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Part 3 of 3 – Lessons from Eric Alper on Turning Discipline into Influence

When we think about bold moves, our minds often go to the dramatic decisions—the resignation letter, the relocation, the career change. And yes, those are bold. I’ve lived them myself. Leaving my role as Director of Human Capital and moving to Canada was not just a professional decision, but a leap of faith.

But what I’ve learned is this: boldness is not always in the big one-time leap. Sometimes boldness is in the daily discipline, the relentless follow-through, and the quiet choices you make again and again when no one is clapping.

That’s the lesson I carried away after hearing Eric Alper speak.

Passion that Refuses to Quit

Eric Alper is a name that carries weight in the Canadian music industry. For over 25 years, he has been behind the scenes of some of the most influential artists, labels, and campaigns. He’s worked with Smithsonian Folkways, Concord, True North Records, and dozens more. He’s been nominated six times for Publicist of the Year at Canadian Music Week, and he’s overseen publicity campaigns for more than 155 JUNO-nominated albums.

On paper, that’s impressive. But here’s what struck me: Eric’s influence wasn’t just built by the artists he represented or the awards connected to his name. His influence was built by his passion and the discipline to express that passion consistently.

He doesn’t just post occasionally on social media. He posts at least 75 times a week. That’s more than 10 posts a day. Not because someone told him he “had to,” but because he sees social media as a tool, not a toy. He plans, he executes, and he follows through.

Tools, Not Toys

I’ll be honest, like many of you, I’ve had seasons where social media felt draining. We scroll endlessly, compare our lives to curated feeds, and sometimes forget why we even logged on. But Eric’s approach flipped that narrative for me.

For him, social media isn’t about vanity metrics or idle scrolling. It’s a tool, a megaphone to share, connect, and influence. Every post is intentional. Every piece of content is another seed planted.

It reminded me of Proverbs 18:21:

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Our words, whether spoken in a meeting or typed into a caption, carry weight. They can build, inspire, and influence. But only if we choose to use them with purpose.

Passion + Discipline = Influence

Passion on its own is powerful, but without follow-through, it fades. Discipline on its own is impressive, but without passion, it becomes hollow. When you put them together, you create influence that lasts.

Eric’s 75 posts a week aren’t random; they’re anchored in what he loves—music, storytelling, and connection. He doesn’t thrive on routine, yet he’s disciplined. Why? Because his work is connected to his passion.

For me, this was confirmation. Moving to Canada wasn’t about starting from scratch—it was about staying rooted in my lane of transformation and showing up consistently, even when everything around me felt new. Consistency has become my bold move.

Why Consistency Feels Bold

Let’s be real: consistency isn’t glamorous. No one celebrates your 73rd post of the week. No one applauds your 5 AM writing session or your decision to show up again when yesterday’s post didn’t go viral. But that’s exactly why it’s bold.

Consistency is faith in action. It says, “I believe the seeds I plant today will bear fruit tomorrow.”

Galatians 6:9 reminds us:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Your bold move might not be leaving a job or moving countries. Your bold move might be the quiet, unseen discipline of showing up every single day.

Three Lessons for Your Bold Move Season

From Eric’s example, here are three truths I want to leave with you:

1. Plan and Execute
   Boldness isn’t in dreaming big, it’s in executing faithfully. Make the plan. Stick to it. Don’t just think about influence, schedule it.
2. Use Tools Wisely
   Social media is not your enemy, nor is it your identity. It’s a tool. Use it to serve, to connect, to inspire. Don’t let it use you.
3. Anchor Discipline to Passion
   Discipline becomes sustainable when it’s rooted in what you love. What fires you up? Build your consistency around that.

Faith and Follow-Through

Looking back, my three-part series on bold moves has been a story of God’s faithfulness in every stage.

• In Part 1, I shared about leaving my job and stepping into a new country, learning from Adam Rodricks that where passion meets aptitude, there’s magic.
• In Part 2, Jerome “Junkyard Dog” Williams reminded me to own my lane, flip the script, and stay hungry.
• And now, in Part 3, Eric Alper’s discipline shows me that consistency is just as bold as change, that influence is born not in one big step, but in the thousands of small ones that follow.

If you’re in a season where God is asking you to step out, I want to encourage you: boldness isn’t only in the leap. Boldness is in the follow-through.

Your Challenge: Passion into Action

This week, I challenge you to take one area of your life where passion has been stirring and pair it with a plan for consistency.

• If you’ve been meaning to write, commit to 20 minutes a day.
• If you’ve been planning to post, start with three posts a week and grow from there.
• If you’ve been thinking about serving, sign up and show up.

Bold moves are born in obedience, sustained by discipline, and fueled by passion.

And here’s the promise: when you move boldly, consistently, and faithfully, you will reap a harvest.

This concludes my three-part series on Bold Moves. Each speaker reminded me of something profound: boldness is not just a one-time choice. It’s a lifestyle of clarity, courage, consistency, and faith. My prayer is that you find the courage to make your bold move and the discipline to walk it out every day.

Part 2 of 3 – Lessons in Hunger, Resilience, and Connection

When I moved to Canada, I knew I had stepped into a new season – new country, new opportunities, and a new stretch of faith. But here’s the thing: even when God shifts your location, you still have to decide how you’ll show up.

In my first few months here, I had the privilege of hearing Jerome “Junkyard Dog” Williams speak. A former NBA player with a career spanning the Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, Chicago Bulls, and New York Knicks, Jerome’s presence is bigger than basketball. He’s a youth advocate, a leader, and someone whose energy pulls you in from the moment he starts speaking.

Jerome shared about his new book, R.O.L.E. Player: Passing on the Wisdom. He reminded us that success isn’t always about being the star—it’s about embracing the role you were created to play and leveraging every opportunity to grow. His philosophy of being a relentless opportunist, turning labels into strengths, staying hungry, and showing up authentically, echoes the heart of making bold moves.

To me, boldness isn’t about reckless leaps; it’s about recognizing the lane God has placed you in and owning it fully, even when it looks different from what the world celebrates. Like Jerome, when we choose to step out in faith and operate from authenticity, we don’t just make moves, we create impact that lasts.

As I listened to him share his journey, a few key lessons landed so deeply with me that they’ve been shaping the way I think about influence, branding, and faith in this new chapter of my life.

Lesson 1: Own Your Lane

Jerome spoke about the importance of owning your lane. In basketball, your lane is your role, your position, your way of contributing to the team’s success. In life, your lane is the unique combination of your gifts, your experiences, and your calling.

The temptation when you enter a new season—or a new market—is to copy what others are doing because it seems to work. But owning your lane means being rooted in what God has already placed in your hands. It means running your race without swerving into someone else’s.

For me, that lane is organisational transformation and leadership coaching—helping people and organizations navigate change in a way that aligns with purpose and drives real growth. Moving to Canada didn’t change my lane; it expanded it.

Lesson 2: Flip the Script

One of my favorite moments from Jerome’s talk was when he shared how he used what others said about him to his advantage. People would label him, underestimate him, or try to put him in a box—and instead of fighting the label, he flipped the script.

That’s how “Junkyard Dog” became more than a nickname. It became a brand. It was about hustle, persistence, and doing the work no one else wanted to do but doing it with excellence.

It made me think about the times people have made assumptions about me:

• Too bold.
• Too direct.
• Too ambitious.

In the past, I may have tried to tone it down. Now? I flip the script. Those traits are exactly what allow me to lead change, speak truth, and inspire action.

Lesson 3: Stay Hungry

Jerome’s career wasn’t built on talent alone—it was built on hunger. Even after making it to the NBA, he stayed ready to work harder than anyone else.

This resonated with me because hunger is a choice. In seasons of comfort, it’s easy to lose it. In seasons of challenge, it’s tempting to replace it with fear. But hunger—spiritually and professionally—keeps you pressing toward the mark.

Philippians 3:14 says:

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Hunger keeps you pressing. It keeps you moving when doors take longer to open. It keeps you sharp when others relax.

Lesson 4: The Power of Storytelling

Jerome’s talk also reminded me that people don’t just connect with what you do—they connect with why you do it. He didn’t just list stats or talk about his achievements. He told stories that brought you into the locker room, onto the court, and into his heart for youth.

Storytelling is the bridge between your life and someone else’s breakthrough. It’s what turns information into inspiration.

And here’s the faith-based truth: Jesus Himself used stories, parables, to reveal Kingdom principles. If storytelling was His strategy, it should be ours too.

Your Turn: Apply the JYD Mindset

Here’s how you can take these lessons into your own bold move season:

1. Own Your Lane – Identify the lane God has placed you in and stay rooted there.
2. Flip the Script – Take what’s been said about you, good or bad, and turn it into a strength.
3. Stay Hungry – Don’t lose your drive when things get hard or when they get easy.
4. Tell Your Story – Share your journey, not just your wins.

Why This Matters for Impact

When you operate from your lane, flip the script, stay hungry, and tell your story, you build trust. You create influence. You give people something to believe in.

And in this new chapter of my life, I’m realizing more than ever that influence is not just about visibility, it’s about responsibility. Every story you tell, every move you make, and every lane you own becomes a seed planted in someone else’s heart.

In Part 3, I’ll share about another speaker and how their lessons are shaping the way I’m building my next season of business, influence, and impact.

Until then, remember:
Your lane is sacred. Own it. Protect it. And let God use it to impact the world.

Part 1 of 3 – Lessons in Courage, Branding, and New Beginnings

I still remember the day I decided to hand in my resignation as Director of Human Capital.
My heart was pounding and it wasn’t because I didn’t know what was next, actually it was something I have been preparing for mentally for a while so I understood what it meant. I was stepping away from the comfort of a leadership role, a familiar environment, and an industry I had poured into for years… to relocate to Canada with my husband and start fresh.

This was not a spontaneous decision. It was a faith decision.
God had been stirring something in me for months, reminding me that obedience often feels uncomfortable at first, but it always produces fruit in due season.

Sometimes, bold moves don’t look logical on paper. They don’t check every box or come wrapped in a guarantee. But they’re the kind of moves that align with your purpose, stretch your capacity, and pull you into the unknown where God can reveal more of Himself and your potential.

One major part of this bold move, was building a brand from the ground up in a new territory.

When Passion Meets Aptitude

Recently, I had the privilege of hearing Adam Rodricks, National Director, Social Growth and Experience, at KPMG, speak about branding and influence. One line from his talk hit me right between the eyes:

“Where passion meets aptitude, there’s great work and magic.”

In that moment, I thought about my own transition.
Passion without skill can burn out quickly. Skill without passion can feel hollow. But when passion and aptitude collide, it’s not just work—it’s an assignment.

When I made the move to Canada, it wasn’t just about changing my address. It was about aligning my skills, my calling, and my environment in a way that would allow me to show up at my fullest.

Zig Where Others Zag

Adam also said something that has stayed with me: “Zig where others have zagged.”
It’s tempting to follow the well-trodden path; do what’s expected, stay where it’s safe, and build what others understand. But safe isn’t always where you’re called.

For me, zigging meant leaving a senior leadership role without a ready-made replacement opportunity, because I knew my assignment required space, faith, and a willingness to be different.

Find the Niche, Fill the Gap

One of the practical takeaways from Adam’s session was that strong brands, whether corporate or personal, have two things in common:

1. They know their niche.
2. They fill a gap.

For me, my niche has always been transformation. I help leaders and organizations navigate change in a way that nourishes people, aligns with purpose, and drives performance.

The gap? For years, I felt like I was pouring into others but didn’t have the physical or mental space to pour into building the vision God gave me for by companies. Moving to Canada gave me that space. It allowed me to think strategically, dream boldly, and step into opportunities that were waiting for me on the other side of obedience.

But I have made the move, now how do I build the impact? This was the question that was daunting me having relocated to a new territory, with no contacts or connections.

Influence Over Vanity

Another powerful insight Adam shared was this: Social media is not about vanity metrics—it’s about creating influence.

We live in a time where 93% of buying decisions are influenced by social media. That means what you put out into the world matters. But here’s the thing: influence isn’t built on how many people “like” your post. It’s built on how deeply you connect with the people who need your voice.

My application of this is simple. When you share your bold move, your testimony, your lessons—you’re not chasing numbers. You’re creating ripples. You’re planting seeds. You’re giving someone else permission to believe that they can take a step of faith too.

Therefore, social media became not just my friend but a loyal ally.

Two Questions to Guide Your Influence

Adam further expressed that every piece of content, every conversation, and every decision you make about your personal brand should answer these two unspoken questions:

1. Why should I care?
2. Why should I share?

When people can answer those for themselves, you’re not just seen—you’re remembered. And when you’re remembered, your influence grows beyond a title, a company, or a platform.

The Faith Side of Bold Moves

Let’s be real—bold moves aren’t glamorous when you’re in the middle of them. They can feel like freefalling.

There were days after resigning when I wondered if I had made the right choice. But every time doubt crept in, God reminded me of Isaiah 43:19:

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

The wilderness can be scary, but it’s also where provision flows in unexpected ways. Your job is to keep moving forward, trusting that the One who called you into the unknown has already gone ahead to prepare the way.

The Bold Move Challenge

If you’re reading this and sensing that God has been nudging you toward your own bold move, here’s my challenge for you this week:

• Pray for clarity. Ask God to confirm the step and give you peace that overrides fear.
• Identify your niche. What do you do so well that it feels natural, and how does it serve others?
• Find the gap. Where is there a need that your gifts and experience can meet?
• Zig where others zag. Don’t be afraid to take the path less traveled if that’s where your calling is leading.
• Speak it out. Share your journey with others—it may be the spark they need.

What This Means for You

Making a bold move is not just about career change, relocation, or business decisions—it’s about obedience. It’s about saying yes when God opens a door, even if it leads to a hallway you’ve never walked before.

Bold moves will test your faith, stretch your capacity, and redefine your identity. But they will also position you for influence, impact, and the kind of fulfillment you can’t manufacture by playing it safe.

In Part 2 of this series, I’ll share how I began rebuilding my network, influence, and opportunities in a brand-new country and the surprising strategies that work no matter where you are in the world.

Until then, remember: You were not created for comfort zones. You were created for Kingdom impact.

Let me first say that this is the definition of “long story short” (lol). It is impossible for me to share my entire journey in this one article. So, if that’s what you expect, then let’s manage that expectation from the beginning. However, I do intend to share the defining moments in my journey that allowed me to hold onto my self worth, overcome my self-esteem challenges and grow in self-confidence.

Continue reading “How I overcame low self-esteem and grew in confidence”