I’ve been listening to sermons the last few days to start out my day as a way to meditate. I came across a two part sermon from TD Jakes. He mentioned lots of valuable insight including a lot of frustration come from making an investment in something (or someone). Many times we become frustrated because of the expectations we have. I was feeling some frustration and realized that part of my frustration was because I was “going to the well” again. Not remembering that the “well” may not be full anymore.
Many times in life the game changes, last year was one of those years. The pandemic changed just about everything. I remember listening to a motivational video that reminded me of the best thing I could do was to take action—any action because there’s “no refunds.” So that’s what I did. My action was to go back to what I knew and make a bet that it would change. And at the worst I expected my investments to provide some returns. It hasn’t happened as I have expected. I believe this is because the game has changed and my expectations haven’t necessarily. I was wrong and that’s okay.
In business and in life, we make assumptions and bets. Sometimes they turn our how we expect them to but not always. This is where we must recognize the errors in our ways and adjust.
I’m at this point now but I appreciate the lesson because it wasn’t clear to me. Now I know that frustration is a reminder that I need to change. And this is what I will do.
This is how I kick off my “Crushing it” Playlist and kick off the day after meditating:
I don’t wanna write this down I wanna tell you how I feel right now I don’t wanna take no time to write this down I wanna tell you how I feel right now, hey
Tomorrow may never come For you Umi Life is not promised Tomorrow may never show up For you Umi This life is not promised
I ain’t no perfect man I’m trying to do, the best that I can, With what it is I have I ain’t no perfect man I’m trying to do, the best that I can, With what it is I have
Put my heart and soul into this song (yes yes) I hope you feel me From where I am, to wherever you are I mean that sincerely Tomorrow may never come For Umi Life is not promised Tomorrow may never appear You better hold this very moment very close to you (right now) Very close to you (right now) So close to you, So- close to you (your moment in history is right now!) Don’t be affraid, to let it shine
My Umi said shine your light on the world Shine your light for the world to see My Abi said shine your light on the world Shine your light for the world to see (I want black people to be free, to be free, to be free) My Abi said shine your light on the world (Want black people to be free, to be free, to be free) Shine your light for the world to see (Want black people to be free, to be free, to be free) My Umi said shine your light on the world (Want black people to be free, to be free, to be free) Shine your light for the world to see (Want black people to be free, to be free)
Sometimes I get discouraged I look around and, things are so weak People are so weak Sometimes, Sometimes I feel like crying Sometimes my heart gets heavy Sometimes I just want to leave and fly away [fly fly fly, like a dove] Sometimes I don’t know what to do with myself [ow!] Passion takes over me I feel like a man Going insane Losing my brain Trying to maintain Doing my thing Hey hey hey hey hey Put my heart and soul into this y’all I hope you feel me Where I am, to wherever you are Sometimes I don’t want to be bothered Sometimes I just want a quiet life, with Me and my babies, me and my lady Sometimes I don’t want to get into no war (Black people to be free, to be free) Sometimes I don’t wanna be a soldier Sometimes I just wanna be a man, but
Umi said shine your light on the world Shine your light for the world to see My Abi said shine your light on the world Shine your light for the world to see (I want black people to be free, to be free, to be free) My dreamers said shine your light on the world (Want black people to be free, to be free, to be free) Shine your light for the world to see (Want black people) My elders said shine your light on the world (Hey hey) Shine your light for the world to see
I want black people to be free, to be free, to be free All my people to be free, to be free, to be free Oh black people to be free, to be free, to be free Oh black people to be free, to be free, to be free
That’s all that matters to me
Black people unite and let’s all get down Gotta have what, Gotta have that love Peace and understanding One God, one light One man, one voice, one mic Black people unite come on and do it right Black people unite come on and do it right Black people unite come on and get down Gotta have what, Love, peace and understanding One God, one voice, one life One man, gon’ shine my light Black people unite, now hop up and do it right Black people unite, now come on and do it right Yeah baby that’s what I like Yeah baby that’s what I like Yeah baby that’s what I like, Black people, my people
“We all had dreams as children, but very few of us are living them. Limitless isn’t about turning everyone into a rock star or a professional football player. It’s meant to demonstrate that by escaping your comfort zone and reprogramming – if not shattering – your beliefs you can push the limits of what you thought was possible in your life and multiply your daily contentment and satisfaction.” -Patrick King, Limitless
Every so often (usually every 3-6 months) I try to hack myself. It’s very difficult because you have habits and rituals that you naturally have. There are things that you naturally do on a day to day basis.
One of the common practices that I’ve heard coaches say is taking your hands and fold them. Look at the finger that is on top. It might be your left thumb or right thumb. Now intertwine your hands together again with the opposite thumb at the top. “How does that feel?”
It’s weird. It’s different. It’s uncomfortable.
That’s the point. What got you to where you are will not get you to where you’re going.
You have to hack. You have to pivot. You have to change. You have to step out of your comfort zone.
Earlier this year, stepping out my comfort zone was all about focusing. Something I hadn’t done. I set out to restructure.
5 Ways I’m Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone
Delegating–Being a better leader. That doesn’t mean being a boss. It means being a leader and empowering your team to be successful. Encouraging everyone around you to be their best self.
Working Smart. Not Necessarily Hard–My default comfort zone was to put my head down and charge ahead. I think that had a lot to do with the above where I would do things myself. I would just will things.
Trust—Part of being a better leader is to trust more. Trust the process. Trust my team and not try to take on everything.
Being more visible–Now it’s time to build and grow the blogs and even my personal brand. It means working on new projects and expanding and growing.
Challenging myself– Every time you step out of your comfort zone. You are challenging yourself to be something you’re not. I’ve been able to do it at the beginning of this year and looking forward to the next challenge.
NOTE: I think often when you think about leveling, it’s about destroying everything and building new. That’s not always the case. Often, we are closer to where we are supposed to be and rather than starting new. We just have to make mini-hacks and that’ll be all the difference.
This episode of the Potter’s Touch Podcast with TD Jakes resonated because I typically always talk about focus and the importance of focusing and how I’ve been working hard at being a more focused as I’ve gotten clarity about myself and the business.
Here’s some of the gems:
You have to find your own measure.
I’m setting myself up to fail because I’m operating beyond my measure.
Don’t forsake your lane/calling/gift for mine
We got people who want promotion without process
You’re asking for more when you haven’t mastered less
You master where you are and get promoted to where you’re going
The reason you’re not getting the promotion is because you’re not getting the practice.
You didn’t give the attention to it that it takes to win it.
You are starving your destiny of the attention it needs to progress.
Your future is in some way kin to your past.
Destiny will bring the tree out of you. Destiny will bring the tree out of your nut.
Take your eye off the tree and water what you’ve got now.
We’re attracted to people who are masterful at what they do.
Look at how many things you’ve started and started underestimating the work.
Whether you are at the rehearsal stage, the recital stage or the orchestra stage…you will only finish when you focus on what God has given you.
Tomorrow marks 32 years on this earth and for that, I’m extremely blessed for a lot of reasons.
I also have known and grown tremendously over the years.
Some people go through experiences and never learn but I think I’ve learned a tremendous amount and it has made me stronger and better.
At about the half-way point the year–2019. I have held true to my goal of getting better at the things that are my strengths and decreasing the number of things I’m involved in. As a result, I think I’m better, Blue 16 Media is better, CBNation is better and I’m turning a corner.
I’m in better shape. Stronger mentally. Stronger physically and definitely blessed.
With that being said, I’m thankful for everything.
There might be a spoiler alert if you haven’t watched The Umbrella Academy on Netflix.
I started bingeing this show called The Umbrella Academy (I saw it was trending on Netflix). I usually watch TV or Netflix as I work on projects. When I was working on updates to CBNation, I started to watch the show. It’s a pretty cool show about kids who were born on the same day with superpowers. Many who were born even though their mother weren’t even pregnant the day before. After they were born, a billionaire purchased 7 of the children and raised them.
One of the children is played by Ellen Page, and she is a cast member that plays Vanya Hargreeves (Number 7). Unlike her siblings, she doesn’t appear to have superpowers. This is until a moment where she starts to see that she does in fact have super powers–maybe even more powerful than her siblings. When she starts to really put her gifts on display while she’s playing the violin for a part, her superpower comes out and it eventually unleashes her.
I haven’t finished the first season but when she was younger Vanya was ostracized for being normal and it was tough to see a young child that was told “you’re not special” or “there’s nothing great about you.” It was tough to see because it happens all the time. She felt out of place. It was an interesting twist because most of the time people are ostracized for being different instead of normal. This is usually addressed in movies and shows like this.
What really struck me as interesting was when she started to find her calling or her gift. It’s when she truly started to shine (I think). As I continue to watch (I have a feeling it might not end well), I’m reminded that sometimes we are just not in the “right place.” It’s not that someone isn’t gifted or “less talented” sometimes it’s just having that power unleashed and making sure it’s unleashed in the right environment and in the right ways.
I have an incredible opportunity at my fingertips. Part of my delay is usually what I preach to people, which is waiting for the “right time.”
The reality is that there never is a right time.
There will mistakes that are made.
There will be moves and decisions that I regret.
But there’s something I know.
The time is now.
I’ve been trying to determine the right time to execute on a lot of the foundation that I’ve put into place. The blog, the podcast, the course and everything I’ve been working on. The time is now.
Sometimes, we get wrapped up in aiming…ready, aim…aim….aim…aim and not firing. It’s a defense mechanism.
Often we are afraid of something.
Afraid of truly putting oneself out there.
It manifests itself in many ways. Sometimes it’s by overplanning, sometimes it’s taking too much action and overextending oneself (my mechanism).
I had a really good day yesterday and part of it was that I started my day off right and everything was in alignment. There’s a few things and priorities I’m involved with that are still out of alignment but I have an idea of when those things will be coming off my plate.
It’s funny when I was younger I would set a goal and not see the distractions that came up.
The difference between now and then is that I see these distractions.
I overestimated the number of things I would be able to juggle and be successful. Now, I’m gradually getting things completely in alignment and saying “no” to those things that aren’t in alignment.
By 2020, I’m fully expecting everything I do to be in alignment.
I constantly reminded of this quote by Steve Jobs:
People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully. I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things I have done. Innovation is saying ‘no’ to 1,000 things.
When you clear the decks, it allows different energy and opportunities to emerge.
When you are always on the go and overextended there’s no space to remove that energy.
I recorded a podcast the other day and we spoke a little about the book Essentialism. It was about removing things off of your plate. It wasn’t to allow opportunities and energy to emerge but it happens.
With it being the end of the year, I was honestly ready in December for those opportunities but with the flow of the year that didn’t always happen so with the energy of 2019. New opportunities emerged.
