Why should I have a Success Advocate?*

“I failed again.”

The profound dismay at the weight of falling short of a years-long goal echoed in Jaya’s voice. I know the strength it took for her to call and share this with me because I was there before and had to work through similar emotions. But her heartrending revelations did not end there.

“My mom advised me to get a job and give up on pursuing further education since this is my third time trying,” Jaya explained regarding her recent test results.

Jaya’s mom knew her daughter. She knew what Jaya’s dreams cost her. It was in Mom’s home that Jaya invested countless hours and dollars towards her target. Mom’s limited dollars also went into Jaya’s mission. Though disheartening, it is not surprising to know that after seeing this level of suffering, striving, and failure Jaya’s mom voiced her hopes of what might be a better future for Jaya.

But I got the call because I also knew Jaya. I saw her work through illness and come out with a degree. (We talked throughout her recovery about the healthcare she should seek and the offices she might go to for help.) I saw her strengths in networking and sheer persistence. These are only a few of the attributes that supported her through every challenge she had already overcome in her degree. I knew that, even though this was a repeat failure, it would not define her future.

“So, what will you do next?” was my question in response.

“I have come too far to give up on my dreams now. I will take the course again,” mumbled Jaya.

***

Years later Jaya was finally settling into her dream, and I was one of the first people she called to share the news of her success.

“You never told me what to do, you just asked me questions to help me decide what was best for myself.” Jaya reflected.

As someone who facilitated intentional conversations with Jaya, it was an honor to know that she chose me to be her sounding board and cheerleader through trials. But what she recognized as a strong friendship sat on a foundation of expert training. Jaya benefited from experience in peer mediation, crisis counseling, ministry, and health coaching.

Though I am naturally observant and inquisitive, it was the training that honed my ability to create a safe space for Jaya to step out of her experiences and logically strategize for her next move.

Jaya’s story highlights the value of a Success Advocate. When she sensed disorder in her life, she had someone who cared but was not as invested as a relative to aid in deliberating her concerns. She got as much out of her time as she was prepared to receive and that included empathy and ideas to explore. Jaya chose me because she sought an effective listener with expansive experiences that brought her to solutions that she may not have discovered independently.

The core of a Success Advocate is someone who cares. And what is there to gain from having a person who cares for you accessible to share the challenges of life and brainstorm ideas? That is an easy question to answer: greater success.

*This narrative is based on real interactions. Names and minor details were fictionalized to preserve privacy.

Overview of a Success Advocate

• A Success Advocate is an empathetic collaborator who creates an environment that facilitates decision-making.

• Success Advocates provide logical insights and are less likely to be biased by personal connections.

• Success Advocates often have and provide training in: communication, identification of underlying issues, and goal setting.

• Though they do not impose decisions on others, Success Advocates are often adept at sharing resources to move past life challenges.

Dr. Josiane Joseph is a Scientist, Educator, Physician, Entrepreneur, Author, and Success Advocate. She integrates skills from current and prior roles to improve wellness in individuals and communities through workshops and personalized sessions. As a life-long student, mentor to numerous individuals, contributor to several committees, healthcare provider, and well-connected community member, she is equipped to collaborate with motivated individuals to plan for greater successes in life.

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