We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Sonia Davidson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Dr. Sonia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
I often engage in introspection, in that I evaluate my decisions and my life in general, including the areas that I could and could not change. As I reflected over my life’s journey, it was certainly one of ups, downs, but ultimately one of resilience. In every instance, I chose to take a positive outlook, recognizing that although there were negative experiences, I had opportunities to accomplish something. That was when my perspective shifted, and I began to embrace these experiences as unique ones. The vision for my business, Uncommon Journey Empowerment Coaching Services, stems from the personal realization that how your life story began does not determine your path. Rather, by embracing every facet of your life- challenges, triumphs, familial history, etc.- you can use these elements of your story as steppingstones to reach the next level of your potential. My strategies integrate self-awareness with empowerment coaching techniques that are relatable and achievable. For example, I developed the Name-Driven Empowerment Strategy, wherein this self-development exercise uses the letters of one’s given name as a creative framework for discovering and reinforcing positive personal characteristics that are easy to relate to and recall as needed. This approach encourages individuals to view each letter of their name to assign a meaningful adjective to each letter that represents their unique strengths, qualities, or aspirations. This is just one of the many strategies that I utilize which helps people who may struggle with describing their best qualities and need to become comfortable with celebrating themselves, preparing for an interview, or other scenarios. What has me so excited is that the anyone can gain insight into becoming the best version of themselves in just a short time, and they will be able to implement what they learn almost immediately. Moreover, the best part of the virtual coaching program is that there are three tiers, and at each tier, participants gain deeper insights. There is truly something for everyone.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I was born into a hard-working family of immigrants who lacked education and resources. I also experienced childhood traumas that created feelings of self-doubt and worthlessness. However, I always had a desire to go to college and major in a subject that would empower others, like education, business, or psychology. When I graduated from high school, I realized that my it would take perseverance, positive thinking, and a miracle to come up with resources to go. I was told about a position at a university, and when I started working there, the rest was history. I was surrounded by both graduates and students who were all striving towards a goal. While pursuing my first degree, I started to tell others around me that they, too, can achieve their dreams. It was then that I started to meet with friends and family, and discuss their life plans, although I was still figuring it out as I went. I started to establish goals for others, and at that same time, I was setting and achieving my own as well. It became so fulfilling to see people who were initially without direction or focus develop their plans and make monumental gains in their personal and professional lives. I recognized and shared with others that by embracing a growth mindset, I became an overachiever…and they can also. By shifting my way of thinking, I went from not having any focus to gaining a wealth of knowledge, information, experience, and expertise in higher education, leadership, business, and empowerment. As a result of my journey, which I faced head-on, I earned a Doctor of Education degree, three master’s degrees, and a bachelor’s degree. I will have a fourth master’s degree by February 2025, and I was recently accepted and will be dually enrolled in two additional master’s program this spring.
I use my personal story of “can do” and “believe in myself to achieve my dreams” to inspire the same values in others. There are many people who indicate that they can coach and offer motivational speeches. However, after they give good nuggets of inspiration, people still do not know where or how to start; nor do they have any next steps that outline how to reach their first goal. What sets me apart from so many others is that I don’t just motivate, but I help others create a blueprint that works for their particular paradigm, life journey, and goals. I use various strategies that I have learned throughout my years as a trainer, motivator, administrator, and instructor to design programs that work in record-breaking time. I let individuals know that nothing is impossible, and they, too, can maximize their untapped potential. Everyone has a unique journey, but their challenges are their best stepping stones for greatness. My life story embodies just that. With that in mind. Uncommon Journey Empowerment Coaching Services offers three tiers of services from the comfort of one’s home. In these online group sessions, participants learn from me just how to take hold of the past, apply new strategies, and change the trajectory of their future to become stronger, better, and more empowered to succeed. For someone who wants basic goal setting tools, they can join the Emeralds. Tier I Program. In the Rubies Tier II Program, over the course of four weeks, participants will complete interactive activities of self-reflection, detailed goal planning, personal blueprints, affirmations, personal branding, creating, and elevator pitch, and more. There is a personality assessment tool equips participants with understanding their personal style. The Diamonds Tier III Program is four-week program designed for a deeper dive, and also includes a public speaking component, as well as elevator pitch design, breakout groups, and a licensed therapist joins to offer insights into elevating one’s thinking to maintain progress that has been made.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
What helped me build my reputation was the vast experiences both personally, professionally, and academically have thoroughly prepared me. I have taken my expertise and skills, and packaged it to offer a proven formula that works. There are a plethora of coaches that exist. But my strategies and deliverables are unmatched in that I am transparent in sharing the struggles and traumas that I have faced. Knowing how to strike an effective balance between sharing my story and encouraging others to use their stories as a spring board to strive for more is where I have thrived. I have spoken and women’s conferences and facilitated training sessions, and in these meetings, I not only share my journey, but also I explain in detail steps that I have taken to move forward in life. The vast amount of people I have worked with, my personal journey, my credentials, experience, and preparation with education and credentials have helped to build my reputation in empowerment coaching.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
My story of resilience pertains to when I had the idea for group coaching. I understood that there were service providers who offered coaching services; in fact, the coaching industry is growing every day. This was a fact that was potentially dissuading me from entering the market. Having overcome self-doubt and struggling with low self esteem in the past, it is easy to self-sabotage, or at the very least, talk yourself out of fulfilling a dream. That feeling caused me to take no action for more than two years. However, one day, I decided to employ one of my own empowerment strategies that I had developed. In particular, which reminded me that I can do anything I desired to. So even if there were others who offered similar services, what I had to offer was still different. It still had value and merit. From the day that I decided to move forward, I created a plan, set goals with deadlines and began to research what do next. From the moment I made up my mind and reminded myself, that I can do it, I wrote my affirmations and posted them where I could see them. From there, everything began to align. I had websites developed, content designed, and was ready to proceed in a matter of weeks. By retooling my thinking, I no longer procrastinated and made huge gains in a short timeframe.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://youruncommonjourney.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsoniadavidson/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567100504497
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonia-davidson-ed-d-0395bb9/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/shorts/6swC-jW4xUg
- Other: ttps://dr.soniadavidson.comhttps://www.facebook.com/drsoniadavidson
Image Credits
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