Tracey S. Yang is a thought leader, business owner, and author. Her desire to influence positive change in the lives of others is the reason why she currently writes, which her written work has appeared in several online magazines.
Her past experiences and Christian background are some inspirations for her current work. Tracey S. Yang wrote her first book as a co-author for the publication company, Motivation Champs, which was released in February 2019. Additionally, she has appeared in several podcasts, television shows, and other forms of press.
The book that she wrote in participation with other prominent women is called Power Up, Super Women: Stories of Courage and Empowerment.
Where did you get your inspiration for writing your book?
My enjoyment of writing began during the time I developed a chronic illness in 2015. Stuck in bed for over a year, I began to self-reflect a lot about life. Through these self-reflections, I began transferring these thoughts onto paper. Then, I organized these thoughts into the form of motivational quotes in hopes that it might inspire others to live their best life. These motivational quotes is actually what attracted the attention of my publisher, Motivation Champs, to invite me to contribute as a co-author for the book Power Up, Super Women: Stories of Courage and Empowerment. Much of my inspiration for my written work today comes from the past experiences that I have encountered.
Power Up, Super Women: Stories of Courage and Empowerment. Tell us what we can expect to find in your book when reading.
Power Up, Super Women: Stories of Courage and Empowerment is a book centered on and around women’s empowerment. In our book, we have authors located from across the globe, and each of these chapters highlight different prominent women who have overcome adversity in some way. Each person reading our stories will find it to be motivational and also inspirational.
Can you give us two pieces of advice from your book to our readers?
In my chapter titled Success Comes from Trying, I discuss two main components. The first part of my chapter I discuss the importance of persistence. When practicing persistence, I also explain how imperative it is to learn from failure. Here is a segment that came from my part in the book.
“It is important to learn from our past mistakes, and then the next step is to continue onward, concentrating on the things we do correctly.” (Page 43).
In the second section of my chapter, I discuss the importance of seeing ourselves objectively and truthfully. I discuss how imperative it is for one to not listen to either the lies that others tell us or the lies that our inner self tells. The following is a statement from the second part of my chapter.
“Lies are not an accurate representation of who we are as individuals. Without clarity, truth cannot be obtained in us. Lacking clarity allows lies to keep us stagnant in life because clarity is the trait that guides us. However, with truth, we are capable of seeing reality objectively.” (Page 44-45).
For success to materialize, it’s important for us to see ourselves with clarity and with truth.
What is a skill you think all women should learn and why?
Confidence is a beneficial trait to possess. In fact, many who are successful have this particular personality trait. The truth is that many people are often attracted to this trait, which then will lead this particular person toward achieving more success. If I am to advise women in learning something of value, then this is what I would suggest.
My co-author and friend, Nicole Jansen, who is the CEO of Discover the Edge, stated the following from within her chapter of Power Up, Super Women: Stories of Courage and Empowerment.
“Are you speaking confidence and life into your soul, or are you beating yourself up for your shortcomings? The happiest, most joyful people on earth have shortcomings. We all do. The difference is what they say to themselves. If your best friend talked to you the way you talked to yourself, would they still be your friend? Change your words; change your life.” (Page 53).
To become more confident, it starts from within. Similar to what Nicole Jansen is saying, it is important for us to change our internal dialog. How we talk to ourselves matters and when we change our thoughts, our confidence for ourselves will naturally follow.
How can women become aware of their potential sooner?
Be open to learning, and get rid of self-limiting beliefs. For success to occur, I often find those who are at the top constantly pushing themselves to learn. They are the ones who are reading books. They are the ones who invest in themselves by taking online courses, paying for business consultation, watching webinars, going to seminars, and asking questions.
My co-author, Amy C. Waninger and CEO of Lead at any Level, stated this from her chapter.
“The ability to learn is a valuable skill all by itself. When you think you need to know everything to get started, you’re likely to get overwhelmed. Where would you even begin? Even if you did know everything, your knowledge would quickly become obsolete. Guess what? No one knows everything, and you won’t either. Here’s the one thing all experts know that you don’t: they’re still learning too.” (Page 96).
If you want to improve your awareness of what your potential is, then be open to learning. Also, surround yourself around those that will speak life, positivity, and encouragement into you as well.
What are your current areas of focus?
My main areas of focus include my writing, my new book, and my videography business called Kyo Production. I have done many podcasts and television appearances, but I plan on expanding my speaking career as well. I’m also open to invitations to speak at conferences or events.
What is one piece of advice that has impacted you the most?
Practicing self-care is what has been helpful to me. While having empathetic traits is admirable, it does no good if it’s done at the expense of one’s self. To be able to function, our needs also have to be honored as well. My co-author, Sarika Bhakta, who is a diversity and inclusion coach, stated the following from her chapter.
“What connects us, especially as women, is having tendencies to primarily put our family, work, and community first, often times at our own expense. This spans all cultures! Serving others, taking care of loved ones, and having a sense of duty are great traits to possess, yet we need to have self-preservation.” (Page 78).
It is true that some women do have tendencies to want to put others before themselves, but when we don’t take care of ourselves, we can’t take care of anyone due to us eventually being unable to function. In the end, practicing self-care not only helps us to thrive, but it helps others as well. For caretakers and others who naturally possess high amounts of empathy, reading this blog post can help. http://traceysyang.com/Empathy-cannot-be-constant/
Practicing this advice when younger would have improved my over all health and well-being.
What has been your key (or keys) to success?
Our mindset is a huge influencer upon one’s success. I’m constantly learning and unlearning negative untrue aspects or beliefs that hold me back. I’m constantly changing and growing, and I am comfortable with the uncomfortable, which being comfortable with the uncomfortable allows growth to become more abundant for the self. Also, my Christian faith has been a positive influence for me as well.
What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?
In my part of the chapter I stated the following, “Each time we experience a setback, it is essential to look at what occurred adequately, efficiently, honestly, and also rationally. Along with this, it is imperative that we ask ourselves these questions, “What did I do wrong in this situation?” “What did I do right?” Then we must improve upon these occurrences. Self-evaluation prepares us to try again with experience.” (Page 43).
In my section of the book, I discuss a time when I was an exchange student overseas. During my first time living abroad, I experienced bullying from the foreigners located there. Due to the stress, my grades declined. In the end, I ended up leaving that language school, but I did not give up. I persisted, and I tried again at another language school located in Tokyo. In this environment, I succeeded. After that previous failure, I met a New York Times writer on a plane flight. During our conversation, he asked me to write for The Japan Times. The article that was published ended up featuring me instead, but the collaboration on the project was still an enjoyable experience for me. If I had not of persisted after failing, then none of that would have happened. We can always learn from the past, and sometimes these situations can lead us toward an unexpected success when we decide to try again. For more information on the effects of bullying that has on a target, I wrote this blog post here. http://traceysyang.com/Bullying-damages-the-brain/
What steps do you take when you want to get through a less of a good business day?
When problems arise, self-reflection is needed. This brings to mind one particular example. For example, in business, a client complaint is an excellent time to inspire growth within your company. Many times clients complain because they feel like their needs are not being met. Offering a sympathetic ear and making the client feel heard can go a long way in resolving any kind of conflict. When conflict arises, fix any mistakes that your company has constructed. If, after self-reflection, you find to have no error in your actions, then it’s important to defend you or your company by any legal means necessary.
However, if you or your company has made some errors, then it’s important to problem solve in order to improve whatever system processes need to be readjusted. The readjusted system processes can improve future customer relations. If the problem stems from certain frustrations that come from tasks or objects not working as efficiently, then the next step to take is to problem solve until a solution is met.
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