Episode 159 - In High Heels on a Ladder: The 7 Power Tools for Designing Your Life with Tonya Comer

In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard sits down with Tonya Comer, one of the top 20 African American interior designers in the United States, winner of the 2024 Nautilus Gold Book Award for Business and Leadership, and author of High Heels on a Ladder: The 7 Power Tools for Designing Your Life. Tonya shares the deeply personal story behind her book, revealing how years of success couldn't silence the self-limiting belief that nearly sabotaged her life, career, and health.Gerald and Tonya explore the hidden beliefs that shape our decisions, the surprising ways childhood experiences influence adulthood, and why hustle culture is often fueled by fear instead of purpose. They unpack concepts like foundational beliefs, the reticular activating system, imposter syndrome, forgiveness, gratitude, and transformational learning, offering practical tools for moving from survival to genuine fulfillment.Whether you've achieved success but still feel like you're falling short, struggle with burnout or self-doubt, or simply want to stop letting old stories dictate your future, this episode offers a thoughtful roadmap for replacing fear with self-awareness, purpose, and lasting personal transformation.What We Discuss[00:00] Productivity Smarts introduction[02:01] Meet Tonya Comer and High Heels on a Ladder[03:31] Tonya's favorite music and artists[05:19] Hustle culture and the motivation for writing the book[06:09] Hitting "rock bottom" at the height of recognition[10:21] Gerald's own story: fear, the nervous system, and passing out[12:06] Self-worth, foundational belief, circumstantial belief, and imposter belief[12:28] "Words create worlds"[13:26] How foundational beliefs form in early childhood[15:42] Tonya's story: homelessness, colorism, bullying, and "I don't matter"[19:43] The reticular activating system and self-fulfilling beliefs[21:57] Getting unstuck from hustle culture toward calm productivity[23:20] The belief system as "a big fat lie" vs. your natural authority[25:09] Awareness as the essential first step[27:00] Journaling and examining your own limiting beliefs[31:08] The 7 Power Tools framework and why "forgive it" is hardest[31:57] Gratitude as a daily practice[32:46] Dr. Dawson Church's research on gratitude and neural rewiring[34:27] Transformational learning and Einstein's famous insight[38:18] The diamond metaphor: pressure, growth, and becoming[39:49] Tonya's free gift: the Communications Guide to Natural Authority[41:56] Where to find Tonya Comer and her book[43:21] Final thoughts  Notable Quotes[06:38] "I believe I don't matter. At the moment I was being acknowledged as one of the best in my field, I didn't know how to reconcile this acknowledgement against the belief system I had." – Tonya Comer[12:38] "Words create worlds. The words you say out loud or to yourself shape your reality." – Tonya Comer[19:21] "Every time we say 'I am' and fill in the blank, we're programming the reticular activating system. That becomes the lens through which you see everything in the world." – Gerald J. Leonard[23:27] "The belief system is a big fat lie. The other part of you, your natural authority, is the confident part of you that knows how to win in life." – Tonya Comer[25:13] "The first step is awareness. You have to understand that internal conflict is the thing causing you to burn out." – Tonya Comer[32:13] "Gratitude opens up a space for that part of us that is our natural authority. It allows us to attract more of the things we're grateful for." – Tonya Comer[37:32] "My journey was not created so that I could suffer. It was created so I could learn some really big lessons so I could help others thrive." – Tonya Comer[38:27] "Diamonds are formed from coal under pressure. To become that jewel, we have to go through the furnace." – Gerald J. Leonard[43:39] "You are powerful beyond belief. The only thing that holds us back is a big fat lie—that self-limiting belief." – Tonya ComerResource and LinksTonya ComerWebsite: tonyacomer.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamtonyacomerBook: In High Heels on a Ladder: The 7 Power Tools for Designing Your LifeEmail for autographed copies and free gift: [email protected] Gift: Communications Guide to Natural Authority (email to request)Productivity Smarts PodcastWebsite - productivitysmartspodcast.comGerald J. LeonardWebsite - geraldjleonard.comTurnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.comScheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonardKiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopmindsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.