Give it to yourself

By Walt F.J. Goodridge

Special to the Saipan Tribune
Originally published: Wednesday, April 7, 2010


The only way to take control of your life, raise your standard of living and move beyond merely surviving is to create your own unique product or service that you offer to increasing numbers of people in exchange for the things of value that you desire. This simple formula applies to countries as well as people. A self-sufficient economy has its own products or services of value to export to the world. Similarly, a self-sufficient individual has something of value to exchange in the global marketplace. That thing of value is based on your natural talent, skill, or interest—in other words, your passion!

When no one has called you to come out and play
and folks you depend on are causing dismay
When phones aren't ringing with dates to hang out
and you once had big dreams but you're starting to doubt

When you've used all your options and emptied your cup
and none even offer a sip or a sup
Or you've come to a fork in life's oft lonely walk
And those who could help you are nothing but talk

When you've come to a standstill and don't understand
why in a world full of people no one gives you a hand
Or it just seems unfair that as great as you are
that your best goes unnoticed and none see your star

I'll suggest to you this, and you can take it or not
That it's not that you're trapped in a conspiracy plot
But when things that you want seem withheld on a shelf
That perhaps that's the gift you should be giving yourself!


COMMENTARY:
At last week's music industry workshop, two of the participants, a NY based Hip Hop group, addressed the topic of how to overcome the apparent obstacles to their rise to stardom. After detailing all the closed doors, shady dealings, and "fame blockers" that they encountered, and with the help of myself and the other participants, they arrived at significant paradigm shift.

They decided that instead of waiting for promoters and producers to recognize their talent and hire them for performances, that they would take matters into their own hands and put on their own performances to create the reality they envisioned for themselves.

It immediately clicked and made sense. They realized they already had the experience and know how of doing just what they needed to have happen next in their careers, and that they themselves HAVE NOT been recognizing their OWN talent!

So if no one is inviting you to parties, throw one yourself! If no one is calling you for acting roles, put on your own performance! No one inviting you out? Treat yourself to a night out!

More often than not you'll find you have the talent and ability to do the very thing you're expecting others to do for you. And THAT's precisely why it seems that you've hit a wall and can't seem to find anyone OUT THERE to help you. Why? Because you're looking in the wrong place! So, when no one's giving it to you, give it yourself!