Meet Desiree Cocroft | Executive Coach, Consultant and Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Desiree Cocroft and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Desiree, what makes you happy? Why?
What makes me happy is actually deciding to BE happy. There are so many times in life that I have looked for something to happen to cheer me up. When the times that I decided to be grateful and create joy on the inside in every little area of my life is when things really shifted. As someone that is a high-achiever, I get the dopamine hit when I reach goals, I found that it made me addicted to achieving so much that I was straight up on the “shiny object” kick! Looking for another thing to achieve, but ultimately realizing that it was not always for the reasons that were best for me. It’s cool to do cool things because you enjoy it, but it was another thing to find myself doing cool things because I thought “I needed to” to be successful, important, validated, accepted, and all the things.

So what makes me happy… creating joy in all of the little things in my day. Being present with loved ones, helping someone discover their greatness, sipping my favorite tea, taking a walk, and sometimes things like being stuck in traffic!

Yes, I am not fond of traffic, but even in times when things suck and I feel my soul ready to crack, I just decide that I am not letting something ruin my whole day. Because let’s face it….the rabbit hole of that is exhausting. Almost more exhausting then the thing we are going through.

So yeah…if you are not happy….create it by being present with life as it is or change what is.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I love that I decided that I don’t need to be in a box any longer! I think that is what sets me apart. I go against the grain that I have to be this person that shows up one way.

I love helping people fulfill their fullest potential…especially women and organizations. I have been able to do that through coaching, consulting, and speaking.

My background is so eclectic as am both a creative and business professional. I always felt like they are one in the same, but many people feel like you are either one or the other.

I love bringing my creative juices to the world of business and leadership, as well as bring business acumen to my creative outlets.

As a dancer and co-founder of a nonprofit built for girls and women, I have a unique edge. I have such a strong sense of self through my work as a dancer and high level of focus on community as well. It serves me when I coach and speak as I am able to actively engage people quickly to move towards a common goal.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in the DMV area so there is always somewhere to take visitors!

First off, I love food and I am a new whole food, plant-based eater! So I would definitely take us to a restaurant with great plant based options. We would definitely go to Unconventional Diner and Guapo’s in D.C.! They both have amazing food. In between that, we would check out a new museum exhibit or live music somewhere.

I would also take them to one of my favorite dessert spots, Pitango. We could go to the Baltimore location for that and take time to hang out at the waterfront.

I love coffee shops and two of my favorite ones are Curate in Annapolis and PJ’S Coffee in Bowie.

There are some great historical nooks in Annapolis that I would love us to explore and do a boat tour.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to shout out my accountability partners for the last 4 years, Charles Curry and Dr. Pat E. Perkins. We met in a business mastermind and have been consistently holding it down together to support each other professionally and personally. I appreciate them so much for being consistent on my journey!

Website: www.desireecocroft.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desireecocroftmba/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIkCXZpKSsueVKIirpwAOIg