Gi Gi O’Brien Turns Pain Into Power: Social Networking Tips, the Five C’s and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Are you too hard on yourself? Do you create debilitating mental habits? Is success linked to happiness? If you said yes to any of these questions, then it’s time to shape pain into power and failure into a fortune. How? By being authentic, tapping into your vulnerabilities, and making big strides with small steps!

Professionals are often misguided when it comes to the connection between success and happiness. Gi Gi O’Brien, CEO at Global Intelligence Initiative, author of The Self Quarantine Handbook, The Trauma Handbook, and The Intelligence of Happiness as well as the Founder of 111 Entertainment and Nathazelis, says that nothing should ever come at the expense of happiness. Not for your job, not for your clients, not anyone. 

Drawing from mental health struggles and her fusion of skills in journalism, business, and various sciences, Gi Gi thrives as a consultant, social entrepreneur, and visionary.

In this episode of Lisa Buyer’s Social PR Secrets podcast, Gi Gi O’Brien discusses her new book, The Intelligence of Happiness: How to Thrive Using Authenticity, Self-Alignment, and Simple Neuropsychology, how to apply the five C’s to your personal and business life and the best ways to eliminate imposter syndrome. 

How the Worst Life Moments Became Gi Gi’s Biggest Assets

While sitting in a hospital bed after a severe mental breakdown, Gi Gi transcended her suffering. She tapped into many years of emotional neglect and made the ultimate promise: to live a life of authenticity, ambition, and happiness.  Years later, during the COVID-19 lockdown, similar darkness seeped into her space once more, where feelings of shame and pain served as catalysts to continue writing her book. 

The Intelligence of Happiness ensures a more abundant life. It opens doors to new opportunities, re-instills confidence, and unlocks brilliance. Gi Gi is an expert in turning pain into power. Her decades-long mental health and entrepreneurial journey have ultimately led to a deeper understanding of true happiness. And by applying the principles of neuropsychology to the art of authenticity as well as aligning your emotions, thoughts, beliefs, and behavior, you can master it, too.

The Power of Networking

Big breaks don’t magically fall into laps, no matter how hard we wish they did. Really, it takes a lot of persistence, networking, and authenticity to achieve any goal. Gi Gi says that connecting with others brings her the utmost joy. By joining Facebook groups, creating social media accounts, and putting yourself out there, you will establish genuine and substantial lifelong bonds. But it’s not just about gaining an endorsement. It’s about adding value to your life and theirs. 

If you look at the inside cover of her book, you’ll find incredible testimonials, including one from Nelson Mandel’s grandson. How did this happen? Through the power of confidence, influence, and passion. If you simply sit back, the greatest of opportunities will end up passing you by. And if you’re looking for motivation, reliance on others is not the path to take because they’re probably looking for it, too. Here’s the problem: neither of you is looking in the right place. For motivation ultimately comes from within. 

"This is a book the world needs in these times, for both relief and great inspiration." —Ndaba Mandela, Chairman of Mandela Institute for Humanity, author, mentor, spokesperson, entrepreneur, political consultant, and the grandson of Nelson Mandela.

The Five C’s

Regardless of whether you're an entrepreneur, public relations professional, digital marketer, or starting a new business, it’s important to apply Gi Gi’s five C’s to your personal and business life for self-help and high-performance.

1. Control your emotions
2. Be Conscious of your thoughts
3. Commit to beliefs that serve you
4. Be Continuous with your behaviors
5. Be Consistent with what you believe

Gi Gi used these tips as well as surrounding knowledge to write her book on neurology. By leveraging information and taking a course in neuroscience, she was able to eliminate her imposter syndrome and write the #1 newly released Amazon book on neuropsychology and cognitive neuroscience.

Using Motivational Magic to Eliminate Imposter Syndrome

“If you have a vision and you're clear, you don't need to wait for someone to validate you.”  —Gi Gi O’Brien

Without carrying a victim’s complex, Gi Gi turns tragedy into triumph. By focusing on vibrational blockage and detaching from the outcome, she finds viable solutions to eliminate imposter syndrome, procrastination, and self-doubt.

This motivational magic happens when you feel the most unmagical; when you want to push the snooze button 10 more times; when you feel uninspired and helpless. 

Here are some tips Gi Gi shares on how to stay motivated and break away from self-inflicted, negative thoughts:

1. Game-ify It: make a challenge out of your daily, weekly, or monthly goals
2. Get a streak going that you won’t be inclined to break
3. Involve other people; develop a community around your set goals
4. Hold yourself accountable 

What’s Next For Gi Gi O’Brien

The Intelligence of Happiness: How to Thrive Using Authenticity, Self-Alignment and Simple NeroPsychology is available on Amazon now! 

Gi Gi also has several books in the works, is thrilled to launch global intelligence initiative workshops and online courses, and hopes to host a TED Talk in the near future.

Some topics in this episode include:

• The Five C’s
• The Connection Between High-Performance and Happiness
• Book Writing
• The Power of Networking
• Solutions for Imposter Syndrome
• Eliminating Procrastination
• Tips on Staying Motivated
• The Importance of Accountability
• Happiness, pleasure, and holistic life satisfaction
• Leveraging Knowledge
• Marketing Tips and Facebook Groups
• Creating Instagram Accounts to Build Relationships
• The Vibrational Blockage

Links Mentioned:

• The Intelligence of Happiness
• The Quarantine Handbook: A positive, humorous, and life-changing approach to self-isolation during the Covid19 pandemic
• Global Intelligence Initiative
• 111 Entertainment
• Nathazel

Connect with Gi Gi O’Brien:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook