Jennifer Sheets speaks at the Professional Women’s Stories of Success luncheon held at the Wildhorse Café.

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POMEROY — The importance of keeping a sense of humor while traveling the road to success was the advice of Pomeroy Attorney Jennifer Sheets, speaker at a recent meeting of the Professional Women’s Stories of Success luncheon held at the Wildhorse Café.

Sheets after giving her professional background — from Pomeroy High School to Ohio State University where she studied to be a home economics agent to Capital University where she received her law degree to the legal practice in Pomeroy — talked about the road to success she followed and the lessons she learned along the way.

“Never lose your sense of humor, “ she advised, “and always strive to keep the right balance between your personal and business life.”

She said that early on she learned the lessons of not taking things personally when others disagree with you, listening to what other people have to say and not being afraid to ask for help from someone with more experience.

Listen to learn something new and when conversing concentrate on what is being said. The importance of eye contact when talking with someone, the need to call people by name, to show an interest in hearing what they have to say, and not talking about yourself, while always being alert to potential opportunities, was stressed by the speaker.

Sheets related her experiences of going from extension agent to mother to dulcimer player, to Appalachian workshop instructor, and finally to getting a law degree after traveling to Columbus for four years to attend law school. During that time she said she learned to let family members help around the house, to set priorities, and to learn to just let some things go. She said that if you think you want to try something new, go for it, and then work hard, persevere, don’t give up, and be flexible.

She commented on the transition points of life, noted that wisdom comes with age and stressed the importance of making the most of the time you have. Then, in conclusion, she reminded her listeners again of the importance of maintaining a sense of humor through it all.