Ramón Luis Velázquez

Ever felt like you are in a situation where you no longer have control? Life is only getting harder, while you are aging, loosing confidence and others seem to be becoming successful creating the very thing you thought of years ago?

You are not alone. Regardless of your position, the fact is that the probability is that you have not moved as fast as the other person who became successful. This sometimes happens due to fear. Sometimes something as simple as doubt, or regardless of the reason, they all relate and the very fact you are not living the dream is because you may have allowed the opportunity to slip your fingers.

I myself am slowly becoming a professional in making dreams happen. Why should it matter? Being a professional need not be related to age, or even experience at that, I know it sounds crazy, and do not tell any employer this, but being willing to do things to the best of your abilities on the first time is what will determine your professional ranking on the subject. My first lesson through this blog should be the one you remember, even if it’s the only thing you remember from my blog, that is the importance of having HEART, a dash of FAITH, topped with a touch of RESEARCH for everything you do, which I shall elaborate.

You see, the saying that goes “When there is a will, there is a way” simply means you can do anything you set your mind to, key word being the MIND. So remember these three things that should build your foundation.

1.    PASSION: If you truly believe in something, you will be surprised at how much time you are willing to spend in learning every inch and crevice in regards to the subject. Passion should always serve a fuel to anything you do, and I can guarantee if you add just the right amount, your efforts will yield amazing results.

2.    KNOWLEDGE: Going off your passion, learn everything you can about your subject. Perhaps learning everything about it will lead to discovering an issue has yet to be be met, thus allowing you to exploit the opportunity. Remember when I mentioned the issue of having people create and exploit thing you thought of years ago? This is the part that allowed them to discover those.

3.    GRIT: If you are not willing to stop everything you are doing to take action, them perhaps you should get comfortable with your comfy self. You see, one must be willing to loose sleep in order to achieve their dreams. By dreams, I also mean passions, hobbies, life goals, whatever you may refer to it. After attaining the knowledge, one should be able to differentiate their dream from someone else’s dream, as I explain in my “Own your Dream, but only if its yours” blog. The blog is meant to bring about awareness of false dreams based on other’s influence. In summary, one must be able to give 100% effort to achieve what they want, but only will be able to if it is their true desire. 

 Additional reasons for my BLOG:

Many often go through tribulations that hinder their success in life, at least the very definition of success through their perception that is. This blog was created to show the steps to get through the struggle, as there are many ways to go about it.

After planning for so long, working and consulting free while watching others succeed using my advise, I have finally made the decision to voice, or in this case write, my point of view in hopes that I cater to others who also think as I, you know, the COMPLICATED people.

In summary, this blog will cater to dreamers, doers, Young Entrepreneurs, experienced business people and any other person who strive to prove their own their own worth in life. Becoming successful does not happen over night, this we all know, but one need NOT sell their souls in order to achieve a glimpse of success. It sounds like exaggeration I know, but trust me when I say that I have met many who are wiling to sell their principals in order to achieve just a little, when they can instead achieve so much more independently. 

I will explain my many struggles and tribulations as I proceed on my journey towards success, while give advice on the many little major things one must watch for in the process. Hope you all enjoy and learn a thing or two from my journeys. Please feel free to comment and interact, as I am looking to learn as well in the process.

 Best Regards,

Ray Louis Brands

I was just recently listening to a video titled “The most Important word” by Gary Vaynerchuk and it inspired me to write about something that’s been bothering me for quite some time. The meaning of the word “Hustle”.

For most of my life, every time I hear the word hustle, I think of individuals pushing none stop to reach success. No taking breaks unless your body ultimately forces you to do so. Hustlers were quite evident when action was its sole and true indicator. Today however, we have technology. Ironically meant to increase workloads by cutting time in half and dramatically breaking down geographical barriers. But is it really? Or are these smart phones taking away more than our fare share of time. Are the very ideas meant to connect people actually separating us? Are business loosing individual’s work ethic through the very platforms that are meant to increase it?

I myself am a victim of it all, and that’s why I can speak bluntly about it. I have the very resources meant to increase efficiency in record time, but instead find myself lost into the very thing that is supposed to increase it, social media. Yes, it builds connections, but to what extent should we depend on it? I learned to have to take what I call digital diets in order to be efficient in my technological day to day activities. As I am forced to depend on technology in order to keep up to the modern business trends that add to my business, I must also increase the level of personal responsibility towards it. As Mr. Vaynerchuk states, “the USA is an entrepreneurial paradise that’s barely being taken advantage of by the very people who live in it” and I second that. One possible factor can be the fact that many people prefer to hold on to the traditional “go where the money is” philosophy. They are often mislead to think that in order to be successful, they must go were the money is, often forgetting that it no longer must be in tangible form anymore. We the the world wide web and various forms of digital currency that makes our business global with the simple touch of a button.

Seven months in, who would have thought the time would fly by so fast! Luckily, the to-do list only gets longer while the tasks to check off increase. A good thing in my opinion, as I enjoy staying busy, but more importantly adding to my experiences. As I pursue my masters journey here in Full Sail, I have come to many realizations that if applied properly, can help propel me towards success that much more. Being that I will outline some of the teachings learned in my most recent course, Negotiations, I do it in hopes my experiences could assist others in achieving their own ventures. SO without further a due, here we go:

  “Do Your Homework”

Yeah yeah, that’s what all teachers tell their students on a constant basis and who really follows through? Masters students do! If you plan to make worth of your investment at least. Trust when I say, it gets very expensive, very fast. What does it require? It requires getting ahead of the reading ahead of the course, watching the videos required and related content that can add to your course. Sounds easy I know, but it’s the doing that hurts, especially from a hyperactive person like me, and I’ve been working on it for the last 4 1/2 years, and still learning how to focus.

 “Search for and Attend Off Site Activities”

It adds to your overall experience, but more importantly, it allows for you to meet and network with people before you graduate; one thing many student miss while in school. Adding to their networks and making friends that help propel their goals within the industry of interest should be a no-brainer, but be surprised at the total umber of students who do not take advantage. The so-called “Student Card” really works, and one should use the card while a student in the school, not after.

 Let’s take for example, the Negotiations that took place in our class. What better way to practice the lessons in real life than actually implementing them in real life? Getting involved in events and activities out of school, while using the student card will allow you to get the experience without the pressure, so get to doing so as soon as possible.

 “Get Creative, it does not have to be Boring”

Do not limit yourself to normal business activities or norms. Get creative and do not be afraid to change the game. In my situation, I had the pleasure of practicing some negotiation routines while playing Monopoly with other students in my course. It was quite an interesting experience as I witnessed allot of the emotions mentioned in our course, along with other scenarios and tactics practiced in order to find mutual benefit. Even during playing Poker recently, I am not promoting any gambling habits by the way, however, the simple lessons such as controlling emotion and focusing on their interest in order to better read them, really applied in determining any of their bluffs. Not recommended however, please do not develop a gambling habit because of me.

 “Take your Friends Seriously”

There will be times where the connections you meet ask for your professional assistance. Do not let the fact that you are within a similar age group distract you from the actual mission. Take those opportunities seriously and do the best you can to build those relationships, as those relationships will come back and serve as a benefit. Most importantly, learn to separate fun and responsibility. This is an entertainment school after all and fun is part of the equation, but control is a necessity in order to make it worth while.

Negotiations and deal making, such an important skill needed to truly be successful in the entertainment industry. Many if not all of the most successful entertainment gurus today, in fact have a good understanding in the topic, thus motivating me to write on what is needed to become just like the gurus in the entertainment industry today. I will highlight a few key steps that will allow you to become an expert negotiator, keeping in mind that it takes experience to develop the skills. All while adding in some insight from someone who has his fair share of negotiations in the entertainment industry as an attorney at law, Greg Galloway.

 The first step before going into any negotiation is preparation. Doing the research ahead of time and that includes predicting possible outcomes and responses in order to reduce the shock effect. Gathering objective criteria in order to back up your demands in a logical, and fair manner. As logical as it sounds, many often fail to do their research and prepare, thus only prepare for disaster in a negotiation. Plus, by being prepared, you gain the ability to maintain your cool, which by doing so allows for the other person to be cool and think logically, ultimately allowing both of you to reach a mutual solution. NOTE: The take all attitude we are often en-cultured to in the USA will usually come back to bite you in time, therefore it is always best to reach a win-win.

 Once you are ready and mentally prepared for the negotiations, it is crucial to keep in mind that emotions will always play a part, thus “separating the people from the problem” is priority. This means attempting to understand the other person’s point of view and pro-acting accordingly. Mr. Galloway mentions a common example on how both artists and managers, while negotiating contracts usually have egos that can be easily threatened, thus in order to separate the people from the problem in this situation, a clear understanding of what they are looking to achieve in their careers is necessary. The only way to reach that is to communicate effective, before, during and after agreements, but more importantly documenting everything in order to have a legal reference. Another key point is to keep in mind is NEVER focusing on positions, but rather interests. As focusing on positions can lead to very shaded areas, possibly jeopardizing one’s future relationship. On the other hand, focusing on interests allows one to recognize and find cohesive solutions to problems, further building the relationship, unlike forceful haggling that leads nowhere.

 Along with doing the research, the gathering of objective criteria in negotiations is never more true. It is recommended that one at least know the standards to information such as market value, costs, payment or collection percentages or any information related to the negotiation at hand. Sometimes it is not as easy to locate, however, using a precedent such as a most recent negotiation similar to yours can help tremendously. If not, you run the risk of being taken advantage of by the other party. Although it is not always the case, preparing for it will only serve as a way to reduce the probability for dirty tricks. As Mr. Galloway states, it is better to be fair, as being fair means no one will ever go after you unless it is through confusion. In which case proper documentation can assist in further maintaining your relationship.

 The best alternative to a negotiated agreement, better known as the BATNA, is a detrimental tool, especially when negotiating with a more powerful party. In short, it is the best alternative if the other party does not want to come to an agreement with you. One definite feeling with a good BATNA is control. As no one should never feel pressured to accept the first and only option during a negotiation, for it could lead to dreadful decisions. As Robert Fisher describes it in his book “Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In”,  “ No method can guarantee success if all the leverage lies on the other side” (Fisher, 2015). Therefore, knowing your options well can help in not agreeing to decisions one should have rejected from the start.