Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Don't Give Up!

DON'T GIVE UP!
February 14, 2011

Yo Monroe,
I just posted this as my status on Facebook:

"By the way, folks: DON'T GIVE UP!  If you are thinking it's time to throw in the towel, thinking, "why should I try again when I have failed so many times b4", here's the answer: THIS TIME MAY BE DIFFERENT!  True, if you try again, you might fail again, but don't think like that.  Realize instead: YOU MAY SUCCEED.  All you need is ONE 'break' and that big break could be TOMORROW if you just give it 1 more try. :)"

Well, I wanted to expand on this a little bit.  Cause it applies to everything: to your career; to your dreams; to love; to friendship; to everything. 

This has been an interesting year for me (thinking about all that has happened since last Valentine's Day). 

On one hand, it's been one filled with accomplishment: helped out in Haiti as an EMT; finished law school; earned my MBA in finance; shot 'my' feature film; became an attorney; fulfilled my dream of working retail (no joke, I worked at JCrew over the holidays on the sales floor); and I finished and released my first full-length music album.

On the other hand, it's been one filled with terrible depression and emotional trauma.  One of the most debilitating was the fear that all that I've accomplished has been meaningless---that no matter what I do, nothing is going to be as successful as I would like.  My fear that my feature film will not get worldwide mass distribution; that my law firm will not make me millions; that my album will not go platinum; that I will never find a girlfriend----four times this year I have fallen head over heels for a girl, only to have my heart broken each time.  Wa wa wa! :)

I was thinking this same 'broken record' train of thought again tonight.  That's why I posted that message on Facebook.  It was my own pep talk to myself.  Because ya know... maybe this year, everything DOES come together.  Maybe the music videos I am shooting over the next few months for my album are actually going to go viral like Justin Bieber.  Maybe!  And maybe this horror film we did that is nearly completely edited is actually going to get into theaters.  Maybe!  And maybe this year, all the hard work I have put in over the last 12 years, all comes together.  Maybe! 

I know how hard it is to keep going when it seems the entire world is against you.  How do I know?  I know because this is how I feel every waking moment.  And i want you to realize that you're not the only one who doubts himself.  We all feel this way sometimes.  The longer we push push push (without the results we hope for) the more difficult it is to keep going.  And yet, ironically, with every moment you hold on, the greater the odds that tomorrow... it all comes together.   VINDICATION boys and girls---that is what I know we want more than anything.  Vindication---a breath of relief when you finally reach the destination you set out for.  When you can finally let out a huge cry, "YEAH BABY!  I DID IT!  I DID IT!"

I guess all I am saying is: keep going.  Don't stop.  You are almost there. 

Meet you at the top!
-Monroe
 
Romp on!  Meet you at the top!
NO RULES, NO EXCUSES, NO REGRETS.

-Monroe Mann, Esq, MBA, ME, Guerrilla Marketing Coach