Hip Hop Wisdom Lesson #20: Your Time is Coming

George Lucas and James Cameron are two of the most acclaimed directors in the history of Hollywood. Their storytelling is so futuristic at times, that their storylines predate the available technology. James Cameron had the script for Avatar written more than a decade before he could produce it. Same with George Lucas, he had Episodes 1, 2, and 3 of Star Wars written over two decades before the technology allowed him to release the films.

These things didn’t discourage either Cameron or Lucas. They both worked on other things while continuing to fine tune their projects until the time was right. Once the time was right, the rest is history. Both produced billion dollar franchises that boast worldwide fan bases. To play the long game like Cameron and Lucas requires high levels of confidence, innovation, patience, and talent.

If either director would’ve rushed their projects into the marketplace, they would’ve been met with harsh criticism. Instead, they waited until the market was ready and received mostly positive reviews. Don’t miss the silver lining here, just because the marketplace isn’t ready or you don’t have the resources, doesn’t mean you stop working. As stated, both worked diligently to achieve the optimum outcome. Whether it was refining their scripts, revising storyboards, helping to pioneer new technology, testing new advancements, or designing costumes, they stayed on course.

Whatever area you may currently be lacking in, doesn’t give you an excuse to slack on your commitment. Until you have what you need, there is still work to be done. To take it a step further, the more work you put in will get you what you need faster. The key is wiring your brain to produce the anticipated outcome. The most fundamental part of your brain doesn’t understand providing output with no input. That’s why brainstorming is so important.

Whenever you’re lacking something, grab a piece of paper and write down every way you can possibly think of to achieve it. Once you have exhausted every thought you can, get busy on making it happen. If you’re inexperienced in this technique, get some confidence boosters and accomplish the simplest things first. For the more experienced, go slay the dragon. Remember, set your brain’s default operating system to longevity. When you do that, you live a much more fulfilling and productive life. When you don’t, your life will tend to be more chaotic and problematic.

Your time will come, however, not by simply waiting on it. Stay busy, stay active, and keep your goal at the forefront of your mind. Be confident that what you want will come to you, especially when you are putting in the necessary work. Focus, meditate, or pray before and after you put any work in. The goal is not to be the best ever, just to be the best version of yourself ever. Once you get to that point, let the cards fall where they may.

The following suggestions are meant for you to adopt when things seem stagnant due to outside forces:

• Develop good habits in all areas of your life

• Improve your organizing and planning skills

• Question your current progress and find ways to get better

• Know where the market is going in the next 5 to 10 years

• Find ways to be an innovator rather than just an achiever

• Always think from an entrepreneurial standpoint

• Identify your strengths and use them to your advantage

• Realize your goals are bigger than your own self interest