Ai Addyson-Zhang is an entrepreneur and educator. As an educator, she connects the dots between technology/social media 
and education. She believes in using technology to effect positive changes in higher education. Inside the classroom, she teaches Public Relations and Social Media courses. her goal as a teacher is to bridge the gap between education and practice, exemplify what she teach esby walking the talk and helping her students embrace the entrepreneurial mindset. She incorporates various social media sites and technologies into her classes as pedagogical tools to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. Outside the classroom, Ai is a blogger (Top Writer in Social Media on Medium), speaker, live streamer, and digital learning consultant. She produces content focusing on the intersection between Technology/Social Media, Education, and entrepreneurship. She also offers both virtual and in-person training on digital learning, personal branding, and social media marketing.
Ai shares how taking a sabbatical allowed her to focus on her true passion and her true self along with having the confidence to become an entrepreneur.
Bio
Ai Addyson-Zhang is an entrepreneur and educator.
Cultural Background
Ai is of Chinese descent.
Favorite Self Confidence Quote
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.
Definition of Self Confidence
Self confidence is NOT compare yourself with anyone else, even though this is challenge to do. Only compare yourself to yourself. If today’s you is better than the you yesterday, you are making good progress and should feel proud of yourself. Also, don’t compare your beginning journey to someone’s mid- or end-journey.
Her Life Before the Discovery of Self Confidence
Ai followed a routine. She would teach, research, and service. She did things because she is supposed to do them. Ai didn’t really question much about what she did.
The “AHA” Moment
Ai to a year long academic sabbatical which is also called a research leave. During this one year of research leave, she spent lots of time doing research but she also spent tons of time listening to books and podcasts on self development and entrepreneurship. It is the first time that she actually explored within to truly get to know herself, her interest and passion. And then she came to Korea due to her husband’s job. This experience truly allowed her or motivated her to discover herself and her own voice. Coming to a foreign country broke down the routines in her life. It was uncomfortable yet motivated her to reinvent and rediscover herself.
Her Life After the Discovery of Self Confidence
Ai is exploring to become an entrepreneur or edupreneur. She became a content creator. She started blogging and a facebook live show. Everyday she is motivated to work and to produce content, knowing that her content is going to have an impact on someone else’s life. Nowadays, she calls herself an educator, blogger, live streamer, speaker, and consultant. She sees lots of opportunities. Also, she is in the process of writing her first self-published book with another dear friend.
The One Self Confidence Tip For the Listener
You have to take action, regardless of how small your action may seem to be. Taking baby steps helps you gain confidence. You will feel good about yourself. Someone in some part of the world is going to resonate with your message and is going to engage with you.
Take baby steps. And once you start to hear more and more positive feedback from people, you will feel more and more confident in your message. You will find your tribe, a group of people who will rejoice in your happiness and support you in your sadness. Planning or thinking can only get you this far; but taking action is how you move closer to your dreams and eventually fulfill them.
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