow family, friends, and others a window into the personal discoveries, obstacles, and possibility created in my life. As I began a movement, Own I.T., I chose not to share my story or even own that I founded this idea until a full year later. Brene Brown’s work speaks to that when we own our story, authenticity and vulnerability are present and profound through sharing.

Now, I choose to share. Share the greatness, get you connected to inspiration, and offer resources through personal discoveries that give you access to freedom in your life.

How to Set Monthly Goals:

Choose a word - CONNECTION

Make a GRATITUDE List for the upcoming month

Celebrating birthday - NYC with ZTA sisters, Austin with friends

Level 2 Baptiste Yoga teacher training - time with Cat and Julie

First Quarterly Review for Work, Successful first 90 days

Time with family on the 4th

Two weeks traveling

Being in New York....(did I mention this already?)

Define a skill you want to master - Kayaking, Dating, Professional Performance / Pauses (consistency for creative, execution, and reflection time)

Set vision and goals 3 categories (Personal, Professional, Health)

Personal

Go on 3 dates weekly (friend, prospect, mentoring)

Outline curriculum and integration of Own I.T.

Launch global movement in the most organized chaos and fun way possible (dev. advisory board and also personal support)

Professional

File for LLC / non-profit

Gain corporate sponsors

Plan Own I.T. October in Houston, Austin, San Antonio

Teach YOGA at an amazing studio in Austin

Health 

Sweat daily - Try new XT weekly

Eat clean and green - less sugar and carbs

Sleep for 7.5-8hrs daily, take power naps if necessary

Connect / Reflect on progress week

Set micro and measurable goals

July is my birthday month. A new beginning to a new year of life. I choose to inspire greatness. To connect spiritually and be present to capture life moments around me, and to get clear on vision and direction of the legacy I chose to create and leave in the world. 

What will you choose to create? Believe in your vision. Know that if you dream it, it is possible. Don’t settle for a life playing smaller than the actual amazing, imperfect, and powerful human being that you are.

[yogagirlcyberworld]

Tuesday Transformation with power protein quinoa, kale, zucchini, broccoli, chickpeas, and mushrooms.

[yogagirlcyberworld]

This morning's run took me 3 miles along Lady Bird / Town Lake. What a great way to start the week.

[yogagirlcyberworld]

Changing habits for the next 21 days and the final 3 weeks before my birthday. One change I am making is preparing all meals at home unless I have a scheduled business meeting. These past few weeks have been crazy and I haven't been filling my body with nutrient rich foods, also have been eating out and spending over $20 daily on coffee, snacks, or meals on the road. Motivated to give back to my body, mind, and bank account over the next 3 weeks!

[yogagirlcyberworld]

[yogagirlcyberworld]

Decide who you want to be then go BE. . I noticed that with moving to Austin and creating a new life here, that I got received the reward from manifestation or declaring what you want. . On March 9, I sat down with Nancy Perry, and declared that I am living in Austin, working for a new company, in a new role, and being a greater contribution to the industry that I serve. Two months later, that happened. I was given a blank space to create the life I chose. . When I arrived, my fear and faith elevated. I missed my family, I was sad to have left my friends and professional network behind. I became overwhelmed with Own I.T. and managing the movement remotely while the leadership team and community lives in Houston. Being in a new space allows you to explore spaces within yourself that you didn't know existed before. Recently I have spent time carving the vision I have for my life, professionally, Own I.T, and the legacy to share with others. I get that none of that gets to live unless I choose to be inspired and breathe life and energy into it. Use your focus on whatever you decide to propel yourself forward. What's the next step you can take? How can you encourage yourself, more importantly those around you to light up and light the way? . Whether you are going through a peak or a valley in your life, career, relationship, or establishing who you are and what you stand for, decide who you want to be and simply BE. . I've always danced (struggled) with being vs. doing. I notice my family and friends acknowledge me as someone who is traveling, on the go, or unavailable. . This is not who I am or what I stand for. . Now, standing there and seeing the impact of that, I decide to create space for who and what is important in my life, unapologetically. . How can you show up differently today in deciding who you are and being in action of your life? Be still. Be you.

[yogagirlcyberworld]

What I'm generating today is courage. I am grateful that the only room left when I checked in at midnight was the studio suite at Hotel Derek. I was able to wake up at sunrise, sleepy, and was able to revel in thought and determination as I lead the Own I.T. Meeting in Houston.

[yogagirlcyberworld]

Beautiful run this morning in Downtown Austin. I ran without music for the first time in a long time. I am making a break in my relationship with running and it's been a sluggish start. This week I am on week 4 of 9 in the Run5k app, the program that helped me lose weight and begin the journey to run a marathon. Today I learned that you can run to make you feel good. Yes, I said it, running is relaxing. It's an odd duality to get how this exercise that seems begrudging to most can be liberating. The heart pounding, sweat cleansing, and sound of your feet hitting the gravel is a lovely morning music. What are you running towards? What are you running from? How can you face whatever it is you are going through head on and run with it?