Creating a Joyous Story
Last week I had the good fortune of spending time with the captains of Blackburn College’ Cross Country team. My lifelong friend Al Sturgeon, VP for Diverse and Equitable Student Life, and now cross country coach did an eight week leadership series as part of their training as captains. We completed their series on our campus at BUNN talking about Joyous Leadership. It was fun to hear their stories of what drew them into leadership. Read more on their training here:> Blackburn Leadership CC
Welcome to Joyous Leadership! Joyous Leadership – Stories of Learnings Along the Way is the title of my new book that released January 18, 2022. The book chronicles my career and life lessons as I chased happiness but found joy. I begin with early life experiences and continue to where I am now with lessons and learnings along the way.
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Here is a link to listen to National Public Radio’s Vanessa Ferguson Interview Mark about his new book Joyous Leadership: LISTEN
February 26th was a weekend to remember for me. It was my first ever book signings and then capped off with a presentation on Monday at Arkansas State University with Chancellor’s Leadership Class.
The weekend started with a book signing on Saturday at the Senior Bees Community center where new and old friends gathered to hear about Joyous Leadership and reminisce on old times. It was great to see new friends and old friends/coworkers from days past. I love my old Trumann team!
Sunday was a day of worship and then another book signing in the lobby of 7th and Mueller’s CEC building. The highlight of this signing was my fourth grade teacher, Betty Gatlin, coming to purchase a book and to get her book signed in person.
Monday we trekked down to Arkansas State University’s Delta Business Center to cap off a long weekend speaking to a wonderful group of students that were selected into the Chancellor’s Leadership Class. I loved their energy and enthusiasm.
Tuesday evening I participated in a private group on Zoom known as the Campfire Leadership Team. This is a group of leaders from across the Midwest and Northeast that gather to energize and support one another. We always enjoy our time together and it never fails that everyone learns something new at each gathering. We are planning a retreat and service project this summer. It will be so good to finally get together again!
To end a busy week, I presented Joyous Leadership to Innovate Springfield. This is a group of leaders that help to serve as an incubator for new business launches. It is such a fun and energizing group to be a part of.
I’m going to slow down a bit next week!
Click the link above and listen in as a college classmate, Sheila, and her daughter Kate interview me on Joyous Leadership. We had a great time!
January 10th was my 117th infusion at Mayo clinic. This completed my drug trial that spanned 6 1/2 years. Not bad for someone that started this experimental treatment June 1st of 2015 and given less than a year to live.
To commemorate this achievement, my care team gave me a lapel pin that says “Celebrate Life” with 3 hearts. A few tears were shed. I’ve grown to love the team up there very much.
I will now transition this treatment to a local infusion center here in Springfield. While I will miss my friends at Mayo Clinic, I can’t begin to tell you how much less wear and tear on my body this will be. This is a win. Mayo will still supervise my care but I will only be going back 2-3 times a year versus 17.
I will return to Mayo the week of the 17th for the final drug trial tests. Milestones are good.
Joyous Leadership will launch in all formats Tuesday, January 18th. (psst! You can get the audio version now if you can’t wait!)
I’m so excited and nervous at the same time. It seems I’m having to make decisions so fast about things I know so little about. I’ve been fortunate to speak with a few other authors for advice, but it seems we all have different circumstances and different objectives that make no two books alike.
The interior layout is still in process along with the back cover and a few other pesky details. As for now, we move a few steps closer. Hardback, paperback, eBook, and audio are all being done simultaneous. Fingers crossed!
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I had Sheryl Crow lyrics in my head all week. Everyday is a winding road, I get a little bit closer. . . This weeks accomplishments:
My publisher is giving me an estimate of two months. Maybe Christmas will come early this year!
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