Yolanda Adams On The Keys To Success That Have Fueled Her Career & Life
Gospel star Yolanda Adams is more than just a dynamic voice — her wisdom and insight about the journey we call life provides just as much empowerment as does her music. Yolanda's career repertoire expands beyond Gospel and includes roles such as actress, radio personality, author, beauty entrepreneur, and fashion designer. Behind the fame is the story of how Yolanda did it and how we can do "it" in our own lives as well.
During the time we spoke, Yolanda Adams was gearing up for a September appearance at the 2019 Black Music Honors. Yolanda, one of the event's honorees, was looking forward to receiving accolades for her work. "Anytime you're able to be acknowledged for anything you've ever done is a blessing," she told me early on during our call. Yet, she reveals there is a "responsibility that comes along with being applauded and appreciated." The ability to impact is always present. I thought our conversation would be mostly about her career in music, but I soon realized the former schoolteacher and part-time model, turned award-winning singer had a testimony about life and inner purpose to share for xoNecole readers.
Photo Credit: Black Music Honors
"I've always seen my gift as a blessing — to be able to write, deliver, and sing from my heart. I've never taken that for granted. That's a lot of power to be able to get people from a point where they are so low that they feel they can't really go on to making them feel so empowered, they don't even remember feeling depressed or trying to give up. That's huge. You realize you're not doing this by yourself. There's a special power that's allowing you to give this to people so that they can make their lives better. This song makes their life better. This performance makes their life better. They can listen over and over until they are so empowered that they get up and dust themselves off."
Read on to learn more about Yolanda's tips on embracing one's gift, motherhood, entrepreneurship, spirituality, navigating success and more.
Note: responses have been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
xoNecole: Describe your approach to making music.
Yolanda Adams: My goal every time I go into the studio is to take out of my heart and put it on whatever tape and give it to people who need it. If people are dealing with wondering about the economy, let's talk about that. If they're thinking about the love of their life, let's do a song about that. If they're thinking about loss, let's talk about that. Let's sing what the heart of the people need right now. I've never gone into the studio and said let's do a song that will go on mainstream radio or let's do a song that will go to the top of the Gospel charts. That has never been my thinking. My thinking process is always, "Who needs this right now?"
xoNecole: Taking the leap towards our passions and dreams can be tough. What inspired you to embrace your gift?
Yolanda: To anyone who has a specific call on their life and they know they do, never ever think that where God is about to take you is less than where you are right now. God always promotes you. He never demotes you. There will be a leap of faith moment where you have to say, "I can't do this the way I did it before."
I taught for seven years before I went into full-time singing. I had to make a huge decision. It took me a whole year to make the decision that I am really going to do this full-time. It wasn't a struggle to say I'm doing it full-time. The struggle came with doubting myself and doubting the decision I made.
In the face of what seems like a "no" or a deterrent or something that fights what you are feeling, we tend to say, "I shouldn't have done [that]." That's not the truth. You never get to the point of your life where you have nothing to deal with. If you try to avoid resistance, you will never grow.
Yolanda at the Black Music Honors 2019
Photo Credit: Black Music Honors
xoNecole: How do you manage possible discomfort when stepping into your purpose?
Yolanda: We deal with growing pains all of our lives. When you move from having a boss to being your own boss, now everything is really on you. You have to make sure your books are right. You have to make sure you are getting up in the morning. If you are not occupying your time and making sure you are doing something with your talent, you lose your stamina, drive, and purpose. It's the same thing with us when it comes to us thinking life will be problem-less or problem-free. That's never going to happen. You will always have to deal with something. Wisdom and experience teaches you how to effectively deal with what you're dealing with.
xoNecole: What were some of the biggest challenges of your career and how did you deal with them?
Yolanda: One of the things was trying to figure out how to navigate being a single mom and figure out how I'm going to be at home with my child to nurture a great person. Those of us who have been on the road all of our lives, we're always trying to figure out how to make transitions. I said, "God, I have to be home most of the time for Taylor [her daughter]." That's how the radio show came about. I didn't know where it was going to come from. My first degree is Radio & TV journalism.
I knew I was prepared to do it, but I didn't know how it was going to come about. People told me I'd have to move to Los Angeles or New York. Those were out of the question because my child had already established her friendships. I said to the Lord that we were going to have to work things out. Less than a week later, I got a phone call from my attorney asking if I wanted to go into business with [someone]. We had a lot of success with the radio show. I was able to go to every recital and concert. I was able to do everything with her.
When you have to make adjustments...life will make you rethink some of the things you think are permanent. I didn't miss a beat. When you ask God for stuff, in sincerity, knowing that your purpose is not just selfish, God will open windows and doors for you that you never even thought were possible.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Yolanda Adams
xoNecole: Is there anything about entrepreneurship you wish more people understood?
Yolanda: Brands take work, I don't care what your name is. Every person from Beyonce to Jay-Z to Puffy...everyone who has magnanimous brands can tell you, it takes work. Your hands have to be there. You have to put your foot to the pedal. You have to say, "I believe in this with all my heart. I'm not letting it go." When people tell me "no", I'm still looking for that "yes". One of my mentors B. Smith told me, "Stand on a mountain of no's until you get that one YES." That is one of the biggest lessons I've learned.
If you believe in yourself, it doesn't matter who doesn't believe in you. If you believe in your product, it doesn't matter who doesn't believe in your product. You keep believing until you see what you saw in your vision.
Long-term goals for business is crucial. [You need to] have that marathon runner mentality. Sometimes you may have what seems like an amazing idea in the beginning. You have momentum [and] are doing everything you need to do. Everybody is responding and then the next couple of weeks and months, someone else has a launch [and things die down]. That doesn't negate the amazing product you have. You just have to find a different way to get it to the masses. Social media is wonderful. Build relationships. This is not a sprint. This is a marathon. You still come out the winner if you hang in there.
xoNecole: For those struggling with spirituality and finding their own connection with God, what advice would you give?
Yolanda: Breathe. Give yourself a break. Even the strongest of us have those moments where we say, "Lord, where are you?" Don't worry. You are not by yourself. Those are times when you get quiet. If you want to find God, get quiet. Move away from the phone and people. Ask the hard questions. "What am I doing? What are we doing? Where am I going? How am I going to make it? Is this the end of this? Should I be looking for something else?" The silence and quiet is where you find God. You're not going to find him on Instagram. (Although there are some great preachers and teachers on Instagram.) You find Him in your own spirit, because He's inside. Stop looking for God in the sky.
xoNecole: What are the most important things to keep in mind as we reach for success?
Yolanda: Believe in yourself. If you don't believe in you, no one else will believe in you. You've got to convince yourself that you're the greatest you that was ever created.
Believe in your destiny and purpose. Your destiny is the roadmap to where you are going. It's also the trail you've left behind. What are the lessons you've learned? What kind of knowledge have you garnered about yourself?
Garner great relationships. Your friends, family, and people you put around you will be your cheerleaders and your balcony when you have no idea how you're going to make it. They will be the ones to say you can do this and to keep going. Sooner or later, you're going to hit those goals and you're going to be like, "I did it."
For more on Yolanda, follow her on Instagram. Click here to stay up to date on her 2020 tour and purchase her line of handbags here.
Rana Campbell is a Princeton University graduate, storyteller, content marketing strategist, and the founder and host of Dreams In Drive - a weekly podcast that teaches you how to take your dreams from PARK to DRIVE. She loves teaching others how to use their life stories to inspire action within oneself and others. Connect with her on Instagram @rainshineluv or @dreamsindrive.
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The Best Anti-Boredom Activities (That Don’t Involve Your Phone)
Boredom has a way of creeping up on us out of nowhere. We can be on our phones, scrolling through countless videos and venturing down endless rabbit holes before we ever notice the hours that have escaped us. With all the access we have to information, places to go, and new things to see, it makes you wonder how we ever find ourselves in a pit of boredom, roaming between our phone and fridge in the first place. So when the “blah” of life strikes, we all need a few antidotes to add color back into our most mundane moments.
July is Anti-Boredom Month which targets the subjective, yet commonly shared emotion of feeling a lack of stimulation or interest in their current activities or surroundings. While the cause and motive behind boredom differ from person to person, the common thread that ties most stints of boredom together is repetition and monotony.
From having a routine with no spontaneity to going from work to back home with no third place in between. Or the lack of hobbies or new interests, and only leaning on your phone for excitement and entertainment. All these factors and more can lead a person to feel unchallenged and even disconnected from a sense of purpose or meaning.
But life isn’t supposed to be dull and predictable. It should be spent doing the things that make us feel most alive and connected to adventure and novelty. And to help you combat boredom head-on, we’ve put together a list of fun and easy anti-boredom activities to spice up your life — no phone necessary.
1.Go For A Bike Ride.
One of the benefits of living in a city is that you don’t have to go far to grab a bike and ride through the city with your hair blowing in the air. Taking a bike ride not only allows you to connect with your inner child, but it allows you to see your city from a totally new perspective, all while moving your body. Let it rip!
2.Take A Class That Speaks To Your Interest.
With sites like ClassPass and Eventbrite, you’re only a click away from exploring your next hobbies. Search for classes that let you tap into old or budding interests like pottery, wine tasting, sewing, Pilates, or even trampoline jumping. The world is your oyster.
3.Binge-Watch A Cult Classic TV Series.
Have you ever had to sit on the internet sidelines while your mutuals debate about the storyline of a TV show you just never got into? Well, now’s your chance to see what all the hype was about. Shows like Succession, Game of Thrones, Snowfall, The Wire, Girlfriends, Scandal, and Grey’s Anatomy are must-see TV when boredom strikes — grab some popcorn and wine and tune in.
4.Do A Closet Cleanout/Refresh.
You’ve probably been eyeing the pill of unworn clothes in the back of your closet for some time now, and we’re not judging. All we’re suggesting is, why not take a casual Saturday morning to declutter, toss out, and reorganize your space to let in new things? You’ll feel lighter, and you may even get to give away those things to a good cause or get a couple of bucks from selling them. It’s a win-win.
5.Learn How To Do A New Braided Hairstyle.
Sure, not every Black woman was born with the superpower to braid her own hair, but that’s what YouTube University is for. If you’re not in the mood to drop $500 on a new knotless braid style and just want to try it out on yourself at home, pull up a YouTube tutorial and get to braiding away. You’ll get a new hairdo out of it, and you’ve killed some time.
6.Teach Yourself How To Crochet.
One skill that tends to get overlooked is crocheting. Not only is it a hobby that’s easy to follow and pick up, but you end up being able to create one-of-its-kind pieces that you can keep to yourself or gift to your loved one. The flow of the technique will put your mind at ease, and you’ll be only a few hours away from your next knitted creation.
7.Pamper Yourself With An At-Home Mani/Pedi.
We’re in a recession, so with the cost of most things going up, why not take one thing off yourmaintenance budget and try it at home? Run some warm water, select your colors, grab your tools, and get to the glam.
8.Start A Book You’ve Been Meaning To Read.
It’s safe to say that we all have a mini library growing in our apartment of books we bought with full intentions to read but never quite got around to it. Then we bought another for the cover art and another because BookTok recommended it. We get it. Now’s your chance to take your pick from your at-home bookstore and get lost in the pages of a new story.
9.Draw In An Adult Coloring Book.
The beautiful thing about coloring books is that there is no age limit to who can use one. Grab one with intricate details or one with your favorite childhood characters in it. You can never go wrong with a coloring session.
10.Cook Or Bake A New Recipe.
Is the “recipes” folder saved in your TikTok getting a little full? Well, there’s no time like the present to hit up the grocery store to buy your favorite ingredients and wipe up a new baked good or full-course meal. Treat yourself.
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