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Archives for August 2015

Me, Grandmother & My Dream

August 25, 2015 by Dr. Gia 1 Comment

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John & Karen Wright

John & Karen Wright

Your future is not written by the events of your past. The opportunity to succeed is a choice. It is never too late to follow your dreams. My deeply embedded faith in God gave me the fortitude to overcome, what some might view as insurmountable obstacles.

Three keys contributed to my success:

  • Proper planning
  • Positive social network and support system
  • Attitude of excellence

My husband and I married young – while I was still in high school. We started a family right away. I completed high school while raising our young son. No one was more proud of me than my grandmother, who called to tell me how excited she was that I finished high school. She knew the importance of education; in fact, she even offered to pay my college tuition. Though I was grateful, I decided to postpone college so that I could raise my children. Shortly thereafter, my grandmother passed away. I was heartbroken, but she left me with her love and the confidence that even as a young woman with a growing family; I could still accomplish anything!

I decided one day, I would honor her love and faith in me, by earning a college degree.

Well … that “someday” came in February of 2007. My husband and I enrolled at Olivet Nazarene University. We graduated with our Associate Degrees in 2009. In my heart, I could hear the voice of my grandmother telling me how proud she was, just as she did when I graduated from high school.

My husband and I were galvanized by the accomplishment. We decided to capitalize on our momentum and enrolled in the Bachelors of Business Administration program (BBA). When I looked in the mirror, I saw the woman my grandmother knew this young wife and mother could be.

The journey was not without its sacrifices.

I had to establish a balance between school and raising a family.
It was difficult at first to get into a routine. Long days sometimes kept me away from my family. I had to choose homework over family activities. We took our laptops on vacations, completed homework during family events, and submitted many assignments in the late night hours. Our lives sometimes felt like a rollercoaster. One year during our journey our home was damaged in a storm, collapsing our kitchen ceiling. We were forced to start a major remodeling project, we had no stove or kitchen sink for months. We cooked on the grill, the camping stove, even our smoker … yet we persevered.

Graduation 2015

John & Karen Wright

John and I were uniquely challenged as two adults in the same household, working and going to school full time. The intensity and stress often felt unbearable. To be honest, there were moments we asked ourselves, “Is this really worth it”?

The journey was difficult however; the rewards were worth the trials. Below are three vital tips from our journey we think can help you on yours:

  • Proper Planning

If success is important to you as an individual, you must remain focused and never underestimate the importance of proper planning. Time management can be difficult, but it is essential. Avoid poor performance by setting priorities and boundaries, and understand that it is okay to say “no”.

  • Develop a positive social network and support system

Surround yourself with positive individuals, who can hold you accountable, cheer you on and pull you back when you have gone off track. If your environment is negative, the results are going to be harder to attain. Everything we do in life is relational. Building relationships with others is critical to your success. Encourage others, listen, spend time together, and offer feedback, kindness, and love.

  • Attitude of excellence

Presentation is a key factor to success, whether it is how you present yourself, your Power Point presentations, or your papers. You are representing you. Words are everything; choose them wisely and know your audience! Be the best you can be and show the world you have what it takes.

I am happy to announce, this past May my husband and I graduated with our Master of Organizational Leadership (MOL) degrees from Olivet Nazarene University!

We utilize our degrees to help others, set examples of what good leadership should exemplify, and to be positive role models for our children.

John, Kare

John, Karen, & their Beautiful Family!

The experience can be wonderful if you develop the right mindset and follow these simple tips. The journey has not been easy, but it has definitely been worth it. Your future is not written by the events of your past. The opportunity to succeed is a choice. It is never too late to follow your dreams.

I encourage you to start following your dreams today! My dream, years ago, was to honor my grandmother by continuing my education. What are yours?


Dr. Gia & Ms. Karen Wright

Dr. Gia & Karen

Ms. Karen Wright, recent graduate with her Master of Organizational Leadership. Karen’s journey required her to climb mountains, which she did with such grace and pose, she made it look like she was skipping though a field of daisies.


LogophotoWe would love to hear from you!  Please submit your comments, questions, and feedback.  Let us know how we are doing.

Dr. Gia Consulting

Want to connect with Dr. Gia? Click <HERE> to request information.

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Perseverance, Courage, and Simply Balancing Life’s Moments

August 18, 2015 by Dr. Gia Leave a Comment

Blog imageWe live in a fast-paced world. This momentum imposes itself on every aspect of our lives; professional, social, spiritual, and emotional. This dynamic and complex existence challenges each of us to consider what and who is worthy of our moments each day.

Cumulatively, what will those moments have accomplished, who will we have touched, how will we have impacted the world around us?

momentAs we approach the phase in our lives when there are more moments behind us than there are in front of us, will we feel that any of those moments were misplaced or will we feel content with how they were allocated.

My personal prayer is to be sufficiently “used” by the end of each day.  To be exhausted by my intentions and purpose. I want to take hold of my life with both fists, no excuses. I pray that I handle public scrutiny with humility and grace, and not abandon my dreams under its weight.

I understand that the pursuit is an act of courage, because I can and will have failures.Dr. Gia

For those who are still mustering their courage, my story will be inspirational, while other will see a reflection that highlights their deficiencies. As a result, I have learned to hold praise in my right hand and criticism in my left, both with the same weight.  This allows the cumulation of my moment to not feel like a rollercoaster.  It allows me to be steady, like a tree!

Balancing the moments of our lives is not a science, it is an art.Dr. Gia
I have had the absolute privilege to meet and know several individuals who have painted the canvases of their lives like a Picasso. Each moment, a vibrant color full of determination, drive, and grace.

I have had the distinct pleasure of  introducing you to a few of those individuals over that last several months:


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Dr. Francine Thirus-Taylor

Dr. Francine Thirus was the first of her siblings to earn a college degree, received a law degree from Creighton University, and even after a successful and accomplished legal career, earned an additional terminal degree, serving many years as a Methodist Pastor.

Her example gave me permission to dream bigger, strive more, and reach higher.

Link: http://drgiasblog.com/?p=1549


Garret, Mandy, Dr. Gia, & Hayward

Garret, Mandy, Dr. Gia, & Hayward

Ms. Mandy Gray spent years cultivating a very successful and lucrative career, but she never felt content. She dreamt of going to law school and a career in politics. Mandy did what few of us have the courage to do, she left her job in the middle of her successful career and followed her heart. Despite a few family and friends expressing their doubts, she persevered.

Link: http://drgiasblog.com/?p=477#comments

We originally spoke to Mandy just after she received her acceptance letter. We checked in with her again just over a year later. See how she is doing now.

Link: http://drgiasblog.com/?p=1829 


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Mr. Hayward Suggs

Mr. Hayward Suggs pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of (though at the time it felt like a shove). It is difficult to measure the impact of a mentor and coach. Here is what I know for sure; I am braver, more confident, and have a plethora of tools in my toolbox to help support my client’s success. There is no substitute for someone who believes in you!

Link: http://drgiasblog.com/?p=971


Graduation 2015

Karen & John Wright

I would like to introduce you to Ms. Karen Wright. She personifies servant leadership. She has a beautiful story of love, perseverance, and triumph.

It will both motivate you and speak to your heart.

Look for Ms. Wright’s article next week!


LogophotoWe would love to hear from you!  Please submit your comments, questions, and feedback.  Let us know how we are doing.

Dr. Gia Consulting

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Do Rewards Really Impact Employee Outcomes: HR.Com

August 11, 2015 by Dr. Gia Leave a Comment

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Excellence Essentials Magazine

Do Rewards Really Impact Employee Outcomes?

1:2 Cover

To impact your turnover rates, pay your employees fairly and provide them with rewards and incentives accordingly. However, be careful not to overestimate the impact.Dr. Gia & Hayward suggs

To read the full article, Click the graphic below:

Excellence Magazine!


LogophotoWe would love to hear from you!  Please submit your comments, questions, and feedback.  Let us know how we are doing.

Dr. Gia Consulting

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Thank You Training Magazine Network & SilkRoad

August 7, 2015 by Dr. Gia Leave a Comment

LogosThank you Training Magazine Network and SilkRoad for the opportunity to partner with you on the July 28th webinar, “Reduce Turnover, Increase Productivity and Maximize the Success of Your New Employees.”

IMG_0646New employees offer promise and potential for their employers.  In order to be successful, they must acclimate quickly to their new organization’s culture, structure, policies, procedures, and job expectations. If this does not occur, the promise of a new employee can quickly become a liability.

IMG_0683It is critical for organizations to experience a return on their investment by means of increased productivity over time. If new employees do not develop personal connections both intellectually and socially, they will not experience continued growth in the organization (Chang, Ehrlich, & Millen, 2004).

Organizational socialization has a profound influence on new employee adjustment. Onboarding is an acclimation process focused on integrating new employees into a company’s culture (Dai & De Meuse, 2007) both functionally and socially.

This presentation explained the impact of utilizing a comprehensive onboarding program to improve new employee’s success. If you missed it – Don’t worry – we recorded it for you! Click <Access the Recording> below.

recording Z

Thank you!


LogophotoWe would love to hear from you!  Please submit your comments, questions, and feedback.  Let us know how we are doing.

Dr. Gia Consulting

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Photos from Olivet’s May 9, 2015 SGCS Commencement

August 4, 2015 by Dr. Gia 1 Comment

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The opportunity to teach is one of my most rewarding privileges. 

 2015 SGCS Commencement photo gallery.

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Dr. Gia, Melissa Price & Cheryl Westberg

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Wayne DeBoer, Bruce Alvarado, Dr. Gia & Kevin Wright

Dr. Gia & Ms. Karen Wright

Dr. Gia & Ms. Karen Wright

Pictured above is Ms. Karen Wright, recent graduate with her Master of Organizational Leadership. Karen’s journey required her to climb mountains, which she did with such grace and pose, she made it look like she was skipping though a field of daisies. 

 Look for Karen’s article on Success Tips for Adults Returning to School in a future post!


LogophotoWe would love to hear from you!  Please submit your comments, questions, and feedback.  Let us know how we are doing.

Dr. Gia Consulting

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