Confidence Classic: Choose Faith Over Fear & Success Will Follow with Heather!
In this episode of Creating Confidence, Heather Monahan explores the path to finding one's true purpose and handling professional setbacks. She shares her personal transition from corporate America to becoming a speaker, discussing how she recognized and pursued her calling despite initial doubts. She also explains how paying attention to signs and questioning what we want from life can guide career decisions.
The episode covers strategies for navigating workplace challenges, including toxic environments and bullying. Monahan details her experience of being fired from a CRO position and how she turned this setback into an opportunity by refusing to sign a non-disparagement agreement. She offers practical advice for maintaining composure during confrontational situations and handling workplace issues professionally, from direct conversations to escalating concerns appropriately.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Sep 16, 2025 episode of the Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan
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1-Page Summary
Finding One's True Purpose and Passion in Life
Heather shares her journey of discovering her true calling as a speaker and inspirational figure. Initially working in corporate America, she found fulfillment through charity work, which unexpectedly led to speaking opportunities. At a National Association of Broadcasters event, Heather realized her passion for speaking, though she initially dismissed it as impractical. She later transitioned into professional speaking after recognizing its potential.
Heather emphasizes the importance of being open to signs from the universe or God when seeking one's purpose. She encourages listeners to question deeply what they want from life and pay attention to seemingly coincidental signs, sharing how a church bulletin's artwork matched her book idea, confirming her path as a writer.
Overcoming Adversity and Unexpected Setbacks
When Heather was fired from her CRO position in 2017, she transformed this setback into an opportunity for growth. Rather than viewing it as an ending, she saw it as a chance for rebirth and realignment with her true purpose. By refusing to sign a non-disparagement agreement, she maintained the freedom to define her own career path, leading to opportunities in writing, podcasting, and public speaking.
She emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive mindset during difficult transitions and surrounding oneself with supportive influences. Heather advocates for embracing uncertainty with excitement, viewing it as a necessary part of personal growth.
Dealing With Toxic Work Environments and Bullies
Heather recounts her experience with workplace bullying and her eventual firing, sharing how she maintained control during the confrontation. Despite her boss's attempts to manipulate the situation through various tactics, including offering a large check and positive exit memo in exchange for signing a non-disparagement agreement, Heather remained composed and professional.
She advises others facing similar situations to respond thoughtfully rather than react emotionally, suggesting phrases like "I'm confused" to maintain control in confrontational situations. When addressing workplace issues, Heather recommends starting with direct, empathetic conversations and, if necessary, escalating to HR or leadership while maintaining professionalism and self-respect throughout the process.
1-Page Summary
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Counterarguments
- While being open to signs can be helpful, it's also important to critically evaluate opportunities and not attribute every coincidence to a cosmic plan.
- Transforming a firing into a growth opportunity is admirable, but not everyone may have the resources or support to do so, and it can be a more challenging process for some.
- Maintaining a positive mindset is beneficial, but it's also normal and healthy to experience and acknowledge negative emotions during difficult times.
- Thoughtful responses are ideal in confrontational situations, but in high-stress moments, it's not always possible to control one's immediate emotional reactions.
- Direct, empathetic conversations are a good starting point for resolving workplace issues, but some toxic environments may require more formal or legal interventions to protect employees' rights and well-being.
Actionables
- You can identify your passion by volunteering in different fields and noting which activities energize you the most. Start by choosing a variety of local organizations or online platforms that need help, commit to a short period of volunteering for each, and keep a journal to reflect on which experiences make you feel the most fulfilled and why.
- Develop a habit of journaling to capture and reflect on daily occurrences that might signal your purpose. Dedicate a few minutes each evening to write down any moments or interactions that stood out to you, looking for patterns over time that may point to a deeper interest or calling.
- Create a 'growth opportunity' plan for when you face setbacks, like losing a job. This plan should include immediate stress-relief actions, such as a walk or meditation, followed by structured steps like updating your resume, reaching out to your network, and setting goals for personal development courses or projects to tackle during your transition period.
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Finding One's True Purpose and Passion in Life
Heather shares her personal journey toward finding her true calling in speaking and inspiration, emphasizing the power of being open to possibilities and listening to the signs from the universe.
Heather's Path To Finding Her Calling in Speaking and Inspiration
Heather Sought Fulfillment Through Charity Work
Heather felt unfulfilled in her corporate career, a line of work she felt only made wealthy people wealthier. In search of meaning, she turned to charity work, hopeful that this would bring her the fulfillment she was looking for. This philanthropic pursuit led to opportunities in hosting and public speaking for various charity events.
After a Speaking Event, Heather Realized Her Passion for Inspiring Others, Though She Initially Dismissed It As Unrealistic
At a National Association of Broadcasters event in Houston, Heather took the stage as an MC and discovered that she had a passion for speaking and inspiring others. Although this realization was momentous, she also doubted the practicality of speaking as a viable career and thought she needed to stick to her corporate trajectory.
Charity Work Sparked Heather's Speaking Passion
Ironically, Heather had been speaking for years in corporate America without recognizing it as a potential independent career. However, the magic she felt on stage and the clarity about her purpose led her to cold call companies, offering to speak if they purchased her books. Eventually, she delved into the professional speaking business after learning about its income potential.
Being Open to Signs and Possibilities From the Universe
Signs Guide Us To Our True Purpose, Though Often Dismissed As Impossible
Heather believes in the power of signs from the universe or God to guide us toward our true purpose. Although she was skeptical about signs, she asked God for confirmation that she was on the right path. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing when you feel a magical connection to an activity, as it may indicate your true calling.
Heather Emphasizes Openness and Questioning to Uncover Your ...
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Finding One's True Purpose and Passion in Life
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Heather's experience suggests that signs from the universe can guide us, skeptics might argue that such signs are often coincidental and that it's the human tendency to find patterns and meaning where there may be none.
- The idea that one's passion can be turned into a viable career is inspiring, but it may not be practical or achievable for everyone due to various socioeconomic factors and market demands.
- Heather's approach to finding one's calling through openness and questioning may not be suitable for individuals who thrive on structure and clear direction in their career paths.
- The concept of speaking desires into existence aligns with the law of attraction, which, although popular, lacks empirical evidence and may oversimplify complex life situations.
- The narrative that one should shed self-assigned labels could be seen ...
Actionables
- You can explore your potential passions by volunteering in diverse fields for short periods. Try a different volunteer activity each month, such as working at a food bank, assisting at an animal shelter, or helping at a local library, to see what resonates with you and could lead to a deeper interest or a new career path.
- Start a "Signs Journal" to document coincidences and signs that might point you toward your purpose. Whenever you notice something that feels like a sign, write it down, describe the context, and reflect on any feelings or thoughts it triggers. Over time, you may start to see patterns that guide you toward a particular passion or calling.
- Engage in "Label-Free Days" where you consciously avoid defining yourself by your job, so ...
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Overcoming Adversity and Unexpected Setbacks
Heather Monahan shares her personal experience of being fired and how it became a catalyst for growth and new opportunities, stressing the importance of resilience and a positive mindset in the face of adversity.
Getting Fired: Opportunities Unlocked
Heather Sees Being Fired As an Opportunity for a New Chapter
After being unexpectedly fired from her CRO position at the end of 2017, Heather Monahan viewed her termination not as an end but as a "jump off point," a once-in-a-lifetime chance for rebirth and pursuit of alignment with her true purpose. She considered being fired an opportunity to open up to new possibilities without being limited by her old job.
Heather Prompts Reflection on Job Alignment With Purpose and Passions
Reflecting on being fired led Heather to question whether she loved her previous job and whether it really was her life's purpose. She turned over the path of her life to a higher power, prompting others to consider if their former job truly aligned with their purpose and passions.
Challenges Unlock Potential and Renewal With the Right Mindset
Heather shows that adversity can unlock potential and lead to personal growth and renewal with the right mindset. By not signing a non-disparagement agreement offered to her upon being fired, she embraced the opportunity to define her own career path, which later involved writing a book, launching a podcast, and more.
Developing Resilience and a Growth Mindset
Fired, Heather Embarks on a Journey of Self-Discovery
Heather Monahan was faced with an unexpected setback when she was fired, which turned into a catalyst for self-discovery. It led her to enter the speaking business, write a book, and even give a TEDx Talk. She learned a lot about herself through challenges and mistakes post-firing.
S ...
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Overcoming Adversity and Unexpected Setbacks
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Counterarguments
- While Heather Monahan's experience suggests that being fired can lead to new opportunities, not everyone may have the resources or support to turn such a setback into a positive situation.
- The idea that adversity always leads to personal growth can be overly simplistic, as some individuals may experience significant psychological distress or financial hardship after job loss that hinders their ability to bounce back.
- The concept of trusting uncertainty and stepping into it with excitement is not universally applicable; some individuals may require more stability and predictability in their lives due to personal circumstances or responsibilities.
- The recommendation to surround oneself with positive influences, while generally sound, may not acknowledge the complexity of human relationships and the fact that sometimes supportive individuals are not available.
- The narrative that one should always look for alignment with purpose ...
Actionables
- Turn a job loss into a vision-boarding session to visualize your next steps. Gather magazines, stickers, and markers to create a board that represents your aspirations and desired career path. This tactile activity can help you see potential opportunities and set tangible goals, making the abstract concept of "new opportunities" more concrete and actionable.
- Start a "growth diary" to document your journey after a job loss. Write daily entries focusing on what you've learned about yourself, new skills you're developing, and positive experiences you've had. This practice encourages reflection and can help you track your progress towards personal growth and finding your purpose.
- Create a "posi ...
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Dealing With Toxic Work Environments and Bullies
Heather Monahan reflects on being bullied and ultimately fired by her boss, detailing the manipulative tactics employed during her termination. She shares insights on how to maintain control, professionalism, and self-respect in confrontational situations.
Heather's Confrontation With a Former Boss Who Fired Her
Heather Monahan recalls the day when her boss, who had been bullying her for years, appeared to take pleasure in firing her. Before the firing, Heather had been working on her confidence to show up as the most powerful and real version of herself. Despite the boss's power play tactics like having her assistant send an email to start the firing process, and presenting her with memos to sign that she didn't write, Heather remained in control.
Heather's Calm and Confident Response Takes Control
During the firing, Heather's boss tried to coerce her into signing a non-disparagement agreement by offering her a large check and a positive exit memo. Heather resisted these manipulative tactics and maintained her composure. She chose not to react immediately but to respond calmly and thoughtfully, which allowed her to assert her own power in the situation. Proud of her response, Heather states that by not signing the documents and calmly exiting the meeting, she took the power out of the situation.
Heather Advises a Calm, Measured Response in Confrontations
Heather advises others to handle confrontations with phrases like "I'm confused," encouraging a non-confrontational dialogue. She emphasizes the importance of responding thoughtfully rather than reacting hastily to maintain control and build confidence.
Seeking Support and Addressing Workplace Issues
Heather attempted to address her work situation by engaging in direct, empathetic conversations with her boss. When facing issues in the workplace, she recommends starting with a scheduled meeting to address "some communication issues," without revealing the full extent of the concerns initially.
Heather Recommends a Respectful, Direct Conversation With the Person Causing Issues
If one senses tension or resentment, Heather suggests asking the person i ...
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Dealing With Toxic Work Environments and Bullies
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While maintaining control and professionalism is important, it may not always be possible or safe to confront a bully directly, especially if they hold significant power over one's career or well-being.
- Responding calmly and thoughtfully is ideal, but it's important to acknowledge that in high-stress situations, such as being fired, it's natural for emotions to run high, and not everyone may be able to maintain composure.
- Non-confrontational dialogue is useful, but it may not always be effective, especially if the other party is not interested in a genuine dialogue or resolution.
- Scheduling a meeting to address workplace issues assumes that the workplace culture supports open and honest communication, which may not be the case in all environments.
- Direct conversations with the person causing issues can sometimes escalate the situation or lead to retaliation, especially if the person is a superior or has influence over the workplace culture.
- Involving HR or leadership is often recommended, but HR departments may not always be neutral and can sometimes prioritize the c ...
Actionables
- You can practice assertive communication by role-playing difficult conversations with a friend. Choose a scenario where you might face confrontation at work and take turns playing both yourself and the antagonist. This will help you prepare responses that are calm, professional, and non-confrontational. For example, if you're dealing with a colleague taking credit for your work, practice saying, "I noticed you presented our project as your own. Can we discuss how to accurately represent our contributions?"
- Develop a personal confrontation response plan by writing down steps you'll take when faced with a challenging situation. This could include taking deep breaths, using "I" statements to express your feelings, and outlining your perspective in a factual manner. For instance, if you're being unfairly criticized, your plan might start with, "I understand your concerns, but here's what actually happened," followed by a clear and concise explanation.
- Create a 'conflict diary' to document instances of wor ...
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