Podcasts > Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan > Confidence Classic: RECLAIM Your Power and Silence the Haters with Heather!

Confidence Classic: RECLAIM Your Power and Silence the Haters with Heather!

By Heather Monahan

In this episode of Creating Confidence, Heather Monahan shares her personal experience of career transition, from losing her position as chief revenue officer to building a new path as an entrepreneur and author. She discusses how she navigated workplace challenges, including confronting difficult supervisors and managing the constraints of a non-compete agreement while supporting herself as a single mother.

The episode covers Monahan's journey of publishing two books, including her experience recording audiobooks and adding supplementary content inspired by other authors. She also explores how she handled workplace conflicts and legal battles, sharing specific strategies she used to maintain her confidence. Throughout the episode, Monahan emphasizes the role of audience feedback in shaping her work as an author, speaker, and podcast host.

Confidence Classic: RECLAIM Your Power and Silence the Haters with Heather!

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Confidence Classic: RECLAIM Your Power and Silence the Haters with Heather!

1-Page Summary

Heather's Journey: Overcoming Adversity & Reinvention After Job Loss

Heather Monahan shares her transformative journey from being fired as chief revenue officer to becoming a successful entrepreneur. After her dismissal, which left her bound by a non-compete agreement, Heather faced the challenge of reinventing herself while supporting her son as a single mother.

Creating, Publishing, and Promoting Heather's Books

Despite initial challenges, including having to audition to narrate her own book "Confidence Creator" for Harper Collins, Heather successfully published and recorded two books. For her second book, "Overcome Your Villains," she worked with a trusted producer from her radio background and enriched the audiobook with additional commentary and insights, inspired by David Goggins' approach.

Managing Villains or Adversaries

Heather details her experiences with workplace "villains," particularly focusing on an interim CEO who subjected her to passive-aggression and sexual harassment. She describes how wearing a red outfit for confidence and confronting her boss directly helped her regain her self-worth. During a subsequent legal battle with her ex-husband, Heather sought help from an energy healer, which she credits with improving her wellbeing and raising her energy levels.

Audience Engagement and Feedback

Heather emphasizes the vital role of audience engagement in her success as an author, speaker, and podcast host. She actively seeks listener feedback to improve her content and appreciates when listeners share and recommend her work. Through direct messages and reviews, she gauges her impact and continuously adapts her approach to better serve her audience.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While Heather's journey is inspiring, not everyone may have the resources or opportunities to reinvent themselves after job loss, suggesting that her story, while powerful, might not be universally applicable.
  • The success of self-publishing and recording books can vary greatly, and Heather's background in media may have given her an advantage that not all aspiring authors have.
  • Auditioning to narrate one's own book is not uncommon in the publishing industry, and some might argue that it ensures the quality of the audiobook.
  • The use of additional commentary in audiobooks, while innovative, may not appeal to all listeners who might prefer a traditional reading of the text.
  • The effectiveness of confronting workplace adversaries directly, as Heather did, can depend on many factors, including company culture and individual circumstances, and might not always be the best approach.
  • Seeking help from an energy healer is a personal choice and its efficacy is subjective; others might find support through more conventional therapeutic methods.
  • The reliance on audience engagement and feedback for success might not be a viable strategy for all authors, speakers, or podcast hosts, especially those who are just starting out and have a smaller audience.
  • The ability to continuously adapt one's approach to better serve an audience assumes a level of flexibility and resources that may not be available to everyone in similar positions.

Actionables

  • You can boost your resilience by writing a personal manifesto that outlines how you'll handle adversity and change. Start by reflecting on past challenges and how you overcame them, then draft a set of principles or affirmations that you can turn to during tough times. For example, if you lose your job, your manifesto might include statements like "I will use this time to explore new opportunities with optimism" or "I will seek out new learning experiences to enhance my skills."
  • Develop your personal brand by choosing a signature style or item that makes you feel confident. Similar to wearing a red outfit for confidence, select a piece of clothing, accessory, or even a color that you associate with strength and self-assurance. Wear this item during important meetings or events to serve as a physical reminder of your self-worth and to project confidence to others.
  • Create a feedback loop with your network to improve your personal or professional projects. Reach out to friends, family, or colleagues and ask for their honest opinions on your work. You could send a draft of a blog post, a business idea, or even a speech you're preparing and request constructive criticism. Use their feedback to refine your work, and remember to thank them for their input, which can help build stronger relationships and better outcomes.

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Confidence Classic: RECLAIM Your Power and Silence the Haters with Heather!

Heather's Journey: Overcoming Adversity & Reinvention After Job Loss

Heather Monahan's life took an unexpected turn when she was fired from her corporate job, leading to a journey of self-discovery and successful entrepreneurship.

Heather Was Fired From Her Corporate Job, Leaving Her Humiliated and Unsure of Her Next Steps

Heather Pursued Entrepreneurship After Losing Her Job

Heather Monahan recalls the disbelief and humiliation she felt after being fired from her role as chief revenue officer—a position where she had excelled, significantly increased company revenue, and earned numerous accolades. The emotional impact was profound, echoing the anguish of a teenage heartbreak. The firing, executed by a general counsel who treated her poorly for 14 years, compounded the trauma. Bound by a non-compete agreement, Heather faced the paralyzing uncertainty of not being able to work with any competitors for a full year.

Heather's Shift From Corporate America to Entrepreneurship Was Challenging but Rewarding, Allowing Her to Regain Control and Find Fulfillment

Instead of returning to the corporate world, Heather chose to reinvent herself as an entrepreneur. This decision marked a significant departure from the safety of regular paychecks but allowed her to tap into her full potential and seek happiness on her own terms. She became not just an author but a prolific one, writing two books and producing their audiobooks—achievements she never envisioned while in her corporate job.

Heather overcame the fear of her new unpredictable income and the solo responsibility of raising her young son, Dylan. The move towards entrepreneurship did not come without its trials; Heather candidly shares her concern for her child and the pressures of single motherhood during this tumultuous time. Despite these hardships, she successfully transitioned to a speaking business, steadily growing with virtual events and anti ...

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Heather's Journey: Overcoming Adversity & Reinvention After Job Loss

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can start a "Reinvention Journal" to document your journey from a setback to success, mirroring Heather's transformation. Begin by writing down your current situation, feelings, and aspirations. Each day, add what steps you've taken towards your goals, the challenges you've faced, and how you've overcome them. This can be a simple notebook or a digital document, but the key is consistency and reflection on progress.
  • Create a "Fear-Facing Plan" to tackle the anxiety of financial uncertainty, similar to Heather's approach. Identify your main financial fears and write them down. Next to each fear, brainstorm practical steps to mitigate them, such as creating a budget, starting a side hustle, or learning a new skill for income diversification. Implement these steps one by one and track your progress weekly.
  • Develop a "Single Parent Empowerm ...

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Confidence Classic: RECLAIM Your Power and Silence the Haters with Heather!

Creating, Publishing, and Promoting Heather's Books, Including Audiobooks

Heather Monahan's journey to narrate her book "Confidence Creator" became a surprising challenge but turned into a resounding success, and her second book, "Overcome Your Villains," has extended her influence with its published and audiobook versions.

Surprised by the Audiobook Audition, Heather Embraced and Succeeded In Narrating "Confidence Creator."

Heather faced an unexpected requirement from Harper Collins leadership to audition to narrate her own book, "Confidence Creator." In preparation for this challenge, Kendra Hall counseled her to be authentic and maintain a steady pace. Her genuine approach paid off, and she was ultimately chosen to narrate her own work.

Heather's Second Book, "Overcome Your Villains," Used a Trusted Producer for the Audiobook Process to Ensure Quality

For her second book, "Overcome Your Villains," Heather was able to collaborate with a producer she trusted from her background in radio. This allowed for smooth recording sessions and a product that matched her quality standards.

Heather Valued the Flexibility to Enrich the "Overcome Your Villains" Audiobook With Added Content and Insights, Believing It Would Enhance the Reader's Experience

Heather prized the creative freedom given to her when crafting the audiobook for "Overcome Your Villains." Inspired by the approach taken by David Goggins in his audiobook, she enriched her recording with exclusive content. After completing the reading of a chapter, she provided personal commentary, sharing her though ...

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Creating, Publishing, and Promoting Heather's Books, Including Audiobooks

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Heather Monahan, the author of "Confidence Creator," was unexpectedly asked by Harper Collins leadership to audition to narrate her own book for the audiobook version. This request was not typical in the publishing industry, as authors often do not narrate their own audiobooks. Despite this challenge, Heather embraced the opportunity and ultimately succeeded in being chosen to narrate her book, bringing a unique and authentic touch to the audiobook production.
  • Heather Monahan collaborated with a producer from her radio background for the audiobook of "Overcome Your Villains" to ensure a smooth recording process. This collaboration allowed for a seamless production experience due to their shared experience and understanding of audio content creation. Heather's background in radio provided her with valuable insights and skills that she could leverage during the audiobook recording sessions. The partnership with a trusted producer help ...

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Confidence Classic: RECLAIM Your Power and Silence the Haters with Heather!

Managing Villains or Adversaries in Heather's Life

Heather's experiences with "villain" figures in her professional and personal life taught her valuable lessons about self-assertion, maintaining self-worth, and the power of energy work in overcoming adversity.

Heather's Experience With a "Villain" Boss Taught Her to Stand Up For Herself and Maintain Her Self-Worth

Heather's encounters with a "villain" boss in the workplace were characterized by passive-aggression, sexual harassment, and outright hostility.

Heather Recounts how the Villain's Passive-Aggression Eroded Her Confidence Until She Stood Up and Asserted Herself

She narrates how her rise from top salesperson to brand manager at a prestigious winery was marred by her new boss's mistreatment. Heather describes the new interim CEO, the founder's daughter, as a tormentor who ignored her in meetings, made her feel invisible, and undermined her confidence in front of her colleagues. During her tenure, Heather's self-worth was challenged not only by the interim CEO but also by another woman on the executive team.

Heather faced sexual harassment and felt miserable, perceiving an intention by her boss to remove her from the company. However, her conscious decision to confront her boss—by wearing a red outfit for confidence and greeting her boss assertively in a meeting—allowed Heather to regain her sense of self-worth. After leaving the company and forgiving her boss, she was able to redirect her attention and energy to her own business, which began to grow as a result.

Heather has not seen the woman who harassed and fired her since the incident. A chance occurrence at a hotel in Naples, Florida, where her former company held a conference, was avoided without confrontation. Likewise, an encounter with an accomplice, the general counsel, on a pre-pandemic flight caused a physical reaction—but Heather was later able to let go of the negative feelings associated with this individual.

Heather ultimately emphasizes the importance of standing up for oneself and teaching others how to treat you. She mentions the significance of forgiveness to focus on buildin ...

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Managing Villains or Adversaries in Heather's Life

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While Heather's approach to confronting her boss and standing up for herself is commendable, it's important to recognize that not all individuals may feel safe or empowered to do so in their work environment, and other strategies might be necessary.
  • The effectiveness of energy work is subjective and not universally accepted by the scientific community; some may argue that its benefits are due to placebo effects or other psychological factors rather than changes in energy frequencies.
  • Heather's belief in energy attracting things at different frequencies is a spiritual or metaphysical view that not everyone shares; skeptics might argue for more evidence-based approaches to personal growth and healing.
  • The narrative suggests that leaving the company and forgiving the boss were positive steps for Heather, but it's worth considering that in some cases, seeking justice or systemic change within the organization might also be important actions to consider.
  • The story implies that Heather's self-worth was regained through he ...

Actionables

  • You can journal about difficult interactions to identify patterns and plan assertive responses. Write down instances where you felt undermined or disrespected, and craft assertive statements you wish you had said. This practice will prepare you to respond confidently in real situations.
  • Create a personal "bill of rights" to affirm your boundaries and self-worth. List out rights such as "I have the right to say no without feeling guilty" or "I have the right to be treated with respect." Review and recite these daily to internalize your value and strengthen your resolve to stand up for yourself.
  • Experiment with energy-boosting activities that ...

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Confidence Classic: RECLAIM Your Power and Silence the Haters with Heather!

Audience Engagement and Feedback's Importance For Heather's Podcast and Endeavors

Heather emphasizes the crucial role of audience engagement and feedback in gauging the impact of her work and guiding her continuous improvement.

Heather Values Listener Feedback and Recommendations to Understand Her Impact and Continue Improving

Heather actively solicits feedback from her listeners to better understand what they think of her show and continuously strives to innovate. When she received a direct message on Instagram, a listener provided feedback on her Audible book "Overcome Your Villains" and "Conference Creator" and mentioned they also listen to her podcast and recommend it to others. Heather greatly appreciates this type of interaction; it signifies her impact and helps her shape improvements.

Heather Relies On Word-Of-mouth and Engagement to Help Her Podcast, Books, and Ventures Stand Out In a Competitive Industry

Acknowledging the competitive nature of the industry as an author, speaker, or podcast host, Heather stresses the importance of word-of-mouth. She knows how vital it is to have her work noticed and is thankful when her content is shared and recommended, emphasizing that we live in a world driven by reviews and recommendations. Heather also includes a promotional message urging her audience to take advantage of an offer by using a URL specific to her platform, highlighting the importance of audience engagement in attaining success.

Heather Urges Her Audience to Share, Review, and Recommend Her Work, as This Engagement Is Vital to Her Success

Heather calls on her audience to share, review, and recommend her work, underscoring the essential nature of audience engagement to her success. She encourages listeners to share the episode if they enjoy it and commits to reposting when tagged, showing ...

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Audience Engagement and Feedback's Importance For Heather's Podcast and Endeavors

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • While Heather values listener feedback, it's important to recognize that feedback can sometimes be biased or not representative of the entire audience.
  • Relying on word-of-mouth can be limiting, as it may not reach new or diverse audiences beyond Heather's current listener base.
  • Urging the audience to share, review, and recommend her work assumes that all listeners are equally comfortable and willing to engage in these activities, which may not be the case.
  • Engagement a ...

Actionables

  • You can create a personalized feedback system for your projects by setting up a simple online survey using free tools like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey. Share the link with friends, family, or colleagues who interact with your work, asking for their honest opinions and suggestions for improvement. This could be for anything from a home-cooked meal to a DIY project, where their feedback can help you refine your skills and output.
  • Start a small book or movie club with your peers to foster a culture of sharing and discussing content you enjoy. By recommending books or films to each other and meeting regularly to discuss them, you encourage word-of-mouth recommendations and engage more deeply with the material, enhancing your critical thinking and communication skills.
  • Volunteer to g ...

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