Life Lesson

In the realm of meditation, we work to be present in the moment and let positivity flow. Everything else is bonus.

In the realm of our projects, we work to make change by listening to the target. Everything else is bonus.

In the realm of a shopping experience, we expect to get what we paid for. Everything else is bonus.

In the realm of a book, we plan on the last page being in the end. When it’s not, everything else is bonus.

As a consumer, we can’t guarantee there will be a bonus, but it’s likely.

As a creator, sorta feels like we can’t not provide one, doesn’t it?

Stay Positive & Add An Epilogue Always

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The holidays are better when it’s a combination of giving and getting. Just giving makes us feel left out. Just getting makes us feel selfish.

Work is better when it’s a combination of giving and getting. You give the project your all. You get flexibility to do work your way.

The future is better when it’s a combination of giving and getting. You get to look forward to a package arriving at your door. You get to look forward to sharing it with your significant other once it arrives.

If an event or action doesn’t quite feel right, the give and get ratio might be out of a balance.

And, if anything, gut-checking yourself that there’s both get and give in all you do will make it more likely for you to feel happy, fulfilled and positive.

Stay Positive & Sounds Good, Doesn’t It?

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If I was being authentic right now, I wouldn’t be writing a blog post. I’d be on the couch, enjoying an N/A beverage and watching Big Bang Theory. That’s authentic and real.

But that doesn’t help you. It doesn’t live up to the expectation you have of me (or I have of me). It doesn’t make change happen or serve the purpose of leaving a legacy.

Consistency does that. Consistency of showing up and being intentional about the change I seek to make in you and the world.

Authenticity is great when it aligns with our intentions, but it’s more about us being intentional in our actions than authentic.

You’ll see far greater results from intention than from authenticity.

Stay Positive & Show Up, Even When You’re Not Feeling Like It

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Some performers won’t show up unless the venue is sold out. It’s 2,000 or nothing. These artists want a full house. They don’t bother with anything less than max fan or spectator base. (Personally, I’ve found myself more comfortable speaking in front of 10,000 people than 10.)

Then there are some who show up only if the venue has a couple of people in it. It’s low-key and personal. Informal and layered with emotional connections. A packed house is not their jam.

You might feel strongly that one scenario is better than the other. Maybe more fans is a sign that you can create more value to more people and that makes you feel fulfilled? Or maybe fewer fans means that you can create a deeper connection with them – something you couldn’t do with a thousand at once?

Neither preference is wrong. The only wrong is to think that one is more valuable than the other and to turn away from the one we’re less attracted to.

Why?

Because, as an artist, our goal is to make meaningful change. Period.

Quantity doesn’t matter. Making a difference does.

Stay Positive & And For That, We Thank You

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Does it take more guts to give advice or accept advice?

Does it take more guts to do the work or to ship and share the work?

Does it take more guts to make a leap or to learn from the leap (so you can leap again)?

I’m not sure which takes more guts. But does that matter?

Stay Positive & Might As Well Do Both

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Five minutes can be a game changer.

Five minutes to have a tough conversation.

Five minutes to walk around the block and get some air.

Five minutes to work before self-doubt starts trying to show up.

Five minutes to breath and let frustration fade away.

Five minutes to realize you’ve been working on your project for an hour already.

Start with five minutes. It’s amazing where you’ll end up.

Stay Positive & Take Five

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The famous Chuck Close had said that inspiration is for amateurs. Professional show up and get to work. All evidence around inspiration zeroes in on the fact that inspiration follows the work we do. It shows up after we do, not before.

Work that’s meaningful is always painful. It’s a natural phenomenon of yin and yang. This makes discomfort you feel a sign that you’re going in the right direction; that you’re pushing on status quo; that you’re getting close to the edge.

Believe it or not, flow isn’t about momentum or that moment inspiration cares to join you in your efforts. Flow is when you’re in the moment, letting worries and distractions float on by you. (Not that you don’t acknowledge them, but that you do and let them go versus pull you away from your work.) You can also call flow mindfulness.

Every professional and artist dances with these three elements. If you haven’t danced with them lately, it might be high time.

Stay Positive & Thank You For The Work That Matters

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