Simple Genius

I write this as a future proclamation to myself. Everything I need to be great is already in me. I’m getting better & smarter each day. My goals are mine. My ideal relationship is mine. My forever mood is mine. That $$$$ is mine. Balance in my life is mine. Those successes big & small, mine. Them blessings, hella mine! 

Even with what I wrote above, I’m sure I’m not the only one who doubts themselves sometimes. Everyone has in some capacity. I mean damn, even the great Maya Angelou did. We’re all humans with emotions and feelings that each of us are learning how to master every day. For some it’s easy. For other…. it’s the Mr. Crabs meme. We’re all a work in progress and you can’t rush to the finish. On God tho, I wish I could. But what I’m doing is slowly learning steps to make sure I’m as 💯 as I can be. I’m focusing my mind on positivity and progression. 

Everyone is different, but I believe everyone needs an outlet. Mine, among other things, is writing. But low key I got a laundry list of them. I listen to music, play on Photoshop or Premiere Pro, and dance. There’s a reason why people exercise so much. There’s a reason why people enjoy cooking or keeping plants in their home. All those activities give people a sense of calm and frees their mind from doubt. I read a great quote that said, “Work is the only thing that takes the curse of fear away.” I gotta bold that statement cause it’s real shit. But it doesn’t have to be work, it can be play. Just let it be something other than drugs and drinks. I’m on the mission to get #HealthyHabitsALL2019.

And honestly, these activities don’t even have to be big, just look at the Sex is good, but meme.  Things slowly get better once you start realizing and appreciating the little goals you have in your day. They help focus my mind and keep me working towards what my heart already knows it wants. Make a list, keep it simple. Then, check shit off that list. It’s hella satisfying. It keeps me feeling good and better able to handle when doubt tries to creep in. It allows me to keep looking forward and have gratitude for the little things. If I feel the doubt, back to the list. And back to leveling up. 

Sometimes, all you need is a motto. Find your mantra and live by those words. The great Nipsey Hussle (Rest in Power) had a great one – The Marathon Continues. Diddy said Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop. Joel Embid and the 76ers used Trust the Process. It doesn’t have to be a famous person’s phrase though, you can use something that’s already in our culture. Everything happens for a reason. Carpe diem. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. These are all great ones. Or create your own words to live by. Whatever it is, use those words whenever you see yourself creeping towards doubt. Use your mantra as a reminder of what you’re trying to achieve and to help you remember there is always something beyond your current circumstances. 

Music can build your confidence. It gives you theme music. It let’s you walk around feeling like a superhero. It doesn’t matter what genre or what song. As long as it pumps you up and gets you motivated, use it. That’s why most runners, people in a gym, or athletes during their pregame warm up have headphones on. It locks them in. Hip-Hop is what keeps me going. I can give you plenty examples that help me stay on my grind. That keeps me from feeling devastated. That keeps me motivated during my hustle. Or makes me feel the power. But it’s not the only genre that makes me feel powerful. Or helps me stay in my good feels. Find your song. Find a lot of them. Make your playlist and keep jamming to those dope ass motivational words. 

Be careful of the words you speak about yourself, even as a joke. Those statements can become energy that you take in, but don’t need. Yes, be able to laugh about anything. But don’t self depreciate to the point you start believing it. See the humor, then move on. You’ll quickly realize just how important it is to keep that good energy around you. That feeling generally starts to build upon itself and begins to spread. Until the words, jokes, and phrases you make slowly help to build yourself up. And if you need to, sage your thoughts, your timeline, your view on the world. It all adds up over time. 

There is no magic button that completely turns off the doubt. However, you can make that voice into something a lot more insignificant. And this post is not a bunch of words saying to ONLY be positive. Far from it. It’s okay to feel how you feel. This blog post is just to give you a few tools to minimize the cloud of thoughts and feelings that can come with second guessing, fear, etc. This best thing you can do is to realize that all those thoughts will pass. It takes practice, dedication, and commitment to minimizing doubt. It simple, but not easy. But it’s very possible. Just take it one step at a time, next thing you know, you’re miles along your journey. 

What are you proclaiming? Money? Success? Peace? A dope ass accomplishment that you don’t even want to post on social media?  Whatever it is, make your list. Write it down. And watch it happen. No doubt about it.