Guest Post and Giveaway ~ Life Choices: Putting the Pieces Together

Have you ever been really challenged and, afterward, looked back upon the experience with the knowledge that you were changed by it? I certainly have … numerous times and in a variety of ways in both the personal and professional realm. Challenges teach us exactly how strong we are by requiring our very best efforts and, sometimes, even more. Life challenges have made us the people we are at the present moment, and we can be confident that we will continue to grow and evolve over time as we overcome obstacles that, as of yet, we can’t even imagine.

When times get tough, “everyone has to make choices between giving up or growing stronger.” Eleanor Roosevelt put it this way:

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, “I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.”

In Life Choices: Putting the Pieces Together, 26 authors share short stories about their own lives: How they stared down and overcame challenges, the choices they made, and what they learned from their experiences. In many cases, the authors do not relate times when they merely encountered a “bump in the road.” On the contrary, many of the authors detail the manner in which their lives had completely fallen apart — in some instances, due entirely to their own unfortunate choices — and they were brought to their knees in abject failure. Yet they found the strength to forge ahead, in many cases completely reinventing themselves and their lives, finding new success. Their triumphs will inspire you.

Welcome to Pump Up Your Book’s Virtual Book Tour for Life Choices: Putting the Pieces Together

Why

by

Kathy Jo Pollack,

Author of Success: A Choice, Not a Gamble (even in Vegas), included in Life Choices: Putting the Pieces Together

Kathy Jo Pollack

It never occurred to me that people might wonder why I decided to be a part of the book. To me it all seemed to flow and fit, but then again that may be why I did not think it was a question.

I feel as though not only my business as a life coach, trainer and speaker, but also my “story” has been in the works for the last two decades … waiting patiently as I compiled my life experiences (i.e. pieces of my puzzle).

It was and still is amazing to me to see how my choices led me to this point. Life is about choices — simple yet powerful. When you uncover and live your true passion, your purpose and conviction will follow, as will your story if you so choose.

Looking back, what I have found even more amazing is the way things work together in our lives. I had always loved motivating people through education. Ten years ago when I began as the training specialist for Consumer Credit Counseling Service, I did not imagine I would be writing this today. At the time, I only knew that I loved training and embraced this new opportunity to learn about finances, gain my own personal financial independence, and share it with others.

There are no extra pieces in the universe.
Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill and every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle.
~ Deepak Chopra

Then, as I became more aware of choices and opportunities, I began to see a pattern in my life. I also began to listen to my inner voice, and finally made another choice. I started my own business with a burning passion for training and empowering others. I truly believe in my heart that education is powerful and building a strong foundation is crucial to contentment.

I have also made many more choices which have led to more pieces fitting into my puzzle. That is why writing my story for this book seemed so natural. I have expanded my business by adding two more specialties: relationships and etiquette. My choice to travel to Las Vegas with my mom to attend etiquette training hosted by Judi Moreo opened yet another door. I did not even know Judi but somehow this “fit” and the little voice inside me said to go! Now I have a thriving business that parallels my passion, and I have the opportunity to share my story with the hope of inspiring others.

Kathy Jo Pollack is a certified life coach, trainer, and speaker specializing in personal finance, relationships, and etiquette. Kathy Jo offers coaching, teleclasses, workshops, and public speaking. Having presented more than 700 seminars to date, her most requested topic is “Get on Track with Your Finances” and corresponding article “The A, B, C, D’s of a Healthy Financial Plan.” Kathy Jo is heard monthly on Weekend Focus (News Radio 1170 WWVA), and has written numerous articles.

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