Ep. 83: Cheryl Tan – Listen to Your Gut and Be Willing to Pivot

Cheryl Tan knows the power of stories in connecting people. She’s been a broadcast journalist in GA and VA, with 20+ years in the TV news business. After blending her talents with her entrepreneurial drive, she now shares interviewing and storytelling skills with business owners who want to use video or media to tell the stories of their companies. Cheryl knows how to help entrepreneurs be seen as experts in their fields and helps them connect with clients and customers through video and public relations.

TWEET: “Learn to share your story while you build your #Authority!” @CherylTan

Life’s Changing Journey

We all know that we don’t always end up doing what we “think” we will. There is value in being willing to change your path and find your voice. This is what Cheryl had to do to end up in the field of broadcast journalism. She shares how she learned from others and learned about connecting with people through stories. The key elements are listening and being curious. Even though her path didn’t lead where she expected, Cheryl found a way to blend her innate curiosity, her love for writing, and her passion for literature into a “news job.”

TWEET: “Your WHY will come out quite naturally when you share what you do.” @CherylTan

Testing the Waters

Do you know the feeling of leaping into something new? Cheryl describes her personal experience as “dipping her toe” into a new path. She began asking business associates if they needed help with newsletters or media and was surprised when her offers were well-received. Soon enough, she was able to pick a date at which she would go “all in.” That was over two years ago—a time period fraught with journeys, pivots, and changes. What is the secret to making it work? Cheryl says that you need the courage to leave all you’ve ever known and have faith in yourself. She shares how she now serves people in a different way and empowers them to tell their stories.

TWEET: “People are more open to you when you start by offering help.” @CherylTan

Asking for Help

Do you ask for help when you need it? Most of us don’t. Cheryl had to look for people who knew “a thousand times more” than she did and tap into their expertise. If you look, you will find them—those who had left something behind to look for something else. Cheryl warns that these “helpers” don’t have to have the same exact situation as you do to be helpful. The passion to help others is the common factor.

TWEET: “It’s more than OK to ask for help.” @CherylTan

GUEST RECOMMENDATION: “Take action. Do ONE thing to move you forward. Most people know what that is, even if it’s scary; they just need to do it.”

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE: