Happy Tuesday #Jontourage,
Welcome back to the “Classy Gent Chronicles”, where staying classy is the only way to be. Let's jump right into it.... So I am out at lunch with my aunt. She is always excited to see me considering we only get together a few times per year (we said we were going to change that in 2017). We go to our favorite meet up spot, Silver Diner. Today it is especially crowded so there is a line to be seated. Since this is no seating area, everyone waiting to be seated has to stand. The lady in front of me starts asking my aunt about her car because I guess the lady saw my aunt drive up to the place. They talk for a couple minutes about the car. Then my aunt introduces herself to the lady, for which the woman also introduces herself as well. So I say “hi I am Jonathan”. My aunt, who is always so proud, tells her that I am published author. Despite my book being published in March 2016, it is sometimes still weird to be known as an author considering I hated English in high school...but that’s neither here nor there. So the lady asks me about my book. I tell her what I tell anyone who asks, it is a book that helps people improve their self-esteem and other areas of their life with steps and diagrams on how to do so. The woman was very excited to here and commented on how important a topic like that is as my aunt continues to beam with pride. The conversation takes an interesting turn when the woman asks “so is the book only for black guys?” I am not one who gets easily offended, nor am I one who assumes every odd comment must have been a malicious one. However, that comment does speak to what many people assume about minority entrepreneurs that our non-minority counterparts don’t have hanging over their head. The question we are faced with is are our products, services, and objectives only established to help people that look like us? If I was in a wheelchair and I made a book on loving yourself, would people assume this book could only benefit people also in a wheelchair? If I was Hispanic and I had a radio show, would people assume only Latino listeners would find the show appealing? Joel Osteen and Steve Harvey are both respected celebrities that both have self-help books out. When you see a book by Joel Osteen versus a book by Steve Harvey, how does your perception change as to whether one book can help you more or not based on who wrote it? Although Steve Harvey and Joel Osteen are household names, many local entrepreneurs face that challenge every day. The even bigger question is how many sales have I and other minority entrepreneurs lost once the customer saw us in person? I honestly do not think the lady meant any harm but her comment but I do feel if I was the same person, same credentials, same back story just white, she may not have asked me that question. If I wasn’t a minority, my ability to make a book that helped all people may not have been called into question. The title of my book is “Master of Ceremonies: A Male’s Guide for a Successful Life” not “Master of Ceremonies: A Black Male’s Guide for a Successful”. There are books out there with African American males on the front cover and “Black” or “African American” in the title. Despite me telling this lady the name of my book and showing her the front cover (it’s my phone wallpaper), it wasn’t convincing enough for her to not ask me “so is the book only for black guys?” Moving forward, I think we can change our intent by changing our wording. Instead of asking “so is this book only for black guys?”, she could have asked “who is your target audience?”. What do you think her intentions were with that statement? Moral of the story: It is perfectly fine to be curious about something, but it is how the question is asked that changes the course of the conversation. Remember, in order to live out your dreams, you have to think it, feel it, live it! Until next time, stay classy...
0 Comments
Happy Tuesday #Jontourage,
Welcome back to the “Classy Gent Chronicles”, where staying classy is the only way to be. Let's jump right into it.... I wanted to share some inspiration with you all about my own day. Before I begin with my story, I will openly state I have been BLESSED being an author. As I have previously shared, I have sold hundreds of books, appeared in magazines, websites, and on radio. I have gotten to travel to schools to speak with students about personal branding, self-esteem, writing, and more. I even have an upcoming television appearance with Fox 5 DC News. Usually I post my good news about my book but yesterday was the best blessing in disguise. I WAS REJECTED BY FOUR BOOKSTORES. Here were some of the phrases told to me yesterday when I got rejected: “Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate your request but encourage you to approach other locations.” “Although we are declining your event, please feel free to reach out to other locations.” “We cannot offer you an event here; still, we wish you great luck with touring MASTER OF CEREMONIES.” “This location does not book events at the store level. Best of luck with Master of Ceremonies!” I’m sure some of you wonder, “how is getting rejected a blessing?” Let me tell you why. When you get rejected from something, your next step is now closer than it was yesterday. The old me would be sad that I got rejected from those book stores appearances but the new me learned to "study my losses". There was a reason bookstores did not choose me to come in. I prayed that I could learn where my mistakes were so I emailed those stores back to see what advice they had to improve my chances. When you email a busy place, I always assume it may be a while to get a response if they write you back at all. Luckily, one of the bookstores wrote me a whole detailed email on how I can increase my marketing and chances to get more bookstore appearances. The day gets better. After I faced my fears and reached out to get more information about where I went wrong, I am talking to my friend and I get a new opportunity. Her father is the pastor of a church who is wants me to come in and speak. He is even collecting an offer to compensate me. I share this not to brag but to encourage you all to "study your losses". If you fail a test go back and learn why you got that question wrong. If you didn't get picked for an opportunity, go back and find out why. If your relationship did not work, find out where things went wrong. The last thing you want to happen is to keep be affected by the same mistakes. Rejection can hurt but it will only make you better in the end. Growing up, I hated feedback because I didn’t know how to handle it. As you get older, you realize feedback and rejection is a part of life. Moral of the story: Everyone won’t see you or your efforts as a five star thing. However, anyone is willing to take the time to help you grow by rejecting you or correcting you is in reality trying to help you. Stay strong Remember, in order to live out your dreams, you have to think it, feel it, live it! Until next time, stay classy... Happy Tuesday #Jontourage,
Welcome back to the “Classy Gent Chronicles”, where staying classy is the only way to be. Let's jump right into it.... I recently got the one thing in the mail most of us dread, a notice to appear for jury duty. Although jury duty is an obligation as a citizen of the United States, it can be very inconvenient. I mean, you have to miss work (okay that may not be all that bad), but you have to get up very early in the morning. Since it’s a courthouse environment, there is not a lot of parking so you may have to be dropped off or in my case catch a shuttle there. Did I mention you have to wait a long line to go through security? In my case, the line was wrapped around the corner outside so I had to wait in the cold until I finally made it inside the courthouse. So fast forwarding 20 minutes later, I’m finally checked in and waiting. This is my first time serving so I have no idea what to expect. I look around and I see mostly everyone has an attitude. Everyone is either upset, annoyed, and or bored. Honestly, I was somewhat excited for jury duty since I had never done it before but I was frustrated having to drive over two hours to do. Since I live/work in Pennsylvania but am technically resident of Maryland, I also have to go home to handle business affairs. After about 15 minutes of waiting, a lady comes to the podium and asks for all of our attention. This woman has such a presence that you can't help but to listen to her. She tells us her name but everyone forgot it because she preferred everyone calls her "Bug". She says she got the nickname growing up always playing outside. I thought it was because she used to eat bugs as a kid but that's neither here nor there. So nonetheless, Bug gives us about ten minutes of instructions and you can see the crowd begins to loosen up. She tells all these corny yet laughable jokes and even names all the celebrities that also have to come to Jury Duty (my favorite Singer, Mya, even gets a shout out for having jury duty). Bug even plays us a video which was not terrible at all. The video explained the purpose of jury duty and all the roles in a courthouse. If you were someone who hated government class in high school, this video would have helped you. Now for the eye opener... After the video, Bug let's us know that she has to do this every day (except weekends and federal holidays) and has had that job to host jury duty orientation for six years. At that point, my whole attitude changed. So you mean to tell me I have an attitude for a less than one day commitment that I got paid for when this lady does this DAILY? The same speech every day for six years!!! This lady has to speak to hundreds of people daily with terrible attitudes that only have a one day commitment. And here I am having the nerve to have an attitude. Here's the real kicker, Bug actually loves her job so I can't even feel bad for her. I feel bad for myself because whether I have an attitude being at jury duty or I don't, I still have to be there. So if you're wondering how the day ended... I actually got dismissed early and got a check for appearing. The judge ended up choosing other jurors. The next time I only have to give a couple hours and I get paid for it, I will choose a better mindset. If this lady can give the same speech every day for six years, I can get through a four hour commitment. Jury duty in Maryland is something you become eligible for every three years. Moral of the story: Choose your attitude! The same 24 hours will pass but it’s your choice to decide how you will spend it. Remember, in order to live out your dreams, you have to think it, feel it, live it! Until next time, stay classy... |
AuthorJonathan C. Harris is no stranger to leadership, hard work, or success. At the age of ten years old, he earned the right to be a guest weatherman for a day on Fox 5 DC News. He has already received over 100 honors and awards including Forty Under 40 for Prince George’s County, MD, TEDx Talk speaker, American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Outstanding Men’s Program, high school Valedictorian and the Kiwanis Club Citizenship Award. Raised in Fort Washington, Maryland, he has served in leadership positions his entire life, from being the manager of the school store in elementary school to the president of the Homelessness Awareness Club in middle school to the president of the National Honor Society in high school. Archives
September 2020
Categories |