In today's society it is so easy for people to verbally discredit you and say things without you having any recourse. Unfortuately, many people's careers have been ruined as such. Dr. Victor Couzens, in his book, "Lessons Learned The Hard Way: Surviving Personal Setbacks and Public Shame," draws from his experience with personal attacks which brought a landslide to his reputation and career. He provides real advice that helps you cope and deal with public disgrace if it happens to you. Take a look!
Lessons Learned The Hard Way : Surviving
Personal Setbacks and Public Shame Kindle Edition
by Dr. Victor Couzens (Author)
Sometimes in life, we find
ourselves needing to regroup, reset, recreate, and recover. In Lessons
Learned The Hard Way, Dr. Victor Couzens draws from his own experience with
personal setbacks and even public shame to provide hope and help for anyone
whose life has ever been fractured, shattered, interrupted, or torn apart.
With wit, transparency, humor, real-life situations,
illustrations, and scripture. Dr. Couzens in a way that only he can, helps the
reader seize the moment and never waste an opportunity to grow and begin again.
Tell your readers a little
about yourself, where you grew up, where you live now, where you went to school
etc. Let them get to know the personal you.
I
grew up in Dayton, OH. I live in Cincinnati now. I graduated from Dunbar High
School and I have degrees from Cincinnati Christian University, Indiana
Wesleyan University, and United Theological Seminary. In 2016 I was one of the black Pastors invited to meet with President Trump during his primary bid. I am a Pastor,
a husband, and a father. When I was 12, I was actually in a movie. And I have
extensively traveled the world doing missions work.
What
inspired you to author this book?
In
2018 I went through a terrible social media scandal. If you google my name some
of it will still come up. It was over 18 months of one challenge after another
after another. However, I learned so much about myself, about life, about
setbacks, about shame, about accountability, and starting over. I just had to
write a book. Not to share my side of the story. But to share the amazing way
trouble and adversity makes us better.
Where
did you get the inspiration for your book’s cover?
I
wanted something that represented learning and taking notes as you would in a
class, but also something that represented strength and determination, and
resilience.
Who
has been the most significant influence on you personally and as a writer?
Oh
wow, that's a tough one. I have had so many amazing people share in my journey,
invest in me, put up with me, and take a chance on me. From grandparents to
school teachers, to friends, to people I have never met but I admire their
work. My favorite writer is James Patterson and Malcolm Gladwell. I love the
way Patterson tells stories. And I love the way Gladwell makes you think. And
challenges the way you see things. I wish he would give us a book every year.
LOL
What
were your struggles or obstacles you had to overcome to get this book written?
Fear
of being misunderstood. The resistance of people who felt like I just needed to
fade into the background and never be heard from again. I hired a writing coach
to help me organize my thoughts. they wanted the book to be written one way,
while I wanted it to be written this way. Finally, they dropped out and
actually asked me to not tell anyone that they ever even worked on the book
with me. So that was something else I had to overcome.
Tell
your readers about your book.
This
book is about finding and getting the good out of everything that happens in
life. It's about never missing an opportunity to not waste anything that comes
pour way. But, it is also about resilience and accountability and awareness,
and even spirituality. Not religion but spirituality.
Who
is your target audience, and why?
The
whole world! Seriously. Everyone needs to read this book. The kid in college
and the man or woman with the big corner office on the top floor and everyone
in between. Everyone needs to read this book. Not just buy it but actually read
it and discuss it in groups and with their tribe.
What
do you consider your greatest success in life?
I
don't think I have seen my greatest success yet, but every day I am
anticipating it.
What
one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in your genre?
Transparency!
Transparency! Transparency! Most writers in my genre write from theory. I wrote
this book from experience. And I am unapologetically transparent in sharing my
experience with personal setbacks and public shame.