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An internationally-recognized speaker from
the personal and professional development
industries, Wil Cason teaches his clients and
audiences that by simply changing the way they
see things, they can produce the results which
they desire. Cason is the author of numerous
articles, and the recently released book,
"Visualizing Your Victory." He is also a
publisher, radio host, youth mentor,
entrepreneur, consultant, husband, and father of
three. An alumni representative of San Jose
State University's Graduate School, Wil has
consulted for the University's President's
office. Earlier this year, he was selected to
serve as the Master of Ceremonies of an event
which honored Olympians Tommie Smith and John
Carlos.
Currently, Wil is promoting his book and
speaking on a platform, themed: "Visualizing
Your Victory." As part of the OnTheMove!
Interview series, eMediaCampaigns! spoke with
Wil about his new book, his projects, speaking
engagements, and his own visualized victory.
Wil Cason earned a B.A.; in Sociology, and
his Masters in Counselor Education, in 1997 from
San Jose State (CA, USA).
EMC!: Hi Wil. Thank you so much for
meeting with us today.
WC: Thank you, for this great
opportunity to meet with you.
EMC!: You are welcome. Could you share
with us a little more about your background?
WC: I have a heart and love for
helping people reach for their personal best. I
believe that we all have something special and
unique; a rare gift. As early as I can remember,
I've had a passion for encouraging people. I
have worked in both the private and public
sectors. My career path has included working in
group homes, to Program Coordinator for fortune
500 companies.
Throughout my academic career, I experienced
many challenges, including repeating a grade,
attending summer school frequently, and being
academically disqualified from the university in
my second year of college. These were times of
adversity; however, I continued to have a great
attitude and worked harder. I overcame
challenges, completed an undergraduate degree,
and worked as a youth counselor for a few years
before entering graduate school. During my
graduate studies years, Dr. Andrew Hughey
offered me an adjunct professor position to
assist with designing a counseling course. My
graduate studies provided me with a critical
foundation both personally and professional.
EMC!: So, you went from repeating a
grade in grade school, and being academically
disqualified as a Sophomore in college, to being
offered a position as Adjunct Professor at your
alma mater?
WC: Yes. After applying for graduate
school three times--all three times I was
denied--I met with Graduate Advisor, Andrew
Hughey Ph.D. We talked about my background and
what I had to offer in the program and he shared
with me how I could benefit from the grad
program. He said, "Wil, there is something
special about you and I want to help you." He
encouraged me to reapply. He said, "There are a
few other students in your same situation. Can
you please give them a call and speak with them
and encourage them to reapply? They are a little
frustrated right now."
The first person I talked to said: "I'm not
going to go through this whole process again;
they already rejected me."
The second person said: "I'm tired; I'm not
doing it again."
The third person said: "Yes, I will give it
another try."
EMC!: Is it accurate to say that both
you, and the third individual you counseled
about reconsidering Graduate school, reapplied?
WC: Yes. I reapplied and received
"conductional acceptance." Meaning, I had to
take two upper division courses. I had to make a
"B" in each class in order to get into the
graduate program. I put my mind to it, as my
mother would always tell me, and I made an "A"
in each class. I started the graduate program in
the fall of that year.
EMC!: Wil, that is an incredible story
which exudes the undeniable correlation between
persistence and success. Can you describe the
personal transformation that took place after
you visualized your own victory?
WC: The transformation for me was to
keep the faith – believe that all things would
workout in my favor. (Two), find people that
were willing to help me, ask for help, and then
work hard. (And, three), put in the effort and
commit myself. I served three years working for
the university. As a result of my college
experience and knowledge, potential students
call and ask me for advice and from time to
time. I'm (also) asked to consult on student
development projects/grant contracts.
EMC!: And, when did you first see
yourself as the dynamic speaker that you are
today?
WC: During my graduate studies in 1995
– 1997, I began to see myself as a speaker.
Graduate school allowed me to explore who I was
and what skills and gifts I wanted to share with
others.
EMC!: Your debut book, Visualizing
Your Victory, has received international
praise. What prompted you to write it?
WC: I'm thankful that my book VYV
is having a major impact in life of people
worldwide. I know it’s through God’s favor that
I'm given the opportunity to travel and share
with my audiences, key strategies, methods, and
action steps to move individuals forward to
reaching the results they desire and deserve.
The gift of speaking and writing is a calling
for me to share my experiences and talents with
others through writing motivational and
inspirational books and articles.
I was prompted to write after reviewing my
professional career. I evaluated the path I had
traveled: a student-leader, athlete, community
organizer, youth specialist, working with
families, and designing training programs for
fortune 500 companies. I also reflected on a
common theme I heard and still hear today from
individuals, “What do I really want to achieve?”
or “What am I becoming?” My book, VYV
provides a framework to help individuals,
families, and organizations answer the necessary
question for achieving results in any area of
life. My purpose for writing and speaking is to
provide action steps for people to apply to
their life, family, or career. A frequent
question I ask people is “What is your vision?”
EMC: How did you select the mentors
who have been instrumental in helping you
clarify your own vision?
WC: I look for individuals who know
their purpose and are willing to share their
gift to help me to develop in area of my life.
Some of these individuals include Pastor Horacio
Jones, Family Bible Fellowship, Newark, CA, Les
Brown, and John Di Lemme.
EMC!: Tell us about some of the
projects you are working on now?
WC: I am speaking in London in October
at an entrepreneurial conference, and launching
my Success Edge products,
internationally. Weekly, I speak with Vision
Builders nationwide, sharing key strategies and
innovative approaches. I help them enhance
various areas of their life.
As a member of the Divine Literacy tour, I
will tour 15 cities beginning September 23, 2005
speaking and promoting Visualizing Your
Victory. And, I am planning a national youth
tour for 2006, with local promoters.
In my Personal Growth and Development weekend
empowerment seminar, I will walk individuals
through the process of seeing, speaking, and
seeking after their vision. This workshop will
enhance the quality of a person’s life. Without
vision, the people perish. Helen Keller said:
"The most pathetic person in the world, is a
person with sight and no vision. I design these
seminars to help individuals clearly define
their vision, remove vision blocks and embrace
the life they truly want. I encourage people to
take action now. We are also exploring having a
VYV inspirational television program.
EMC!: You are the CEO of Positive
Steps Consulting. Is it accurate to say that
a large part of your work is dedicated to our
youth?
WC: Yes. Youth are our future, and
they are our gifts today. I speak with youth
development agencies, churches, juvenile
justice, and social service groups to increase
their levels of hope. My purpose is to be a
positive role model, share my challenges
(academic failure, peer pressure, lack of faith
and commitment) and show where I am today,
performing like a champion. Positive Steps
Consulting is launching an eight part
series, You are a Winning Family. For
more information, go to http://www.youareawinningfamily.com/
EMC!: You're also a Community Crime
Consultant for the city of Oakland, CA. Would
you describe your role for us?
WC: As a consultant for Community
Crime Prevention Associates (CCPA), in Alameda,
CA, my main scope of work includes: providing
motivational presentations to after school
educational and enrichment programs in Oakland,
CA and working with Bay Area community groups on
violence prevention programs. In addition, I
evaluate after school programs and provide
professional development training. We are
helping the City of Oakland develop evaluation
systems to practice continuous improvement for
youth enrichment and educational programs.
Ultimately, we want to build effective and
efficient services for families and youth.
EMC!: Well, thank you Wil. I certainly
enjoyed our time together today.
WC: Thank you, for providing me this
opportunity to share. It was an honor to meet
with you today. I am thankful that people really
cared about me, when I was growing up, in
Lakeland, Florida. They invested in my life. My
full desire is to reciprocate those blessings by
helping others reach their full potential and
connect to their vision.
eMediaCampaigns! Interviewed Wil Cason in
September, 2005. He can be contacted at wil@wilcason.com
Further information can be obtained at his
website: http://www.wilcason.com/ and by
calling: 1.866.365.7373
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