MONDAY MOTIVATION: Who's Going to Believe in Your Dreams But You?

 

By: Safia Bartholomew

There's something about seeing a woman who knows who she is at her core, that is so beautiful. A woman that is filled with the wisdom and self-awareness to have a vision of her goals, she knows the boundaries of what she will tolerate as well as the knowledge of what lengths she will go to achieve what is in her heart. This past Saturday, I attended trey's Millionaire Artist workshop and the thing that resonated with me the most was the feeling of being witness to a glow of self-awareness that circled trey and the 4 women panelists that spoke - Olunike Adeliyi, Cindy Ashton, Shannon Skinner, and Denise Bukowski. They all shared their stories of struggle and every obstacle they faced that should have been reason for them not to pursue their dreams, but they didn't listen to that inner voice of fear or any of the outer noise.

The greatest lesson that I took away from the workshop is that there is no point in waiting for perfection to pursue your dreams, because perfection doesn't exist. So many of us are waiting for the right situation, or to meet the right person, or to look Halle Berry pretty. We sit waiting for the confidence to suddenly come to us first before we decide to take the steps to create our vision. But in actuality, confidence comes from pursuing your dreams despite not feeling pretty, or confident but from doing it anyway. The only path to greatness is to stumble then pick yourself up, to shut out the voice of your fears, silence the noise of naysayers and most importantly, to build a belief in oneself that is unshakable. As trey shared, "I'm not arrogant, I'm convinced. There is nothing wrong with believing that you are great. Say it daily to yourself." We ended the day off with everyone standing and shouting out their greatness in unison.

I left the workshop feeling inspired and grateful for all of the ladies that spoke that day. For sharing their stories, advice and by showing us all that real beauty is in absolute confidence. It's a trait that I aspire to stand in and that I believe every woman and man deserves to possess. Scrolling through some of the attendees' Tweets, I realized that many shared my exact sentiment and takeaway:

Did any of you attend trey's workshop this past weekend? What stood out to you? Meet me in the comments section and share the lesson that resonated with you the most!

I Ain't Got Time For Dis!

I've been known to be a straight shooter! And one of the things I have little to no tolerance for are people who complain about stuff but do little to make any changes in their lives. You know the ones? The ones who constantly complain about all the stuff that's not working in their lives.... or maybe you are that person, the person who can't stand their job, can't stand their husband/wife, can't stand the colour of their socks! The list is endless. But day after day, month after month, year after year..... they are doing the same thing wearing the same damn socks! and doing absolutely -----NOTHING to change their circumstances!!!!

I constantly get emails from artistic folks who dream about making it in the industry. They will send me a random email or stop me in the street asking for advice on how to make it,   demanding information!  Yet, when I tell them about my upcoming workshops, they have every excuse in the book of why this time, once again, they won't be able to make it!!! Sabotaging themselves before they even start!

Well, as my mother would say, "I'm done talking! I ain't got time for dis!!!" I'm interested in helping folks who are people of action not talk! So if you want to make some changes in your career, and your life, the  workshop this Saturday is for you! Stop with the excuses and do something different!

There are only 22 tixs left!!! 22??? Are you going to be the person who sits at home again this Saturday complaining or are you going to be the person who is going to take a pro active role in changing your life, be inspired, and network with like minded people! Who do you want to be this year?

Check this new link out to find out what folks have to say! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqmh4czoc9w

Please note we will be seating folks with advance tickets first and accommodating walk ups, on a first come, first serve. Guarantee your seat and register over at Eventbrite. We are also accepting email money transfers at trey@treyanthonystudios.com

In Her Artist Shoes: Entertainer, Cindy Ashton on Learning To Triumph Against All Odds

Cindy Ashton is a modern day renaissance womyn - as a singer/entertainer, author and speaker coach, she pretty much does it all! Born with only a 20% chance of living, Cindy knows the idea of exceeding other people's expectations of you. She proves that you can make your dreams happen when you fight for it! Very happy to have Cindy as a panelist at The Millionaire Artist workshop this Saturday, as I know she will have a lot of wisdom to share. (Reserve your spot here: Eventbrite)

The life changing experience that convinced her to go for her dreams
I always knew I was meant to perform since I was a fetus swimming in my mom's belly. I was born with a 20% chance of living, underwent 3 heart surgeries by age 14 and was told I would never be able to be healthy enough to dance or sing (I had a damaged lung). At age 13, I shared a hospital room with a girl named Stephanie. Like me she went through several heart surgeries and didn't know if she was going to live beyond her teens or not. We made a pact that we would both survive and I would become a world class performer and she would become the world's greatest heart surgeon. I was released from the hospital for a few months. When I got re-admitted at 14 years old, I kept asking the nurses where Stephanie was and they kept avoiding my questions. Eventually a nurse pulled me aside and told me that Stephanie died. Part of me felt guilty and unworthy to live but the other part of me KNEW I had to live and make my dreams happen for both of us. Watch the video on: http://speakerstardom.com/bookinginfo/ = it has the story.

Who she looks up to in the industry
Madonna - since she appeared on the scene when I was 7. She is always willing to push boundaries & get people questioning society norms; she is a fantastic performer (in terms of the energy & creativity she gives, not the actual singing voice); a brilliant business woman and has a real pulse on trends and creating trends.

Best piece of advice given
Just be yourself... that is enough.


If you haven't done so already, register here. Only a FEW spaces left! Guarantee yourself a seat to this inspiring workshop and make the step to finally start pursuing your artistic dreams more seriously.

Check out what an attendee had to say about my last workshop below: an eye-opening & life changing experience!

Perfectly imperfect - Why your weaknesses may be your biggest strengths!

With only a couple of days left until the Millionaire Artist Workshop, I want to share with you a great TEDx talk that I found. 

As artists we sometimes second guess ourselves - in fact we all do it, artists or not. We focus on our weaknesses instead of our strengths and sometimes we allow them to define  us. We allow them to limit us and try to work around them. 

Well this artist found out the hard way, that sometimes we have to embrace our limitations before we can become the best possible version of ourselves. When he decided to work with the thing that had been holding him back before, his art took off to new levels!

Check out Phil Hansen's talk "The art of imperfect" and it may motivate you to push past your "weaknesses" to find a side of yourself that you haven't been nurturing. 

And, of course, if you haven't registered for the Millionaire Artist Workshop which is coming up this weekend, it's not too late to get your tickets! For more information and to register, click here: www.millionaireartist.eventbrite.ca

 

MONDAY MOTIVATION: Jada Pinkett's Message to the Dream Stealers

 

One of the most important aspects of being in a relationship is having someone who supports not only  the person that you are within the relationship, but also the person you are becoming or have always dreamed of being. If you have a dream of being an actress, a writer, singer, CEO of a Fortune 500 company, whatever the dream is that you hold in your heart, your significant other should not only support that but be actively engaged in your passion. If you are a writer, at the very minimum, your partner should read a few of your pieces. I received an amazing email from a man a month ago who wanted to inquire about my coaching packages and upcoming Millionaire Artist workshop for his girlfriend. In the email, he spoke about his belief in his girlfriend's talent as a designer despite her own doubt and that he wants to help her take the steps towards pursuing her vision. I loved this because this is what a partner should be!

Another issue that many people relate to is the feeling that one has to give up on their dreams once they settle down and have a family. While taking care of a family and pursuing a dream that may not initially offer stability can be overwhelming and scary, it is possible. Jada Pinkett Smith, a womyn who has successfully juggled a career and family, had a few things to say about this problem:

Dream stealers…
I think one of the worst atrocities we can commit on people we say we love is to steal their dreams through our overbearing expectations. Whether we steal dreams consciously or unconsciously, it renders the same effect…RESENTMENT.

Someone we say we love should NEVER be forced to choose having your love and support over having their dreams. There is a way to have BOTH.

The scary part is that most of the time we may be infringing on the dreams of others in order to fulfill a dream of our own. Partnership, parenting, marriage should reflect the desire to help each other build fulfilling lives for all parties involved. You’ve got ONE life ( that we know of ). LIVE IT…to the FULLEST!
BUILD on your dreams and on the dreams of those you love…TODAY!

Surround yourself with people that believe in and support your dreams and stay focused on the vision that you have for yourself. If not, you will find yourself living a life filled with doubt, regret and resentment. Think about what an awesome example that will be for your children as they will look up to "mommy / daddy" who made their dreams happen despite having to put food on the table and provide for X amount of kids. If you believe that it is possible, then your children will believe this as well for their future dreams.

I will be sharing a few stories of my own at The Millionaire Artist workshop this Saturday February 2nd. Secure your seat and register here: Millionaire Artist Eventbrite. Only a few spots left!

Do at least 1 thing today that focuses on and invests in your dreams. I dare you!

Happy Monday!

Tip # 5 Last day of the Artist Challenge! Be a student of your craft.

Educate yourself; find out what other people are doing in your industry! I'm always shocked when people who are in theatre express that they don't go out to theatre related events. Or painters don't go out to gallery openings, or film makers don't watch films! When my artistic coaching clients inform me that they don't attend arts related events I'm in utter dismay! 

Always be a student of your craft! Once per week I either watch a movie or go out to see theatre. I also spend money on buying books on the industry, attending workshops to educate and empower myself. I'm an avid learner. A life time learner. I never believe I know everything! 

Grasp every opportunity to learn and to delve more into the industry! I've met some wonderful people in my career because I have attended industry showcases, poetry shows, monologue 

                                                                                      slams,  openings of various films, or gone to networking events!

At the workshop I will share an invaluable tip on how to network effectively. That's why I strongly encourage you to attend the Millionaire Artist Workshop, so you can learn, share, and network!

Some great events are going on in the city this month and next month, include Dwayne Morgan's, When Sisters Speak, Warren Salmon's First Friday, and our amazing panelist Olunike Adeliyi is hosting a monologue slam! Be sure to check out these events and the many others! 

And of course, I hope to see you at the Millionaire Artist workshop! Register now, email me at info@treyanthonystudios.com to give me feedback on the Millionaire Artist Challenge this week or facebook or tweet me! Good luck! 

The winner of yesterday's Millionaire Artist Challenge is Carol Allen! She was the 7th person to facebook me yesterday, stating she wanted to get paid and paid damn well! Carol, you have 24 hours to claim your prize! 

Want to be today's winner? Be the 10th person to facebook me and name one event that is going on in the city this month or next that I mentioned. It's that easy! 

Nobody Knows My Name! The Value of Personal Branding with Shannon Skinner & Artist Challenge Day 4

When it comes to personal branding, Shannon Skinner has managed to create a brand that is authentic to her passions and purpose. Her resume is quite extensive: creator/ host of a talk show, author, inspirational speaker and public relations professional. When it comes to introducing yourself as an artist to the world, Shannon understands the value of being your own promoter, showing the world exactly who you are and going for what you want despite the fear that may try to convince you to sit in standstill. I’m so happy to have Shannon come speak at The Millionaire Artist workshop on February 2nd!

Here are 3 lessons I believe Shannon will be able to offer you all:

On pursuing your dreams despite the fear

When I had the idea of creating my talk show Extraordinary Women TV with Shannon Skinner, I had a lot of fear and, although I knew I would do it "one day," I was waiting for all the conditions to be right. I had envisioned doing something like this since I was a child, as I was born and raised in a family of television broadcasters. I spent much of my youth in a television station. But instead of doing it, I sat on the idea. Fast-forward...one beautiful summer evening in 2010, a good friend of mine gave me some bad news: he had less than one year to live. Shocked and saddened, I later asked myself a question: "If I had one year to live, what would I do?" That quality question pushed me past my fears and other obstacles, and within a short time I birthed my show -- and my new career was started. I since realized that conditions will rarely be right to follow your heart, so you just have to do it.

The importance of having an inspirational source to continually refer to when needed

"The Whispering Heart: Your Inner Guide to Creativity" is a book I wrote a few years ago. It is my favourite book, not because I wrote it, but because I keep re-reading it to take my own advice when I need a courage boost or clarity.

Putting your best foot forward & creating a great impression is just as much about creating the right appearance as it is about your talent.

The best advice I’ve received in this industry is to never wear short skirts or dresses for television interviews.

Artist Tip #4: Nobody Knows My Name! Tell the World Who You Are!

It's never too early to tell the world what you do and who you are! Usually when I start working with my coaching clients, their first complaint and biggest concern they share is that no one knows who they are! They then proceed to tell me they aren't "big" enough yet, to have a following or it too soon to think about branding themselves!!! 

Well, how do you think you are going to start to build a following unless you start today??? 

When I first started in the business, my first show was in a Brampton Public Library, I had about four people in the audience! And two of them were family members who felt sorry for me, so they showed up! But even back then I knew the importance of branding and building my audience. I faithfully mailed out flyers, and newsletters monthly! Yes mailed them! Licked envelopes! Remember those days?! There was no internet or Facebook back then!  

My shows eventually grew from 4 people to 10, to 100, to 1000, and now 'da Kink in my hair theatrical show has been seen by over 125,000 people! Not bad for a person who had four people at her first show!  

START TODAY--- start to think about how to build your audience and how to find clients for your work. Start by buying your domain name, start a fan page on Facebook, get a twitter account, get a Youtube channel, create a website, start a blog...  Let people know what you are doing!

At the workshop I will give several valuable tips on how to grow your audience and how to let the world know who you are! I will also let you know a secret tip on how to immediately make your brand/ yourself look more professional! It works every time trust me! See you there! 

****** Today's give away, the seventh person to Facebook me and say, “I want to know how to get paid and paid now!” will win a ticket to my Millionaire Artist workshop! 

Day 3 Millionaire Artist Challenge: Does Your Workspace Inspire You to Create Your Best Work?

Today evaluate your work space. Does it inspire you? Where do you do your BEST work from?  When I first bought my home I made a big deal about ensuring that I had an efficient working "office." So, I made sure I had a big desk top computer, a fancy desk, a "proper" office chair and a humongous filing cabinet! 

Yet, I never did any work in my fancy office!  I was much more comfortable sitting in my living room on my big comfy couch with my lap top on my lap!  I rarely went upstairs to my "office" unless I had to grab a file. Eventually it dawned on me that the reason why I liked working in my living room was, this was the space in my home that received the best direct sunlight. My living room has huge ceiling to floor windows. The windows also face the trees. And each morning while working I could watch the sun rise. I'm a morning person and I love feeling the morning sun on my face while I work! I also like sprawling out on the couch and having all my files and books nearby.

However, my original "office" upstairs, got no natural sunlight and  the 'view' was the brick siding of my neighbor's house! I'm now currently converting my screened in sun porch to become my new home office because it gets lots of sunlight and faces the trees. In order for me to be creative I need bright, airy, well lit spaces! I also prefer big chairs with over stuff pillows than fancy stiff office chairs and I like my lap top in my lap!

So, figure out for yourself where do you do your best work? Does your work space truly inspire you? Are you a morning person or a night person? Are you a person who needs to sit at a desk or do you prefer a big comfy chair? And remember if you want to be very effective, ensure that everything that you need is at your finger tips  including all your files! Don't waste valuable time like I did running up the stairs to grab files, pens etc! * I will give more office tips at the workshop on Feb 2nd.

Drum Roll please...The winner of Monday's Artist Challenge is Jordan Clarke who posted my Artist tip #1 on her Facebook page on Monday morning! Jordan please contact me via Facebook to claim your free ticket to the workshop!  You have 24 hours! 

Remember if you want to be a winner, it's easy either share the Millionaire Artist flyer on Facebook or Twitter, respond/comment on this blog post, and share it with friends, or change your status on Facebook to state, "I'm going to trey anthony's Millionaire Artist Workshop on February 2nd!" Remember to tweet or facebook me to let me know. It's that easy to WIN!!! 

Register for the workshop here: www.millionaireartist.eventbrite.ca

The Millionaire Artist Challenge Day 2: Which Route Are You Taking To Success?

 Day 2: MILLIONAIRE ARTIST TIP - Always create a mini schedule for your day.

Always have a road map to where you are going and what needs to be done!  Before I check email, go on the phone, write or do anything I create a schedule for my day every day! * I will go into more details at the Millionaire Artist Workshop on February 2nd on how to do this and how to avoid procrastinating on facebook! 

An artist must always have a road map! Have a plan for your day and have a sense of what you wish to accomplish and the time frame to do it!

And remember to turn off your phone, allot a certain time in your day to respond to and answer the phone!

Remember to register for the Millionaire Artist workshop on February 2nd go to www.millionaireartist.eventbrite.ca spaces filling up quickly!

Remember to tweet, or facebook me to let me know how the challenge is going for you! If you missed Day 1 check it out here. Join us!

In Her Artist Shoes: Actress & CTV Flashpoint's, Oluniké Adeliyi + My Challenge Inspired By Jay-Z

Canadian born actress, Oluniké Adeliyi is a truly talented womyn and actress. With an impressive resume that includes starring in CTV's successful series, Flashpoint; a film role in Saw 3D (2010) and a television appearance on The Listener. Her story proves that success will come if you believe in yourself and work hard to master your craft. I'm so happy to have her as a panelist at my Millionaire Artist Workshop! I know that this womyn is filled with so much valuable advice to share with all of you.

Here are 3 things I learned about Oluniké:

On discovering her passion

I was an actor straight from the womb. I began to pursue it professionally after an encounter with Denzel Washington on the set of "John Q". He took a special interest in me and lectured me daily with fantastic advice on how to approach the industry. He suggested studying theatre in NY and I did it. He suggested fine tuning my skills daily and I continue to do so. He told me to never think about the money and I haven't. The main reason I followed my dreams was for my daughter. She has watched her Mom face obstacles and overcome them. She is now following her dreams, because I showed her it was possible. In turn my daughter became my biggest motivation to continue knocking doors down.

The circle of powerful womyn she looks up to

I look up to Viola Davis. She is looking to pass the torch and I'm working hard for it to be me. She blows my mind the way Cicely Tyson, Ruby Dee, Angela Bassett did and still does. I want in on that circle of talented women. So I'll work my butt off daily living and loving.

Best advice

"Always maintain your grace." Phylicia Rashad gave me that advice personally at theatre school. I had the pleasure of being in her presence. I've never forgotten her words to me and I have been tested many times in this industry and life since then, but my grace is always in tact. My grace is always remembered and re hired :)

Make sure you secure a seat at the workshop - limited spots available! Register here: www.millionaireartist.eventbrite.ca 

And, My Artist Challenge to You All - Are You Ready? 

I do difficult in an hour--impossible in a week! 

The running joke with several of my colleagues is that every one else has 24 hours in a day, and I have 32! Needless to say my favorite Jay Z quote is,  " I do difficult in an hour, impossible in a week!"

People ask me every day how do I get so much work done, how am I able to be so productive in my career, life and personal life? How can I balance writing, producing, acting, coaching, and public speaking plus just every day living! So I'm going to give you a few tips!

On Monday, we will begin the seven day Millionaire Artist challenge!  For seven days I will post one simple tip for you to follow to increase your productivity as an artist. Let me know you are up for the challenge by any means of social media!  I will be giving away five tickets in total through out the week  to people who make a comment on either their facebook page, twitter or my blog, about doing the Millionaire Artist Challenge. Let me know how it's going for you, are you learning anything? Doing things differently? 

Remember to tag me or tweet so I know you're doing it! You never know which day I will pick a winner so it's always good to post your comments pertaining to the challenge! Remember  the Millionaire Artist Challenge starts on Monday! I'm looking forward to giving away some tickets! See you soon! 

Music is supposed to inspire…and Copperwire’s Starbound does that and so much more

Guest blog by Eden Hagos

Gabriel Teodros, Meklit Hadero  and Burntface aka Elias Fullmore are three artists whose careers prove that it is in fact possible to entertain while standing for something more than the superficiality that passes for (mainstream) music nowadays. But it is together, as music trio Copperwire, that they are rewriting the boundaries of music and storytelling.

As a diasporan I find a sense of comfort and belonging in Copperwire’s music that just can’t be matched in the physical world. Their songs touches on themes such as home and belonging that resonate with immigrants like myself, but that also speak to the human experience in general.

As a fundraiser I watched in awe as they kicked off a $25,000 Kickstarter campaign to fund Starbound – a sequel to Earthbound. And when they reached their goal I silently cheered them on, inspired by their success and excited to see the end result.

But it is as an artist that their work inspires me the most - not only to challenge myself to come up with new forms of expression but also to be more creative in my collaborations. Earthbound, which the group describes as a “hip-hop space opera”, transcends the physical and social barriers of nation and genre, and takes us to the outer limits of the universe. The album includes a sci-fi backstory with alter egos which can be found on their website.  

Starbound, which they are currently working on, will forever change the way audiences listen to albums. It will include a comic book, games and various remix apps, all of which will allow the listener to interact with and recreate the songs they’re listening to. They’re even working with NASA to incorporate the sound of real stars into their music!  

While December 21^st, 2012 did not mark the end of the world in the literal, physical way many feared, I can only hope that with Copperwire leading the way, 2013 will be the beginning of a new era – one that thrives on collaboration and revolution.

Through their music and innovation Copperwire is proving that there is still much that can be done in and through music if only we allow ourselves to believe it. By creating new ways of thinking about and listening to an album they have shown that art can be meaningful and entertaining at the same time and that every artist has the ability to make an impact on the world.

As we prepare for the 2^nd Millionaire Artist  Workshop, I hope you will challenge yourself to take your art to the next level. Join us at the workshop and find out how artists such as trey anthony are laying claim to their passion and creating new and exciting opportunities for themselves and others.

In the meantime, I encourage you to check out Copperwire’s work. To start you off here’s one of my favourite songs. Enjoy!

Invest in YOU: Back by Popular Demand, Excited to Announce Details For the Millionaire Artist Workshop!

Psst!!! Hey you! Yes, I'm talking to you!  

Remember your new year's resolution to finally pursue your artistic dreams? To FINALLY take your art more seriously? To FINALLY start getting paid for your creativity? Well this workshop is for you! Back by popular demand! My 2nd Millionaire Artist Workshop! 

Register now, spaces are limited! 

We have a power house line-up of speakers that will definitely get you excited and give you the information to make 2013 YOUR YEAR OF ACTION! 

Register now before we sell out! 

For more information and to register, click here: www.millionaireartist.eventbrite.ca or call 647.771.7086

Monday Motivation: Claim 2013 as your year! (and a surprise announcement)

2012 Millionaire Artist workshop

How has your first week been so far? Have you been ploughing through your to-do list or has the conviction of your resolutions fizzled and faded?

Hopefully it’s the former and not the latter. But if you have already lost your motivation, that’s okay- because there is no time like the present to start anew and declare a brand new start.

You have a whole year ahead of you – and before you know it, it will be January 1^st, 2014. So, what do you commit to achieving this year and how will you invest in yourself to make this year truly YOUR year?

If one of the things you wanted to achieve this year was to nurture your creative side and turn your passion into your life’s work I have some great news. The Millionaire Artist workshop is back!

This year’s Millionaire Artist workshop will take place February 2, 2013 with a fresh line-up of industry panelists as well as the frank advice and stories from yours truly.

The theme of the workshop will be “New Year, New You” and I’ll be announcing more details shortly including the location and guest panelists.This workshop is just the thing to help you get started with your resolutions AND stick to them. And for those of you who are already working hard to move your art to the next level we’ll have lots of tips for you too.

The last workshop had a great turn out and I received lots of great feedback. Here’s one of the emails I received after the workshop:

I have surrounded myself with complete gratitude since Trey Anthony's Millionaire Artist workshop. It was intimate and lively, yet excitable. The big click for me were the 5 things to do for your career before 8. I walked away from the workshop focused on remaining aware of my lifestyle, from where I am to where I am heading. I took out this day to look at my room, clean it and move around my bed set entirely. Immediately my thoughts were clear of clouds because my room is clear of clutter. - Tenika Francis, entrepreneur

And in keeping with tradition we will be giving away free tickets to the workshop. To enter the contest all you have to do is 1) subscribe to thetruthaccordingtotrey by entering your email address on the side panel and 2) send me an email to let me know you’ve subscribed. If you subscribe by January 16^th you’ll be entered into a draw for a free ticket, winner to be announced next week.

I will also be announcing more details (panelists, venue, etc.) in the coming weeks. Please stay tuned to the blog and The Millionaire Artist Facebook page or follow me on Twitter for more info.

Let’s all vow to make 2013 the year of DOING & BEING exactly who we’ve imagined ourselves to be. Take action today. For more information, to sign up for the Millionaire Artist workshop and to enter the contest email safiab@treyanthonystudios.com.

 

Three lessons that Barack Obama can teach us

Have you all been following the presidential race in the US? I was thinking about the reaction that people had to the first debate and I realized that there are a few lessons that many of us could stand to learn from Obama. Here are three:

1.    It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. At the first debate Obama was more direct than     Mitt Romney. He answered the questions that were asked and he was honest. But that isn’t what most people noticed. The majority of feedback has been that Obama came across as passive and disinterested. In fact, his strategy going into the second debate was to come across as more passionate. This principle is true in most things in life – whether you are auditioning for a part, giving a speech to a large audience or pitching an idea to a funder, the delivery is just as important as the message itself.  

2.    You get more than one chance to make an impression. Although after the first debate Obama’s numbers began to dip, rather than give up Obama and his campaign team immediately began preparing for the next debate. This is an important lesson for many of us because it is easy to think that we have “blown” it when something doesn’t go our way the first time. It’s also easy to quit and walk away. But it is the ability to make a successful comeback that separates the successful few from those who shoulda/woulda/coulda.

3.    Take nothing for granted. Going into the first debate many people dismissed the idea that Romney would come away the winner. They were convinced that Obama was a better speaker and had more experience in this setting. Clearly, they were wrong. Obama learned his lesson and prepared better for the second debate. It’s important for us to realize that even when we think we have something wrapped up we should always over prepare and never, ever underestimate anyone!

Did you learn anything else from the debates, from either candidate? If so, be sure to comment below and let me know!

I am really enjoying these debates but I’m even more excited about this Saturday’s workshop where we will talk about some of the above, as well as many other tips and life lessons to create and attract success. Only 3 days left to get your ticket! Click here to buy tickets today.      

Millionaire Artist Workshop schedule and contest winner

I'm so excited to share the schedule for Saturday's workshop with all of you. Here's everything we will cover:

10:00am-10:30am	Meet and greet
10:30am-11:00am	trey's inspiring life story: the highs, lows and lessons learnt
11:00am-11:15am	Stop doing things for free: how to put  a price on what you do
11:15am-11:30am	The art of networking
11:30am-11:45am	How to immediately increase your income
11:45am-12:15pm	Getting noticed: how to generate buzz
12:15pm- 12:40pm	Goal setting and avoiding procrastination
12:40pm-1:00pm	How do you start your day? The role of hip hop to help you reach your goals.
1:00pm-1:25pm	Lunch (off site or participants can bring their lunch)
1:25pm-2:00pm	Moving forward: write your new vision, set a money goal,  identify a mentor, create a success team
2:00pm- 2:50pm	Exclusive industry panel discussion and Q&A
2:50pm-3:00pm	Wrap up

And I'm also very happy to announce the winner of our Facebook contest who is (drum roll please)

Marcia H. Brown

If you didn't win today, don't worry. We're giving away tickets all week. Click here  for more details. 

Are you wishing away your life?

Looking through my timeline this week on Facebook I realized something a bit frightening. For years now, every Friday my timeline is overtaken with varying versions of “TGIF” and countdowns to the weekend. Do you find yourself counting down to the weekend every week? Well, this week I noticed that more and more people are also commenting on hump day. Statuses like “Just have to make it through hump day.” Or “Can’t wait…2 more days until I’m free! #humpday”. 

I decided to look up hump day just out of curiosity and one of the definitions on urban dictionary was this: the absolute BEST day of the week, the day of maximum hope that maybe, you might make it out of this week alive.

Isn’t that crazy? I find it so scary that it’s so normal for someone to go through the whole week just counting down for the weekend. It’s like we are wishing away 5 days of the week just to get to the 2 good days of the week. Instead of waking up every day happy to be alive and looking forward to a day of whatever it is we are passionate about, many of us spend most of our lives waiting for the future. Those who work the 5-day work week and live only for the weekend will have wished away 27 YEARS of their lives by the time they retire! That’s almost a third of the average life expectancy!

Are you wishing away your days or living the life you want? If you spend more days each week just trying to get through the day then you do actually ENJOYING your day and BEING HAPPY, you are wishing your days away. But you have the ability to take control of your life and start experiencing the fulfillment that comes with living up to your true potential. 

It made me realize how blessed I am to be able to do the things I love and to spend my days doing work that makes me feel fulfilled. This is exactly why I'm so excited to bring you the upcoming Millionaire Artist Workshop! This is your chance to get tips and ideas from myself and other great panelists about how to live your life to its fullest. 

You have until October 6th to get early bird special. And if you have a friend who you know could benefit too, we will also offer a ONE DAY PROMOTION of 2 tickets for the price of 1 on October 6th!

If you are ready to live your life but not quite sure how to make that jump, join us Oct 20th. You’ll get some great tips about how to choose to live your life now, instead of waiting for the weekend to be happy. Check out the details here.