How to Focus & Master your Craft

How many times have you thought of a great idea, then another, and another and felt like you’re truly capable of doing all of them? There are times when our dreams get so big and we can see so many different roads to our future, that it’s hard to focus on merely just one. It’s amazing how far our imagination will take us. One day you’re a top chef in LA, the next day you’re the funniest comedian on Youtube, and tomorrow you’re a promoter of all things fashion. There are so many roles we want to play in our lifetime and feel we have all the time in the world to do them. Time enough to chase that dream, reach that goal, and reinvent ourselves over and over again. Truth is we don’t. We don’t have a lot of time because none of us know when our last minute is coming. So you have to make a choice. A choice to focus on the top most important things you would like to accomplish or acquire.

“When you focus on 10 different things you’re only giving 10%”

When you have so many different things you’re trying to pursue, your effort is half-ass. You’re not totally committed. You haven’t put forth the creative effort it deserves. You’re not putting forth the best of your abilities.

"But what if I have a lot of interest and I’m passionate about many different things?"

Great question. My answer is this: Sit your butt down, decide on the top 3 things (and three is the absolute MAX) and make a commitment to putting your time and energy towards those three things (and ABSOLUTELY nothing else) until they’re complete. Once your foundation is set you can incorporate your other interests one by one and add on to what you’ve already established. Another reason for this is because accomplishments bring on other accomplishments. If you dedicate more of your time towards one thing and reach it, that feeling of pure bliss once you have crossed the finish line will motivate you to keep pressing forward.

When I first started my journey as an entrepreneur, I wanted to do something new every week. On top of my blogging, I started writing a memoir, began launching a housesitting, pet sitting, and babysitting service, taking coaching classes, built not one but TWO websites, all while trying to jumpstart a Twitter, YouTube and IG account for my business -___- . There is no way I could be proficient in any one area. I was totally all over the place. I didn’t realize then that people who are multi-passionate and driven need focus more than anyone else. It’s a skill I had to learn and I’m still working on. Since then, I’ve honed in on a couple of areas and eliminated things that can wait. I am better equipped, more skilled, progressing daily, and enjoying the journey a whole lot more.

Take your time. Develop your craft and then master it. Do all the things you want to do but do it one at a time.

Feel free,

Mel

Don't chase money. Learn to let money follow you.

Sometimes we have to let go of making money right now in order to see the value in an opportunity. We want so badly to either make extra money, leave a job, stop being dependent on someone, or buy something nice, that it is easy to get desperate for the dollar. It’s easy to only see where the money is now, instead of realizing the value of doing something that isn’t producing value in dollar signs. The problem with chasing money is once you start you will always be chasing, no matter how much you make. But what if you came to the point where money follows you. Everything you touch money flows in that direction. All because your name, your status, your abilities, what you represent, and what you have achieved will speak for itself. People won’t think twice on whether or not to invest in what you’re doing. People will want to be part of it.

In order to get to this status, finding the value in the present is a key part of the process. Just because you’re not making the money you want to RIGHT NOW does not mean you aren't gaining any value. There are connections to be made, skills to learn, talents to master, habits to form.  Your reputation must be built. Your stamina must be tested. Your strength must be weighed. There is meaning in who and where you are today that will set you up for the successful days ahead. Unfortunately, you cannot jump 10 spaces to get there.

So many people lose sight of the journey to their dreams because they’re busy staring at someone else who’s “making it.” Stop staring and start doing.  Being successful comes from progress. As long as you’re making progress, YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.

I repeat: AS LONG AS YOU’RE MAKING PROGRESS, YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.

There is absolutely nothing sweeter than the beginning. Working for pennies is difficult, especially when you know you are capable of more. Working long hours early in the day or late in the evening absolutely sucks especially when you’re sleep deprived. But the truth is, long hours don’t stop once you’re successful. Sleep deprivation won’t cease once you make a certain amount of money. Your present situation is building the person for tomorrow. Accept that, embrace that and feel the challenges of today turn into treasures.

Feel free.

Life is easy. It's living that's a bitch.

It is effortless to wake-up day after day, go to work, come home, watch some television, take a nap, play on the computer, shower then go to sleep. It is so easy to move the things you need to do until the following day. Days like these can be blissfully sweet- uninterrupted by drama or obligations. But don’t get it mistaken, these days can also leave you feeling drained, unmotivated, lethargic and restless. You know in your heart of hearts there’s so many things that you could be doing, but mustering up the energy to do any of them seems unrealistic. You’ve had a long week.

You’re not in the mood.

You just need a day or two to regroup.

You’re really, really not in the mood.

I get it. Believe me. But these kind of days can turn into your life. We’re all waiting for that special day, that special opportunity, that special someone to shake-up our lives and push us forward into this exciting, stress-free, happy-go-lucky place. Here’s news: THAT. DOES NOT. HAPPEN. The magic you are waiting for can only be sparked by you. And this is a hard pill to swallow because majority of the time we do not feel magical. Instead we are sleepy, frustrated, overwhelmed, and preoccupied.

I’ve recently decided that there should be a 9 month program for expecting mothers, which outlines detailed instructions on what needs to be done each month during pregnancy. If you’ve never had a child, you would probably assume it’s nothing but a bit of morning sickness, eating what you want (when you want), yoga, and people oohing and awing over your oversized belly. That is 15% of it. The rest is doctor’s visits, tests, planning a baby shower, booking maternity shots, remodeling your home, reading, sleepless night, tears for no reason, passionate arguments (I mean discussions) deciding the name of your unborn child, questioning from family and friends about your life decisions, financial investments, parenting classes and so much more. Along with this new role, I am still so many other things- an entrepreneur, aunt, girlfriend, employee, volunteer, dreamer, daughter, and sister. Each one of these roles have their own to-do lists. These roles don’t go anywhere. It is easy to throw-in the towel and stay in bed all day, neglecting all the other things in my life that matter, but doing that leaves me feeling unfulfilled, stressed, and disappointed with myself.

It’s about taking charge of your life and not falling into the trap of routine and self-defeat. It’s about having a purpose for each day. Living no matter what. Regardless if it’s relaxing, completing a project, spending time with family and friends, know your purpose for each day and do it with full force. Don’t hold back from having the life you want, but understand it doesn’t fall upon you, it is created from within you.

Feel free.