Hip Hop Wisdom Lessons Vol. 1 (1-20)

#1 Protect Yourself at All Times

In the fight game, before every match, you’ll always hear ‘protect yourself at all times’. To fighters and hardcore core fans of pugilism, it is probably the most iconic phrase in the hurt business. But why? Because self preservation is the common ground that bonds all life forms in the universe. And to go unprotected means you are more vulnerable to loss.

To give yourself a better chance at survival and moreover a greater chance at winning, you must protect yourself from all external and internal threats. Depending on your background and current circumstances, you can prioritize which protections are most urgent and work your way down from there. For example, if mental illness is prevalent in your family and you are beginning to see signs within yourself, take all precautions to eliminate or neutralize that threat before undertaking any other missions that may be of importance to you.

Utilize this line of thinking in every aspect of your life. Does your livelihood depend on you being on your feet for long periods of time? Protect your feet. Did you grow up poor and you want to break the cycle of poverty? Protect your finances. Don’t currently have the funds for any sudden medical emergencies? Protect your general health. Just like you would purchase expensive equipment or policies to protect your valuables from loss, do the same for yourself first.

In the Hip Hop Wisdom Lessons Vol. 1 (1-20) the theme of self protection will be recurring. It is a concept as old as life on earth. Every time you take a flight, the crew reminds you to preserve your own breath even before providing air to young children in your care. Helping others is not sustainable if you have not ensured consistent protection for yourself.

The famous rapper Jay-Z has a line in one of his raps where he effectively states, “Can’t help the poor if I’m one of them.” That doesn’t mean you should not practice helping others until you reach a certain status because there are levels to social standing. What I get from that bar is to be effective at protecting others, you must utilize all means to protect yourself at all times.

Below is a list of simple things that anyone can do to protect themselves at all times:

• Remain hydrated

• Eat foods that increase the function of your vital organs

• Exercise regularly

• Allow your body to properly rest

• Generate consistent sources of income

• Spend your earnings wisely

• Pay your expenses on time

• Save a portion of your earnings every time you get paid

• Learn and frequently practice a self defense technique

• Get knowledge

• Have a hobby

• Seek mentorship

• Eliminate any bad habits

• Learn conflict resolution

• Always pursue ways to improve who you are

The preceding bullet points is not an all inclusive list to self protection, just an outline to get you started. Moving forward in the Hip Hop Wisdom Lessons, you will begin to recognize the pattern of repetition and understand what an effective tool it is to your growth as a member of the Hip Hop community and as a Hip Hop Culturist.

#2 Invest In Yourself

LeBron James, an NBA legend, often estimated that he spent over $1,000,000 (USD) annually on his body alone to prepare for basketball season. That’s betting on yourself at its finest. And after playing more than twenty years in ‘The League’, LeBron broke many records, including the illustrious scoring title.

The King, as he is known in the media, played against basketballers that weren’t even born when he was first drafted in 2003 and was better than most of them. If there is such a thing as luck, LBJ created his own.

To achieve any amount of success in life, especially in the Hip Hop community, investing in self is necessary. Hip Hop’s success is actually rooted in entrepreneurs that took their careers in their own hands and risked it all to make a name for themselves and create jobs for others.

Sure, there are some situations you can point to and say it didn’t work out; however, failure cannot be achieved where there is a lack of effort. The key to achievement is, even in failure, to continue to work at what it is that you have faith in. Have you ever heard of the phrase, “Faith without works is dead?”

Well, your plan is dead if you do not invest the resources necessary to come out on top. Investing in something does not always have to be attached to a dollar amount. Putting money into an endeavor is just one piece of the puzzle. There are many other things you can do to invest in yourself besides forking over large sums of capital.

When it comes to investing in self, never expect anyone to do anything you have not already done or willing to do for yourself. No one will ever take you seriously if you cannot provide proof of any type of self backing. The universe does not work like that, and neither do seasoned business people. Always reflect what it is that you want.

The list below provides some ideas as to how you can invest in yourself and achieve your goals:

• Work diligently and save your money

• Create a detailed business plan for yourself

• Put in the necessary time to reach your goal (sweat equity)

• Seek mentorship

• Volunteer in the field of your choice

• Help others in your industry

• Collaborate with like minded people

• Pursue internships

• Learn as much as you can from all sources

• Think innovatively

• Drink plenty of water

• Live a healthy lifestyle

• Exercise regularly

• Practice good hygiene

• Groom yourself regularly

#3 Expand Your Universe

Decades before launching the very first Walmart in 1962, Sam Walton was known to be a versatile young man. As a kid he always worked a variety of odd jobs and hustled up money whenever he saw an opportunity. Early on he knew that having multiple streams of income was going to greatly affect his life. Furthermore, Mr. Walton was also said to be friendly and outgoing, and built good relationships with people by doing good business.

Back in the pre-internet era, brands were built by providing next level service. Yes, Mr. Walton could match prices of larger more established retailers, however, he made sure to always keep his shelves fully stocked, stores clean and greeted people warmly when they entered and exited. Guests respond well to these subtle yet important factors. That’s why pre-Walmart, Sam always saw huge sales increases whenever he did business. Retail was Sam’s universe and he spent many years perfecting ways to expand it until he became extremely good at it.

As a member of the hip-hop community, you must see your universe through the lens of Mr. Walton, meaning how can you improve the culture. So many young artists, producers, influencers, etc., come in with the pillage mentality. Not asking what can I contribute, but what can I get out of hip-hop. Therefore, it should be of no surprise why there is so much scandal and violence in today’s culture. People see hip-hop as a way out but have done little to improve on it for the fans or for the people coming after them.

In one of hip-hop’s most successful eras, from 1992 to 2005, you saw a lot of innovation. Whether you thought an artist had bars or not, they were actively trying to separate themselves from the pack. And that’s when you also saw more expansion in the culture because back then you actually had executives actively seeking the next best thing. Yes, the business model was different back then, and so was the spirit. Take a place like Queensbridge Housing in New York City. There were so many artists that came from there with their own unique styles. Now you can barely tell where an artist is from because many of them look and sound alike.

Recently a new artist popped on my radar. He’s an example of an innovator. He can rap, sing, play instruments, speaks multiple languages, can freestyle, knows how to write songs and can perform. He’s not starting wars on social media for clout and he’s maintained a humble nature throughout his journey. And from my current understanding he’s not involved in any major scandals or beef. That’s what the culture needs more of if it is to make another major expansion. Hip-hop only benefits when there are more pioneer spirits involved. There’s more opportunity, more peace and yes, more money when there’s more focus on improving than taking.

Below is a list of things you can do in order to help expand your universe and become an innovator in the world of hip-hop:

• Get a self help book and read it multiple times

• Learn at least 3 new words per day

• Befriend someone outside of your culture

• Begin learning a new language

• Travel more often

• Take a public speaking course

• Join a professional or trade association

• Attend workshops or seminars

• Create a new stream of revenue for yourself

• Outsource some of your work tasks to others

• Treat others the way you want to be treated

As always, this is not an all inclusive list, just some ideas to get your juices flowing and start acting.

#4 Double Down on Yourself

Welcome to The Hip Hop Wisdom Lesson #4 Double Down on Yourself. In May of 2000, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson was sitting in the backseat of a vehicle in front of his grandmother’s house when another car pulled up. Someone then exited that vehicle and began shooting 50 at point blank range. Things happened so fast Mr. Jackson could not get out of harm's way or return fire. After the smoke cleared, 50 Cent was rushed to the hospital after being shot nine times.

As 50 Cent began his recovery, he was dropped from his label and silently blackballed from the music industry which was primarily operated out of 50’s hometown of New York City. At his darkest moment, 50 closed ranks within his camp and left the city for a more serene location. While there, 50 began to double down on himself. He could’ve easily folded or broke, but instead he lifted himself up and stood tall.

As he rehabbed himself to peak physical condition 50 would forge a plan that would make him the hottest artist on the planet. Because no known producers on the east coast would work with him openly, 50 pulled a page from Ice Cube’s book and started jacking for beats. He would take the hottest instrumentals and drop better hooks and catchier punchlines than the original artists. This formula would get the attention of the top mixtape DJs around the country. 50 Cent was now reborn and ready to take the mainstream industry by storm.

At some point one of 50’s mixtapes would get into the hands of someone in Eminem’s camp. At that time Em was one of the top artists in the world and had the backing of west coast power label Interscope Records via Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment. With 50 and Eminem both having a strong love for free speech, the pairing was a no brainer. 50 eventually signed with Shady Records and the rest is history.

Now, if 50 would’ve given up and died or if he would’ve sat in that hospital and felt sorry for himself or if he didn’t work hard to get himself into supreme physical condition or if he didn’t use the resources he had, for example, other people’s instrumentals when producers were not available to him, 50 Cent wouldn’t be where he is today. Only special thing 50 Cent did, when at his lowest point, he doubled down on himself. He took what he had and went all in.

When times are looking thinnest for you and you feel like it's time to quit or do something else with other people in your ear telling you what you’re working on is not going to work and it's not going to amount to anything, double down on yourself. Start listening to yourself and build your confidence up. Utilize the resources given to you, the things around you that can take you to the next level.

The formula that other artists, producers or influencers are using may not work for you. Find what makes you special. What is it that you know how to do better than other people? Through analysis, what can you immediately identify that you do better than the person you’re up against. And once you find that, use that to your advantage, exploit that. And then sometimes, you just have to outwork people.

When you begin to double down on yourself you’ll see that you can turn liabilities into assets, old foes will turn to allies and poverty will turn to wealth. Look within and find those inner qualities that have always been there but yet to be dusted off, cleaned up, polished and refined. Sometimes it may take moving to a new destination, re-enrolling in school or removing yourself from your current circle of associates. But what it’s not going to take is you giving up on yourself.

Here’s some things you can do when it’s time to double down on yourself:

• Be thankful for your existence

• Learn how to take constructive criticism

• Get a self help book and read it at least 10 times

• Utilize the mirror technique to encourage yourself

• Set small achievable goals

• Pinpoint your strengths and talents

• Exercise regularly

• Plan self care days

• Be kind to others

• Immediately correct negative thinking

• Surround yourself with successful people

• Celebrate your achievements

• Reinvest resources into yourself

#5 Play Like a Champion Today

At Super Bowl XXII in San Diego, CA, the Denver Broncos closed as a three point favorite against the Washington Redskins. A big reason why the Broncos were favorites was because of who was starting at quarterback. Denver was led by the highly touted John Elway while the Redskins were led by career backup Doug Williams. During the strike shortened year, Williams only appeared in five regular season games before being named the starter during the playoffs.

To get to the Big Game, the Redskins won two close games against the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings. Although Williams played solid in both victories there was still doubt that a Black man could win the Super Bowl. Yes, in 1988 Black quarterbacks were looked at as more athletic and agile but not great pocket passers, which was basically code language for having lower IQs than their white counterparts.

However, after falling behind 10-0 by the end of the first quarter, Doug Williams came out firing to start the second. He led Washington to 35 unanswered points before halftime, which included him throwing four touchdowns. When the game was over Doug Williams stat line read 18/29, 340 yards passing, 4 TDs and 1 INT with a passer rating of 127.9. Not bad for the first Black quarterback to ever start a Super Bowl.

Williams knew outside of the Redskins locker room there were few who believed he could outduel John Elway. If a more decorated quarterback would’ve started for Washington that day, they probably would’ve been the prohibitive favorites. But, that’s not what happened. Instead, Williams was named the MVP of the game and set a couple Super Bowl records, most touchdowns in a quarter (4) and most passing yards (340).

Up to that point, Williams was pretty much a journeyman in the NFL. Although he was a first round pick coming out of Grambling State University, Williams’ time to prove his true worth didn’t come until his football career was almost over. Williams knew he was a starting caliber quarterback in the NFL, he just never got a real shot until the biggest stage in football came calling.

When your time comes, will you play like a champion? Will you stay ready so you don’t have to get ready? Sometimes you have to win by default, meaning something out of your control must happen for you to get a chance. In Williams’ case it was poor play by and injuries to a quarterback that wasn’t as talented as he was. He knew he had to be the next man up and take full advantage of his once in a lifetime opportunity. And not only was he ready for the call, he exceeded all expectations.

Feel like you’re doing everything right but the opportunities are slim to none? Keep perfecting your craft. Never do things just for repetition, do them to find ways to get better. And when your number gets called, as Doug Williams’ did, be ready to go and play like a champion. Leave nothing to doubt about your preparation and performance.

For you to emerge as a true boss and give yourself the best chance at “Playing Like a Champion” when your number is called, here are a few suggestions:

• Study the greats so you’ll know what it takes to be great

• Challenge yourself to be great

• Eat foods that increase brain function

• Try new activities

• Get sufficient amounts of rest

• Know your weaknesses and work to lessen them

• Prioritize what means the most to you and use that as motivation

• Don’t wait for things to happen, create your own luck

• Avoid distractions

• Invest in your overall well being

• Eliminate bad habits

• Utilize gaps in time for self improvement

• Raise your spiritual awareness

#6 Back to the Earth

Retreat, retreat is normally a call you hear when you think of military science and troops seeking safe refuge in a time of battle. Not today though. The type of retreat I am referencing has to do with cleansing and healing and has been around for thousands of years.

According to Biblical history Moses took one of the world’s first retreats as he traveled to Mount Sinai for 40 days so that he could receive divine revelation from God in the form of the Ten Commandments in hopes of saving his people. Fast forward to today and retreats may not be that long or that honorable, however, for most people that participate in them, they are extremely gratifying. Even corporations have retreats for select employees in order to help them refresh and restart.

I remember as a kid my grandmother would leave the hustle and bustle of the city every year to travel to her small hometown in the country of Arkansas. I know what you might be thinking, isn’t the whole State of Arkansas the country? Almost, but they have a few large towns, nothing like where my grandmother was coming from though. She would always go at the hottest time of the year, between the last week of July and the first week of August, and stay for about two weeks.

For some years you could see the overwhelming stress on my grandmother’s face prior to her annual retreat. Year round her house was full. Her kids, grandkids, in-laws, extended family, whoever needed a place to stay stayed with my grandmother. And with more people comes more everything. More food needed, more fights happening, more rides to school, etc. were all things my grandmother had to deal with. To her credit she handled it all with flying colors.

I always knew when it was time for my grandmother to go home. About a week prior to her trip, she would develop this glow just thinking about it. The bounce in her step was different. There was nothing you could do to put her in a bad space prior to her homecoming retreat. The day before her departure she’d get all her self care activities done and would practically be up all night because she would always leave first thing in the morning. And when she came back, she’d look 100 times better. Ready to take on the next 365 days and whatever foolishness it may bring.

Whatever memories that my grandmother had of where she came from were so strong that just thinking about them positively changed her mood. Where’s that place for you? When you need a break from the day to day BS or all the hard work you’ve put in, where will you go? Sometimes you may not be able to go anywhere except within and channel some magical thought from your past. But always be sure to make provisions to go back to the Earth. Find that secluded place near a body of water, in the mountains or in the country and cleanse yourself.

Whether you can take a retreat this calendar year or not, the following suggestions can help in the process of self rejuvenation:

• Have a clear idea of a secluded place you would like to visit

• Drink plenty of water

• Turn off all devices during waking hours for at least 30 minutes

• Eat plenty of fruits and veggies

• Learn and practice a good stress management technique

• Be grateful for where you are now and where you plan to be

• Take short road trips whenever you can (4 hours or less)

• Visit different parks and landmarks in your city or town

• Lean upon your spiritual tradition

• Find wellness retreats in your city or region

#7 Achieve Motor Memory

Have you ever marveled at someone and how effortlessly they display a skill or talent? From the outside looking in it all seems extraordinary or super human to a degree. However, if you were to train at something with the intent of getting better at it, then you too could be that good at something. Some people are really good at making money, others are equally as good at coding, while another group of people are great brain surgeons. Why is that? Because they left no stone unturned when it came to the path they chose to follow.

I was once told by one of my peers that “if you wanna really make it in life, you have to stop speculating and start operating.” The world, but especially America, is full of speculators. Why do I say this? Because if you go to most work environments in the U.S. you’ll hear people complaining about the very place and people that afforded them the opportunity to make an honest living. Yet, those same people in turn will say things like, “I wish I were rich” or “If I could just hit the lottery.” And at lots of workplaces in the U.S. they actually have lottery pools every week where a group of coworkers fork over their hard earned money in hopes of hitting the jackpot.

On the other hand, a person who is great at coding, for example, knows that if they push themselves on their own time and continue to perform at a high level at their current place of employment, there is no ceiling to how much money they can make. They can rationalize and see there is more value in investing in self than a lottery ticket. At some point, their whole world becomes about coding with the sole intent of being the best at what they do. They ask questions, they go to seminars, they surround themselves with other great coders, etc. Are you ready to be on that type of time?

No matter what your lot in life is now, it will get better if you want it to. You just have to put in the work. Change is hard because your brain is clogged with a bunch of motor memories that will try to stop you dead in your tracks once you try to disrupt the system. Your brain is constantly keeping score of any and all activities that you are participating in. The key to making a change in your life is to understand it’s ok to temporarily suffer hardships and make mistakes. Your brain is so complex it knows that by not making change easy, you’ll revert back to the old comfortable habits it's used to.

So, what path do you wish to travel? The path of the speculator or the path of the operator? To fully operate you must work through the hardships and mistakes that come with changing your motor memories. An intangible motor memory to develop while going through change is kindness. Another is gratitude. Even if you’re naturally kind or grateful, become better in the ways you express it because then you won’t be as hard on yourself when the tough times come. Because, unfortunately, getting rid of the old motor memories can and will cause self doubt and confusion.

When it's time for you to usher in a new season, here are some things that can possibly help you:

• Get plenty of sleep

• Change one thing at a time

• Take natural supplements for mental clarity

• Pick up a new hobby

• Be quick to forgive, yourself and others

• Become a sponge for valuable information

• Fast at least once a week

• Meet the people you want to be like

• Join a support group

• Think things through thoroughly before acting

#8 Use What’s Available

Hip Hop is a resourceful culture by nature. From using turntables to create breakbeats, to using samplers and four track recorders to produce classic albums, to birthing legends in the mixtape era of rhyming over other people’s beats, hip hop has always been the epitome of using what’s available. And just because we are now in a world full of technological advancements doesn’t mean we should stop being resourceful.

Dr. Dre is one of the most resourceful people ever in the hip hop industry. He is credited with producing several top 50 hip hop albums of all time. However, Dre is mainly a delegator. Before he goes into the studio to begin recording an album, a typical session for Dre might look like this. He has producers come in with drum kits, samples and other sounds. Then he has rappers come in to spit bars over reference tracks to get ideas for songs and skits. When everyone leaves for the night, Dre has time to analyze everything and perfect it to his liking.

Once Dre has what he wants, now he can reach out to the heavyweights in the industry to make the real magic happen. Or if no heavyweights are available Dre will not hesitate to find a prospect and turn them into a megastar. Either way, the same formula applies, utilize the resources you’re given and make the most out of it. And the numbers don’t lie. Look at most artist’s numbers when they worked with Dre versus when they didn’t work with Dre.

There are not many people that can say they have worked with more artists and producers than Dre has. Many artists have gone on record and said Dre is a perfectionist and won’t hesitate to take someone off of a track if they aren’t performing up to par with his standards. Maybe that’s a reason why his talent pool was always so deep. Because if you can’t do it someone else will.

The same formula Dre used in the music industry he utilized in the world of business. He got together with some investors, engineers and influencers to create Beats by Dre, a global leader in headphone sales. Dre didn’t know anything about making or selling headphones, he just had a clear picture of how he wanted you to hear his music. And nearly a decade after the initial launch of Beats, Dre and his team had brokered a deal to sell the brand for $3 billion in cash and stock to Apple.

How resourceful are you? Is there a task you need to be completing but haven’t started because you might be missing a key piece to the puzzle? Look around, whatever you need is closer than you think. All you need is a clear picture of what you want and like Dre you have to be able to communicate that to others. Before you know it the resources will begin to flow like water.

Never put off anything ever again because you perceive that you are lacking something. There is no such thing as the perfect time to act except the present. Achieve mental clarity, know exactly what it is that you want and begin doing the work. An easy affirmation to repeat when you’re having a hard time being resourceful is “I always have everything I need.” Once you start saying this, leave no stone unturned when seeking what you need.

When you are in need and must be resourceful to make something happen, here are a few suggestions:

• Take a walk, run or drive to clear your mind

• Create a clear mental picture of what it is you need or want

• Collaborate with others to create a solution

• Consult with a mentor or trusted family member

• Search online and social media for answers

• Utilize free resources and trial periods

• Barter with someone that can help you

• Enter contests for grants, prize money and scholarships

• Smile and talk to people when in public

• Offer resources to others in need

#9 Get Your First Victory

Coming off a 1-15 record the previous season, the 1990 Dallas Cowboys were the laughing stock of the NFL. And even with one of the largest fan bases throughout the league, Dallas’ first home game against the visiting San Diego Chargers was in danger of being blacked out by local television because not enough tickets were sold initially. What a way to start off the season for one of pro football’s glamor franchises. In times like this, when you are in a slump, it’s best to think positive, control what you can control and get your first victory.

Before the opening game of the 1990 season, the Cowboys had lost 14 straight home games. However, the team was sticking to their rebuilding plans. With a young core of players, a high profile coach and several draft picks at their disposal, Dallas had reason to be optimistic heading into the last decade of the millennium. For those that follow the NFL know that it is a what have you done for me lately league. Regardless of the upside, Cowboys’ fans wanted wins and wanted them now. And not that the preseason matters, it didn’t help that the Cowboys went 1-3 in those games.

To make matters worse for America’s team, rookie running back Emmitt Smith was a preseason holdout, the longest rookie holdout in franchise history. The 48 day holdout ended just five days before the start of the season. With little time to prepare for the season opener, Smith was ruled out as a starter versus the Chargers.

The Cowboys did have a silver lining in the clouds when a new broadcast partner ran a promotion for refundable season tickets. Because Dallas was that bad over the previous two seasons, a local radio station gave Cowboys fans the option to return their season tickets if after five games, two preseason and the first three regular season games, they didn’t like the on field product. Although this promotion was risky, it did create a renewed interest in attending Cowboys’ games. All 3500 season ticket packages that were a part of the promotion were sold.

The Cowboys won the first game of the season, beating the Chargers 17-14. That was the first victory of their big three era of Aikman, Irvin and Smith. And although the Cowboys would post another losing season, they were in the hunt for the playoffs until the final week of the season. Emmit Smith would go on to win Rookie of the Year and head coach Jimmy Johnson would be named Coach of the Year. Not bad for a team that just posted one of the worst records in the 16 game season era the year before.

The Cowboys would go on to win three Super Bowls in the 90’s and would stamp themselves as one of the greatest football dynasties ever. One can point to that 1990 home opener as a turning point in their franchise history. After that one victory, attendance numbers began to rise again. Even with a losing record they were more competitive. Going to a Cowboys game was beginning to be an event again. The it-factor had returned to Dallas.

If you ever find yourself in a prolonged slump, all is not lost. Regroup and put a plan together or revisit and revise your plan if you already have one. The best thing to do is remain positive until you manufacture that first victory to end the slump. Even the best of the best have down moments, but they never give up. They embrace the challenge of ending the slump and most times when they do, they do it spectacularly.

Slumps are great times to identify strengths and weaknesses and to form strategies on how to deal with both. My opinion is to work on amplifying your strengths first. Why? Because too much focus on your weaknesses can have a negative impact on you mentally if not careful of your analysis of them. I am of the school of thought that you must remain positive during a slump. Yes the reality will be what it will be, however, a negative mindset can lead to anger and depression, which will further intensify the slump you are in.

The good thing about slumps is that they do not last forever. It is up to you to stay positive and focused. The following are some suggestions to help you end a slump:

• Trust yourself

• Remain calm

• Identify your strengths and amplify them

• Revisit your goals

• Get a massage

• Talk to your spiritual leader or trusted elder

• Take a break and regroup

• Reflect on what worked for you in the past

• Improve the things you can control

• Avoid hasty decisions

#10 Train Yourself for Longevity

In the hit song ‘You Can Do It’, Ice Cube has a lyric that says, “Life ain’t a track meet, it’s a marathon.” I mostly agree with that because there are times when pertinent issues arise and survival decisions must be made now; however, much of your life should be managed for the long term. For example, a simple strategy for long term planning would be to make decisions, at the apex of your ability, that produce the best possible outcomes for your life. Think about what your future self needs/wants before taking action for today’s you.

The first outcome you want to focus on is your income. Eliminate financial instability and always keep some money in rotation. As a Hip Hop Culturist, you are creative, artistic, bold, and hungry. You will be constantly seeking new ways to improve yourself, improve your craft. Therefore, having the funds to pay for those things, as well as your basic necessities, is second to none. Also, you should save a minimum of 10% of your earnings and invest an amount that’s comfortable for you, all while keeping your expenses as low as possible.

Next, mental health is important to protect. Ensuring good mental health isn't easy. Give yourself time to craft a strategy that will strengthen your mind to take on the toughest battles. The first item, I would recommend, to lay the foundation for a stress free mindstate, is a creative space. Whether it's yours exclusively or a co-op, have somewhere you can go to express yourself. It could be a second room in the home, a garage, an office space, a co-working space, or a hotel room. As long as you can enter that space alone and acknowledge your one true blessing, the power of creative storytelling. Be true to yourself and speak to those that are similar to you when creating.

Nutrition and exercise are also two self care activities to incorporate into your daily life. This combination, when practiced consistently, is a boost to your long term prospects. If you want to be around into your 70’s and beyond, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, drinking water, getting proper rest, and a minimum 30 minute daily workout is a baseline recommendation.

As you begin to get more knowledge in what foods work best for you, you’ll then be able to craft a phenomenal menu that’ll keep you looking good and feeling good. As Muhammad Ali taught us, looking good while doing something is a sure-fire way to increase and maintain your audience. You are your most valuable asset; act like it. Invest in yourself as you would a blossoming start-up with constant financial growth.

Eliminate bad habits and outdated thoughts. Bad habits cost more money and time than you can afford. And outdated thoughts will keep you from moving up in life. You will be stuck on certain levels until you find new ways to solve old problems. Relax, create the box to think outside of, and get with the times. The old school started yesterday, today is a new day.

In retrospect, deciding to be here long term requires the following: a stable income, good mental health, proper nutrition, a daily workout >30 minutes, and eliminating bad habits and outdated thoughts. Remember, increasing the frequency of positive decision making in your life brings joy and joy makes stress easily manageable or nonexistent. Define what the future you looks like, craft a plan, and carry out the mission to achieve it.

The following can also be helpful when training for longevity. Recall, craft a strategy that’s most beneficial for the future you:

• Be generous, give back

• Learn the art of public speaking

• Consistently practice conflict resolution skills

• Provide yourself time to make decisions

• See things from the perspective of others

• Align with others that share the same values as you

• Get training and further your education

• Be an example with your actions, then with words

#11 Give of Yourself

To give of yourself is one of the highest forms of gratitude there is. And yet, of all the ways to give of yourself, I think to teach someone is at the top of the list. Especially if you are teaching in the way of a trade or a professional practice. Imagine taking what you know and relaying it to at least one person per year. And once they mastered the teaching, they teach another for a year, and so on and so on. After a decade or so, there will be many skilled practitioners in your lineage.

Sometimes people don’t want to be a part of the solution because they don’t know what to do to help. Well, one of the best ways to help is to teach someone else how to make an honest living. Each year take a portion of your earnings, what you can afford, and put it to the side as a stipend for someone that is serious about being taught. As you teach that person, you are opening up a portal of financial success for those that come after you.

The main key to bringing on a student is growth. Once you bring on a student, it will be a signal that your finances are in a good place. Now, instead of hiring outside help, find a student and teach them “the game.” Pay them a stipend and add them to the payroll when you need help. After the yearlong process is complete the student should be ready to venture out on their own. Therefore, ensure that they are set up for success. In certain circumstances the student will need to finalize their formal education or complete mandatory certifications. In those cases stick with your student until such things are achieved.

If you have issues finding a student, or just not the teaching type, find an organization that you can donate your time or resources to. I think volunteering your time is better than giving valuables, so if you have a cause that you are passionate about, get your feet wet a few hours per week. Be open to doing whatever it takes to further that cause, from fundraising to planning and coordinating events.

I remember working on the debut album of a multi-platinum artist and part of the roll out was to complete a 12x12 canvas mural for the album release party. I thought the idea was dope and so I volunteered to get all the artists together and finish the task. However, in the beginning it was hard to get artists to participate. Either it was a conflict of schedule, they wanted more money than the budget allowed, they weren’t familiar with the artist’s music or they were generally not interested. Therefore, I had to get creative.

Instead of waiting on artists to hit me up and arrange meetings, I began getting on the phone and calling up as many schools as I could. Within 48 hours I had received more commitments than I had space on the canvas. To eliminate any logistical issues I dropped the canvas off at each participating school. Each school was given two days to complete their portion of the mural. Once their portion was finished, I would go pick the canvas up and take it to the next school. Along the way, I would take pictures and document the whole process for the marketing and publicity teams.

As a token of our appreciation, the administrators and educators that paved the way for our mural project were given an invite +1 to the release party. The ultimate payoff for me was seeing their faces when they first saw the mural in its entirety. Then it was exciting to see their reactions as celebrities and other big wigs in the entertainment industry used the mural as a red carpet style backdrop for their pictures. It was truly a sight to see. And to the students that did the real work, each was given a certificate of appreciation and they received publicity in various local and national outlets.

That project was the springboard to several other instrumental opportunities. Over the next few years I was an integral part of many teams that greatly helped the community. Here are a few things I learned along the way that I suggest when giving of yourself:

• Be passionate about giving

• Be fair and objective regarding selection criteria for giving

• Teach in ways that are exciting and fresh

• Keep your giving in check

• Listen to the ones you are giving to

• Maintain open lines of communication

• Be willing to modify your giving when necessary

#12 Talk About Yourself

In the world of sports, after every game or match, the athletes and coaches make themselves available to the media for questions and answers. These post game conferences provide the athletes an opportunity to speak about what took place, specifically their performance. Whether it's in victory or defeat, the reporters want to visualize the event through their eyes.

When you’re engaged with a task, how will people see things through your eyes? What messaging do you want to convey? Do you communicate frequently throughout the process or only provide updates when something significant has been completed?

Whatever means you choose to use when communicating with your audience, know that it is a vital part of shaping your brand. Think of it as tracking an important package via your preferred carrier. You want what you want when you want it. And if you can’t have it right then and there, you order it and receive a tracking number so that you’ll know when it arrives. In between the purchase and delivery you have the option of tracking every move that package makes. Or you can just set a reminder for the anticipated arrival date and time. Even if there is a change in that time and date you can receive notifications.

In the early days of Hip Hop the build up to an album release was sometimes in excess of one year. If you were a debut act you toured with an established artist until the label greenlit your project. On the other hand, established artists would use their tour as a springboard to release new music for an upcoming project. Once the tour was over they were right back in the studio putting the finishing touches on their new record.

Once the album was complete the labels would pass the new music on to the top DJ’s. Depending on what they could provide the DJ’s, some labels got their music played more than others. While the DJ’s were putting their ears to the street the labels were doing focus groups to gauge the public’s opinion of the music. After it was established what the lead and follow up singles were going to be, the marketing and publicity teams started to work their magic.

Media placements were hard to come by in those days. Therefore, every appearance had to matter. Having a bad interview, spitting a wack freestyle on the radio, or getting a bad review in a magazine were reasons your album could fail. However, recording music with a hot artist from a different region than yours or being more authentic and true to your core fans were strong indicators your album could succeed. Ultimately, the artist had to have a good relationship with the marketing department, especially when artists started receiving endorsement deals from national and global brands.

Your PR team could craft the perfect interview or slow the wheels of a rumor from turning. News cycles lasted much longer than they do now, so getting ahead of a PR crisis was top priority. Also, unless solid evidence was presented, public opinion tended to sway towards the more believable party. The more believable party was typically the person with the carefully crafted image. That’s why it is important for you, in this new age of media, to speak for yourself and craft your own image.

Do what’s comfortable for you. You don’t have to have a rigid schedule when reaching your audience, however, you must have a degree of consistency to your communications. Pay attention to your core audience, they’ll give you an idea of how frequently you should contact them and through what channels. Yes, you want to convey a generally positive image to your core audience, however, don’t treat your base like a bunch of marks. Give them bits and pieces of vulnerability every now and then. Even superheroes have weaknesses.

The best way to talk about yourself is through your actions. Because no matter how well you craft your image, people remember how you treat them and the things they remember seeing you do. Therefore, be conscious of how you treat people. Also, be aware of how the people around you treat people because you could be found guilty by association if someone on your team is treating people unfairly. Your entourage is a reflection of you and the people in it should be well aware of what lines not to cross.

Talking about yourself is a strategic task. You want to talk about yourself just enough for your core audience to feel like they know you. On the flip side, you want to listen more than you talk so that members of your focus group feel appreciated. Here are some suggested tips when talking about yourself:

• Always do good business

• Take care of the people allied with you

• Stay close to the ones that demonstrate loyalty

• Stand up for causes you’re dedicated to

• Speak in terms of fact and logic

• It’s ok to say you do not know

• Put yourself in their shoes

#13 Know Your Worth

Is anyone or anything truly priceless? Everyday, millions of able bodied and able minded people get up and do some type of work for some type of compensation. From investment bankers to hunters/gatherers to the common man on the street, nearly everyone is hustling.

As professional wrestling started reaching mainstream audiences in the mid to late 1980’s a character by the name of The Million Dollar Man started to appear. One of his main goals was to prove everyone had a price. He relished in the fact that he could use his money to get people to do anything. Or almost anything. Some wrestling stars didn’t think they had a price in the fictional world of professional wrestling, however, in the real life business side of it they all had a price.

Professional wrestlers have frequently participated in questionable story lines for more popularity. From racist skits to pop culture satire, professional wrestlers know how to push the boundaries of censorship. In the case of The Million Dollar Man, he wanted to push the boundaries of morality in direct reference to how people work for money. He had so much money he could make up things for people to do.

In every walk of life there are pay scales varying by skill, tenure, or a combination of both. References and word of mouth also weigh significantly on how someone is compensated. So, with all that being said, how do you truly know your worth? Knowing your worth requires you to know yourself first.

Having a clear vision of what it is you want to do and a plan to execute that is a great start. From there, improving your skills and gaining qualifications is next. Sometimes a person can have the skills and qualifications but don’t have a plan. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. So, no matter how skilled and qualified you are, you must have a plan.

Your plan must include quantifiable goals and achievement points. Everyone starts somewhere, so what’s your benchmark? The complexity of your plan determines how many goals and objectives you have to reach. However, in the early stages of executing your gameplan, get started on the right track by achieving the goals that are the least difficult to accomplish. Every win counts, work your way up to sustained success. If you are an experienced planner, move at a pace that is comfortable for you versus the difficulty of your plan.

External factors like barriers to entry or available market share will play an important role as to how you carry out your plan and gauge your worth. Therefore, knowing as much about the external landscape as possible will make you better prepared for the future.

Investing in yourself is a direct indicator that you care about yourself. What you reap is what you sow. The more time and resources you put into developing yourself and your craft will show in the quality of your works. And just like when giving to others, you should give unto yourself freely and happily. Never look at bettering yourself as a chore. Stay active in seeking ways to improve yourself. Join associations or groups, get the necessary certifications, be aware of technological advancements, know your competition, etc.

Protect your worth by being careful of the people around you. Who are you spending your time with on a regular basis? Hopefully it’s with people that have an interest in seeing you succeed professionally, and want to see you grow as a person.

One can write a whole book on the subject of knowing your worth, and we’ll cover the topic more in the coming pages. For now, here are some more suggestions that’ll help you put your worth in perspective:

• Always seek to contribute more than is required of you

• Teach others and lift them up

• Strive to constantly improve yourself

• Reward yourself when you reach important milestones

• Collaborate with other like minded individuals

• Take pride in the quality of your works

• Keep your word when you give your word

• Know how you want society to remember you

#14 Execute Your Plans

As long as I have known about Hip Hop, being honest has been one of its foundational requirements. Although many artists that proclaim to be Hip Hop have been exposed as liars to some degree or another, it doesn’t take away from the fact that Hip Hop requires truth from its constituents. Phrases like ‘keep it real’, ‘word is bond’, ‘don’t talk about it, be about it’, ‘stand on business’, etc., have been the calling cards of so many Hip Hop heads throughout the history of the game.

Therefore, as a budding Hip Hop Culturist, it is important that when you give your word, especially to yourself via goals and plans, keep it. The worst person you can ever lie to is yourself. So, when you make plans, be diligent in executing them, seeing them come to fruition. Like the phrase Malcolm X made popular, “By any means necessary.”

When executing your plans to full fruition you are building confidence and momentum. That means the next goal you set or the next plan you want to carry out will be easier to achieve. And so on and so forth. Never take your plans lightly and never allow your plans to remain idle. Doing a little daily to see your plans through is better than burning yourself out by doing a lot in short bursts. Now, if you have a last minute deadline or an emergency, then do what’s necessary. Otherwise, give yourself as much time as needed to complete your plans.

However, have systems in place that will hold you responsible to cross the finish line. Purchase a calendar, a dry erase board, set alerts or find an accountability partner to constantly be a reminder of your pending deadlines. Lock in and focus on the benefit intrinsic to completing your projects. All plans have value, both to you and others. Sometimes the value your plans represent for others is greater than the usefulness they have to you. For instance, if you are an advocate for ending homelessness, any procrastination on your behalf negatively affects the unhoused population.

We all do things for selfish reasons, yet the bigger picture should always remain at the forefront of your mind. So, the next time you act out of self interest, try to think ahead and see how your actions will affect others. I liken it to when your parents reminded you to clean up after yourself. Because when you don’t clean up what you mess up, especially in public spaces or in the workplace, it has a negative effect on others. Have you ever been on a road trip or at the airport and walked into a filthy restroom when you had to go really bad? No one likes that feeling; therefore, strive to be the person that leaves things equal to or greater than how you found it. Never add to the chaos.

Always finish what you start. Even if it’s something you kicked off years ago and abandoned. If it has any value to you or others, it’s worth completing. Prioritize it in your modern life and accomplish it when you can. Avoid regret at all costs. I know a man that’s a retired police officer who did good things for the community; however, he often regrets not following his dream of being a professional stuntman in the film and TV industry. Although he’s still healthy and in good physical condition, he no longer sees a path for himself to be a stunt double. I once suggested to him that he could be a production consultant for feature films that used police storylines.

In closing, where there’s a will there’s a way. It’s not just a cliche, it's actually a factual statement. It’s up to you to ensure your will is greater than any obstacles you may face. In order to stay focused on completing your journey, here are some suggestions that may help:

• Fully commit to achieving the goals you set

• Minimize any distractions

• Eliminate or limit any drug or alcohol use

• Communicate the sense of urgency of your plans to those you care about

• Identify and overcome any addictions or bad habits

• Avoid burnout by pacing yourself

• Seek external help if you need it

• Aim to stay under budget for any costs you need to incur

• Learn from others that did something similar to what you’re doing

• Remain optimistic and keep pushing if you miss any targets

• Never give up

• Eat as healthy as possible and get as much rest as possible

• Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated

#15 Don’t Try Too Hard

In life, emergencies occur naturally. However, do not create emergencies for yourself by planning poorly. Because when you plan poorly, you tend to create an unhealthy sense of desperation. And unhealthy desperation can lead to mistakes, errors in judgment, moral decay, frustration, and the burning of bridges. The circumstances mentioned in the preceding sentence are absolute wastes of time and can be goal killers.

You are not guaranteed a second chance to accomplish a goal or plan if you do something foolish to stop your momentum. There are plenty of examples of talented people that are rotting in jail or even worse dead because they had an unhealthy sense of desperation. One wrong lapse in judgment and everything you’ve worked so hard for can be gone instantly. It is almost always harder to build something than it is to destroy it.

Every time you have a setback you are increasing the amount of effort you have to put into something. Are setbacks completely unavoidable, no. However, always be conscious of the ones you can personally avoid. Because when you create setbacks for yourself the amount of time and effort to get back on track is compounded. Usually, when unforeseen or uncontrollable setbacks occur, it is easier to reset and regain your energy. Either way, when setbacks do happen, always be quick to eliminate any self doubt or insecurities. Be like Tom Brady when he threw an interception; forget it, move on, and be ready to shine when the ball is back in your hands.

That’s why pace is important. Avoid moving at a pace you are uncomfortable with if you can. If you are forced to move at a faster rate, have a clear understanding of all the objectives you need to meet and any external obstacles you may be faced with. Most importantly, know your own limitations. Remember, if you are faced with doing something you have never done before, the chances of you failing are relatively high. The good news is there are avenues you can use to get the training you need to get up to speed.

Unless you are met with an extreme emergency situation, do not jump head first into something without the proper knowledge. Know the rules of the game you are playing before you play. Lack of knowledge is never an excuse. The more you know about something, the more likely you are to successfully execute when you apply what you know. Also, never be afraid to admit when you don’t know something. Ask for help when needed.

The key to life or any endeavor you decide to undertake is to minimize complications. Complications equal an increase in energy exertion. Unnecessary use of energy causes physical and mental ailments that can be detrimental to your future. Alleviate any potential health risks by preparing yourself as much as possible before embarking on your chosen path.

The following is a list of suggestions that can help you minimize your input, and yet maximize your output:

• Minimize surprises through preparedness

• Study the actions of others in similar situations

• Be more conservative fiscally

• Be more proactive and less reactive

• Tweak plans when necessary

• Utilize your strengths to get ahead

• Practice delayed gratification

• Seek high success rates over perfection

• Always look for opportunities to increase your cash flow

#16 Hurry Up and Wait

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, ‘Hurry Up and Wait’ is an idiom that is “used to describe a situation in which one is forced to spend a lot of time waiting.” However, in this example, let’s look at the phrase a little differently. At some point in my life, I used to work for a general contractor that used the term quite often. And the way he used it was more in line with killing any opportunity for procrastination. Basically he was saying, let’s get this job done and get the money. We got paid by the project, not the hour.

In his mind, there was no need to milk the clock because once a specific project was complete, he believed there was a bigger project that paid more money on the horizon. And to be honest, the majority of time he was right. Even more so, he already had gigs in the queue and wanted a cushion of time in between to prevent burnout. Then again, at times, those waiting periods were used to prepare for the next job or to pick up small projects that could be completed in a day or two.

Making the best use of time was his main goal. So if he told me to meet him at a job site, followed by ‘hurry up and wait’, I knew what time it was. That means the client is satisfied with the progress of the project and we can start wrapping this bad boy up. My job was to get the site as clean as possible before he arrived, then when he got there, we’d knock out any remaining tasks and prepare for the final walk through with the client. Also, I started to notice, on some jobs, he’d get bonuses for completing the project early.

Clearly this man I used to work for was a go-getter and self starter. Yet, he did it with grace and patience. He never made any of his employees feel rushed and he steered clear of micromanagement. And if coaching was necessary, he took his time to give a hands on approach before going back to doing what bosses do. Communication was always clear and he welcomed questions with open arms.

Procrastination is the antithesis of productivity. Be proactive and do the things that need to be done in a timely manner. From there, move on to the next task and repeat. Try to give yourself a break or cushion in between tasks to prevent fatigue while still remaining on track to meet the deadline. You never know when timelines get moved up. So always be honest with yourself and your clients when giving updates on projects. And when you think you’re finished, go over the details of your project with a fine toothed comb. Minimize any potential adjustments or fixes because the recipient is looking for something wrong in their eyes.

In this topic of discussion, ‘hurry up and wait’ means to get ahead of the curve and stay there. The following practices are suggestions that may help you do just that:

• Pay bills ahead of time when you can

• Once you receive an assignment, start on it right away

• Plan to arrive at your destinations early

• Maintain good hygiene and physical appearance

• Research new trends and advancements

• Journal daily

• Know what your competition is doing

• Keep your home and vehicles free of clutter

• Brainstorm ways to improve yourself

• Join a professional or trade association

#17 Outlast and Outlive

I once had a colleague that gave me a tidbit of wisdom that I always kept close to the heart. He always preached, “sometimes you have to win by default.” What he meant by that, once I inquired, was you have to be the last person standing. Sure, another person might be more skilled, be more qualified, or have more accolades, but being the most consistent is the true measure of who wins the game.

There was a time when I worked at a high profile bar as a barback. A barback, for those that don’t know, is basically an assistant for the bartenders. Backpacks do all the grunt work to ensure the bar runs smoothly. At this particular bar, the barback had a little more responsibility, specifically keeping track of all the bar inventory in real time. All the bartenders had to do was pour drinks and socialize with the guests.

At such a high profile bar, everyone was under the microscope. When liquor costs were too high, I would warn the bartenders to scale back the amount of liquor they were pouring or lessen the number of drinks they were comping. Because at the end of the day, management expected me to be their eyes and ears when they were unable to supervise the bar. Of course, I had also developed some pretty strong relationships with the bartenders who compensated me above and beyond the contracted amount.

At some point, because of its star power, the bar was sold to a major hospitality company and the rules began to change. There were tighter controls on liquor costs, management started implementing integrity shops (basically trying to catch bartenders stealing), cheaper ingredients were introduced, and most importantly, they started a zero tolerance policy on ID’ing guests. If they caught a bartender not carding guests, even if it was one of their regulars, they were fired on the spot. Also, another new rule that affected me personally was that servers were given priority to be promoted to bartender over barbacks.

These new rules totally changed the culture of the bar and within the first month alone, I saw five bartenders get fired for not carding guests and another two get terminated for not ringing in drinks immediately. Now, half the bar staff was gone and they were promoting servers to the bar that had no clue how to bartend. Sure, they knew the food menu like the back of their hands, but were horrible bartenders. Under the old rules, I would’ve gotten promoted by this point. It wasn’t about the money because after the bartenders pooled their tips, I would make more money than some bartenders on most nights anyway, depending on the hours they worked. Therefore, I wasn’t affected financially. I was just missing the swag of being an actual bartender at one of the busiest bars in the city.

After more than a year of watching them promote server after server to the bar, I grew tired of the gross oversights of management. So, out of sheer frustration, I asked why I hadn’t been promoted to bartender. I laid my case out, a strong one at that. I knew the bar better than anyone, I trained every bartender they had up to that point, I knew all the regular guests, I knew all the specialty cocktails, I knew the food menu, and I had the support of the whole bar staff. The answer I received shocked me. I was told I provided more value to the company as a barback than a bartender.

The general manager at the time said, “you’re the best barback I’ve seen since I’ve been working in this business.” I immediately began working on my exit strategy. One of the bartenders, who I had a good relationship with, begged me not to quit. She told me that if I quit, she’d be forced to quit too. And she was dead serious. The next month would prove to be a roller coaster of events.

Once I secured a gig at another restaurant, I put my two week notice in at the bar. Just so happened that a few days before I informed them of my resignation, the old GM was transferred to a sister restaurant and we got an interim general manager at the bar. She was young, full of energy, and wanted to keep her best people happy. Unbeknownst to me, she saw me working at my new job and was impressed with the level of service I provided. My next shift at the bar, she called me into her office and asked why I was quitting. I told her because I have been passed up on the bartender promotion too many times.

I then explained to her what the previous GM told me and she was appalled. The meeting then transitioned to an interview for the position of bartender. I aced the interview and she was extremely dazzled by my bar knowledge. She promised me that if I rescind my resignation, the next bartender spot would be mine. I started my bar training the very next shift and by the time I took my final exam, a bartender spot had become available. By the time I started my first shift as a bartender at that particular spot, I had seen 17 bartenders come and go in a matter of 19 months.

Under most other circumstances, I would have resigned faster. However, having that bartender experience from that establishment on my resume springboarded me into more lucrative opportunities. I outlasted 23 people if you include the six other barbacks that didn’t make it. And when I finally did leave, I went to work at one of the most prestigious hotel brands in the world, known for their commitment to cutting edge cocktails.

I say all that to say this, if you truly want something, stick with it. No matter what the obstacles may be, keep pushing. Your blessing is right in front of you. People come and people go, but when it’s your turn, take advantage of the situation. Be willing to outlast the competition.

Sometimes when I tell this story, people ask, “why didn’t you just become a server, you would’ve got promoted faster.” Occasionally, there’s no room for compromise. To tap into the power of outlasting and outliving, here are a few suggestions:

• Have a clear idea of what it is that you want

• Don’t get frustrated with things you can’t control

• Find multiple ways to increase your cash flow until your objective is met

• When you feel like giving up, push even harder

• Make one new contact everyday

• Uplift yourself with words of encouragement and positive affirmations

• Drink more water than anything else

• Eat more plant based foods than anything else

• Turn off all the noise around you

• Cut off all toxic relationships

#18 Go For It

Some of the greatest songs of all time are often inspirational and transformative in nature. They are many times generational and most artists would be considered lucky to have one such song. However, one particular artist has two that are applicable in this subject heading. I am speaking of Eddie Van Halen with ‘Jump’ and ‘Right Now’. Those two iconic songs are about seizing the moment and taking action.

Van Halen (Eddie) is considered to be one of the greatest musicians and songwriters of all time as he was the primary songwriter for the group. Although both songs were collaborative efforts to some degree, the music to both were original ideas of Eddie before being recorded. The songs speak to Eddie’s musical prowess because the songs were recorded in two different decades, under different circumstances, and with two different lead vocalists.

Eddie, like lots of immigrants, was bullied in some way because he was different. In those times mental health therapy didn’t have the platform it has gained in recent years. Therefore, in the mid to late twentieth century, kids found other outlets to free themselves of hurt and pain. In Eddie’s case it was music. He and his brother Alex would practice various instruments as children and eventually started forming bands in their teenage years. Eventually, after David Lee Roth joined them, they settled on the name Van Halen.

‘Jump’, the less lyrical of the two songs, was released in late 1983 and is Van Halen’s most successful single. It is a feel good, upbeat party type song. But, just because you can party to ‘Jump’ doesn’t take away from the message it implies. Whether your back is against the wall or not, when something you believe in is at the forefront of your mind or embedded in your heart, “might as well jump.” Take the chance on yourself and don’t be afraid of failure. That’s why everything you do has to be embedded in goodwill because where there is goodwill, there can be no shame.

Many people never take the leap of faith because they feel shamed in some way. Whereas, in the past, we have seen people that should have had some type of shame operating with near impunity. Hip Hop is elevation and upliftment in action, and if that’s what you want for yourself, you should want that for others with no reward in mind. The key to your success is jumping without having a sense of desperation. Remember, always aspire to be ahead of the curve.

‘Right Now’ signaled another chapter in the history of Van Halen. Being the more lyrical of the two songs, it was a sign of the times. The year 2000 was less than a decade away and people began having more of a sense of urgency because of the widespread conspiracy theories associated with the new millennium. Books, movies, songs, religious texts, and even bankers were predicting the impending New World Order. The 90’s were an incubator period for the new woke, especially as the internet began to expand day by day.

In Hip Hop, you saw changes in rappers lyrics. No longer was it about peace, each one teach one, or fighting the powers that be. Scarcity began to dominate the culture with lyrics that preached money over everything. Getting the money by any means necessary was the culture’s new calling card. Some heeded the call in a more positive way, others were graduating from the streets and told tales of selling dope and pimping.

Looking back, we see that every generation is overcome with a sense of panic. Whether it’s a pandemic, war, real estate crashes, moral dilemmas, police brutality, race riots, or general corruption, there will always be signs of the times. And that’s why right now is your tomorrow. Do not get engulfed in the perspective that some external force is going to decide your future. You decide your future. Like M.C. Shan said, “kill that noise.”

You can party like it's 1999, protect your money like Y2K, or prepare for 2012, but like 2Pac told us, “life goes on.” So, what you do today, will shape your tomorrow. Do the right thing for yourself and your future family today. Also, like Yoda said, “fear is the path to the dark side.” Do not be fearful of today’s traps set by the government, media, or corporations. If you were to watch ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’, you’ll get a glimpse of how the puppet masters try to manipulate you.

Anything you want to do, you can start right now. Even if there are time restraints, like you want to go back to school but the new semester doesn’t start for another three months. Prepare now and do everything to ensure you’re ready when that time comes. The following suggestions will help you put to bed any reservations you may have about getting started right now:

• Do things that boost your self esteem (what works for you)

• Create a bucket list and accomplish the items on it

• Meet the people you want to be like

• Get a mentor in the area of expertise you’re pursuing

• Educate yourself continuously

• Immerse yourself in new cultures

• Learn a new language

• Travel to new places

• Don’t listen to naysayers

• Pay attention to the signs the universe sends you

#19 Connect the Dots

Sometimes when you’re on a journey to do something that means a great deal to you, there are several stages you must go through and even more steps that have to be taken. We’ve already established that getting started and being committed to seeing your goal through is paramount to your success. Once that is affirmed, you’ll begin to execute the planning phase. And at some point in the planning phase you’ll begin to work with other people. Sometimes you’ll be able to pick the people you work with, sometimes you won’t.

When working with others, especially when you don’t get to choose your team, it’s more about balancing personalities than managing skill sets. To be able to effectively work with others, you need to provide a clear vision of what needs to be done, just like you did for yourself. If several tasks need to be completed, break your team up into smaller units and give each party a deadline to have their part of the assignment finished. And as each team completes the order as given, have them jump in and help the others. Do this until all tasks are done.

As they work, you watch. See who’s the self starters. Also, see who works well with little to no supervision. Who stands out and who has leadership qualities. Lastly, who’s the weakest link. One type of person you need to watch out for is the charmer. Make sure the charmers earn their keep and not just use their ability to sway people because they are lacking in other areas. Pay attention, too, to those that lack accountability, always riddled with excuses.

The more you work with people, the better you’ll become at formulating teams. You’ll know who works well with who, and how to use others in crunch situations. Then you’ll be able to find your leaders which will eventually free up more time for you to do other things.

When choosing vendors, or other people with their own teams, do your due diligence to find out as much about their culture as you possibly can. If you can get someone you trust to refer you to a vendor, start there. If not, look for client reviews and the quality of work they have done in the past. Be clear with your vendors and let them know what you expect from their team. Vendors must also know the chain of command and should provide a liaison between you and them to communicate with before, during, and after the completion of the task.

For example, you may be planning a launch party for your brand. You’re going to need things like a venue, photography, catering, furniture, security, a DJ, sponsors, bar staff, a band, lights, a stage, flowers, decorations, and more. Depending on how elaborate your project is, some things can be consolidated, like catering and bar. But if you want to cut costs and add some flair, you may opt for liquor sponsors. Oftentimes, when you go for liquor sponsors, they want to bring their own branded bartenders.

As you can see, there are lots of people you can potentially be dealing with. And to the partygoer, it all has to look effortless, seamless. However, behind the scenes, things can be very chaotic. That’s why having experience in team building and connecting people is important. Also, having a detailed outline or standard operating procedure is necessary every time. Great projects happen because of great organizers. Empower your people, trust your people, and put them in a position to win.

When dealing with people to help you complete a project or task, the following suggestions may help you build more cohesive teams:

• Be detailed and direct

• Welcome dialogue and questions

• Take care of the people that perform well

• Never underbid or underpay

• Incentivize workers to be more efficient

• Be encouraging, yet firm when coaching mistakes

• Set high standards

• Provide feedback in regular intervals

• Pay attention to body language

• Be an effective communicator

• Hold yourself accountable when things are off track

• Trust your team, avoid micromanaging

#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