June 26, 2025 • 25 mins
Stuck Between the Promise and the Payoff? How to Survive the Stretch Season
Ever feel like you’re doing everything right — but the breakthrough still isn’t here?
Like life is almost aligning… but you’re stuck in the middle? That space is called The Stretch Season — and it’s uncomfortable, humbling, and necessary.
In this raw and relatable solo episode, Hazel Brown, host of It’s the Human Experience, gets vulnerable about what it looks like to be in the in-between — where the doors are cracking open, but the full promise hasn’t shown up… yet.
Inside This Episode:
✔ What it means to be stuck between the promise and the payoff
✔ How to know you're in a Stretch Season — and why you shouldn't rush it
✔ The danger of “playing for crumbs” when you were called for the whole loaf
✔ Why building quietly, observing, and aligning matters more than public validation
✔ How exposure to people further ahead isn't rejection — it’s preparation
✔ The power of staying planted in faith when impatience creeps in
✔ Why being the student in the room can unlock your next season
Hazel opens up about the silent struggles of entrepreneurship, faith, and learning how to stretch into your next level — without forcing the timing. If you're feeling stuck, stretched, or like you're behind, this episode is your reminder: You're exactly where you're supposed to be.
✨ Stay Connected & Keep Growing:
✅ Follow Hazel on Instagram: @workplacetherapyexperience
✅ Subscribe to YouTube: Redefining the Future You
✅ Get details for the next Workplace Therapy Experience event this October in Las Vegas!
If this episode speaks to you, share it with a friend who’s also building, waiting, and trusting the process. You’re not behind — you’re becoming.
#StretchSeason #PromiseAndPayoff #DivineTiming #EntrepreneurshipJourney #FaithAndPurpose #BuildingQuietly #ItsTheHumanExperiencePodcast #PersonalGrowth #CommunityMatters
—
Listen, Rate & Review, Share & Subscribe (Follow)!
Check me out online! I want to hear from you!!!
Follow us online & tag us to let me know you’re listening– I want to know your favorite episode! @itsthehumanexperience
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to.
It's the Human ExperiencePodcast Hosted by Hazel Brown, a
healthcare leader, wife, momand career coach.
If you're big on authenticity,personal development,
perseverance and transparency,you're in the right place.
Get ready to be uplifted,inspired and empowered as you
(00:23):
become fearless in pursuit ofthe life you desire and deserve.
Our goal is to help you levelup by creating a safe space to
learn and reflect, whilelistening to transparent stories
from our host or successfulprofessionals and business
owners who've agreed to sharethe parts of success that
typically gets X'd out on socialmedia, because that's the part
(00:46):
you need to see and hear theprocess.
Go ahead and subscribe.
You don't want to miss out onthese transparent stories and
discussions that reveal highs,lows, aha moments and nuggets
that'll help you to grow andglow.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Hey, hey, hey.
You are now tuned in to theit's the Human Experience
podcast.
I'm your host, hazel Brown, andyou're probably like girl, who
you got on today Because yousure told us that you're about
to bring the guests on.
And, trust me, they're coming.
They're coming, the clips areclipping, the conversations are
(01:33):
conversing, but the release it'sjust not time yet.
The truth is, I realized that Iwas supposed to be loading the
clip, yet here I was.
I was firing the shots Typicalme In hindsight, I see that.
But sometimes we're goingthrough so much, so much grief,
so much loss, so much change, somuch transition, so much
(02:01):
uncertainty, that we're tryingto take control instead of being
fully surrendered.
I know I'm not alone.
I know I'm not alone In thethick of it.
I just thought it was time toshare, I thought it was time to
go, and sometimes we do that,even when you think you're ready
, we don't realize that we'reactually not ready.
It's not go time.
It's not go time.
You are still in yourstretching season.
(02:22):
There's still more to learntime.
You are still in yourstretching season.
There's still more to learn,there's still more to discern
and it's okay to not perform.
And today I just wanted to talkabout that.
I wanted to talk about thestretch, the stretch season.
Like when you're in the midstof it, it's like you want
something to work out, so badand the quality of the
experience.
It won't be what it's supposedto be, but you're like it's go
(02:46):
time, sometimes unknowingly, butjust know the impact won't be
what it's supposed to be if yougo before the time.
That's why it's so important tobe around people who get it,
who help you feel grounded,because this uncomfortable
season where life is on the rise, like you know it, you feel it,
(03:07):
you see what God is doing, theopportunities are showing up,
but so are the challenges, soare the delays.
So is a part of the journeythat nobody wants to post about,
and yet every single part of itis necessary for where you
truly want to live and be Likeliving the life God called you
(03:30):
to live.
I was calling it the messymiddle and it's like no, I'm not
really in the messy middle asmuch.
I am truly being stretched.
I'm truly being taught to thinkoutside the box.
I'm truly being taught toreprogram myself from performing
for always having the lightswitch on.
(03:51):
And I want to be very honest,because it's very necessary to
share this moment with you,because, when life is rising and
opportunities are expanding,I'm in rooms I once prayed for.
Things are happening that Iwished for, I hope for, I pray
for.
(04:11):
But, if I can be honest with you, it's still hard.
It's stretching me in ways Ididn't expect.
It's bringing up things Ithought I was done with, and if
you've ever felt like you'refinally starting to pick up the
pace, but everything just startshitting you at the same time, I
want you to lean in here,because this is for you.
(04:32):
It's wild, right, it's so wild.
How can everything be goingright and wrong at the same time
?
Everything looks like it'saligning, doors are opening and
then boom, an L Life hits youwith like the most inconvenient,
frustrating the not yet Y'all.
(04:55):
I got into a whole accidentrecently, not because I wasn't
paying attention, but because Iguess I'm so heavy on taking my
L's up front that you know Iclearly got that L right and I
wanted to really move quickly.
I wanted to get things done andin that moment it's like I just
(05:15):
reflected on how heavy I'malways about taking my L's up
front right and I'm like oh okay, god, we in the rising season,
you just gave me my L.
I know we're on up because I'mheavy on getting my L's up front
, but what I'm learning is thatGod doesn't rush.
His timing isn't based on myimpatience, it's just based on
(05:36):
alignment.
So, yes, I'm planning myOctober event workplace therapy
in Las Vegas.
I'm growing my business.
Y'all, I'm growing my business.
There are so many things I'mdoing behind the scenes with my
business.
So many downloads.
I'm getting mentally from Godabout the things I'm supposed to
(05:58):
be doing at my next level andmy next iteration of the
stretching season.
I'm parenting.
Listen, it's summertime, I amheavy in parent mode.
I'm a chauffeur on all thethings.
I'm managing clients.
I'm helping people grow theirown podcast.
I'm helping people grow intheir corporate careers, like
(06:21):
reviewing resumes, reallyproviding feedback, helping
people to really just optimizetheir growth plan.
And I love it here, right,because previously I would do a
lot of like done for youservices around helping people
to get higher positions, whetherdirector position, manager
positions or what have you.
(06:41):
And those same clients, eventhough I'm not advertising any
of it anymore, they're comingback and they're like, okay, I
recommended this person becausenow I'm the director of this.
Now I'm working for thiscompany and I'm like I'm not
even advertising that guy.
But you know, what's funny is Idon't have to push it at all
because they're coming to me asreferrals, so it's so easy.
(07:03):
And I say that like it hasn'tbeen a thing, like literally I
don't advertise my careercoaching business.
I haven't Like.
At one point I used to post afew videos on Instagram under
Redefining the Future.
You and I would post theselittle like reminders about how
you belong and how you deserveto take up space and tips for
(07:23):
you to negotiate your pay andall the things.
But that was very short livedbecause a lot of my clients were
doing so well and were able toget the jobs that they wanted to
, where they just startedreferring people to me.
And it's funny because it's thesame way in which I manage
clients and helping people growtheir podcasts.
Like you've never once heard meshare on this podcast after 80
(07:46):
something episodes.
Hey, if you guys are listeningand you love this and you wanna
create your own podcast, reachout to me, hazel Brown, so I can
manage your podcast.
Like not once you can go backand listen to every episode.
I don't do any of that.
Like I just recently startedsharing workplace therapy events
(08:06):
with y'all because I recognize,like Hazel, these podcasts are
virtual, for people to do whenthey're on the road home
stretching, doing whatever it isthat you're doing.
But you want to be able to beintentional about stretching and
growing in your life and havingreal, authentic conversations
and I'm like that's what we doat Workplace Therapy.
(08:28):
Why are you not telling peoplethat you have in-person events?
So now I'm starting torecognize, like sweetheart, you
kind of share that.
Like you are really leaving alot on the table.
Like the impact that you'remaking the people that are
reaching out and telling youabout what episodes touched them
, like they can get thisin-person experience.
So like, why are you notsharing that?
(08:48):
But I share all that to say isthat I have a lot going on and
let me be real for a minute.
I'm still peaking at nine tofive opportunities.
Like, girl, make it make sense.
I know you're probably like bro, what you doing.
Like, why are you still lookingfor nine to fives?
You know you share to trust thetiming of your life.
God is intentional and you'renot supposed to be doing that.
(09:09):
But I'm going to be real.
I love having a stable income.
I love making sure that, nomatter how many clients I have,
what events I'm planning, howthe podcast is doing, how my
husband's income is doing, I amcomfortable in knowing that I
have a secure income and I don'thave to be around the corner
from homelessness.
There's just something aboutthat security mentally that is
(09:33):
so good.
And then also, within that sameframe, I want to share that
I've also recognized that isplaying for the crumbs Instead
of the whole bread, instead ofthe whole loaf, instead of the
whole aisle.
I am playing for crumbs and Irecognize having 20 plus years
(09:53):
of experience in healthcaremanagement, being a patient and
having the experience tounderstand what patients are
going through, having made somany changes in operations and
around company culture, aroundthe experience for patients and
truly making sure that peoplereally are able to have a
quality experience within thehealthcare field separately,
(10:14):
helping people find careers thatthey love and that they're
getting the pay that theydeserve to, where they're more
fulfilled, where they'remarrying in, essentially, my
business and my career together,like I've done the thing, and
it's so interesting that, evenwith the receipts, even with all
the testimonials that you couldfind if you go on my website
(10:36):
like I still am, like God, justgive me a nine to five though,
just give it back to me thoughright, and I have to keep
reminding myself, likesweetheart, if you're making,
whatever it is that you'remaking, right, you could be
making that in a month.
That's what one of my friendsjust told me.
(10:57):
She said Hazel, I pray thatthat six figure salary that you
just lost becomes six-figuremonths, guys.
That's why the circle that youkeep is so important, because,
it's true, I'm playing forcrumbs instead of playing for
(11:17):
the whole loaf, even a wholeslice.
Listen, we're going to takeover the bread aisle soon, right
, but are you playing for crumbs?
Are you trying to rush thingsfor it to get better, faster,
but you don't care about thequality in which that experience
for your life is your lifeexperience, right?
(11:37):
So it's so real.
Do you care about the qualityof the life experience?
Like, why are you going to bein the field playing in the dirt
, trying to build something, putthe seeds in, make it harvest,
only to ruin the soil?
Because you're rushing it?
Because now we got to wait tillnext season to plant again.
(11:59):
Why are we planting in the nextseason, where we're in the
middle of the stretching season?
Make this stretching seasoncount, don't rush it.
I don't know how many people dorelaxers, but if you rush a
relaxer, if you rush the waythat you do anything, the
results won't be optimal.
So why are you rushing the waythat things should be happening
(12:20):
in your life?
Guys?
This isn't just for you, it'sfor me too, and at the same time
, I'm just trying to be, notproduce, not force, like
literally just be, and maybeyou're there too.
Like, let me say, beingstretched feels hard.
Being around people who arefurther than you, ahead of you,
(12:42):
that can feel hard too.
Stepping in rooms where youdon't feel ready, that can feel
like exposure, though.
Right, that's what it feelslike exposure, and the reason
why I share that is because somepeople tell me that they don't
come to my events because theydon't like being around people
that are way ahead of them, andI'm here to share that.
(13:04):
We are all living the sameexperience, no matter where you
are.
We are all trying to become thebest versions of ourselves.
We are all trying to be ourauthentic version of ourselves.
We are all trying to root foreach other, and when I say we
are all, I mean everyone in mycommunity, everyone that comes
(13:24):
to my events.
I cannot vouch for the wholeworld.
I can only vouch for people whorecognize that this is a space
to be in.
But listen, exposure isn'tpunishment, it's preparation and
everything uncomfortable youfeel in these moments.
It's in your spirit, stretchingto catch up to your purpose.
And here is the thing.
(13:45):
Like, here is the thing, thingI would say, like here's my big
one, right?
If you want to live the lifeGod called you to live, if you
want peace, alignment andoverflow, overflow, then the
stretch is required, the pruningis required, the patience is
(14:06):
required and the community isreally a non-negotiable, because
having those people where Icould text if I want to go grab
lunch with, if I want to just bearound and be a representation
of the fact that real peopleexist, who are rooting for you,
who are not judging you, whowant you to win, who are healing
(14:27):
also, it's a game changer.
You got to take your time tomake sure they are your dreams,
your goals and you're doing thethings that matter for you.
But you got to come out yourshell sometimes.
You got to be around people.
That's going to help you seethe thing.
So you know you could be thething, because there's no reason
(14:49):
to be in your shell and decidethat you're not enough when you
are.
God gave you the vision, hehelped you to see that you
should be doing it, and he'salready ordained for it to be
yours.
And that's what happens whenyou're around people who want to
see the version of you.
God already called you andconfirmed you to be, even when
(15:11):
you don't fully see it yet.
Let me tell you something thattook me a long time to admit.
For so long, I made sure I wasalways the sharpest cookie in
the room, the most prepared, themost polished, the one with the
answers, the one who lookedlike she had it all together.
Cause I do, cause I do Listen,but I'm human, like I don't have
(15:33):
all the answers, I don't haveeverything.
I am an expert in the area thatI'm an expert in, but I am not
a jack of all trades, master ofnone.
I master the things I masterand the things that I don't
master.
I rely on the experts to helpme get things done, and I think
(15:53):
we have to do better at feelinglike we have to wear every hat,
we have to do everything and weneed to be polished in every
area.
We are not going to be a masterof everything.
We are going to be the masterof our gifts, the things that
God gave us, because all it doesit blocks your blessings.
It blocks your blessing whenyou're trying to be the mostest
(16:17):
and the mostest.
Be a student, be okay withlearning, because when you're
always trying to be the mostprepared, the most impressive,
the most whatever right, themost together, you never leave
the room poured into, you neverleave the room being stretched,
being taught or even beingsurprised by what God is doing,
(16:38):
because you're just a poor andlisten.
It's okay to be in places thatare different.
Is it okay to be in a placewhere you are the person pouring
?
Absolutely.
But it's as equally importantfor you to be in rooms where you
don't know everything.
It's okay to sit at tableswhere you're not the expert but
you're the student.
(16:59):
That doesn't mean you'reunqualified.
It just means you're growing inother areas.
You're stretching in otherareas or you're stretching in
the areas that you are theexpert in, because there are new
things to be able to learn andsome of the biggest blessings
you're praying for they'rehidden in the rules that you
need to be humble in right, thehumble us.
(17:22):
They're wrapping thoserelationships that challenge you
.
They're tucked in the momentsthat make you feel out of place.
Oh, my God, so many of thesemoments.
But God says you belong there.
So what are you going to do?
Stop blocking your blessings,trying to be the sharpest cookie
in every space.
Like, just be open to beingteachable, to being aligned,
(17:45):
like.
That's where the next levellives, and I promise you you
don't have to perform your wayinto purpose.
But you got to be willing togrow, we got to be transparent.
I've been guilty of wanting tolet y'all in on things before.
It was time as it relates togetting these guests in right,
I'm so excited about it.
(18:05):
But just that announcing thatplanning and producing.
Planning and producing isimportant, without having to
announce everything.
And I don't know if it's socialmedia, and I didn't even
realize that social media had mewrapped up in this little, you
know, trying to announce things.
But what I realized is there'spower in building quietly,
(18:29):
there's wisdom in observingfirst, there's peace in just
like aligning before you makethe moves.
And I had to learn it the hardway.
Like within life, withinbusiness, within relationships,
like sometimes we're so, we'reso ready to pull the trigger,
not just in terms of likeperforming, but also in terms of
(18:49):
like cutting things off.
And, yeah, like the new videoepisodes and new projects, my
new clients, the things that I'mdoing, they're so important but
they're going to drop when thefoundation is solid, when I'm
solid because I'm not rushingsuccess.
It's just not sustainable thatway and it makes no sense to do
(19:10):
things that are going to put youin a place to where you are
rushing and you're trying to putthings.
You know what they say, puttingsquares in the circles, like
we're not doing that, we're notdoing that.
And listen, I know I'm not theonly one.
Some of y'all are forcingtimelines God never gave you.
Some of you guys are chasingnext without mastering.
(19:33):
Now, and I have to say it withlove, because I've been there,
I'm still learning it myself andI wouldn't be doing my job in
this podcast if I wasn't honestabout my journey but also
getting you to reflect on yourown journey to see what it is
that we have a hand in in termsof why things are not as
(19:56):
fruitful as they should be.
Did we rush our harvest?
Did we damage the soil?
Like what did we do?
Because we have a hand in theway our life shows up and just
like that crime episode in termsof reflecting and really
looking at the role we play inour lives.
I want you guys to do that.
(20:16):
I do it so heavily for me, andI'm being so transparent and
vulnerable with you because, aswe were talking to different
people, we're hearing differentperspectives and we're seeing
the growth I want to make sureyou mastered you in your season,
in your current season.
So, yeah, I'm just stillimperfect, still growing into
(20:39):
the version of myself that makesthe most sense right now
managing my clients, parentingover the summer oh my God, I had
to circle back on that.
Growing this business isstretching me.
Planning my October workplacetherapy event I'm wrestling with
the idea of nine to five.
Still, though, we're going tohave to work that out for me.
(20:59):
I'm trying to lose weight by my40th birthday on August 17th,
but I'm serious.
I've started my detox.
I started the things.
Listen, I'm trying to loseweight by my 40th birthday on
August 17th, but I'm serious,I've started my detox.
I started the things.
Listen, I'm so excited about it.
And then I'm also networking ina new city and, above all else,
yeah, I'm not even going to sitin that too much because I'm
trying to go to my networkingevent.
I'm trying to do what I need todo because I did pause.
(21:21):
I paused because I'm like God,I don't even like it here and
it's like girl, shush Shush, Ibrought you here for a reason.
Are you going to do the work orare you just going to keep
telling me you don't like ithere and not do what you're
supposed to do and then ask whyyou're here?
You can't find out why you'rehere if you don't go do what
you're supposed to do.
Y'all, I'm just making space tojust be like, not produce, not
(21:44):
perform, not pretend, just be,and it's just not always loud.
Being is not always loud.
It's sometimes quiet.
I told y'all it's messy, but Iknow it's intentional.
It is so intentional and wejust have to make sure that we
hold space for thatintentionality.
So, listen, if you arelistening right now, I need you
(22:04):
to share the podcast with yourbesties, your friends, your
go-getters, those building onpurpose.
So, if you're listening rightnow, feeling stretched or
feeling like you're watchingeveryone else be further than
you, feeling like your timing isoff, feeling like the
opportunities are here, but soare the obstacles, because the
obstacles will always be there Ineed you to hear me.
(22:27):
You are not behind.
And the more patient you getwith the process, the more
powerful the results will be.
So just don't rush it, try notto compare and don't abort
mission before it gets ready,because I just know, like we
(22:47):
can't keep folding, we can't bepivoting before the time.
Right, it is okay to pivot, butit's not okay to give up on you
.
So observe, align and move whenit's time.
And when that time comes, Ipromise you will appreciate the
fact that you took control ofallowing the process to just
(23:12):
happen.
Not taking control of theprocess, but allowing it to
unfold in front of you, becausethe fruit will be an undeniable
quality fruit.
Right, it will be sweet, itwon't be rotten, it won't be too
unripe I couldn't even think ofthe word right, it won't be
(23:33):
those things.
It will be ready.
But I want you to know in themeantime, I want you to stay
connected.
Follow me at Workplace TherapyExperience.
So Workplace workplace therapyexperience on Instagram.
Subscribe on YouTube, subscribeat Redefining the Future you on
YouTube so that, as thesevideos pop out, when they start
(23:55):
popping, you can be able to seethe clips on Instagram and
you'll be able to see the wholevideo on YouTube.
And, of course, come to the nextevent, Be in the rooms that
stretch you because, even whenit feels hard, everything
necessary for your becoming ishappening right now.
The guests are coming, theconversations are happening, the
(24:17):
vision is already confirmed,the timing, that part, that part
is in God's hand, but we'rebuilding it together.
So stay ready, stay groundedand, above all else, give
yourself permission to growquietly until the world can't
help Ooh, child, they can't helpbut notice you.
I need you to do that.
(24:38):
I love y'all.
I'll see y'all soon on video.
Keep building.
Keep building, sometimesquietly, sometimes observing,
but definitely align, definitelywith pressure, like putting in
that pressure, that work, thataction, and just know sometimes
we got to juggle the building,the parenting, the becoming and
(25:00):
transforming, because it allhappens in God's timing, not
ours.
Speaker 1 (25:06):
We hope you caught all those gems.
So here for all of it.
Be sure to subscribe so thatyou don't miss a gem.
Write a review so that we knowto keep bringing you episodes
like this.
And check us out online atitsthehumanexperiencecom to keep
up with us.
Keep growing and glowing.
Catch you on the next episode.
Welcome to.
It's the Human ExperiencePodcast Hosted by Hazel Brown, a
healthcare leader, wife, momand career coach.
If you're big on authenticity,personal development,
perseverance and transparency,you're in the right place.
Get ready to be uplifted,inspired and empowered as you
(00:23):
become fearless in pursuit ofthe life you desire and deserve.
Our goal is to help you levelup by creating a safe space to
learn and reflect, whilelistening to transparent stories
from our host or successfulprofessionals and business
owners who've agreed to sharethe parts of success that
typically gets X'd out on socialmedia, because that's the part
(00:46):
you need to see and hear theprocess.
Go ahead and subscribe.
You don't want to miss out onthese transparent stories and
discussions that reveal highs,lows, aha moments and nuggets
that'll help you to grow andglow.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Hey, hey, hey.
You are now tuned in to theit's the Human Experience
podcast.
I'm your host, hazel Brown, andyou're probably like girl, who
you got on today Because yousure told us that you're about
to bring the guests on.
And, trust me, they're coming.
They're coming, the clips areclipping, the conversations are
(01:33):
conversing, but the release it'sjust not time yet.
The truth is, I realized that Iwas supposed to be loading the
clip, yet here I was.
I was firing the shots Typicalme In hindsight, I see that.
But sometimes we're goingthrough so much, so much grief,
so much loss, so much change, somuch transition, so much
(02:01):
uncertainty, that we're tryingto take control instead of being
fully surrendered.
I know I'm not alone.
I know I'm not alone In thethick of it.
I just thought it was time toshare, I thought it was time to
go, and sometimes we do that,even when you think you're ready
, we don't realize that we'reactually not ready.
It's not go time.
It's not go time.
You are still in yourstretching season.
(02:22):
There's still more to learntime.
You are still in yourstretching season.
There's still more to learn,there's still more to discern
and it's okay to not perform.
And today I just wanted to talkabout that.
I wanted to talk about thestretch, the stretch season.
Like when you're in the midstof it, it's like you want
something to work out, so badand the quality of the
experience.
It won't be what it's supposedto be, but you're like it's go
(02:46):
time, sometimes unknowingly, butjust know the impact won't be
what it's supposed to be if yougo before the time.
That's why it's so important tobe around people who get it,
who help you feel grounded,because this uncomfortable
season where life is on the rise, like you know it, you feel it,
(03:07):
you see what God is doing, theopportunities are showing up,
but so are the challenges, soare the delays.
So is a part of the journeythat nobody wants to post about,
and yet every single part of itis necessary for where you
truly want to live and be Likeliving the life God called you
(03:30):
to live.
I was calling it the messymiddle and it's like no, I'm not
really in the messy middle asmuch.
I am truly being stretched.
I'm truly being taught to thinkoutside the box.
I'm truly being taught toreprogram myself from performing
for always having the lightswitch on.
(03:51):
And I want to be very honest,because it's very necessary to
share this moment with you,because, when life is rising and
opportunities are expanding,I'm in rooms I once prayed for.
Things are happening that Iwished for, I hope for, I pray
for.
(04:11):
But, if I can be honest with you, it's still hard.
It's stretching me in ways Ididn't expect.
It's bringing up things Ithought I was done with, and if
you've ever felt like you'refinally starting to pick up the
pace, but everything just startshitting you at the same time, I
want you to lean in here,because this is for you.
(04:32):
It's wild, right, it's so wild.
How can everything be goingright and wrong at the same time
?
Everything looks like it'saligning, doors are opening and
then boom, an L Life hits youwith like the most inconvenient,
frustrating the not yet Y'all.
(04:55):
I got into a whole accidentrecently, not because I wasn't
paying attention, but because Iguess I'm so heavy on taking my
L's up front that you know Iclearly got that L right and I
wanted to really move quickly.
I wanted to get things done andin that moment it's like I just
(05:15):
reflected on how heavy I'malways about taking my L's up
front right and I'm like oh okay, god, we in the rising season,
you just gave me my L.
I know we're on up because I'mheavy on getting my L's up front
, but what I'm learning is thatGod doesn't rush.
His timing isn't based on myimpatience, it's just based on
(05:36):
alignment.
So, yes, I'm planning myOctober event workplace therapy
in Las Vegas.
I'm growing my business.
Y'all, I'm growing my business.
There are so many things I'mdoing behind the scenes with my
business.
So many downloads.
I'm getting mentally from Godabout the things I'm supposed to
(05:58):
be doing at my next level andmy next iteration of the
stretching season.
I'm parenting.
Listen, it's summertime, I amheavy in parent mode.
I'm a chauffeur on all thethings.
I'm managing clients.
I'm helping people grow theirown podcast.
I'm helping people grow intheir corporate careers, like
(06:21):
reviewing resumes, reallyproviding feedback, helping
people to really just optimizetheir growth plan.
And I love it here, right,because previously I would do a
lot of like done for youservices around helping people
to get higher positions, whetherdirector position, manager
positions or what have you.
(06:41):
And those same clients, eventhough I'm not advertising any
of it anymore, they're comingback and they're like, okay, I
recommended this person becausenow I'm the director of this.
Now I'm working for thiscompany and I'm like I'm not
even advertising that guy.
But you know, what's funny is Idon't have to push it at all
because they're coming to me asreferrals, so it's so easy.
(07:03):
And I say that like it hasn'tbeen a thing, like literally I
don't advertise my careercoaching business.
I haven't Like.
At one point I used to post afew videos on Instagram under
Redefining the Future.
You and I would post theselittle like reminders about how
you belong and how you deserveto take up space and tips for
(07:23):
you to negotiate your pay andall the things.
But that was very short livedbecause a lot of my clients were
doing so well and were able toget the jobs that they wanted to
, where they just startedreferring people to me.
And it's funny because it's thesame way in which I manage
clients and helping people growtheir podcasts.
Like you've never once heard meshare on this podcast after 80
(07:46):
something episodes.
Hey, if you guys are listeningand you love this and you wanna
create your own podcast, reachout to me, hazel Brown, so I can
manage your podcast.
Like not once you can go backand listen to every episode.
I don't do any of that.
Like I just recently startedsharing workplace therapy events
(08:06):
with y'all because I recognize,like Hazel, these podcasts are
virtual, for people to do whenthey're on the road home
stretching, doing whatever it isthat you're doing.
But you want to be able to beintentional about stretching and
growing in your life and havingreal, authentic conversations
and I'm like that's what we doat Workplace Therapy.
(08:28):
Why are you not telling peoplethat you have in-person events?
So now I'm starting torecognize, like sweetheart, you
kind of share that.
Like you are really leaving alot on the table.
Like the impact that you'remaking the people that are
reaching out and telling youabout what episodes touched them
, like they can get thisin-person experience.
So like, why are you notsharing that?
(08:48):
But I share all that to say isthat I have a lot going on and
let me be real for a minute.
I'm still peaking at nine tofive opportunities.
Like, girl, make it make sense.
I know you're probably like bro, what you doing.
Like, why are you still lookingfor nine to fives?
You know you share to trust thetiming of your life.
God is intentional and you'renot supposed to be doing that.
(09:09):
But I'm going to be real.
I love having a stable income.
I love making sure that, nomatter how many clients I have,
what events I'm planning, howthe podcast is doing, how my
husband's income is doing, I amcomfortable in knowing that I
have a secure income and I don'thave to be around the corner
from homelessness.
There's just something aboutthat security mentally that is
(09:33):
so good.
And then also, within that sameframe, I want to share that
I've also recognized that isplaying for the crumbs Instead
of the whole bread, instead ofthe whole loaf, instead of the
whole aisle.
I am playing for crumbs and Irecognize having 20 plus years
(09:53):
of experience in healthcaremanagement, being a patient and
having the experience tounderstand what patients are
going through, having made somany changes in operations and
around company culture, aroundthe experience for patients and
truly making sure that peoplereally are able to have a
quality experience within thehealthcare field separately,
(10:14):
helping people find careers thatthey love and that they're
getting the pay that theydeserve to, where they're more
fulfilled, where they'remarrying in, essentially, my
business and my career together,like I've done the thing, and
it's so interesting that, evenwith the receipts, even with all
the testimonials that you couldfind if you go on my website
(10:36):
like I still am, like God, justgive me a nine to five though,
just give it back to me thoughright, and I have to keep
reminding myself, likesweetheart, if you're making,
whatever it is that you'remaking, right, you could be
making that in a month.
That's what one of my friendsjust told me.
(10:57):
She said Hazel, I pray thatthat six figure salary that you
just lost becomes six-figuremonths, guys.
That's why the circle that youkeep is so important, because,
it's true, I'm playing forcrumbs instead of playing for
(11:17):
the whole loaf, even a wholeslice.
Listen, we're going to takeover the bread aisle soon, right
, but are you playing for crumbs?
Are you trying to rush thingsfor it to get better, faster,
but you don't care about thequality in which that experience
for your life is your lifeexperience, right?
(11:37):
So it's so real.
Do you care about the qualityof the life experience?
Like, why are you going to bein the field playing in the dirt
, trying to build something, putthe seeds in, make it harvest,
only to ruin the soil?
Because you're rushing it?
Because now we got to wait tillnext season to plant again.
(11:59):
Why are we planting in the nextseason, where we're in the
middle of the stretching season?
Make this stretching seasoncount, don't rush it.
I don't know how many people dorelaxers, but if you rush a
relaxer, if you rush the waythat you do anything, the
results won't be optimal.
So why are you rushing the waythat things should be happening
(12:20):
in your life?
Guys?
This isn't just for you, it'sfor me too, and at the same time
, I'm just trying to be, notproduce, not force, like
literally just be, and maybeyou're there too.
Like, let me say, beingstretched feels hard.
Being around people who arefurther than you, ahead of you,
(12:42):
that can feel hard too.
Stepping in rooms where youdon't feel ready, that can feel
like exposure, though.
Right, that's what it feelslike exposure, and the reason
why I share that is because somepeople tell me that they don't
come to my events because theydon't like being around people
that are way ahead of them, andI'm here to share that.
(13:04):
We are all living the sameexperience, no matter where you
are.
We are all trying to become thebest versions of ourselves.
We are all trying to be ourauthentic version of ourselves.
We are all trying to root foreach other, and when I say we
are all, I mean everyone in mycommunity, everyone that comes
(13:24):
to my events.
I cannot vouch for the wholeworld.
I can only vouch for people whorecognize that this is a space
to be in.
But listen, exposure isn'tpunishment, it's preparation and
everything uncomfortable youfeel in these moments.
It's in your spirit, stretchingto catch up to your purpose.
And here is the thing.
(13:45):
Like, here is the thing, thingI would say, like here's my big
one, right?
If you want to live the lifeGod called you to live, if you
want peace, alignment andoverflow, overflow, then the
stretch is required, the pruningis required, the patience is
(14:06):
required and the community isreally a non-negotiable, because
having those people where Icould text if I want to go grab
lunch with, if I want to just bearound and be a representation
of the fact that real peopleexist, who are rooting for you,
who are not judging you, whowant you to win, who are healing
(14:27):
also, it's a game changer.
You got to take your time tomake sure they are your dreams,
your goals and you're doing thethings that matter for you.
But you got to come out yourshell sometimes.
You got to be around people.
That's going to help you seethe thing.
So you know you could be thething, because there's no reason
(14:49):
to be in your shell and decidethat you're not enough when you
are.
God gave you the vision, hehelped you to see that you
should be doing it, and he'salready ordained for it to be
yours.
And that's what happens whenyou're around people who want to
see the version of you.
God already called you andconfirmed you to be, even when
(15:11):
you don't fully see it yet.
Let me tell you something thattook me a long time to admit.
For so long, I made sure I wasalways the sharpest cookie in
the room, the most prepared, themost polished, the one with the
answers, the one who lookedlike she had it all together.
Cause I do, cause I do Listen,but I'm human, like I don't have
(15:33):
all the answers, I don't haveeverything.
I am an expert in the area thatI'm an expert in, but I am not
a jack of all trades, master ofnone.
I master the things I masterand the things that I don't
master.
I rely on the experts to helpme get things done, and I think
(15:53):
we have to do better at feelinglike we have to wear every hat,
we have to do everything and weneed to be polished in every
area.
We are not going to be a masterof everything.
We are going to be the masterof our gifts, the things that
God gave us, because all it doesit blocks your blessings.
It blocks your blessing whenyou're trying to be the mostest
(16:17):
and the mostest.
Be a student, be okay withlearning, because when you're
always trying to be the mostprepared, the most impressive,
the most whatever right, themost together, you never leave
the room poured into, you neverleave the room being stretched,
being taught or even beingsurprised by what God is doing,
(16:38):
because you're just a poor andlisten.
It's okay to be in places thatare different.
Is it okay to be in a placewhere you are the person pouring
?
Absolutely.
But it's as equally importantfor you to be in rooms where you
don't know everything.
It's okay to sit at tableswhere you're not the expert but
you're the student.
(16:59):
That doesn't mean you'reunqualified.
It just means you're growing inother areas.
You're stretching in otherareas or you're stretching in
the areas that you are theexpert in, because there are new
things to be able to learn andsome of the biggest blessings
you're praying for they'rehidden in the rules that you
need to be humble in right, thehumble us.
(17:22):
They're wrapping thoserelationships that challenge you
.
They're tucked in the momentsthat make you feel out of place.
Oh, my God, so many of thesemoments.
But God says you belong there.
So what are you going to do?
Stop blocking your blessings,trying to be the sharpest cookie
in every space.
Like, just be open to beingteachable, to being aligned,
(17:45):
like.
That's where the next levellives, and I promise you you
don't have to perform your wayinto purpose.
But you got to be willing togrow, we got to be transparent.
I've been guilty of wanting tolet y'all in on things before.
It was time as it relates togetting these guests in right,
I'm so excited about it.
(18:05):
But just that announcing thatplanning and producing.
Planning and producing isimportant, without having to
announce everything.
And I don't know if it's socialmedia, and I didn't even
realize that social media had mewrapped up in this little, you
know, trying to announce things.
But what I realized is there'spower in building quietly,
(18:29):
there's wisdom in observingfirst, there's peace in just
like aligning before you makethe moves.
And I had to learn it the hardway.
Like within life, withinbusiness, within relationships,
like sometimes we're so, we'reso ready to pull the trigger,
not just in terms of likeperforming, but also in terms of
(18:49):
like cutting things off.
And, yeah, like the new videoepisodes and new projects, my
new clients, the things that I'mdoing, they're so important but
they're going to drop when thefoundation is solid, when I'm
solid because I'm not rushingsuccess.
It's just not sustainable thatway and it makes no sense to do
(19:10):
things that are going to put youin a place to where you are
rushing and you're trying to putthings.
You know what they say, puttingsquares in the circles, like
we're not doing that, we're notdoing that.
And listen, I know I'm not theonly one.
Some of y'all are forcingtimelines God never gave you.
Some of you guys are chasingnext without mastering.
(19:33):
Now, and I have to say it withlove, because I've been there,
I'm still learning it myself andI wouldn't be doing my job in
this podcast if I wasn't honestabout my journey but also
getting you to reflect on yourown journey to see what it is
that we have a hand in in termsof why things are not as
(19:56):
fruitful as they should be.
Did we rush our harvest?
Did we damage the soil?
Like what did we do?
Because we have a hand in theway our life shows up and just
like that crime episode in termsof reflecting and really
looking at the role we play inour lives.
I want you guys to do that.
(20:16):
I do it so heavily for me, andI'm being so transparent and
vulnerable with you because, aswe were talking to different
people, we're hearing differentperspectives and we're seeing
the growth I want to make sureyou mastered you in your season,
in your current season.
So, yeah, I'm just stillimperfect, still growing into
(20:39):
the version of myself that makesthe most sense right now
managing my clients, parentingover the summer oh my God, I had
to circle back on that.
Growing this business isstretching me.
Planning my October workplacetherapy event I'm wrestling with
the idea of nine to five.
Still, though, we're going tohave to work that out for me.
(20:59):
I'm trying to lose weight by my40th birthday on August 17th,
but I'm serious.
I've started my detox.
I started the things.
Listen, I'm trying to loseweight by my 40th birthday on
August 17th, but I'm serious,I've started my detox.
I started the things.
Listen, I'm so excited about it.
And then I'm also networking ina new city and, above all else,
yeah, I'm not even going to sitin that too much because I'm
trying to go to my networkingevent.
I'm trying to do what I need todo because I did pause.
(21:21):
I paused because I'm like God,I don't even like it here and
it's like girl, shush Shush, Ibrought you here for a reason.
Are you going to do the work orare you just going to keep
telling me you don't like ithere and not do what you're
supposed to do and then ask whyyou're here?
You can't find out why you'rehere if you don't go do what
you're supposed to do.
Y'all, I'm just making space tojust be like, not produce, not
(21:44):
perform, not pretend, just be,and it's just not always loud.
Being is not always loud.
It's sometimes quiet.
I told y'all it's messy, but Iknow it's intentional.
It is so intentional and wejust have to make sure that we
hold space for thatintentionality.
So, listen, if you arelistening right now, I need you
(22:04):
to share the podcast with yourbesties, your friends, your
go-getters, those building onpurpose.
So, if you're listening rightnow, feeling stretched or
feeling like you're watchingeveryone else be further than
you, feeling like your timing isoff, feeling like the
opportunities are here, but soare the obstacles, because the
obstacles will always be there Ineed you to hear me.
(22:27):
You are not behind.
And the more patient you getwith the process, the more
powerful the results will be.
So just don't rush it, try notto compare and don't abort
mission before it gets ready,because I just know, like we
(22:47):
can't keep folding, we can't bepivoting before the time.
Right, it is okay to pivot, butit's not okay to give up on you
.
So observe, align and move whenit's time.
And when that time comes, Ipromise you will appreciate the
fact that you took control ofallowing the process to just
(23:12):
happen.
Not taking control of theprocess, but allowing it to
unfold in front of you, becausethe fruit will be an undeniable
quality fruit.
Right, it will be sweet, itwon't be rotten, it won't be too
unripe I couldn't even think ofthe word right, it won't be
(23:33):
those things.
It will be ready.
But I want you to know in themeantime, I want you to stay
connected.
Follow me at Workplace TherapyExperience.
So Workplace workplace therapyexperience on Instagram.
Subscribe on YouTube, subscribeat Redefining the Future you on
YouTube so that, as thesevideos pop out, when they start
(23:55):
popping, you can be able to seethe clips on Instagram and
you'll be able to see the wholevideo on YouTube.
And, of course, come to the nextevent, Be in the rooms that
stretch you because, even whenit feels hard, everything
necessary for your becoming ishappening right now.
The guests are coming, theconversations are happening, the
(24:17):
vision is already confirmed,the timing, that part, that part
is in God's hand, but we'rebuilding it together.
So stay ready, stay groundedand, above all else, give
yourself permission to growquietly until the world can't
help Ooh, child, they can't helpbut notice you.
I need you to do that.
(24:38):
I love y'all.
I'll see y'all soon on video.
Keep building.
Keep building, sometimesquietly, sometimes observing,
but definitely align, definitelywith pressure, like putting in
that pressure, that work, thataction, and just know sometimes
we got to juggle the building,the parenting, the becoming and
(25:00):
transforming, because it allhappens in God's timing, not
ours.
Speaker 1 (25:06):
We hope you caught all those gems.
So here for all of it.
Be sure to subscribe so thatyou don't miss a gem.
Write a review so that we knowto keep bringing you episodes
like this.
And check us out online atitsthehumanexperiencecom to keep
up with us.
Keep growing and glowing.
Catch you on the next episode.
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