Fearless Files: Getting Focused NOW...Why wait for New Year's?

Friday, December 27, 2013

This week, I have been heavy in thought. 2013 was a tough year. And I'm tired.

I believe in the following 3 things when it comes to life:

1) Setbacks happen to teach you a lesson, to show you how strong you are and that you can get through anything. They make you appreciate those good things when they do happen.

2) You always have a choice with everything from who you keep in your life to how you let things affect you.

3) If you want things to happen in your life, you have to do your part, get out there and make some moves. If an opportunity is meant for you, it will happen. If it doesn't, keep it moving. It's beyond your control. No use being upset over it. Letting go is the best thing you can do for yourself in life.

So, while this has been a tough year, I am determined to turn things around because everything happens for a reason. It's just not in my DNA to be depressed or down for long. With that said, I sat my butt down and did what I do best... I made a list of things I want to change. And then I wrote notes next to each thing on what I can do to acquire that in my life.

Once it was all down on paper, I realized that I was focusing on too many things at once and that was making me feel overwhelmed. This is where prioritizing comes in. I realized that while I would love to find love and get married and have babies, right now, I can't have that be my #1 focus.

The most important thing to me right now is my career. I have an e-Book I have to finish. I want to build this blog and make it successful. I ultimately want to be a successful published author. But I also recognize that it is not going to happen tomorrow and I need to survive. A wise person once told me that sometimes to get to where you want to get to, you might have to do some things you don't want to. I am freelancing now and love it. I plan to keep doing that but I need more. Money is power and I hate feeling like I am limited in what I can do in this life because of not having enough money. I love to travel and I don't want to have to watch every single penny I spend. I'm thrifty by nature and love to coupon. But sometimes, this money struggle is draining.

I look at a fellow colleague who is a published author working on his third book and during the day, he sells cars. And doing a great job, I might add. So I know he's laughing all the way to the bank with all the commissions he's making. Do you think he wants to be selling cars? Hell no. But he's doing it to make a living while he works on making his main dream come true.

So just like that, I am back on the job market. I don't look forward to cubicle life again but I will admit that I do feel a little excited because my background is extensive to the point where I am confident I will land something good where I am sure I will not be bored. I haven't been in the job market for a few years so things are so different now than they were 5 years ago when I got laid off.

LinkedIn is a valuable resource as well as social media. I read an article the other day where this barber got a job and relocated from the Midwest to NYC simply by using Instagram. Yes, people. You have to get creative now to get noticed and I LOVE IT.

I still plan to freelance and do what I am doing now with the exception of my tutoring business. I will have to give that up but I am okay with that because sometimes, the best thing you can do to further yourself in life is to walk away from something that has served its purpose.

I just made the choice to not wait until New Year's to make things happen. The time is now. I'm doing my part by sending my resumes out, contacting old colleagues to put feelers out there and research what companies are hiring. That's all any of us can do. Someone is not going to knock on my door and offer me a job. Just like a nice single man will not be knocking on my door to ask me out. I wish!

We have to put ourselves out in the world, roll the dice and see where they fall. Life is all about taking chances and having faith that things will work out. That's what being fearless is all about.

I already know what my first "treat" to myself will be when I land a gig. Australia is calling my name. And if I can get my mom on a plane without telling her it's a 23 hour flight, she is going with me. Life is short and my friend M said it best when she said that she works hard so she can travel, buy her favorite high-end beauty products, eat at expensive restaurants and live life to the fullest in the best way possible. Amen, sister.

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