Motivational speaker, journalist, four-time Pulitzer Prize nominee, and best-selling Oprah author, Fawn Germer, did not find her success easily. Like too many women, Germer spent most of her life working twice as hard to be taken half as seriously.
After beginning her career as a journalist at age 15, Germer has used positivity, humor, and perseverance to forge her path to success. In her eighth and most recent book, Work-Life Reset, Germer shares the tools needed to give yourself the jolt you need for a happier, healthier, more successful life.
Discover Germer’s hard won wisdom during the Women’s Initiative of United Way’s annual event, “A Night of inspiration: It’s Time. Reset!” on Thursday, October 22.
Before visiting Toledo for her appearance at the event, we caught up with the Ohio-native to learn how she stays strong, positive, and inspired.
What three adjectives are most important to your life?
Hopeful. Happy. Strong.
What's the biggest accomplishment in your life?
I survived 2013 and came out of it with a lesson that has made life better for other people. In 2013, my relationship floundered, I closed on a house that I got hosed on by the inspector— every week was another multi-thousand [dollar] cost. Then, my mother died and two and a half months later my father died. Then, later in the year someone I thought was my best friend [turned out to actually be] my worst friend.
My mom died at 3am and, that night, I had to get on a flight to Dallas for a speech. At that point, [her death] hadn’t hit me yet— I did the speech in her honor. [Following the speech] I came home and proceeded to fall apart the rest of the year. But, because I did a good job [in Dallas], they invited me to return the following year. So there I was, on the anniversary of my mother’s death, in the same hotel with the same people, and I was in pieces. I was depressed. It was the first time that my old coping skills— of a great amount of outdoors, physical activity, affirmations— didn’t lift me out of my funk.
I remember staying up until 2am and thinking, “You need to do something. How much longer are you going to give this? You’ve given it a year.” So, I flew back to Florida and the next morning I started [what would be] 70 miles of beach walking [over many days]. By the fifth day I was happy. I had reset, which is why I wrote this book, Work, Life, Reset, which is about that reset that happens when you have to take charge over your life, get your power, and make your life work.
So, my greatest accomplishment was that I got through that [tough year] and became happy again after the saddest possible year. I took that [inspiration] and found a way to help people.
What mistakes in your career have you learned from the most?
I think you learn from what you do wrong. Early in my career, I had a very bullying boss who tried to hold me down. He did not like a strong woman, and a point came where he stood over me and said “You think you’re going to be a columnist? All you are now is all you’ll ever be. You’ll never be more than a reporter.” The mistake I made was waiting two years trying to get approval. So, on its surface, that was a huge mistake because I lost two years, however, all of that had to happen in order to get me where I am now. So there was no mistake. It’s all about knowing your power and using it, because we have incredible power we don’t use.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I find inspiration from God first, and people around me second. I lost my parents a couple years ago… my mom was the most inspiring, positive force in my life. And my dad— he was such an incredibly kind soul. I also get a lot of energy from the people around me. I am inspired by nature: if I stand alone on the beach, that fills me up with a lot of energy and light. It always feels so good to be there and breathe that in.
What is a “work-life balance” and why is it crucial to achieve one that works for you?
I don’t think our mission on Earth is to work endless hours. I think our mission is to learn about ourselves, other people, become good citizens, and grow into the best human beings we can be. That means empowering ourselves to make decisions to honor the priorities in our life. I don’t think there is anything ever actually in balance, [but] I think of this more as a work-life harmony. Your body and your soul [should be] in harmony with your priorities, so you can have a whole experience here that grows you into a great person.
What advice would you give to a young person beginning their career path or trying to figure out what they want to do?
Do something, have fun, and don’t it so seriously. Once you get older you’ll see how all the dominos fall to where they are supposed to be. Have fun and remember that bad times always end. Keep moving. Take risks, because that is how you define yourself and find the magic that will help you find your greatest success. If you want it, make it happen. Don’t let it go and take a chance.
Join Fawn Germer and the Women’s Initiative of United Way during their annual event, “A Night of Inspiration: It’s Time. Rest!” on Thursday, October 22.
Attendees will benefit from networking opportunities, skill building, and the opportunity to take a professional headshot by Northern Wind Company for $5 and be entered into a raffle with prizes from Sophia Lustig, Element 112, and Broer-Freeman. Additional raffle ticket proceeds will help support Imagination Library.
Networking, appetizers, and a cash bar will open at 5pm, and Germer’s presentation begins at 6pm, with a book-singing directly following. $35/United Way members, $40/general. The Pinnacle, 1772 Indian Wood Circle, Maumee. 419-254-4677. womens-initiative.org
