DOING THE MOST & THE LEAST AT THE SAME DAYUM TIME.

Team work makes the dream work. Many times we do a lot of things well. Quite a few. But not all the things. So instead of focusing at the visionary level ,75% of the time, we are often consumed with the details and “weeds” of it all. Don’t get me wrong... in order to create anything of value, you’ll need to focus on the details or the tactics - basically the action steps to help you achieve the big goal. Our ego likes to tell us, we can manage it all. I realized that even if we can “do it all” we probably shouldn’t. 

A perfect example of the “do it all” mentality is managing all parts of your artistic journey when you’re an independent artist. I came into the game when the school of thought was “you need a manager” when booking shows, scheduling studio time, photo shoots, managing a website and social media, - you know all things, becomes too much. Well shit, it’s too much right dayum now. Lol! I’ve decided that at this point *in my the rent is too dayum high voice* - doing all things is too dayum much. I 👏🏾 need 👏🏾 some help 👏🏾or at the very least a different approach. *kicks mic stand*. 🗣 Help Wanted. I need a team, a faithful few or as my resident Maven Ayanna Castro (Work Your Package) says... a Board of Directors. 

Choreographer & Creative Director.I have a versatile two step and a boat load of rhythm. I also know specifically how I want the video treatment to look ... in my head. Not so much with explaining to the videographer. What I don’t possess is the ability to create four/ten minute dance routines. Nopity Nope. What you will get is great stage presence and bomb vocals - unless we get some personnel in here STAT. 

Community. You build by supporting. I need to know from my fellow artists “How can I help you?”  What can we do together that will advance the community and share with music lovers alike? 

A Trainer or a Fitness Program. Who is gonna get me back to “snack status"? I’m currently on tapas/entree status. Thick Fit if you will. This is not the will of God for my life.  It’s not. I've been using the Nike Fitness app, YouTube videos from Pop Sugar, trainer Jeanette Jenkins and Keira LaShae (she has her own Shopify site with videos and downloads) with the gym I have on property to get these workouts in. About to join Planet Fitness to add another tool in my arsenal. It's $10 a month/$22 Black Card VIP. You're welcome lol. 

Brand Management. Since I studied communications I actually know how to do this or at least the foundation of building brands. However [dramatic pause] two of the essential building blocks in building and maintaining a brand are assets and messaging that support thatbrand. Messaging and creative vision, I got you. Making videos, promos etc. for social media, lyric videos, all the stuff I could do when I should be rehearsing. Slide on over to Fiverr and be blessed. SINCERELY. Outsource some stuff. You can also work out an arrangement with a graphic designer where you both agree on rates on the various assets you need and PAY THEM. You might not have an extensive budget, but just like you want to be paid to sing/play the drums/banjo they deserve to be paid too. Folk got bills. When I need to make something happen and there's no budget, CANVA is the move. $12.95 per month. 

#1 Supporter. Somebody who will keep it real with you and tell you when your idea really ain't ish - to save you from yourself. This same person will also tell you when you gotta go home or hard and do it scared. They're gonna tell you to LEAP...be there to listen while you run through your concept. This person is gonna hit submit on that pitch email - "Yeah I can open for Beyonce at R&BCon or whatever...", "I'm available to do the session for the national artist". Basically, they're gonna kick you squarely in the azz and tell you to do it. You need a #1 in ya life. 

If I'm honest, I can admit I've been trying to do too much by myself for too long. It's totally not working out. So I can continue to wear the cape, or I can do the things I do best and get some help with the rest. Going with Help for $1000 Alex. Hopefully some of these references will help you go further than you could on your own or at least open your eyes to a new way of doing something that's important to you.

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