Episode 52: Make A Commitment with Tracy Imm

Hey there Brave Girls! It’s me your host Tracy Imm here on the mike today…drum roll please…We hit the one year mark of podcasting and the creation of a global high vibe community …and I have to tell you, it’s been a personal growth experience for me as I step into a newer and better version of myself.  I am so incredibly grateful to you, my listeners for being on this incredible journey with me. 

You are in for a treat as today’s episode is a solo one where I share from my heart where I’ve been, where I am today and where I am headed and why this show means the world to me. I want to show you what’s possible for you when you surrender into all that the Universe has in store for you. No matter where you are in the world today or what you have going on, I want you to know that you are LOVED and you can heal whatever ails you or troubles you. 

It’s been a true privilege and honor to be able to serve Brave Girls globally with my show. I am humbled by all that the guests have shared with me and the positive changes that listeners have experienced as a result of the podcast.

Today I’m basking in the glow of producing 52 episodes… with the help of my virtual assistant Jamie Hovey…shout out to her for her technical audio editing skills and assistance with social media graphics..Together, we have effectively sent the message of hope and inspiration to listeners in 48 countries. This blows me away. The internet has truly democratized our world and I am grateful for that fact.  

I also want to express my gratitude to the 51 women who stepped forward and said YES when I asked them to be interviewed about their story. I asked them to share what they have learned. Each and every one of them allowed themselves to be vulnerable and to show up as their authentic self during the conversation. When I think of the overarching themes that emerged in all of the episodes…I have to say the predominant one was: THIS TOO SHALL PASS, a phrase that my grandmother continued to instill in me when I would go to her kitchen table and ask for her wisdom and advice.

On today’s episode, I want to share more of my Brave Girl story with you and what I learned about myself and the world when I decided to MAKE A COMMITMENT to becoming a female podcaster. 

I love to teach others how to live their best life NOW.

My story goes like this: I have been doing the corporate dance for decades. I’ve consulted to C-suites at some of the world’s largest global players in energy, aerospace and defense, financial services, equipment leasing and senior housing.  

I most recently served as a political appointee of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan where I led Public Affairs for the Maryland Insurance Administration, the state regulator of the $28 billion insurance industry. Being in a public service role was amazing and I am grateful that I had this opportunity to serve the citizens of our state. It was while I was in this role that I made the decision to launch the podcast. I wanted to send positive energy out into the world and I know that I did. 

I have spent most of my career working with CEOs as a trusted advisor, (often a coveted position) leading large scale business transformations. The teams that I led were asked to execute strategic communications and change management programs for these organizations. 

My blend of business, technology, and communications leadership expertise allowed me to quickly connect all of the dots and rapidly get tangible business results in the areas of revenue growth, employee engagement, and bottom line profitability. I’ve been told that I was the secret ingredient that propelled organizations forward with their customers, employees, and shareholders. I’ve worked on some of the largest global business transformation projects and loved being a change agent and communications team leader.

In 2012, I embarked on a teaching career that has allowed me to instruct over 150 people (mostly women) in the field of marketing and communication. I created online courses, in person classes, and workshops for my alma mater, McDaniel College and for Notre Dame of Maryland University. I am so proud of my students and what they have achieved as writers, public speakers and entrepreneurs. They inspire me to do better and to teach more. 

My biggest personal transformation occurred when I began to work with some of the world’s leading transformational coaches – Jenny Fenig, Gabby Bernstein and David Neagle. I’ve learned so much from my teachers about self-love, forgiveness, mindset and marketing. I am now more comfortable being visible and sharing my voice with the world. I know that I am loved and I am safe. They taught me to take lots of little right actions. The Universe has rewarded me accordingly with clients, global travel and joy.

I also love to mentor people in my field and am so proud that many of my direct reports and students have gone on to positions of greater responsibility for Fortune 500 companies. Other mentees have started their own very successful PR agencies or seven figure freelance businesses. It’s very gratifying to be part of their journey.

In terms of education, I have more degrees and certifications that I will ever need. I have a bachelor of arts degree in Communications / Systems Analysis from McDaniel College and a master of business administration with a concentration in Marketing and Management from the University of Baltimore.I also have a master of science degree in Business and Technology Management from Stevenson University. I am also an Accredited Business Communicator and Accredited in Public Relations.  I am an active member of the International Association of Business Communicators and the Public Relations Society of America. I have also completed Gabby Bernstein’s Spirit Junkie Masterclass Level 1 Training and Jenny Fenig’s Coach Training school.

I was recognized by The Daily Record, a business and legal publication in Maryland in 2017 and again in 2019 as one of Maryland’s Top 100 women for my professional achievements, my contributions to my community and as a mentor to other women through my teaching and podcasting efforts. 

Enough about my story, let’s talk about what happens when you MAKE A COMMITMENT:

We have to start with understanding Universal Laws to fully get this principle. The Law of Cause and Effect says every cause has its effect and every effect has its cause. When we understand that we are the first cause, we understand that energy always returns to its source of origination as results, circumstances and environment. When you want to change the effect, you have to stay out of resistance to the change in order for the cause to shift. For example, when you take 100% responsibility for all of your life and you OWN it, then you can cause incredible things to occur. 

The Law of Cause and Effect also has a subsidiary law known as the Law of Psychological Reciprocity which says that everything you put out comes back to you. And the creation of this podcast has reinforced that law in my experience. The unintended consequences have been new relationships, business partnerships and opportunities beyond my wildest dreams and travel to new places. 

There is actually another subsidiary law to the Universal Law of Cause and Effect and it’s called the Law of Commitment. It states “we commit whether we are conscious of it or not.” 

In the case of the Brave Girls podcast, I made a conscious commitment to the production of the show despite the resistance that I faced initially. I had to overcome imposter syndrome and the “who am I to create a podcast?” and “who will listen to what I produce?” and all of the other gremlins that creep in when we step into something new and unknown. I also wondered if I was good enough to create something that would be valuable to my audience. 

In looking back, I realize how ridiculous all of these thoughts really were! Clearly there is a need in the world for women having real conversations with other women about real issues and situations! I also wondered if creating a podcast would be a good use of my time, energy and money. I debated if I could create a sustainable stream of content that was both engaging and energizing to you and to me. I’ve discovered that I can and that podcasting is a medium that I love. 

So I want to tell you what I did and what you can do when you make a decision to MAKE A COMMITMENT:

The first step is to set your intention or sankalpa as they say in yogic circles

• My intention was to create a global platform that showcased female leaders and their stories and what they are here to teach other women

• I wanted to profile their side hustles and entrepreneurial ventures so more abundance comes their way

• I also wanted to send positive high vibe content out into the world which has become so divisive; I’m all about PEACE, LOVE, JOY and INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP

Part of the process is to remember to be unattached to the outcome

• Being unattached doesn’t mean you don’t have to work, it just means you can’t force what the outcome will be

• You have to do the work – you have to make decisions and take inspired action each and every day as a podcaster and with other major commitments that you make – for example in a marriage or a relationship with another person

• You also have to show up, even when you don’t feel like it – tired, hungry, broke, frustrated, depressed, angry, or resentful; during this past year I think I experienced a wide range of emotions and situations but I pushed through and continued to visualize my listeners and the impact my show could have

• I think it’s always important to know and remember your why. As Simon Sinek teaches you have to have a strong WHY. For me, I wanted to get to the end of my life and know that I gave the best effort that I could in making a difference in other people’s lives and my podcast could be one vehicle for that legacy.

• The other thing I learned is that you can course correct your intentions as change happens and… change is always happening so get used to it

So what I want to leave you with is this: Just start whatever it is you desire…and let the Universe take over:

• Part of making a commitment is getting comfortable when things get uncomfortable and that’s inevitable; I had to break through many of my fears during this past year and I am now a lot more comfortable doing things I never knew how to do before and the Universe has rewarded me accordingly.

• The Universe will send you blessings beyond your wildest dreams or imagination in the form of clients, partnerships, friendships, opportunities, relationships, a support network, and more—I call these unintended consequences and I’m grateful for each of them

• The Law of Psychological Reciprocity says that everything you put out comes back but not always from the person you originally put it out to. When something negative comes your way, step aside and let it keep going. All energy returns to its source of origination. I’ve learned that if I keep putting good out there in the form of this podcast, it always comes back to me!

As I sit with evaluating where I am today and refining my sankalpa or intention for year two of the Brave Girl podcast, I am being led to create more solo episodes where I share with you the lessons that I am learning on my Brave Girl journey in my first year as a full-time entrepreneur. That said, I will continue to publish interviews as I record them because I have so many more amazing souls that I want to profile and showcase as they grow their bodies of work in the world. 

So here’s your call to action (because every good podcaster knows to include this in the episode):

• I’d love it if you could tell a friend or co-worker about the podcast so we can spread more love and positive vibes out into the world. 

• I’d also really appreciate it if you could take the time to leave a review on iTunes – that’s how shows get profiled and found and I want more people to hear the conversations, learn the lessons and meet the amazing Brave Girls that are being profiled.  

• I’d also love to hear from you about what you’d like to learn more about so you can drop me an email at tracy@tracyimm.com 

Sending you so much light, love and peace to each of you…and reminding you that I believe in you (in case no one has told you today!) and I want nothing but the best for you in this life.

I want more brave girls saying yes to leadership and learning how to be better leaders. We need more women in positions of power and leadership around the globe in government, not-for-profits, private industry and as entrepreneurs as we collectively work towards positive change. We all have many gifts and talents and the world needs us now. Namaste.