Motivational Monday (V.10): Taking Risks

It’s been quite some time since I’ve uploaded a ‘Motivational Monday’ and that’s simply because I haven’t felt motivated. I’ve been in this type of slump of not knowing which direction to take. I’ve always been one to plan everything out and not want anything to get in my way. Unfortunately life doesn’t work that way. I can plan and plan and plan, but there’s no guarantee that everything will go the way I want.

I graduated with a B.A. in English Communications-Broadcast Journalism in May 2013. I had my current job although it had nothing to do with my degree. I knew that I wanted to take a year off. I knew that I would still be working at my current job unless I was miraculously hired. I knew that in taking a year off a lot could happen in between that time, but come May 2014 I would need a plan. That plan I new nothing of.

I’ve been hounded about what my next step would be and it was irritating, to say the least, that I never really new. I have so many aspirations and passions. I knew whatever I was going to do in life had to involve writing and being constantly creative. I want my own empire and as crazy as it sounds, well no it’s not crazy. It’s what I want and what I desire. I can make anything happen that I want it all just comes down to stepping out of my comfort zone.

I’ve been working at a daycare center since 2010 and I thought that pursuing a Master’s in education/counseling was something that I would want to do. Then again that all goes back to me staying in my comfort zone of knowing I can excel in that area. I’ve always wanted to teach because I simply like the sense of power and knowing that I can help younger children. Then I thought with counseling it would be great because I’m great with advice, but beyond that with my personal experiences I can relate to a lot of children. With that career path I just know it would be for stability yet on the side I’d be trying to build my empire.

Well I’ve finally decided to stop making my dream of having my own business a dream and to actually put action on it and I’ve applied to grad school and I’ll be starting July 15th. This is something I really wasn’t planning, but it needs to happen. I’ll be pursuing my MBA with a specialization in Entrepreneurship. I know nothing about business, but in order for me to run an efficient one I need to know the ins and outs. This will not be easy, but it’s time I take a chance, take a risk, and step out on faith and do something I really want to do.

I know what will really make me happy is to establish myself and work on what I really want in life which is having my own business and being an author. I can’t wait to release a book and take MusicMovingForward to the next level. I’ve always wanted my own magazine and MusicMovingForward isn’t going to be magazine, per say, but I do want to continue to blog daily regardless of what my career path is. I take joy in sharing my opinion on a variety of subjects and this is the platform in which I do that.

I’m only 22 years old, 23 in October, and now is the time for me to really do what I want and capitalize on everything I want to do. If I fail, then I’ll have to get back up and try a different approach. The quote above explains everything I’m feeling. I’m nervous about pursuing an MBA simply because business is scary to me yet I want to start one. I’m more so afraid of rejection which is normal, BUT if I don’t take this chance now I know I’ll regret it.

Staying comfortable just leads to questions of what if’s and should’ve, could’ve, would’ve. You never know if you’re great at something unless you try. You can’t be afraid of failing at something if you’ve never tried it. This journey is not going to be easy, but just as I am nervous/afraid, I’m just as excited to see where this will take me. My comfort zone is what’s hindering/hurting me from really pursuing my dreams. My comfort zone is all I’ve ever known and in order for me to flourish and grow as a person I’m going to have to take this risk.

 

Motivational Monday (V.9) : Finding Your Purpose

I came across this quote today while doing my daily scroll of instagram. I absolutely love June Ambrose and aside from the latest trends and her family, she’s always posting motivational tidbits.

This one specifically spoke to me as I am on a journey to figure out exactly what I want to do with life or at least have craft some type of plan. Friday will be a year since I’ve graduated college and I can’t say that I’m where I want to be in life. I mean I didn’t expect to launch right into my career, but at this point I’m not sure exactly what I want my career to be. What I do know is that it will involve writing.

I will do whatever it takes to take my writing career to the next level. I will do whatever it takes find different platforms to share my personal life experiences. I have found my purpose, now it’s time to put the plan into action!

Motivational Monday (V.8): ‘I Will’

It’s been over two months since I’ve written a ‘Motivational Monday’ and that’s simply because I haven’t been inspired. I’ve been going through these times where I’m so passionate about blogging then I don’t have that fire that I once had. It might be hard to tell being that I blog everyday, but sometimes the whole blogging every day can seem a bit overwhelming.

I’ve gotten to the point where I’m tired of making excuses for what I could be doing versus my current situation. It’s been a year past graduation and it’s time for me to let that crutch go. The grace period is over. It’s time for me to speak my life into existence and stop waiting for opportunities to be handed to me instead I shall make my own. The first step was in working endlessly and tirelessly on my blog. I can stay up for hours on end past my ‘midnight bedtime’ knowing I have a minimum wage 9-5 to work. Reality is, I can’t complain that I have a job. Instead I continue to grind and make my dreams come true in other ways. This is just a step.

It’s all about speaking your life into existence. Stop thinking in your mind what you want to do and just say it. Do not second guess yourself with the “I hope”, “I wish”, “I think, “I might” and start every day with “I WILL!” There’s no time limit on when it will happen; it’s all about taking steps to get it done. Write it down every single day until you do it. Set the bar high. The sky is the absolute limit. You never know what you can and cannot do if you do not try. What is there really to lose? We only have one life to live and it’s time to make the best of it.

I have to take my own advice and speak my life and my aspirations into existence.

• “I WILL get my dream job.”
• “I WILL get a new car.”
• “I WILL take MusicMovingForward to the next level.”
• “I WILL figure out how to make an AWESOME media kit.”
• “I WILL step out of my comfort zone and network more with others.”

That’s just some of the things  on my list of to-do’s that I tend to second guess myself about. I’m tired of drowning myself in my thoughts of if’s and maybe’s. I’m tired of not believing in myself yet expecting someone else to do it for me. I’m tired of looking at the success of others and being jealous. We all have the same 24 hours in the day.  Make the best of it. Take risks, take those crazy chances, live. Continue to say “I WILL…” and whatever you speak into existence will eventually happen. It might seem crazy and might not happen on your time, but greatness begins with confidence. What better way to boost that than with “I WILL”.

 

 

 

Motivational Monday (V.7) — Priorities

As a semi-recent graduate and quickly being thrown into the real world, I have learned to downsize and prioritize. It isn’t easy and it wasn’t easy at first, but I am trying my hardest to make sense of my expenses and do what I need to do to manage of of the minimum wage salary I acquire bi-weekly.

I have acquired bills such as loans, hospital bills, and credit card bills. On top of that I have rent, cell phone and cable bill plus car insurance and other monthly expenses such as groceries and car maintenance. I have learned to put money away from each check in case of emergencies. I never know what I might need my savings for, but from previous experiences it’s always good to have a cushion on hand. 

I have been reading constantly on how to knock down my expenses and I’ve begun to do so the only way I know how. I have to pay the minimal on my hospital and credit card bills. I have to pay what I can just to keep from getting hounded by bill collectors. At this point I know they won’t get paid off overnight. I know that it’s going to take time. I also know that I can’t go out shopping like I used to in college because I have more responsibility. With more responsibility comes more prioritizing. Bills have to be at the top of the list. If you have the money to blow, great for you. Me on the other hand, I’ve learned to be resourceful and I have a lot more learning to do.

I’m not perfect and every now and then I do treat myself to some makeup (a new guilty pleasure) or dinner with friends. I have not stopped my life because of the expenses I have, but I do save in my Savings and my own little personal stash so that I can buy some materialistic possession or go hang out with friends. It’s not easy, but it’s something that I’m learning and I know one day I’ll be in the career I want and I’ll be able to pay more and do more with the money I earn. 

Everyone has different priorities. It’s all about prioritizing not so much what makes sense but from what’s the biggest priority and breaking it down from there. It doesn’t matter how old you are, there are priorities. In the midst of making these lists of priorities always make time for yourself. Never work, work, work to pay off bills. The bills will be there whether you’re here or not. Enjoy life, but don’t be so frivolous that you dig yourself into a financial hole that you can’t get out of. 

 

Wellness Wednesday (V.6): Dr. Oz, The Good Life [Premiere Issue]

I have been obsessed with Dr. Oz via radio interviews as of late promoting his new magazine, The Good Life. I wasn’t able to get my hands on the hard copy, but I bought the digital version on my iPad ($3.99) and I am in love. I decided I’d highlight some of my favorite excerpts from the premiere issue.

The magazine, like any other magazine, is broken down into categories: ‘Well Informed,’ ‘Health & Happiness,’ ‘The Good Life Report,’ ‘Mind & Mood,’ ‘Food & Recipes,’ Love/Family/Friends,’ ‘Home/Work/Money.’ ‘Your Best Body,’ and ‘Dr. Oz’s RX For…’

I personally have been on the hunt for recipes for my overflowing yet never used recipe book along with basic tips that I know I can apply now without thinking will they really work. For me it’s all about being consistent and that’s the hardest thing for me aside from actually starting some type of plan/routine.

My skin has been a little crazy and I’m currently using a generic blackhead facial scrub with a generic moisturizer which work fine I just feel that I know nothing about my skin. In the magazine it gave points on what to look for in a moisturizer as well as top picks for day and night depending on what type of skin you have.

A good one will include ingredients from three categories: humectants, emollients, and occlusives.

Karyn Grossman, M.D. (dermatologist)

I am one to walk in the store and if it says moisturizer I check the price, see if there’s a cheaper alternative, typically buy the cheaper alternative as a ‘trial and error,’ yet I never read the back to see exactly what I’m applying to food. This goes for a lot of things I (and others) purchase. It’s easy to get blindsided by the price instead of looking at the contents of the product.

To understand what to look for I first have to figure out what the hell humectants, emollients, and occlusives are. Thank goodness the article broke it down. In a nutshell humectants absorb (hyaluronic acid, glycerin, urea, panthenol, & honey), emollients fill in the dry spots (lauric acid, linoleic acid, glyceryl stereate, jojoba oil, coconut oil, collagen, & cetearyl & stearyl alcohol, and occlusives form a protective barrier for the skin (lanolin, paraffin, beeswax, shea butter, nut oils, squalene & silicones).

I personally stay away from shea butter products because they don’t react well with my skin as well as nut oils. The moisturizer I’m currently using is Target Up & Up, Moisturizing Cream (Sensitive Skin) which is to be compared to Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream. It contains the 3 categories and I can kick myself for picking something that has nut oils’ but in the time that I’ve used it my face hasn’t reacted to it so I guess it’s ok.

I have a mixture of dry, oily (especially during summer), and sensitive year round putting me in a combination category.

Go with formulas designed for combination or all skin types like Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 and Elizabeth Arden Visible inference Skin Balancing Night Cream.

Both of those products are over $20 and of course I will be on the hunt for a cheaper alternative the next time I buy a moisturizer.

Aside from the skincare article I really can’t wait to try out recipes, Orecchiette with Spicy Sausage & Broccolini and Turkey & Vegetable Bolognese.

Dr. Oz, The Good Life, is available on newsstands & digitally and for $15 you can sign up for a year subscription here. Stay tuned for upcoming Wellness Wednesdays where I’ll share more of Dr. Oz’s tips.

Motivational Monday (V.6) — Self Love Pt. 1

Self respect, self worth, and self love, all start with self. Stop looking outside of yourself for value.

Rob Liano

With it being Valentine’s Day week I can’t get over all the girls that wish to be in relationships and I admire those who are fine being alone. I know that might sound crazy, but that’s just how I feel. This is for guys as well. I feel that there is someone out there for everybody regardless of what people might think of you. There is someone out there for you and yes it may take time to find that person; days, months, years, etc. To truly be happy and to give yourself to someone else you have to be confident in you are and be true and honest with yourself. Never settle and do not automatically change who you are for another person. Granted when you’re in a relationship it’s filled with compromise every now and then, but when the ‘love’ becomes unhealthy you lose sight of who you are. Before jumping into anything, with anyone, find who you are as a person. Mr. or Mrs. Right will always be waiting.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned for being in a relationship since high school was to not be so dependent on my boyfriend and to focus on myself and other aspirations. That did not necessarily mean a break, but it meant always taking time for me and finding who I really am. You grow a lot from high school and real, true friends always stick along for the journey without judgement, but do offer constructive criticism. It’s refreshing to be with someone that respects my values and does not force anything on me. For someone to stick around and wait while I pursued my dreams and continue to pursue is a great feeling. I guess I found my prince charming in high school and that does not go to say the relationship is perfect. What I have learned over the course of 8 years was to focus on me and if Mr. Right was really Mr. Right he’ll be there when I become a better person. For me it was all about building a friendship and in building a friendship I learned about myself. It’s an everyday journey and I have a long way to go. I just always tell people don’t lose yourself to keep someone else in your life. If they’re meant to be there they will stay for the long haul.

Motivational Monday (V.5) — The Underdog

There are those people in your life or that you come across in life that live to see you fail. They want to see you fall. They act as if they care and smile in your face, but deep down they just want to watch you crash and burn. I come across these people on a daily basis and I’ve learned to just smile back because no longer am I in need of someone validating my existence. I am who I am and for those who do not like what I’m working towards, then they can keep going about their business because I know I will.

I came across this quote that is so real about how I feel about peoples thoughts on my life that I had to share:

Everybody loves the underdog, and then they take an underdog and make I’m a hero and they hate him. But as long as they can knock you back down it seems  like you’re an underdog again, and things do surface, and they think this is real, ‘these guys’ intentions are genuine and sincere. It seems they will embrace you again.

Fred Durst

It’s crazy how some people live off of the downfall of others. That boils down to the person not being happy with themselves. The underdog always seems to prevail and then there’s a party celebrating them, but as soon as they slip up they become the ‘underdog’ again and go back to not existing.

I feel that whether you are an underdog or not, don’t live to please others. Don’t live for others approval. It’s all about living for you and not needing anyone to validate who you are.

SPICY SATURDAY (V.4) — New Reads

I decided to treat myself this week to some new reads from Barnes & Noble. I went in looking for one book in particular.

My friends mom recommended this book to me and I can’t wait to read it. On my to checkout and I browsed the clearance section and came across a book I had been hunting down for over a year. I had saw it at one Barnes & Nobles, but never bought it. I went back and it was gone. I was so glad when I saw it today.

Being a music blogger I love any books that talk about any genre of music and as I plan for my new office I will be collecting more along the same lines. This book says that it was $9.98, but once I got to the register it was $2.14! HURRAY FOR CLEARANCE!

Lastly, here’s my February Reading Wish List. I came across these as I was browsing. The one that I’ll probably get in digital form is La La’s, The Love Playbook.

Is there anything on your reading list? If so, please share!

Motivational Monday (V.4) — Being Happy for the Success of Others

Sometimes when you’re not at the point you want in life and you have people around you prospering in their own lives it can dampen your mood and make you feel some way towards their success. It’s hard to have a friend land a new job and you’re sitting in your current situation waiting for things to happen for you. Yeah you’ve applied, yeah your friend could’ve gotten lucky, yeah you could’ve got that promotion… Why the excuses? Why not be more proactive in your decisions. Don’t be upset over the success of others when you have the same 24 hours in a day as they do.

I came across this article in the Huffington Post, Stop Hating: Five Reasons It Pays to Get Happy About Other People’s Success. Here’s their tips on how to not be a ‘hater.’:

1. Proactively look for opportunities to shine the spotlight on someone else.
2. Create a daily gratitude list.
3. Be aware of jealousy.
4. ‘Fake it till you make it.’
5. Start with the people you love.
6. Work you way up to dealing with the hard stuff
7. With practice, you’ll be able to tackle the more sensitive issue.

In all honesty it’s hard to look at someone, especially a good friend, and not be happy for them when they reach their goals, but if you’re not where you want to be feel some type of animosity, better yet, jealousy. There’s no need for that. Just take a different approach when going about what you want to achieve. Every one has the same 24 hours, make the most of it. With the tips stated above the least you could do is act happy. Friends, family members, etc. can tell just by the tone of your voice the excitement. Yes I have told friends that I’m happy, but not happy as a joke and that was wrong. I need to celebrate their success and continue to be proactive as I wait on my time to come. Success is not going to come to you. You must work for it. So instead of getting jealous when someone reaches a goal for you, celebrate, continue to work, and when your time comes others will celebrate with you as you celebrated with them.

Motivational Monday (V.3) — 7 Cardinal Rules for Life