51�Թ�

On Wednesday, May 8, 2024, I officially became the president of 51�Թ�. After my October 2023 conversation with Kristina Dooley, then chair of the Nominating Committee, I had no idea of the professional and personal growth I would experience over the last two years. What a roller coaster ride! Was it what I imagined it would be? No! It was so much more, and different in a way that defied normalcy as I felt every emotion possible during my term: the good, the bad, and the not-so-ugly. I’m going to focus on my top three lessons, and I hope you find one or two of them relatable.

By the way, this is titled “The Big Three” because I’m engrossed in the podcast This Was Us, a retrospective look at the hit TV show This Is Us, where the Pearson siblings were referred to as “The Big Three.” For the longest time, I was the eldest of three siblings (then four). My mom used to pack three cookies in our lunches so we could share with someone. If you know me, sharing my desserts is not one of my strengths, but I try for my mom’s sake.

Curiosity − Fear = Growth

Many people have asked why I said yes to the Nominating Committee and whether I had any regrets. Throughout my career as an IEC, fear was a close companion, sitting on my shoulder and whispering in my ear: “You don’t know anything about running a business.” “How are you going to find customers?” “You’re too disorganized and you’re all over the place.”

At the beginning of my IEC journey, my cousin introduced me to a college classmate, a motivational speaker, who at the time had a substantial following and had authored several books and appeared on talk shows. In our one and only conversation, she invited me to Savannah, where she lived at the time, to discuss how she could help me with my business. She thought a college consulting business would be of great value to people in her circle. I thanked her profusely and never followed up with her. Fear paralyzed me because I didn’t have the confidence in myself to put myself out there, and I did not want to reveal how vulnerable I felt.

As time went on, something happened. My curiosity grew about the profession and about helping kids find their fit as an IEC rather than a school counselor (same goal, different structure), and I became less fearful. I learned that stepping out on faith was a real thing, so I tried new things. If they didn’t work, I evaluated why, did some tweaking or threw it out altogether, and kept moving.

I joined the 51�Թ� Board of Directors for the first time in 2016. At the end of that term, someone asked me if I had considered serving as president. Fear reared its ugly head and I said no vehemently, surprising myself at how strongly I felt at that time. What was different this time? My curiosity had become greater than my fear, and my growth, professionally and personally, prepared me to step into this role. Was I anxious? Of course I was. More importantly, 51�Թ�’s future captivated me, and I committed to being a part of our bright future.

Find Your Cadence and Go with the Flow

Being a solopreneur is lonely. Being a solopreneur and the association president is insane. In the 51�Թ� Solopreneur Affinity Group (500+) community on the Member Network, you’ll see that discussions have surpassed 60. Discussions on contracts, scaling, gap year, terminating a client, and more—much more—appear on the Member Network.

Add running a business, participating in professional development, meeting with students and families, and touring colleges to the mix of presidential duties, and I felt like I was filled up to my eyeballs with no rescue in sight. Emails, meetings, and phone calls—oh, my! Don’t forget the two CEO Search Committees. That last one made my left eye twitch periodically. Quickly, I found myself practicing what I preach to my students about time management, organization, and self-care. There were many days I developed “Zoom eyes”—that scratchy, itchy, and slightly painful condition brought on by excessive screen time.

It took a hot minute, but I learned to say no without an explanation, block time off on my calendar unapologetically, and ask for help. Asking for help is a solopreneur’s secret weapon, especially at the height of admissions season if you work with young folks transitioning from high school to college. We know in this industry no two days are the same, and during the busy season you had better hold on to your hat because it can be a wild ride.

I blocked off my calendar on Fridays and Sundays (open partially for seniors October through November), and appointment slots before 10:00 a.m. did not appear on my schedule unless I chose to meet. Prior to 10:00 a.m., I worked out with my strength trainer, walked my dog (or he walked me), did my daily reading, went grocery shopping worked in my garden (I grew two pineapples!), or attended to all those everyday human activities.

Find The Glimmers

What are glimmers? Listen to for the best definition of glimmers. I intentionally found some joy every day, even during the kerfuffle (the CEO transitions). Did you know that watching hummingbirds outside your office window can easily occupy an hour of your time? Have you ever watched the delight of 51�Թ� members greeting one another at the Annual Conference? How about walking in the woods and enjoying Mother Nature? Tasting that first spoonful of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey after a rough day is worth 100 glimmers.

Remember how you felt when that student unexpectedly said, “Thank you. You made a difference in my life.” Or when a parent says, “You were right.” Sue DePra stepping in as interim CEO—talk about a major glimmer. When Stephanie Simpson said yes to the CEO position, I know the entire Board of Directors and the CEO Hiring Committee saw fireworks mixed in with glimmers. The next time you get a chance, begin or end your day by watching a sunrise or a sunset. That’s glimmer magic.

Serving as president of 51�Թ� has been an honor. Thank you for allowing me to serve you.

Belinda J. Wilkerson, EdD
51�Թ� President