Life Lessons:
Dr. Jessica Houston
*Are you happy at the moment?
Yes! I am not only happy, I am authentically happy. For several years I allowed secrets to hold my happiness hostage. I pretended to be happy and confident, when I was really suffering in silence. It is so easy for us to pretend that we are happy with our lives, finances, appearance and so forth. However, there are often issues and circumstances that are constantly suppressed and hidden. I found that releasing my pain, anger and negative thinking was the beginning of an amazing transformation. After experiencing what it feels like to truly be happy, I am determined to help other women have that same experience.
*If you could go back and say anything to your 16-year-old self now – what would it be?
If I could go back and have a conversation with my 16 year old self, I would begin by telling her that she is beautiful and valuable. As a teen, I struggled with low self-confidence and hated my appearance. In retrospect, I now understand that the media does not define beauty. I was beautiful, but, because I didn’t look like the women on the magazines or on television, I was discontent with the way that I looked. I would also encourage my 16 year old self to be authentic. As a teen, it can be tempting to hide your intelligence in an effort to fit in. I would tell her that there is not anything wrong with being smart.
*What’s the most important thing you’ve learned this year?
The most important thing I have learned this year is the importance of saying “Yes” to myself. As a helper and a giver, it is very easy for me to give so much to others that I don’t have time to get my priorities accomplished. Saying “Yes” when I really want to say “No” is no longer my reality. I now understand that saying “No” is not being selfish, it is simply saying “Yes” to myself.
*What do you most want to achieve in the next 12 months?
In the next 12 months, I would like to help more women fulfill their dream of becoming business owners. More specifically, through speaking and writing, my goal is to inspire a minimum of twenty thousand women over the next 12 months. I have a strong desire to help women begin living their best lives now. Seeing women who were once living unsatisfying lives become happy, confident and purpose driven is an amazing feeling. For me, helping others is extremely rewarding.
*What’s your secret to happiness?
My secret to happiness is self-love. Self-love is more than simply stating that you love yourself. Self-love is more about how you treat yourself when no one is looking. Self-love is also about taking care of your physical, spiritual, emotional and financial well-being. If you do not love yourself, it is impossible to be happy. I believe that self-love is the cornerstone of happiness
*What one ritual or practice keeps you grounded?
Alone time is definitely the ritual that keeps me grounded. Although I consider myself a people person, there is nothing like having alone time. This is a time when I can read, meditate, listen to something inspirational or just relax. I was once the type of person who believed that spending time alone was selfish. Now, I realize that alone time is what helps me be my best self, which ultimately benefits everyone around me.
*What’s your biggest regret?
My biggest regret is not believing in myself and my abilities sooner. For far too many years, I placed limits on what I could accomplish. Now I do not believe that there are any limits to what I am able to accomplish. With my new way of thinking, I believe in my abilities more and in return I have experienced exponential growth.
*What’s the most important lesson you’ve taught your kid(s)?
The most important lesson that I have taught my daughter thus far is that she is capable of achieving her greatest desire. She is still young and has so many more lessons to learn. However, it is important that she views challenges not as threats but as opportunities for growth.
*What bad habit would you most like to change about yourself?
One bad habit that I have is perfectionism. Because this is a habit that I deliberately work on every day, I consider myself to be a recovering perfectionist. It’s strange that many of the women who come to me for assistance have this same habit. After recognizing that perfectionism was an unobtainable goal, I was able to become much more productive. If I allowed perfectionism to consume me, I would spend more time analyzing than doing.
*Aside from motherhood/fatherhood and marriage what are you most proud of in your life?
I am most proud of having an opportunity to help women discover their purpose and take their dreams off of the back burner. Many times women feel guilty about doing what makes them happy. So instead of doing what they enjoy they settle for feeling unfulfilled. Helping women understand that they can be great mothers and pursue their dreams makes me extremely proud.
*When were you happiest?
I can honestly say that I am happiest right now. I understand that we will have challenges and disappointments in life. However, this does not mean that we can’t still be happy. The worst decision that anyone can ever make is the decision to postpone their happiness. Happiness is a choice and it must be intentional.
*What ten words best describe you?
Happy, Determined, Giving, Compassionate, Optimistic, Courageous, Dreamer, Honest, Friendly, Spiritual
Dr. Jessica Houston has more than a decade of social work, counseling and educational leadership experience. As a licensed social worker, success coach and empowerment speaker she is committed to helping others fulfill their personal and professional goals. Her expertise and ability to produce life changing results has earned her a remarkable reputation as a transformation specialist. Dr. Houston has overcome poverty, depression, low self-confidence and intimate partner violence. For this reason, she is passionate about sharing how others can live an abundant and satisfying life, despite any obstacles they may encounter. In her non-fiction self-help book “Women’s Secrets” Dr. Houston is completely candid about her personal experiences and struggles. If you are ready to accelerate your success connect with Dr. Houston at www.expectingvictory.com.
