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

Hi Jon, what is the most important factor behind your success?
One of the most important factors behind my success is investing in my own self-development. I started Beyond Your Horizon, LLC with the mission of partnering with entrepreneurs, visionaries, and creatives to go beyond the place their eyes can see. The Horizon is the place where the sky seems to meet the earth and appears to be the place that marks the end of the world, but we know there is much more beyond that point. I believe that there are “horizons” in our life created by our environment, education/knowledge level, and circumstances, that can place limitations on our goals and visions. An investment in your own self development is required when you desire to be and do more than what it is in your current view. I am not one for luck, but I believe in the magic that happens when preparedness meets opportunity. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Technical Management with a concentration in Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship and I am currently in Grad School working on a degree in Operations Management. I am a certified HR Professional through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and also a Certified Professional Life Coach specializing in Manifestation Coaching. I invest in online courses (some for free) and read books that expand my knowledge in certain areas of interest while strengthening my skills for professional growth. The more you know, the more you grow. I believe that we are all born with a purpose and calling on our life. It is our responsibility to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to manifest a life that is aligned to our purpose. One of my favorite scriptures is a reminder that Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Faith will give us hope for our vision, but the work we do in self-development will manifest that vision into reality.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Professionally I am a Sr. Systems Administrator for a network of hospitals in Atlanta, I am a Certified Professional Life Coach specializing in Manifestation coaching through my organization Beyond Your Horizon, LLC, I am a host of the Beyond Your Horizon podcast and a co-host of 3 Sum Podcast. What sets me apart from others is that I am who I am. In all the world, to my earthly knowledge, I am the only Me that has ever and will ever exist. Daily I strive to be better than who I was the day before. This applies to exercise and working out, making healthier choices, and the work I do for others and myself. I am always striving to develop myself in new ways, learn something new, and discover my own untapped potential. I believe we are more powerful than we even realize once we move beyond our fears and perceived limitations. I got to where I am today by moving beyond my horizons and conquering the fear of the unknown. So far, I have had a nice career marked by growth and promotions largely because I invested in myself to learn the skills required to excel in the positions I have obtained. I also created good, genuine relationships with people I have encountered along the way. You never know who will be responsible for your next opportunity. I obtained my current position as a Sr Systems Administrator because someone took my name into a room I was not invited in. This taught me the importance of reputation. Who you know can get you in the room, and what you know will help you succeed. Currently, I am most excited about being apart of 3Sum Podcast and Beyond Your Horizon, LLC. Joining 3SUM Podcast was definitely out of my comfort zone. I do not like to hear my own voice, I have a slight studder, and I am often overly critical of myself (Blame it on being a Virgo). I have battled the impostor syndrome all my adult life. The Impostor Syndrome is the inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills. In fact, I did an episode of the Beyond Your Horizon podcast on Impostor Syndrome (Check it Out). Beyond Your Horizon, LLC was formed for my professional life coaching business. It is my path to entrepreneurship and the opportunity to do what I love. My passion is to partner with entrepreneurs, creatives and other visionaries to manifest the life they desire for themselves. Fully embracing the “entrepreneur” title has had its challenges and I have had to overcome procrastination and many fears. I am happy to say that I am getting better at it, but I still have some work to do. I want the world to know that I am here. My personal brand is about motivating and inspiring others to live Beyond their Horizons or perceived limitations. I want others to manifest the life they desire for themselves and live their life in and on purpose. This is my passion.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
I am a foodie, so the first thing that comes to my mind is where are going to eat. I am also a pescatarian so my options are limited. Some of my favorite spots to eat and to take my friends are: Tassili’s Raw Reality on Ralph David Abernathy where I’d recommend the Punany Wrap add RBQ sauce (my favorite), Café Sunflower in Buckhead where Vegan never tasted so good and we must have a slice of cake (delicious), Los Bravos in Cobb County off South Cobb Drive has the best Mexican cuisine and the margaritas will get you where you need to be, brunch at Flying Biscuit (smoked salmon scramble with creamy dreamy grits), lunch at Virgils Gullah Kitchen & Bar, among other favorites. Atlanta has a lot of good options. We would hang out in Lil’ 5 Points, walk through Piedmont Park or have a picnic, check out the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Ponce City Market and visit the High Museum of Art. I’m really a homebody, so just thinking about doing all of this makes me tired.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shout out my mother for instilling in me the truth that I can do whatever I set my mind to do. Whenever I leave her presence she says, “Know who you are.” When I was younger I viewed this quote with much contempt. I felt it was her way of making certain I did not behave in a way she wouldn’t approve of, but knowing who I am has been the only qualification I needed to pursue my goals and to not let fear prevent me from seizing new opportunities. Not cocky, just confident. I would also like to shout out Sabir, the host and founder of 3 Sum Podcast for giving me the opportunity to be a co-host. Sabir has made it possible for me to meet talented artists and creatives, and to engage in conversations that inspire, educate, and motivate our listeners to follow their passions. 3 Sum Podcast has given many up and coming artists and visionaries, like myself, a platform to share who they are and what they do to a new audience. I am grateful that she took a chance on me. And shoutout to my friends, my circle, my tribe. I would not be where I am today if it were not for the support of my friends and family. They have always seen the best in me even when I could not. They keep me lifted yet grounded, they celebrate my accomplishments and comfort me when things do not work out as I expected them to. I am at all times surrounded by love and for that I am grateful.

Website: https://www.gobeyondyourhorizon.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/go_beyondyourhorizon/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-johnson-shrm-cp-16aa8227/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JonJohnTweets
Other: https://www.instagram.com/jonjohn84/

Image Credits
Clothed In Love Photography