Tell us about yourself, who is Crystal Simmons?
I’m rediscovering my connection with nature, childhood activities, and passion-filled adventures in order to live my best-curated life. I’m the middle daughter of three women that grew up in Virginia. These days you can catch me consciously redefining and shaking the “good girl” label off in order to uncover my truest values, engage my curiosity and expand my many purposes.
Hence my company’s name, Crystal Clear Purposes. We are ALL more than ONE thing and we can change our minds if that current purpose no longer serves us in the best way. Growing up I would quietly observe others rather than participate in hopes to avoid those truthful and uncomfortable conversations when sharing my unique perspectives.
That has CLEARly changed over the years. 😉
What inspired you to launch Crystal Clear Purposes & tell our readers exactly what Crystal Clear Purposes is all about?
Crystal Clear Purposes was launched to honor “little Crystal” who has always been a part of my life’s journey but was silenced far too long. I started off as a Radiology Instructor and Administrator where I experienced firsthand the cost of voices not being heard in organizations. Working long hours, striving to train and empower my team of 50+, but running into roadblocks at every front left me hopeless.
Leadership didn’t want to hear about employee dissatisfaction, and unsafe conditions, and shut me down when I attempted to shine a light to improve the situation for everyone. Their answer was to work harder, work longer hours, and to shut up. In 2019 I decided to leave this 10+ career shortly after one of my employees suffered greatly from this work/life imbalance- and I’m making it my goal to prevent similar tragedies in other workplaces.
In my one-on-one work, I coach individual contributors and business leaders to discover their authentic voice, and speak up to effect change in their worlds. Guiding clients to explore what it is that they really want, and walking them through how to make the necessary steps to bring that desire to life.
My corporate work helps businesses analyze where they are having communication breakdowns from one level to the next, trains leaders on how to invite feedback, and how to implement real change.
TLDR: I empower my clients (1:1 or corporate clients) to speak uncomfortable truths that everyone is too afraid to say, but make the biggest difference when brought to light. I also speak on topics of leadership, effective communications, and discovering your path.
What has been your most significant achievement to date?
Hands down it is honoring myself, my thoughts, and my desires to trust that faith will lead me to my purposes. Even when I have doubtful moments, fearful thoughts, and not feeling understood, having that bigger picture that labels, jobs, or statuses will never define who I am and what I am capable of.
Only I can do that.
If you could time travel back to day one of your startup, and have 15mins with your former self to communicate any lessons you’ve acquired with the intention of saving yourself mistakes and heartache, what would you tell yourself?
On the path to becoming a certified coach, I have had the privilege to understand myself on a deeper level by increasing my awareness of habits, assumptions, and doubts in order to move forward in spite of their presence.
I would spend the entire 15 minutes running through a highlight reel of experiences and perspectives that showed me what I was capable of AND what makes me ME.
My humor
My inquisitiveness
My courage
My intuitive abilities
My logic
My determination
My energy
My light
And remind myself that we all are doing our best and even if that best falls short, there are no mistakes!
How do you conquer those moments of doubt that so often stifle or trip or stop so many entrepreneurs with great ideas…what pushes you through?
Fear, doubt, and shame are all human experiences. Through personal development, reflection, meditation, faith and so many other factors I may not even be aware of, I’m learning to PULL them closer and question them rather than PUSH them away because they are a part of the journey.
In life, acceptance brings about abundance, resistance brings about refusal.
Ask yourself, is this helping or hurting me?
What 2022 goals are working towards for yourself & Crystal Clear Purposes?
I’m already ahead of track to obtaining 3 coaching certifications by Dec 2022 in order to better support, guide, and empower my coaching clients in their lives, purpose, and overall well-being.
The “UnStuck Yourself with Crystal Simmons” podcast was launched Dec 201 and has been a journey like no other so the goal is to empower, connect and invite those that take the time to listen to give themselves permission to tap into their “little’s” and rediscover what lights them up and provides peace, freedom and hope to then show up energized and excited to love on themselves, their family and being present at work.
What book(s) have you read that you would consider life-changing? How did they help you evolve?
What does wellness mean to you & what does your wellness routine currently consist of?
Wellness means me BEING rather than DOING. I’m human so I get stuck from time to time but my list of “reset” pleasure activities are always available to bring me back to ME.
Daily guided meditation (which I’m still learning, even when my brain is on its on the hunt for random thoughts lol)
Weekly relaxing baths
Talking honesty with my husband, family, and friends
Audiobooks
Vibing to 90’s RnB (having my own music video moments)
Cooking
Not cooking
Cleaning
Not cleaning
Leave our readers with one piece of advice.
One of my favorites, iPEC Foundational Principles is: “Each moment describes who you are and gives you the opportunity to decide if that’s who you want to be.”
So my advice is to answer the question, “Who do you want to be?” every day, every moment, and beyond.
Keep in touch with Crystal Simmons:
Website
Unstuck Yourself with Crystal Simmons podcast
Instagram
Linkedin
