I’m Turning 3 April 18th

Joyous Leadership turns 3 months old on Monday, April 18th. In some ways it seems like yesterday and in some ways it seems forever ago. The doors it has opened for conversation, growth, and healing have been amazing. I look forward to spending 2022 delving into Joy and Leadership with more amazing people.

If you’ve read the book, what were your favorite stories?

Joyous Running – Blackburn College Style

L-R Mark Watson, Olivia Leemon, Quentin Smith, and Coach Al Sturgeon

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

Stories Of Learnings Along The Way

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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To see the latest blog post, click here:  https://johnmarkwatson.com/category/blog/

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NPR Illinois Interview

Vanessa Ferguson Interviews Mark about Joyous Leadership

Here is a link to listen to National Public Radio’s Vanessa Ferguson Interview Mark about his new book Joyous Leadership: LISTEN

Book Signings and Presentations (A BUSY WEEK!)

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!

We Have a Cover!

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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Just A Little Bit Closer

I had Sheryl Crow lyrics in my head all week. Everyday is a winding road, I get a little bit closer. . . This weeks accomplishments:

  1. Kicked off book cover design
  2. Line item editor and proof readers started their work
  3. Copyright filed
  4. ISBN (International Book Standard) identifiers purchased
  5. Secured studio and engineer for audiobook (This was something new and unplanned. So excited!)

My publisher is giving me an estimate of two months. Maybe Christmas will come early this year!

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