Start Your Path to Success: 8 Important Questions to Ask Yourself & End the Pity Party

Wondering where I went wrong in life, I cry uncontrollably, hoping that when I'm done, I will have clarity about which road I should travel next.

See, the plan was to live a freedom-filled, successful life, fit for a creative.  I saw myself as a humble, jet-setting hippie who lived in a gorgeous loft, answered to no one, but loved everyone.

By young adulthood, my dream shifted.  I would be retired by age 35, being successful enough to sustain my creative lifestyle.  Freedom, Success, Creative, Life; what a dream!

Anyway, 10 years behind on this goal, I felt like a complete failure.  Although, I did all that was expected of me -- I played by the rules, I was good, went to college, stayed out of trouble, got employment, bought a house, payed my taxes....  I knew something was missing.


Were there things I could have done differently?  I'm sure.  I can list several reasons why my dream didn't come true, as I'd "planned", but in efforts to climb out of the hole of self-pity, I brainstorm.  When all has seemed to fail, that's what you do; go back to the drawing board and re-strategize.

I ask myself:

What do I love to do?
What do I love?
Of these things, what gives me the most fulfillment?
Of these things, what comes easiest?
Of these things, which costs the least to scale into a business?
How soon am I willing to get started?
Am I ready to be focused and consistent?
What do I hope to get out of this?

If this is you, what easy, yet hard questions have you asked yourself?  They may be similar, or entirely different depending on your struggles, ambitions, and the stage life has you ON.  If you have not yet started this process, now is the time.

It took me three days to get out of my slump, with each day getting better and better.  I needed that time to whine, cry, be a complete "bum" (it truly was a site), and to simply regroup.  It's okay to allow yourself to wallow, veg out, and fall to your knees.  Go ahead and let it out (and pray while doing so) -- give yourself that moment, then quickly get up, brush off, and get your LIFE.  You got this!

In the grand scheme of things, it's not that critical; quite silly really.  All will improve as you put one foot in front of the other.  Big or small, steps going FORWARD is the move you make toward your ultimate destination.   At the risk of sounding like a Nike ad, just DO it.

Oh, and remember to be kind to others.

Thanks for reading.


T. James-Sykes

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The Divas of Drag

If you want to get ya life without parole, go check out The Divas of Drag show.

OMGoodess, I laughed, I danced, I screamed, I chanted, I sang, I just had a BLAST!  I also woke up, the next day, sore with creaky joints, and a scratchy throat, and would do it all again.  It was dynamite!

With Mimi Imfurst, and Latrice Royale also as MC's, the cast of Queens served, death drops, lyrical dance, hip hop, pop, rock, gospel, sashay, costumes, hair, comedy, lip syncing (for the gawds darling), AND sangin'.

Mimi Imfurst

Latrice Royale

Yes, you read that right; listening to Mimi Imfurst's voice, as she rocked out one of the singles, from her debut album FIRE (ooh free download here), is yet another reminder that these Queens are straight up artists, and true entertainers, and that's why I love 'em.  All the work that goes into the costuming, and makeup transformations, alone, deserves a standing O!  

Expect to fan out when your favorites, both local and from RuPaul's Drag Race, hit the stage.  These ladies give you a SHOW that is just the END, huntey.  Yaaassss!!

Miss Kennedy Davenport

Jinkx Monsoon

If you haven't been out in a long time, want to get your groove back, but not sure where to begin, want to come out of your shell and turn up without judgment, then get to a Divas of Drag show.  It's a great jump-start to adding fun and life back into your...well, LIFE.  It's been several days, and I'm still recouping, but guess who's feeling fierce and fabulous?!

By the way, I got my ticket off of Groupon, so check there first. The line up can vary by city, but it's still sure to rock your soul; even at regular price, the Divas give you one heck of a show.  I certainly got my money's worth.

Jujubee

Thanks for reading, and as always, Be U tiful!

P.S.  If you love the inspiration of Drag, you'll probably love these beauties for your listening and viewing pleasure as well.  

         

Muah!  You're welcome.

By T. James-Sykes

The Internet Ruined My Life

One episode in and LESSON LEARNED, right?!

After my must see TV show "FaceOff", on SyFy, came this "The Internet Ruined My Life" show.  I had no intent on watching, but after just a few sentences I was intrigued. 

Let me tell you!  Stories of how posting "simple" little tweets, ruined and down right CHANGED these peoples lives is horrifying.   Baaaby??!! If after watching, you don't up and SNATCH your act together...I can't help you on a rainy day!  

The Internet Ruined My Life Sneak Peak|Syfy

It's a sobering reminder that words do in fact have meaning, just like actions have consequences. 

The land of the good and evil, the yin and the yang -- a double-edge sword, the Internet is a world of abundance, fantasy, & knowledge, and a society where everyone wants to be famous, & small people are giants behind a keyboard. 

This show must go viral, and air on several networks, AT THE SAME TIME, like the State of the Union Address, on a loop.  It seems people don't believe that once it's out there, it can't be taken back.  Delete if you will, but it's already captured in cyber space, and more than likely someone has seen it. 

Although we may not feel or see immediate damage, what we publish online is a permanent mark; we are immortalized in this way.  

Here are a few tips for social media socialites: 

Limit your exposure -- Do not share personal/private information.
Be mindful of your privacy settings on all of your social media platforms.
Remember it's okay to have unspoken thoughts.
Watch what you say and how you say it. (Proofread...twice...three times)
Simply remember to BE KIND.
Oh, and definitely watch the show!

Thanks for reading, and as always, Be U tiful!

By T. James-Sykes

Capitalize on Your Gifts & Define Your Own Success (Entrepreneurship) - What Experts Don't Want You to Know

Do you have a passion to do something outside of your normal 9 to 5, but are afraid to go for it? Have you kept your talents locked away, because you don’t think others will find them important or “worthy”?  If so, you might find refuge in this little food for thought.

Gone are the days of measuring success solely by the position you hold, or the value of your liquid assets, and the “stuff” you’ve accumulated.

I define success as OPTIONS.  The amount of options we create for ourselves, the more successful we are.  This, in part, involves dusting off those hidden talents (most of us have a multitude of skills to draw from).  Or, learning something new!  Capitalize on your gifts, with multiple income streams, and feed your soul by doing what you're passionate about. 

The downward shift in the economy, along with the internet, has leveled the playing field more than ever.  Where else can you take a course, sell products, teach an online class, publish an eBook, get business cards, and advertise -- all with a starting fee of FREE? 

I'm not saying you have to quit your 9 to 5.  Use it, along with the multiple income streams that your talent and passion will generate to add to your OPTIONS "bank".  The many hats you wear with starting, and managing your small businesse(s) will add more gusto to your resume; you will have single handedly given yourself a promotion = more OPTIONS.  

Thanks for reading, and as always, stay Be U tiful!

By T. James-Sykes

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