My life long search for a reason WHY I survived after my Mother’s death when I was just three months old has been the main driving force behind most of the major decisions and changes I have made at every step of my life’s journey.
For many years while back in the place of by birth, Moscow in the former U.S.S.R. I struggled. While working by day from a very young age, I also attended University by night so that I could make something of myself and become “Somebody”.
Eventually, I graduated from Journalism (interesting occupation in a Communist country where freedom of speech didn’t exist at the time) only to find out that the field that I thought would allow me creative expression held no interest or excitement for me, let alone creative possibilities.
In 1974 I emigrated to Canada with my seven year old son, hoping that a fresh start in a country with freedom of choice and expression would be just what I needed.
Well reality quickly set in . After few short lived experiences working in conventional employment situations, I realized that the “Job” wasn’t going to be the path that was going to make me free.
My desire to be in charge of my future helped me decide to start my own business. I knew I was a creative type and had design skills. Since I also loved helping people to improve or find their personal image, it made perfect sense to open a Hair Styling Salon as my first business venture.
Well, after 5 years of working ten to twelve hours daily, I was absolutely exhausted and had very little time or energy for doing anything else outside of caring for my son.
A major change was definitely in order.
My love for Arts and Crafts led me to open up a ” Hand Craft Store.” I developed a following by teaching men and women how to unleash their inner artist by creating designs of their own. The store became an instant success.
Night classes followed, craft shows and exhibits were staged and I even designed and sold my own line of knitted and crocheted garments.
You can probably guess what’s coming next. After 5 more years of exhausting work the fun was gone, I was missing my son’s growth and it was once again time for change.
Well, some people get it quickly and others take a longer time to learn. Determined not to make the same mistakes again, I followed my “creative” instincts and started my next business which proved to be even “worse”.
My love for cooking and feeding people drove me to create my own unique Gourmet Food Product. You guessed it, Another Success! Unfortunately though I had no time to enjoy it. It was so bad that I even had to install a shower and convertible couch in my office. Of course, I was continuing to miss out on irreplaceable time with my son.
I noticed a pattern here. Maybe it was time to stop listening to the creative spirit inside and try something different. My next step was to change direction and start a Real Estate career, first as Agent then as a Broker spending fifteen years in the Commercial Real Estate Industry. The many years of sleepless nights, cut-throat competition, backstabbing and lack of cooperation amongst my fellow professionals wasn’t giving me the answer to my search never ending search for “WHY” I had survived…
My health was going downhill fast. I pushed myself hard to get up every morning. and suffered in silence for long time. But I never stopped asking myself: “Is this what it’s all about?”
Deep inside of me I had the belief that there must be something else, there must be another way. I just needed to find it. Funny how life works. All my years of searching and struggling, one hollow success after another and miraculously…
It Finally Found Me!
It was love at first sight when in 1998, I was introduced to Network Marketing and a Wellness System which addressed the Human body’s natural ability to heal itself; provided it was given the opportunity to do so!
While I learned that part very quickly, it took me many more years to understand that we cannot help anyone unless they are open to change, willing to make a strong personal commitment to their success and prepared to do the work.
My learning curve was steep and while developing my team of business builders it took me a long time to accept the fact that, “We cannot want it more for them then they want it for themselves!”
Throughout this process though, I realized how my own health challenges had become far less severe, so I knew something was finally working for me.
But, it was only when I found the right business, founded on integrity and offering incredible consumer value, that the money part of the equation finally started to move forward too. It was at this point that everything clicked into place and I could see the enormous potential for not just myself but for many others that have found themselves in similar life situations.
Now that the money part is behind me, I am more excited than ever to help those who are looking for change in their lives.
I now own my life. I now know WHY I survived so much adversity. My Purpose is now crystal clear to me!
The most amazing part is that I created in 18 months something that eluded me for over 25 years of grueling sacrifice, trying to succeed working in the traditional Business Models of Employee and Sole Business Owner.
Nevertheless, it was all worth it. I now wake up every morning with the burning desire to connect with and teach those who are not giving up; those who believe that there is another way!
Each day I put my heart and soul into teaching and mentoring others to Success in all its forms.
I commit to those special individuals who are also committed to finding their “WHY” and who really want to grow, succeed and find joy and satisfaction in also helping and teaching others how to own their own lives! I give those folks the “hand-up” that will change their lives forever, if they want it!
Do you want to own Your Life? Do you want to work by choice, not because you need to? Do you want to work when, where and with whom you choose?
My daily Gratitude goes out to all the friends I have, all those I have yet to meet and most importantly, my Team of tireless, unstoppable Partners.
Sincerely,
Janna Sosensky, Lifestyle Trainer