We Love You Too Jessica Bradshaw!
When you discover that thing that makes you successful, you feel empowered. When you are empowered, you can begin to empower others.
Meet Jessica, quite possibly my favorite red-head in Dallas. This knockout is turning heads with her photography and successful blog Love You More Too. Jessica and I have shared some pretty awesome experiences together around Dallas, from Tone It Up meetups and events, to Dallas Fitness Ambassadors, of which we are both members. Her smile is contageous and her content curation really blows me away. She is another #girlboss striving to balance it all-an awesome career, a thriving blog, and a fitness routine to keep things in perspective. I would say she's doing it pretty well!
About Jess
WHAT SUCCESS MEANS TO ME
Tell us about yourself!
I am Jessica, a school counselor and a blogger from north Dallas. My husband and I were high school sweethearts and have been married almost 10 years. We have two fur babies, Chuck Taylor and Lucy.
My husband and I grew up in Mesquite, Texas and moved to Plano when we got married in 2008. We fell in love with the Shops at Legacy at Christmas-time and dreamed of owning a home in north Dallas. Our first home was in Wylie, but we quickly relocated back to Plano and live in a quirky house that was built in the 70s. So, yes, we have lived in DFW our entire lives.
I love brawl class at The Barre Code. It’s a kickboxing/barre hybrid class that really tones and gets me sweating. I love the class so much that I even took it with a boot after I broke my foot and wasn’t able to run anymore.
Favorite personal development book/podcast/blog - To be honest, I haven’t jumped on the podcast bandwagon just yet, but I have heard of so many great ones that I want to check out. However, I have so many favorite blogs it’s ridiculous. I am a big Lauren Conrad fan and adore her style. Locally, I like to keep up with my fellow Dallas Fitness Ambassadors, because they always have delicious recipes, great workouts and fitness reviews.
What goal are you currently pursuing?
My current personal project is my blog, Love You More Too. I have always enjoyed writing, scrapbooking and blogging, but I never imagined creating this kind of platform for myself. When Colton and I first got married, I had a blog that was more of a diary to chronicle big events in our lives and share with family. Many years later, after really getting into fitness and living a healthy lifestyle, I decided to try and create something to share tips and recipes with friends and family. It quickly expanded to include readers in other states and countries. It’s been so fun interacting with others and watching it grow.
What have you learned about expectations that you can share with us?
Honestly, I went in with very little expectations. I wanted to be taken seriously in the community, so taking great photos was very important to me. Also, I wanted to be someone who had some meat behind their posts, so I didn’t just want to post an Instagram photo of my pretty food. I shared restaurant experiences and eventually was given the opportunity to do sponsored posts. I am so grateful for every opportunity I have been given and I am excited for the direction Love You More Too is headed.
When I get a comment about how someone feels better after reading one of my posts, or want to travel to a place I’ve shared that maybe they haven’t thought about, I know I am successful with this adventure too.
What does Redefining Success mean to you?
Redefining success means doing something you love that can empower others. I love my job as a counselor and can see the impact I have on my kids every day. That success is easy to see, and I get a paycheck for it. The blog, on the other hand, is a more personal success. When I get a comment about how someone feels better after reading one of my posts, or want to travel to a place I’ve shared that maybe they haven’t thought about, I know I am successful with this adventure too.
What kinds of obstacles have you come across and how did you overcome them?
Most of my obstacles have been related to time. Between working full time, blogging, maintaining friendships, family and my relationship with my husband, it all seems like a giant balancing act. I have had to cut back from 3 to 2 posts a week to keep my relationships healthy and prioritize. Also, there are days I have to just say no and focus on what is most important.
“Sometimes the trying is the most important part.”
What is your best advice for women who want to complete a goal despite negative feedback, or discovering that it's really not a good fit. Is it ok to quit on something that just doesn't feel right for you?
I would say if it is something you are passionate about, keep going. You have the power in you to be successful. If at the end of the day, it brings you more pain than success, it’s ok to give up. Reaching your goals isn’t easy, but you won’t know if its a good fit if you don’t try. Sometimes the trying is the most important part.
What role does validation and recognition play in your personal success?
My love language is words of affirmation, so validation and recognition make me smile. However, at the end of the day, it’s not what is most important. The blog is a personal project for myself and I am proud of where I have come. Outside of the blog, I am encouraged daily by my sweet kids at school and their comments. That motivates me to keep going and doing what I am doing.
What kind of sacrifices did you need to make in order to complete your goal?
The biggest sacrifice I have seen is sometimes having to say “no.” I realized I can’t do everything and continue pushing forward.
Do you have a specific approach to productivity? Is there really such a thing as ‘balance’?
Balance is what you make of it. First, prioritize. Then, cut back on the things in your life closer to the bottom of the list. Add in a little fun and some breaks, and voila! balance.
“Personal goals help us be more than just that. They help us discover what we can really do, our talents, our abilities and make us better career-women, moms, wives, friends and more.”
Why is it so important for women to have personal goals?
Too often women are defined by their careers, family, kids, or husbands. Personal goals help us be more than just that. They help us discover what we can really do, our talents, our abilities and make us better career-women, moms, wives, friends and more. When you discover that thing that makes you successful, you feel empowered. When you are empowered, you can begin to empower others.
