We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikia Webster and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikia, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Two words. Slow down.

I have found that the key to a well-executed work-life balance rests in the coherence and affirmation of your personal limits. It is also a question of being practical as to how you use your free time. At one point, I answered every call, went to every meeting, and always found a way to do my job, no matter how tired I felt. I wish I could follow and say that I quickly learned that this was not a worthwhile road, but if I am completely transparent, it took me a few years. Since then, it has become clear to me that setting consistent boundaries is a necessary practice.

In addition to making adjustments to my schedule to allow for rest, I end each email with a reminder that I honor and respect personal boundaries, and that if the recipient is in a state of rest, I encourage them not to reply. By extending this degree of kindness to others, I was able to accept the grace of rest in my own life. Consider beginning each message or commitment with a simple, “How are you doing?” or “I hope you’re okay.”

The responsibilities we have in this life are basically infinite, that being said, it is not selfish to accept a little self-care along the way. This is a critical element to ensure that we are able to continuously operate at our best, what work can really be done with little or no battery?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The Expect Effect podcast focuses on personal improvement and mental wellness. Self-care is not selfish, and we are committed to teaching others the value of accepting self-love through best practices to ensure personal success. This includes the presentation of recommended tools, journal entry topics and inclusion of supporting guests. The purpose of this show is to help others expect better, do better and believe better. We know life is hard, but believe self-care doesn’t have to be.

I think what allows me to stand out from other productions is the weaving of my own personal stories. I am an open book with the introduction of every subject. I don’t just want to teach people “how” to be the best version of themselves; I also want listeners to have adequate examples of what we discuss. I really don’t think I would expect anyone to listen, take notes, or believe what I say, let alone share it with those around them, unless I apply some honesty to it.

I am extremely proud of the conversations that are being developed about self-care as a result of this initiative. I am also very proud of its progress. I wasn’t expecting to gain as much traction or exposure in such a short time, but from these developments, I know that this is just the beginning.

On the contrary, it was not an easy journey, and I’d say my greatest difficulty has been knowing myself. In certain cases, I wasn’t confident enough to listen to my instincts, and I paid a heavy price. Based purely on appearances, I often believed the world around me knew better than I did. I sought guidance from others merely because of their status or age, rather than ensuring that the choices given to me were actually the best for me – I moved erratically, irrationally, and with little consideration. The only regret I have is that I accelerated the process. I was always in such a hurry to see the conclusion that I often neglected to secure the best outcome for myself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I currently reside in Carrollton, TX and believe that the following restaurants, stores and activities are essential.

Food:
Barney’s Brunch House
Breakfast & Lunch Donuts
LA Burger
Jollibee
Mexican Bar Company
Rockfish Seafood & Grill
Oh K Dog

Shop:
Willow Bend Mall
Allen Premium Outlets

Activities:
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games
Canyons Rock Climbing
Topgolf
Fun Movie Grill Drive In Theater

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shout out to my fiance, Tanera Jones. She has been a mainstay throughout this process, her support for my profession has been nothing short of extraordinary. I thank her for her confidence, perseverance, presence and devotion.

Website: theexpecteffectpod.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexpecteffectpodcast/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikia-webster-677b391aa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theexpecteffectpodcast/

Other: https://soundcloud.com/user-74469449

Image Credits
LaJune King, Tanera Jones

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.