How to Build a Success Mindset in Four Simple Steps
It’s not as complicated as you might think.
Photo: Create & Cultivate
So, you’re ready to take on the workday. “Cute outfit? Check. Phone and laptop? Check. Coffee? Check. Wait. Am I missing something?”
You might feel like you’ve checked all the boxes needed to be successful but still find that next level of achievement to be elusive.
Here’s the deal, mindset is often the deciding factor between an individual’s success or failure. It’s the invisible “X factor.” We see this in life, business, with our clients, and in our own lives. Every action we take starts in our mind, making it essential that we maintain a mindset that will propel us in a direction of positive growth and the accomplishment of our goals.
While you’re probably familiar with this topic, what most people don’t talk about is exactly how to create the right kind of mindset to get the results we’re all looking for.
It might seem like successful people just instinctively know how to do this, but when we take a closer look, it’s not something that is reserved for the chosen few. It can be cultivated, and it’s not as complicated as you might think.
Ready?
Here are four simple steps to help you build the mindset that will set you up for success.
1. Check Your Input
What are you feeding your mind? Just as we focus on what we feed our body in order to feel our best and maintain good physical health, we need to give the same attention to the information we consume to maintain good mental health.
So many people watch, read, and listen to content without giving any thought to the impact it’s having on their life. According to this study, adults in the United States spend a daily average of 12 hours and 21 minutes (over 50% of their day!) consuming some form of media...and that doesn’t even account for reading printed content!
Consuming information isn’t the problem, because that’s just part of life; rather, it’s all about the kind of information you are taking in. What we focus on shapes who we become.
Use input to help you build a success mindset by intentionally seeking out good, positive material that will help you grow personally and professionally. Wondering where to start? Look for a good book, an inspiring podcast, or attend an event.
Get in the habit of asking yourself: Is this {show, book, music, movie, etc.} helping me to get better, filling me with positive emotion, and adding value to my life? If not, think twice before investing your time there.
2. Establish Healthy Habits
Habits are incredible time savers, helping our brains to make decisions easier by avoiding conscious deliberation about what to do. Consequently, habits make up a large part of our daily activity, and the right ones will fast-track us to success.
Here are four that we recommend (we like to call them the four power practices): gratitude, setting goals, positive affirmations, and reflection. We make it a habit to practice these every morning and every night. Though simple, they are powerful tools for creating a mindset that produces growth and achievement.
3. Cultivate Your Community
It’s been said that you are the average of the five people closest to you. One of the ways that we can build a success mindset is by intentionally investing time with people who inspire us to be better, think differently, and achieve more. Do your close friends make you feel encouraged and uplifted when you are around them?
Are you making connections with new people? Not only does this add excitement and fun to life, it also helps us to broaden our perspectives and stay inspired.
Connecting with a community is a crucial component to maintaining the right kind of mindset. Surround yourself with other like-minded, high achievers who will support and propel your ambitions forward.
4. Reevaluate Your Self-Talk
Ok, admit it, you talk to yourself. The truth is we all do, and our words have power. In order to build a success mindset, we need to first become aware of our internal dialogue. What do you say to yourself when you feel pressured, make a mistake, win big, or when you are trying something new? It can be easy to encourage a friend, yet sometimes we don’t speak to ourselves as kindly.
Catch yourself when you start to think “Ugh. How could I have messed up again? So stupid.” and switch your self-talk to something more encouraging like, “That’s alright. I can do this. I’ll get it next time!”
Reading and saying statements of positive self-talk can help to dilute the negative and make these positive beliefs about ourselves our first response.
We believe in you, and now it’s time for you to believe in yourself too.
Remember, the best version of you, in both life and work, is closer than you think, and these four simple steps to a success mindset will help you get there!
“...So, let’s try this again. Cute outfit? Check. Phone & Laptop? Check. Coffee? Check... Mindset? CHECK! Let’s do this!”
Photo: Courtesy of Candice Henry and Lauren Henry
About the authors: Candice Henry and Lauren Henry are success and influence strategists for the next generation of leaders and co-founders of Aretios. When these sisters aren’t in the classroom teaching leadership and personal development as professors, you’ll find this dynamic duo traveling the world, living out their dreams, and teaching other young professionals how to do the same! Ready to start living your best life? Connect with Candice and Lauren at aretios.com and @aretiosofficial.
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Why I Removed the Phrase “I Don’t Have Time” From My Life
And why you should, too.
Photo: ColorJoy Stock
“I don’t have time.” It’s a simple phrase you have probably thrown out to your friends, significant other, or kids, particularly if you feel as if the elusiveness of time is slipping through your fingers.
But when you sit back and reflect on the statement, what are you really saying? More importantly, consider who you are saying it to, and what it communicates to them. What you are really saying is that your time is being preoccupied with something else. Something your brain has told you is much more important.
We have to stop being victims of time and instead take ownership. The words you tell yourself matter. And if you are telling yourself (and others around you) that you don’t have time, you may just begin believing it.
Once I conscientiously began removing that phrase “I don’t have time” from my everyday conversation, time seemed to loosen its controlling grip over me. I was no longer the victim, I was the one in power.
It’s not time management you need.
As someone who has spent years teaching productivity, I have come to this simple conclusion: time management does not exist. You cannot manage time. It is not an angry three-year-old throwing a tantrum in the middle of the grocery store that you can swiftly march out to the car.
No, you cannot manage time (spoken by someone who personally tried to for years), BUT you can manage your activities. We can manage how we individually choose to spend our time. With all the inequalities of wealth in our world, time is not one of them. Time is equally doled out to each of us and it is up to us to decide how to use it.
To determine how we want to choose our time, allow me to break down the four different ways one can spend their time, as well as the importance of each for your productivity.
1. Resting
Resting may seem like a strange place to start but in reality, it is by far the most important if we desire to achieve the success we crave as human beings. Our society mistakenly believes that if we just follow the “hustle mantra” we will find success, so we are afraid to stop moving.
But our brain requires periods of rest. Healthy adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. Acknowledge it, accept it, and move on. Sleep is non-negotiable. In fact, according to Tom Rath’s book, “Eat, Move, Sleep: Why Small Choices Make a Big Difference,” your quality of work can drop down as much as 30% when you are not getting an adequate amount of sleep.
What do periods of resting look like? Well, we just covered sleep, but it can also include meditation, closing your eyes and taking a break away from the computer, or sitting outside in nature for a few minutes. The key to your resting periods is they should feel renewing and restorative, otherwise, it's not rest!
2. Doing
We know our day is already filled with doing, but what exactly is it we are doing? And are we using our time the way we really want?
When we use the phrase “I don’t have time” what we’re really doing is lying to ourselves. We are simply choosing to not prioritize whatever it is that truly needs the space. For me, I have started using other phrases that show intention, like, “I don’t want to give this my time right now,” or, “That’s not a priority for me at the moment.”
I like these subtle changes to the words because what they do is remind me that I am in control of my choices. Time doesn’t demand how I spend it. I do.
One important caveat to “doing” that must be discussed is that sometimes we have trouble prioritizing the tasks we want to do for ourselves because we are so busy “doing” for everyone else in our lives (I imagine many of the women reading this are nodding their heads right now). When it comes to doing, please remember that you do not have to do it all, and you do not always have to sacrifice time on your tasks for the sake of others.
3. Distracting
Personally, I think we have the wrong idea around the concept of “quitting.” Quitting is not an end, rather it is the first step in refocusing and redefining your life. When we give ourselves permission to let go of the things that no longer serve us, we gain the opportunity to pursue what is aligned with our purpose.
Many of you reading this may assume I am about to lecture you about removing distractions from your day, but that’s not how I roll. Plot twist: we actually need some distractions in our day!
A lot of people believe if they are not spending their time hustling towards some tangible goal, then they are not doing anything worthwhile. That could not be more false! Play is essential for our brains but we tend to undervalue it because it seems so silly next to our serious life or professional goals. What’s ironic though is that when we increase play, give ourselves time to actually enjoy time, we become more productive. When more frequent play is incorporated into our days we see dramatic increases in creativity, attention, and performance.
For those of you asking, “But, Tanya, how do we determine between good and bad distractions?” Here’s my answer: it is entirely up to you to decide. And before you go panicking, know that the deciding factor is so incredibly simple. After indulging in the distraction stop and ask yourself, “How do I feel after I finish this?” Is your answer along the lines of, “That lifted my mood and was exactly what I needed,” or is it more so, “I feel worse off than I did before.” Therein lies the answer.
4. Thinking
We have a tendency to bind our feelings of self-worth tightly with our daily achievements. We need to loosen these knots because the problem with this is it doesn’t take into consideration the important time we’ve spent thinking.
Every day we have over 6,200 thoughts, which, roughly calculated, means we have about four new thoughts every single minute! The big question though is what are we thinking about?
We spend an excessive amount of time thinking about the things that don’t require it: the worrying and stress, tweaking and reworking of tasks and projects that don’t even need it. We spend a disproportionate amount of time thinking about the minutiae, the unimportant.
You may have noticed a recurring theme woven throughout this article: it’s not the action that matters, it is the intention behind it. We don’t want to just find ourselves doing and thinking. We want to choose to think and do what’s most important. With that, you may just unpack an extraordinary life for yourself that you never knew could be.
“If you are telling yourself (and others around you) that you don’t have time, you may just begin believing it.”
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
About the author: Tanya Dalton is a best-selling author, speaker, and nationally recognized productivity expert. Tanya serves as a growth strategist for female leaders. Her highly anticipated second book, On Purpose: The Busy Woman’s Guide to an Extraordinary Life of Meaning and Success, will be on sale wherever books are sold on October 12, 2021. Tanya is also the founder and CEO of inkWELL Press Productivity Co. a multi-million dollar company providing tools that work as a catalyst in helping women do less while achieving maximum success.
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10 Journal Prompts to Start Your Workday Feeling Inspired and Motivated
Write it out.
Photo: fotografierende from Pexels
While most of us are still attached to doing everything on a phone, tablet, or computer, one of the best ways to get out of your own head is to write your thoughts down. This is where writing prompts come in handy! These prompts are tailored to make you think spontaneously and a little deeper about certain topics.
Not only do these questions expand your mind but can be an easy way to find inspiration or even a new attitude. Scientific evidence also proves that writing accesses your left brain, which is more analytical. While your left brain is working, your right brain is free to create, therefore cultivating a more wholesome thought process you might not experience without the element of writing involved.
Try out these 10 writing prompts and start your workday off on the right foot.
What is one thing that would make you smile today?
What do you think you can do more of?
How do you define success in your current role?
What does a “perfect workday” look like?
How will you resolve any stress you feel today?
Where are you indulging in negative thoughts?
Name two things you’re thankful for at your job
What is one thing you can do today to feel more organized?
What makes you feel most empowered?
What’s something you feel obligated to do and why?
It’s easy to become complacent in your job which can make you forget what your passions were in the first place. Make sure to step back and look at the larger picture, whether that be considering a new job, career shift, or even a fun entrepreneurial adventure. Writing all of your thoughts out can help you fully understand how you’re actually feeling.
“Writing all of your thoughts out can help you fully understand how you’re actually feeling.”
—Abbey Adams, Digital Marketing Coordinator
About the Author: Abbey Adams currently works at a full-service ad agency as a digital marketing coordinator. Throughout her time as a writer and media maven, she’s remained passionate in her love of sharing stories, curating content, and inspiring women. You can usually find her cuddled up on the couch binging “Sex and the City” (for the 20th time) or listening to a new album on repeat.
Love this story? Pin the below graphic to your Pinterest board.
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I Was Drowning in Self-Doubt Until Create & Cultivate Shifted My Mindset
Gems to keep with you forever.
Written and submitted by Patrice Boswell after attending her first-ever C&C conference in San Francisco.
Photo: Courtesy of Patrice Boswell
Like most Create & Cultivate first-timers, I did my homework to prepare for the big day. I scoured C&C's site for articles on networking, what to pack in my purse, and what to wear. Anything that would give me insight on what to expect.
Even so, I arrived at the conference feeling anxious and out of my depth. The hours of note-taking, online shopping, and designing business cards didn't boost my confidence.
Because my problem wasn't unpreparedness, it was self-doubt. Believing I didn't belong in the same space as creators, inventors, and entrepreneurs. The same self- doubt that has kept me from doing the one thing I desire the most, writing.
They say you should surround yourself with people you want to be like. Create & Cultivate allowed me to surround myself with other storytellers.
And here's how the conference shifted my mindset.
“The little wins matter because they make the big victories more attainable.”
—Patrice Boswell
Sense of Community
I attended the event solo, but I had so many event buddies. I met my first buddy in the entrance line, and we, of course, became each other's photographers. I learned about the history of the venue by talking with someone over breakfast and I had honest conversations about inclusivity between panel discussions and lunch. From the beautiful interior design to the bomb playlist, C&C curated an experience that set the tone for a good time. And you make friends when you're having a good time.
Most Inspirational Moment
The spotlight conversation highlighted the journey of a boss woman, Cindy Eckert who broke down barriers for a cause that was bigger than herself. She fought so that women could have options when it came to sexual desire. She illuminated a problem that was being ignored and provided a solution.
Women are often taught to compete against one another, which leads to independent success. But we're at our best when we're working together for the betterment of one another.
"Speak up, stand up, and lock arms."
Her efforts will transform the lives of many. That's a humbling revelation. The best work is the work where we're in service to others.
“Women are often taught to compete against one another—which leads to independent success—but we're at our best when we're working together for the betterment of one another.”
—Patrice Boswell
Biggest Takeaways
The keynote speakers, panel discussions, and mentor sessions provided the best advice.
"Refine your intention for why you want to do what you want to do."
To create authentic content, you have to stand for something and let it be the center for everything you do. You're less likely to get distracted by shiny fads when you remain true to your purpose.
"Connect unexpected dots that cross your path, at different times in your life."
You must pay attention to what's going on around you. There's inspiration everywhere, and a great idea can come from anything. Experience life with fresh eyes and ears wherever you go. In everything that you do.
"Go where the momentum is."
When you focus on the trees, you lose sight of the forest. This tunnel vision makes it hard to take inventory, reevaluate, and pivot. If something's not working, you're allowed to stop and ask why. You're allowed to try new things and go a different way. Even if it's not the path, you intended.
"If you want to be interesting; be interested."
Just because things are a certain way, doesn't mean you can't deviate. Do what's exciting for you. Whatever makes you tick, focus on that. That's what sets you apart from the person in front and behind you.
"Make and keep promises to yourself. It will build your confidence."
We're busy; things get pushed aside and never get done. But if we make small goals for ourselves, we're more likely to accomplish them. The little wins matter because they make the big victories more attainable.
Victory Moment
For me, being a contributing author for Create & Cultivate's blog is a big victory. After attending the conference, I devoured the pages of my journal. I then promised myself to pitch an idea to the editorial director. And I did. I wasn't sure where things would lead, but the small victory of sending the email was enough. Enough to build my confidence, which put me in the right frame of mind to create.
That's what the Create & Cultivate conference did for me. It inspired and motivated me.
Join us on February 22 for our Los Angeles Conference! It’s going to be one of our biggest ever with panels, experiences, networking, workshops, and so much more. Buy your tickets today because this one is going to sell out!
Pre-Week Motivation From One of Our Favorite CEOs
She's also the dance party queen.
When Sonja Rasula, CEO & Founder of @UniqueMarkets, @TheUniqueCamp, and @TheUniqueSpace got the #CreateCultivateSEA crowd on the Main Stage AND dancing during our last conference, it was truly something special. As she stated on her personal IG,
"Here's to those willing to take risks, to say yes to the unknown, to be weird in front of hundreds of strangers. A week ago these brave women got up on stage with me, learned their moves in less than one minute, and gave-it-a-go in front of hundreds of women staring back at them. BRAVO TO THE DARING - the difference between most people and these women is that they climbed onto the stage, knew their moves wouldn't be in sync, were faced with judging stares and DID IT ANYWAYS. And when making decisions in meetings, or figuring out a business idea or planning for a presentation, my guess is these ladies will conquer anything you throw at them, instead of being nervous and sitting on the sideline. 🎉 It was an honor seeing you all at my workshop, just look at those smiles and those moves!!!!"
She's also the owner of the above words, which, might be one of our most liked photos on IG-- ever. So in preparation for our Create & Cultivate x Marriott Hotels popup in Portland this week, where Sonja will be taking the stage to keynote and inspired, we had her rework some of our favorite inspirational sayings.
Check out the below for a little pre-week motivation and be sure to RSVP to our Portland event here.
1. Original: Success comes to those who wait. Sonja’d: Success comes over nights.
2. Original: Do one thing every day that scares you. Sonja’d: If it's easy, you're not doing it right.
3. Original: You can do it, put your back into it. Sonja’d: UM I WOULD SAY EXACTLY THAT!
4. Original: People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do. Sonja’d: All it takes is a big idea and a little crazy.
"If it's easy, you're not doing it right."
Tweet this.
5. Original: Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right. Sonja’d: You are your biggest critic, let go. Become your biggest cheerleader.
6. Original: Done is better than perfect. Sonja’d: Dreamers dream. Doers get shit done.
Have a favorite saying? Share in the comments below!
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5 Super Inspiring Women Share Their Need-to-Read Mottos
Purely positive and kickass.
photo credit: We the People
Are you looking for a some weekend inspo to help you kickass at business and life? We rounded up five our favorite ladies' mottos and words to live by.
TONI KO, Founder NYX & Perverse
Starting a business as a 25-year old minority female without any experience running a company was a huge risk in itself. My life motto has always been, “Go big or go home,” closely followed by “do or die.” A lot of the time, I just go for it! I purposely put myself in situations that force me to face my fears, and by doing so, I’m forced to deal with the repercussions, the founder told Career Contessa.
My father always said he wanted to raise his children “Spartan Style,” where only the strongest survive. He definitely succeeded. I am an extremely mentally and emotionally strong woman who isn’t afraid to take risks. I truly believe that taking risks is the only way to grow as an individual.
MAYA ANGELOU, POET
I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.
TINA FEY, WRITER, ACTRESS, PRODUCER
“When faced with sexism or ageism or lookism or even really aggressive Buddhism, ask yourself the following question: ‘Is this person in between me and what I want to do?’ If the answer is no, ignore it and move on. Your energy is better used doing your work and outpacing people that way. Then, when you’re in charge, don’t hire the people who were jerky to you.” via Bossypants
GRETCHEN CARLON, former FOX NEWS ANCHOR
The lesson in the dream isn’t whether our fight to get to the top is for something big or small. It’s to realize that a good, happy life isn’t just handed to us. We need to work for it. We need to strap on the heavy bags and take the first step forward in the long journey up the mountain. Yes, we’ll all sweat, complain and wish we were somewhere else (maybe on that beach in Nice…). But we’ll also develop the strength to say: “I’ll make it to the top — no matter what.” via Motto
JANET MOCK, AUTHOR
"For me, it’s always been Maya Angelou. Her work, her memoirs, have always been building blocks for me. She’s also been a blueprint to go out and say that #1: My life story is worthy of being heard, #2: I can write it myself, I don’t have to give it to someone else, and #3: There’s more than one book about my life experiences and yes, you can be a memoirist and you can do it in a literary form that is also accessible. She was super important to me." via Medium
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On This Day: 4 Ways Your #TBTs Can Motivate Present-You
Now your #TBTs can matter more than ever.
photo by Allison Norton
This post originally appeared on Shine.
Written by: Felicia Fitzpatrick
It’s 7:45 A.M., and I am squinting at my phone as I turn off my alarm. I instinctively open up Facebook’s push notification in a half-asleep daze to look back on the memories that I’ve apparently shared with 26 different people “On This Day.” Halfway through the scrolling, I cringe.
“On This Day in 2010…”
“On This Day in 2010 my friend and I took an completely awkward photo with a stranger who started talking to us on the bus so I could prove that I was having fun as a freshman in college.”
It terrifies me that on any given day I can stumble upon the Ghosts of Felicia’s Past.
It’s like the virtual version of running into former high school classmates at Target while home for the holidays. These digital time-turning apps have made me run into my first love that broke my heart, friends I don’t talk to anymore, and a version of Felicia that didn’t fully understand herself.
While there’s always something sentimental about naivete, the overwhelming sense of insecurity I felt back then also creeps up. It’s a lot to feel, especially at 7:48 A.M.
In some instances, I get jealous of my past self. “Damn, 2010, 2012, AND 2014 Felicia was seizing the hell out of this day! Oh, but 2017 Felicia had a bad day at work. I’ll never amount to anything.”
How have these apps made me competitive with myself?! And is that a positive or destructive behavior?
Studies have shown that “feelings of envy can then lead to Facebook users experiencing symptoms of depression,” so how do we make these morning reflections of social media nostalgia pleasant and motivational?
Here are four tips on how to use the days of yore to push towards a happy, successful, and fulfilling future:
1. Write Out How It Makes You Feel
If these virtual look-backs have you feeling some type of way, it’s time to break out a journal, scratch paper, or even your phone’s notepad, and get ready to ask yourself (and answer) some questions.
What is your gut reaction to these memories?
Embarrassed? Vulnerable? Angry? Jealous? Sad? Identifying feelings can be tough because it may bring up emotions you’ve been trying to avoid, but writing down a list of the different emotions can help you break through barriers.
How does that make you feel?
Are you embarrassed because you accidentally sent a ‘reply all’ email at work? Are you vulnerable because you opened up in a relationship? Are you angry, jealous, and/or sad because your friends have been hitting their life goals and you feel like you’re still just treading the proverbial achievement-waters?
Write down your current emotions and compare to the list of memory-driven emotions. Note the similarities between the lists, because there may be patterns and habits you have developed.
What do you want?
Making a list of goals can feel lofty and overwhelming, so decide on your framing. Maybe you want to think big picture: what is the one BIG goal you’d like to achieve eventually, and work your way down to one goal you can achieve in the next year that will help you get to the BIG goal, one goal you can achieve this month, and one goal you can achieve this week.
Alternatively, you can start small -- creating basic habits that you can do each day and next thing you know, you’ve created a lifestyle change. Regardless of how you frame it for yourself, determine what you want.
What lessons from the past can use you in the present?
Nostalgia can sometimes help us identify what we crave in our current lives. Do you miss the community feel you used to have with your soccer team? Do you miss the English teacher that pushed you to create your best work?
"All of the experiences you’re having now will help you get to where you want to go".
Tweet this.
All of the experiences you’re having now will help you get to where you want to go.
Think about how you can apply that in your current life. Maybe you become the social chair of your office and plan happy hours for you and your colleagues. Maybe you ask your manager for more consistent feedback, or seek out a mentor. Looking to the past can help you build upon your foundation to achieve what makes you happy.
2. Embrace Nostalgia and Reach Out to Old Friends
It’s okay to think back fondly on memories of your life -- recalling the pure excitement as you embrace future adventures, the pure fear as you stepped into the unknown.
I often see my younger self taking full advantage of days of carefree bliss, before phrases like “student loans” and “apartment security deposit” were in my vocabulary. Moments like this can often leave you sentimental and longing for the past. Instead of a solo wallow sesh, reach out to the people that were surrounding and supporting you at that time.
Acknowledge the people that have seen you through everything: braces and pimples, your Lizzie McGuire phase, your bumper sticker decal obsession. They were most likely the ones that were there when you were building your dreams, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they were looking for support from their longtime friends too.
Who knows, you might create even more memories.
3. Take Note of Your Progress
Sifting through these memories, you may find yourself laughing at inside jokes in the making, smiling at dreams being formed, and head-shaking in that annoyingly all-knowing way at significant goals being achieved.
You have a new perspective. Appreciate your growth by making a list of your accomplishments, because even if you feel like you’re stuck now, a visual list can remind you how far you’ve actually come and how many possibilities are in your future. Hope you still have that pen and paper out.
What goals have you achieved?
If you’ve set goals for yourself in the past, this list will be fairly simple to produce. Did you achieve what you wanted to achieve? Finally got verified on Twitter? Became a council member for your town? Great! If you haven’t been an active goal-setter, think big picture about the life and habits you’ve imagined for yourself.
Were you a small town gal with big city dreams, and now you’re thriving in the Big Apple? Did you hope that one day you would be able to spend weekends hiking with a backpack full of trail mix? Those count, too.
What fears have you overcome?
"Appreciate how far you’ve come and how many possibilities are in your future."
Tweet this.
Appreciate how far you’ve come and how many possibilities are in your future.
This does NOT mean you need to submerge yourself in a vat of cockroaches and reenact an episode of Fear Factor. Can you now give speeches when you used to feel like Anne Hathaway in The Princess Diaries? Have you publicly shared some of your creative work when the thought used to give you hives? You may not have developed specific goals around these fears, but it’s worth noting that you’ve spent time conquering ideas and notions that used to scare you.
What could you not have done a year ago that you are capable of now?
While this list could look similar to the lists above, ask yourself, what would I not have been able to do a year ago? This list may be filled with more unexpected and spontaneous achievements -- maybe it’s bench-pressing a certain amount of weight, or maybe belting a high C. What skills have you developed in the past year?
4. Authentically Live in the Present
My friend Tyree Boyd-Pates has a signature phrase, “trust the process.” You can have an end goal or destination -- but don’t think that there is only one path to get there.
Your journey may be winding as hell, have multiple forks with no munchkins guiding you, but everything you encounter along the way will only strengthen you. Don’t focus so much on the future that you can’t take in life lessons in the moment.
All of the experiences you’re having now will help you get to where you want to go, and perhaps more importantly, where you need to be. And that’s exciting, because I can only imagine what achievements will deserve an annoyingly all-knowing head shake in the years to come.
Felicia Fitzpatrick is the Social Media Manager for Playbill. When she’s not teaching Broadway performers how to use Snapchat, you can find her eating spaghetti, listening to Christmas music and rewatching Gilmore Girls seasons 1-4.
Dreaming Big & Manifesting Your Hustle Into Something More
Just a little Saturday motivaton from Kat Lane.
Kat Lane started working at a very young age and she hasn't stopped the hustle since. We caught up with the Miami-based radio host, creative director, and musician to ask about balance, hustle and working with clothing brand QPED Life.
She's got the right attitude when it comes to achieving your dreams.
You started working when you were 12. Can you give us a little bit about your background and what compelled you to start so early?
It all started on the dance floor. As far back as I can remember I was dancing, acting, and on stage, and because I grew up around people who worked hard at what they loved - I got used to working hard for what I wanted to do from early on. Age 12 was a big year for me in that I booked my first commercial, I wrote my first song, and recorded the song. I started pursing my love for dancing, singing, and acting on a level where I was actually making money (imagine that!). It was definitely a progressive build, but since I was 12, I remember equating the whole "if you do what you love, you'll never work a day of your life" perspective to the fact that I loved expressing myself through music and motivation.
From microphone to desk. How have you balanced the line of creative and business woman?
There are a couple factors here, the first is knowing the importance of working hard and having a willingness to expand your boundaries and grow on different levels. When I study people I consider "great" at what they do (or did), and see the amount of tenacity, persistence, patience, and ingenuity it took for them to achieve their goals, I clearly understand what I'm taking on, and that it requires both a creative and practical approach. My team at Sound Business Recordings and at QPED Life are branding experts, and have always urged me to stay focused on both aspects (creative and business), as one could not exist without the other.
The second factor is in having an awesome support system between my family and the awesome company I get to work with. There's nothing better than to have a team that finds importance and value in the same things you yourself do - and also a team that cares for each other and has each others' backs.
So what is your role with QPED Life?
I started with QPED Life when it was just a concept that Sean Sloan had created. The original thought was to create something positive and meaningful in entertainment, and digestible for anyone with an ambition to succeed and be the most they can be. The concept evolved into the song "QPED", which I sang and recorded, and which contains a lot of the sentiment of what has become the brand QPED Life - ambition, heart, focus, forward movement, honesty to oneself. Once I really understood the mantras and what the brand stood for, and started seeing the initial apparel designs, I was completely on-board.
I currently consult with QPED Life on the creative side, advising on garments/cuts/fabrics as well as current and future fashion trends. I'll be overseeing our upcoming music program, which you'll hear more about in Q2 of next year, and I'm also a Brand Ambassador for the line. Basically I get to offer my ideas and expertise/vision of what is possible with the brand - from a variety of angles.
And why was it important for you to take on another role?
The entertainment industry is kind of like a creative garden - you can keep planting different herbs/plants/varietals, and they all feed off of the same energy and stem from the same roots. What I've done and continue to do in music - makes the garden more interesting from the outside as well as internally. For example, when I'm searching for new records to play in my radio mix, I get music from all over the world. A great artist is like a journalist reporting on the energy of a particular location or a movement, so many times I get reports that help me spot trends way ahead of the curve. I use this during our QPED Life discussions on new designs, marketing campaigns, social media, and more. Best of all, I get to bring ME to whatever I get involved with, and being in multiple roles allows me to have different ways to reach & connect with people.
What is it about the company that’s unique?
QPED Life is a communal brand that's all about bringing people UP, and this translates from the designs down to the people involved with the company. The owners of QPED Life have a strong belief in the physical aspect of human interaction, which is a fresh take in an era where we're all staring at our phones for a good portion of the day! I think the overall positive messaging and encouragement of dreaming big and putting thoughts into action - is something I believe is not only healthy, but absolutely necessary.
"Dreaming big and putting thoughts into action - is something I believe is not only healthy, but absolutely necessary."
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There is also a level playing field at QPED Life, so doesn't matter if you're a guy or a girl, young/old, etc - your ideas and your work ethic are what are most valued and critiqued. I get a lot of hands-on training and no matter what happens, I know the brand will have my back, and that's not something that everyone can always bet on.
What’s a phrase or image that you really want to put on a shirt?
Love over Hate. We actually made a shirt with Love over Hate a few years ago - prior to launching QPED Life. With the recent political atmosphere, this is a phrase that could really help unite people over what really matters to all of us. Another phrase I'm drawn to is "Shoot for the Moon", and we actually just made a design with this phrase for Kat Lane fans! I really love this piece, you can check it out here: www.katlanemusic.com/merch
How do you see the company growing?
I've seen the company grow from a set of principles, to a song, then designs, and eventually to a real clothing line. You're going to see a lot of growth from QPED Life over the next 2 years, from expansion of the line/designs to accessories, live events, and one huge surprise that will be revealed around June/July 2017 :)
But on a basic level, the messages of motivation and positivity will continue to be conveyed in many different platforms - anywhere the message could make a difference in someone's life. The goal is to grow organically to where people understand and support the spirit of the brand and then the actual physical products - because this is the underlying purpose of why we do what we do at QPED Life.
Do you think it’s important for women to have more than one hustle?
Whether it's for women or for men, hustling just to have a hustle doesn't work, I really feel like you have to work for something that's important to you - and only then will hustle manifest into something more. Our belief has always been quality over quantity - so when you put your heart into something, it will grow into things we never could have imagined. Entertainment in general is important for me - I've always been creative, so having different "hustles" means having different avenues to utilize and share my creativity.
"You have to work for something that's important to you - and only then will hustle manifest into something more."
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"Shoot from the heart,” what does that mean to you?
"Shoot from the Heart" is a message of going for something with honesty for who you are, and giving it all you've got. It's all about being true to yourself.
If we were to find you anywhere at 7am, where would it be?
Radio! I host on weekend mornings on Miami's #1 pop station - the New Hits 97.3
If we were to find you somewhere at midnight, where would that be?
Radio! I have a mixshow on Friday nights too :D I spend a lot of time outside of the office with QPED Life - experiencing life, and since the customer is now the real boss with retail as well as with music and so much more - I like to get out and meet people as much as I can!
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Why It’s Important to Have Women in Your Life Who Succeed
"Tell me who your friends are, and I'll tell you who you are."
Source: Darling Magazine
Looking back over my teens and twenties, I realized that many of my close friends happened to be strong, successful women. I don’t know if I was drawn to them because of how inspiring they were or if our paths just collided that way, but one thing I know is that their influence in my life has helped shape me into who I am.
Aren’t you always fascinated by what makes people the way they are? What is it that successful women do differently that sets them apart? I think the best way to find this out is to surround yourself with them; people who are just being amazing at life, and who will encourage you to be amazing at it, too! There’s a lot to be said for humbling yourself and gleaning from someone who’s living out their dreams already; their wisdom is invaluable.
Learning how to celebrate other women’s successes is a beautiful quality and something that will benefit everyone involved, but it’s not always easy. Sometimes, instead of feeling inspired we can feel insecure, or even jealous. We’ve all been there, and it’s an easy trap to fall into. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t beat yourself up. It’s what you choose to do with those feelings that really matters. Try countering your negative thoughts by acting in the opposite way; this is powerful and can help you to form new habits.
Having women in our lives who are going after something big, who are believing in who they are, and who are using their strengths encourages us to do the same. By embracing their achievements we can let their stories become models for our own successes.
Here’s why I think we need successful women in our lives:
They inspire us.
Often successful women are full of innovative ideas. They think creatively and don’t let themselves be limited by what others say can or can’t be done. They’re good for exchanging ideas with, and can give us valuable tips that could have taken us years to learn. Usually, these women are doing something they’re passionate about and naturally want to share their inspiring stories with us. They take risks and expect us to, as well.
We become like them.
Who we surround ourselves with is a good indicator of who we will become. Women who are good at what they do often got there by surrounding themselves with others who were already achieving. These type of women will most likely push us to be our best and to accomplish more than we might on our own. Whether our dream is to become a CEO of a large company, a nurse, or a mother, we will be a benefit by being around women who are living it out already.
"Who we surround ourselves with is a good indicator of who we will become."
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They understand us.
Every successful woman started somewhere and has probably been where we are at some point in their journey. They might just know the next step we need to take. High achievers have usually learned a lot about the work-life balance and may be able to offer advice and wisdom that we can apply to our own lives. They often understand the struggle and challenges involved in getting where we want to be and can offer guidance.
They motivate us.
In order to move forward, we need to have motivation. Women who are successful are often action-oriented, which can give us just the kickstart we need. They are natural problem solvers and can offer practical solutions to our challenges or situations.
They see what we will be.
Women who are succeeding generally have high expectations of themselves and others; when people expect a lot from us, we tend to live up to it. Having women in our lives who see the best in us can be a huge factor in our success. These type of women can often see talents and skills that we might not be able to see in ourselves and can help to draw them out.
From my experience, there is a richness to opening ourselves up in vulnerability to those who we are inspired by. Their confidence and passion is contagious, so let’s start an outbreak of women who believe in their own greatness.
"Confidence and passion is contagious, so let’s start an outbreak of women who believe in their own greatness."
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Who would you consider to be a woman like that in your life?
This piece originally appeared on Darling Magazine.
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