Interview with Judi Moreo

Judy Moreo is a motivational speaker who has written a self-help/motivational book, YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH: EVERY WOMEN'S GUIDE TO PURPOSE, PASSION, AND POWER.
Below are the questions Judi answered for this blog.


Me: How did you get involved in motivational speaking?

Judi: I got involved in motivational speaking when I was a fashion and events coordinator for a department store and schools began calling me and asking for me to come speak to students about grooming and building confidence. I would go to the junior high and high schools and speak to 6 classes a day. When I opened my own business, Universal Models Finishing School and Model Agency, the schools continued to call me. Then the Girl Scout troops asked me to speak so that the scouts could get their good grooming badges. Various organizations continued to call and one day someone asked what I would charge. That opened a whole new world to me! Then I met some other speakers and they told me about the National Speakers Association, so I joined. I’ve been speaking ever since!

Me: Do you have any techniques to motivate writers specifically?

Judi: Motivation is an inside job. Writers must write to stay motivated. Write every day whether you feel like it or not.

Me: Do you have different motivational strategies for men vs. women? Different strategies for different age groups? For those of us writing Young Adult, do you have any suggestions for what realistically motivates our teen characters?

Judi: Motivation is a very personal thing. I wouldn’t dare to put people into categories and say “This is what motivates this category of people.” Each of us…man, woman, mature individuals or teens…is motivated for a different reason. The best way to motivate someone is to find out what that individual wants to do, have, or be. Also, find out what hurts that person and how you can help to alleviate that hurt. We can only create an environment in which individuals feel valued and they will motivate themselves.

Me: In your book excerpt, you talk about how our childhood influences our attitudes. I'm thinking of a character I've written who's dealing with a difficult childhood. How successful are you at helping someone overcome a tough childhood?

Judi: I don’t know that we ever “overcome” a difficult childhood. What we must do is focus on the future and quit dwelling on the past. The things that have happened to us in life are experiences that should not be wasted. You have gained knowledge from them. You have learned what to do and what not to do. You can use all of this knowledge to carve out a new future. As my brother, Wayne, said after having lost his legs in a major motorcycle accident, “It’s not what happens to you, but what you do about it that will make the difference in your life.”

Judi, thank you for such insightful answers. And thank you for stopping by on your blog tour.

Click HERE for Judi's website.