Explore Different Worlds

In drama school all I read for 3 years were plays, screenplays, history books about theater, and in my free time the biographies of actors I admired. I was kind of a one trick pony.

When I graduated I began to appreciate the importance of diving into books that had absolutely nothing to do with performance. As a result, I cultivated a deeper and richer perspective on many different subjects.

I also realized that ideas cross-pollinate. You might come across the cure to your writer's block, or be able to look at a Monet painting differently for the rest of your life because of something you learned in a science book. It's important to give yourself that opportunity.

When you're feeling burnt out on your creative projects, try taking a step back and exploring a completely different world.

Schedule It

"I don't have time," is one of the most common arguments for not beginning a new project. In many cases it's true.

Still, I've found the creators who really value high performance and are committed to getting their voices heard simply find the time to see their endeavors through.

They do this by taking inventory of the other "urgent" priorities in their life. Often times, through an honest and thorough self-assessment one finds, that in fact, they do have the minutes to spare.

If something is truly important to you schedule it.

Teach

One of the biggest mistakes we can make is shortchanging our life experiences and what we have to offer others. I see this happen all the time. People feel as though they needed to attended an Ivy League school, won countless awards, traveled the world, or had a brush with death to share an insight of value.

The truth is, there will always be someone behind you on the path of life. You have had an experience that can profoundly influence and shorten the learning curve of another person.

What you've done, the things you you've seen, the lessons you've learned, and who you are matter a great deal.

Be a Mentor. Teach. Pass on What you've Learned.

Generating Energy

There are many excuses we give ourselves for not seeing a project through to the end. Some are completely understandable. We live in a time where people seem to be faced with endless tasks, duties, and responsibilities.

Still, if there's something I've learned over the years as an actor it's that one of most common obstacles standing in the way of reaching important objectives is simply not having enough energy. I've began to appreciate the importance of generating that energy instead of simply hoping, or waiting around for it.

There's no substitute for rest, but there are many actions one can take to help themselves out. It begins with prioritizing physical health.

Whenever possible, take inventory of what you're eating, whether or not your exercising, stretching, taking a moment to pause after working for several hours, and though it may sound obvious, breathing -- really breathing.

You'd be amazed how just a few tiny adjustments will gradually compound and serve you and your important work.

It would be unfortunate for the world not to see you creative pursuits come to life simply because you didn't have the energy to see them through.

http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/backstage-experts/8-health-tips-feeling-and-performing-your-best/

Sticking With Something

I'm a big proponent of taking breaks when something isn't quite working. Taking a step back from a creative project can sometimes be the most productive step you can take. It allows a broader look at what you're doing and an opportunity to re-energize.

But there's also value in sticking with something just a hair longer than you may want to. There have been many occasions where I've taken my smart phone and scheduled a 45-minute writing block. Around the 40th minute or so, when the well of ideas have seemingly dried up and I'm practically home free, I've been tempted to end the session early.

Yet, it's been those times where I've decided to muscle out the final 5, 10, 15 minutes where breakthrough ideas have often been realized. The actual act of sticking to something and seeing it through can often lend itself to inspiration, or an original idea.

Either way, there's value in industriousness that will not only serve your craftsmanship but begin to shape how you define yourself.

Cost and Benefit

For a few weeks now I've been raving about a book called, Grit by Angela Duckworth. The book has resonated with me on many personal levels and I've found it a particularly useful resource for actors. In no other industry that I can think of are the words, fortitude, grit, and determination more applicable - unoriginal as it may seem.

But this morning I came across a passage about, "Cost and Benefit." In other words, we have a tendency to weigh the amount of time, effort, or finances a project will entail and what we hope to gain as a result of our efforts.

As actors, more times than not, we fail to see our return on investment. How many hundreds of hours have you spent strengthening your voice, breaking down a script, or perfecting a monologue only to see the part go to another actor, or the project go through setback after setback?

I realized two things:

1. You do the work because that is the reward.

2. Showing fortitude, determination, and "grit," is often less about where it will get you, but more a representation of who you are at your core.

Both are respectable reasons and arguably more noble than simpy trying to gain something.

You can check out Angela Duckworth's TED Talk below:

https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance

No WiFi

Yesterday during a soggy afternoon, I sauntered into a cafe. It was a coffee shop nestled in the heart of downtown I'd driven past many times. From the outside it looked like a great little spot to enjoy a cup of tea and get some work done. I decided to park my car and finally check it out.

When I stepped inside I was not disappointed. The dins of jazz played just loud enough,  I was inspired by the different groups meeting together for projects that looked both interesting and meaningful, and even the temperature of the room was perfect.

I stepped to the counter and glanced at the large black board listing all the food and different drinks they served written in chalk. They even had my favorite tea.

Just as I was about to order I looked up and read a sign that said, "Sorry. No WiFi." That's not gonna work, I thought to myself and left.

I got into my car disappointed searching earnestly for a new place to plop down and type away. But after just a few minutes I felt a gradual shift in my thinking.

I now appreciated how the cafe was committed to creating a very specific type of community. Rather than a place where the first thing you saw upon entering was a flotilla of laptops and plugged-in patrons, this establishment opted for an environment where people would have to connect in person - to talk and take on tasks that required a more personal kind of interaction.

We all have the capacity to change our communities and environments in some small way by making seemingly insignificant choices.

The Different Meanings of Creative Work

Yesterday, I saw the film Jack Reacher 2. Yeah, I said it. It was the second time I’d spent $11.50 to see a protagonist beat-up villains and win the day in somewhat predictable fashion. And I loved every second of it.

Not all entertainment has to be rarefied in taste. In fact, it probably shouldn’t be. For years, I wrestled with the purpose of my own work. Who’s life was I improving by being an actor? I started to wonder. 

But sitting in a newly renovated movie house that'd stood in the center of town for nearly 90 years with three of my closest friends, I realized what we do matters…a lot. 

Writing, filming, staging, painting, drawing, dancing - CREATING. It serves a purpose. Whether a movie places a role in shifting your beliefs on a contentious issue, or provides an escape, or an excuse to spend time with close friends, there is meaning to the work. 

So don’t stop.

Good Friends

Yesterday, I spent the majority of my day celebrating a close friend's birthday. A group of about 10 of us pedaled our little hearts out on a bizarre little contraption masquerading as a bicycle. We slowly, and I mean VERY slowly, made our way to various stops on a popular pub crawl. We told stories, laughed loudly, and ate great food.

Still, my mind wandered throughout the evening as I considered the many other projects I'd hoped to work on - matters of real value I convinced myself. Whether it was a writing project, or reaching out to my editor regarding the status of my first book, staying present was at times a challenge.

It wasn't until I woke up this morning and reflected on the day before. I thought about how fortunate I was to have such loyal and close friends. I considered my great fortune in even getting to spend time with such wonderful people in a time of shrinking attention spans, demanding schedules, and seemingly endless distractions. It finally occurred to me the time I spent with this community of friends -- of family, was of real value.

Work hard, but remember to surround yourself with a thoughtful community and good friends whenever possible.

You Gotta Start Somewhere

One of the reasons people never begin a creative endeavor is because the distance between where they are and where they hope to be feels so daunting. What's helped me over the years see a project through from beginning to end is breaking it up into small stages, while trying to infuse a little bit of perspective into the overall goal.

Start small. Whether you're an actor, writer, singer, or visual artist begin by beginning. Set aside a specific time each day where you'll work on your craft, or build your project. It can even be 10 minutes a day until it becomes a discipline. From there you can slowly increase the amount of time you work until it accommodates your schedule and gradually moves the needle forward. Just make it a priority.

And that part about perspective? What's helped me is the realization that every project, whether the screenplay for a critically acclaimed film, or a best-selling novel began at a dimly lit kitchen table, or a noisy coffee shop, with a first word, a stroke of the brush - an idea.

 

Fleeting Motivators

We're all driven by different motivators to create - to succeed in our chosen careers. For some, it's the desire to make their communities a better place to live. Others are driven by extrinsic factors like fame, money, or notoriety. Some are even galvanized by anger; a commitment to proving the naysayers wrong.

I'm not placing judgement on what drives you. But in my own observations, I've noticed that all are fleeting. They come and go because their foundations are built on emotion. And emotions by nature are capricious - ever-changing.

Seeing something you care about all the way through from beginning to end will be require reminding yourself of your, "Intrinsic Why," over and over - through thick and thin.

How does what you want line up with your values, core principles? In other words, what does what you want say about you?

Figure that out and it'll be hard to stop you.

The Benefits of Patience

For some, there are no two words more maddening than, "Be patient." We want what we want when we want it.

Still, though those two words are not sexy and seldom offer comfort, I have found them beneficial for a number of reasons:

-  Being patient strengthens your "Why" for doing something. If you're willing to pursue a dream, goal, or passion despite setbacks and waiting years on end to see it realized, you are gradually eliminating the extrinsic values that may be associated with achieving such a feat. What's more, the people whose "Why" was never strong to begin with start to quit.

-  Being patient can build character. There's integrity in seeing a project through from beginning to end without cutting corners or believing your success needs to come at the expense of another's failure. There is a way for your to win the right way. Gaining something quickly often diminishes that likelihood.

-  Finally, achieving something of value through smart approach, hard work, and patience means you'll value it more once you attain it. What's more, you'll be able to pass on what you know to someone else. There a fewer rewards greater than teaching what you know.

Be Patient.

Provide Support

The other night I went to see a good friend perform in a play. "I probably can't get you comps though," she warned me. "That's okay," I said. I knew all too well how difficult it could be to get a hold of some free theater tickets.

Two weeks later I showed up as promised. After the performance, which my friend was terrific in, she insisted we meet up. I told her how great she'd been, asked questions about her experience working on the production, and her thoughts on the play's challenging themes.

She beamed as we sipped our teas in the corner of a popular college coffee shop before we bid each other farewell and headed home.

I realized a week later that just the simple act of attending her play had meant a great deal to her. It not only showed that I cared, but validated what she was doing as an artist mattered - that her voice was heard.

Take the time to support a friend's play, reading, exhibition, gallery, film, concert, or screenplay. It'll mean more than you think.

Building Routines

Each week I read a terrific blog by a gentlemen named James Clear. Mr. Clear is a photographer, writer, and entrepreneur. He recently posted an insightful study on motivation:

http://jamesclear.com/motivation

One of his discoveries helped me a great deal:

During a conversation about writing, my friend Sarah Peck looked at me and said, “A lot of people never get around to writing because they are always wondering when they are going to write next.” You could say the same thing about working out, starting a business, creating art, and building most habits.

It reminded me of some of my friends who'd asked about my routines over the years. Many asked about how to being the writing process. "Just start," I'd always say. "Go pick up a notebook. Write for 5 minutes every single day and eventually go to 10, 15, 20, and so forth. Don't worry about defining what you're actually writing about. It'll slowly reveal itself to you. And on the 40th day or so, if you don't do write it'll feel strange because you'll have built a habit."

Turns out I was missing a step. It's equally important to decide when that time is going to be. I've recently implemented this strategy into my own routine deciding that I'll begin just after noon and steadily work for at least 2 hours into the early afternoon.

Start by starting. But first decide exactly when and stick to it.

Different Kinds of Passion

It's common for the things you value in life to change as you get older. There are a variety of factors that can influence such changes: new life experiences, evolving perspectives, or a shift in priorities.

Still, much remains the same including what fuels our deepest desires and core objectives. For me, passion comes to mind.

When I was a young actor in New York I had it in spades. I'd arrive at the theater at 5:30 am ready to work before teachers and classmates sauntered into our little black box theater.

As I've gotten older, I realize that it's not that I no longer have passion, but that the role it plays in my life is at times different. In my youth of youths it was a chest-thumping, fiery, somewhat one-dimensional part of me.

Now, it can still inhabit those qualities but I find it's more grounded. Passion to me now acts as more of a compass steering me silently towards my goals.

Both work. Just differently.

Taking Ownership

Last night I attended a wedding celebration in San Francisco in a part of town commonly referred to as SOMA. (South of Market) The ride there was not as seamless as I'd hoped. The rain poured down mercilessly and my digital map had a mind of its own.

When I finally arrived it was a completely different world. Everyone was dressed stylishly devouring the comfort foods of my friend Jason's native Louisiana.

I spent much of the evening speaking with a very kind young woman who'd traveled all the way from Washington D.C. We spoke at length about photography and her love for the medium. "I like photography too," I chimed in. "Do you shoot?"

I then noticed a familiar reluctance to take ownership of a craft she took great joy in. I'd noticed even within myself a growing apprehension over the years to talk about acting, particularly among people advancing in careers one might consider more conventional. It was something I'd never felt when I was a young actor. I practically beamed when I told people about the shows, monologues, or scenes I was working on.

I later realized, how you speak about what you do can actually inform how you do it -- that it's important to take ownership and pride in what you do even in the face of misunderstanding, or ridicule.

As long as it matters to you -- It Matters.

Keep On Keepin' On

Last night I went to see a friend perform in a terrific play called, The Last Tiger in Haiti - a remarkable narrative of survival, betrayal, and the power of storytelling.

After the show I waited for my friend to meet me in the lobby. As I made my towards her I heard my name called, "Nick Maccarone?" What a strange name, is often my first thought.

I turned to a young woman I hadn't seen since high school. I discovered she was performing in the repertory's other theater in a wildly popular show called, It Can't Happen here.

We caught up briefly as people approached her offered congratulatory remarks and accolades on her performance as my friend looked on.

Eventually, I said goodbye wondering the next time we'd ever see each other. But I also marveled at how far she'd come. She was never the lead in any of our high school productions, (neither was I) she generally kept a low profile, and I had no clue she was currently an actress - that it was something she even wanted to pursue when we were teenagers.

Now, here she was performing in a highly successful show in one of the finest regional theaters in the country. She also told me she'd just made the big move to New York.

Amazing what you can achieve when you want something bad enough and you're consistent in your measures to get it.

*  The Last Tiger of Haiti is working to support the Hurricane Matthew relief efforts in Haiti. If you'd like to contribute here are the two organizations they are currently working with. Every little bit helps.

http://www.restavekfreedom.org/

http://www.lambifund.org/

Be Bold But Not Reckless

Nobody ever sits on their deathbed and says, "Man, I'm glad I never took any risks." Instead, we often regret the opportunities we missed, or passed on altogether.

In fact, Bronnie Ware's book, The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying, reveals the number one qualm people had about their lives was living on someone else's terms.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/03/top-5-regrets-of-the-dying_n_3640593.html

Still, in a culture replete with hashtags, mantras, and motivational gurus one would be forgiven for losing perspective on what it even means to live boldly.  Does it mean doing something dangerous? Drastic? And according to who?

Acting has taught me many lessons about living fully. Kristin Linklater, an enormously influential mentor in my life, was in essence telling my class to speak up when their is wrong, strive to become better each day, see the world, listen intently, refuse complacency, to love, to risk, and if we were lucky we might become great actors in the process - as a byproduct.

In other words, becoming a great actor was secondary to becoming a three-dimensional person.

Define what living fully means to YOU. It doesn't have to line-up with someone else's definition of what it means to be. To live.

In the words of Robert DeNiro, "Be bold, but not reckless."

Be Where You Are

A very influential mentor once said to me, "Be where you are." Just a few months earlier, the late great Philip Seymour Hoffman came to speak at our school. He said something similar, telling a class of wide-eyed young actors, that if he wasn't "feeling" it before a play he'd some how incorporate those sentiments into his performance. "I don't want to do this play," he once mumbled before his entrance on stage for, Jack Goes Boating.

What these two men were trying to convey was you can't simply will yourself to feel a certain way. It's important you acknowledge where you're at emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and physically instead of trying to motivate yourself to feel the way you perceive you're supposed to.

Honesty in one's craft begins with honesty with one self. Once you've taken personal inventory you can then navigate how to best approach the work.

Embolden Your "Why"

For as much effort as I put into each important endeavor, the truth remains, I work hardest on myself. And so it still confounds me that I don't get more things done.

Perhaps this is a hang-up many of you can relate to. There just never seems to be enough hours in a day, or you're secretly haunted by the knowing there's simply a better way. You just haven't figured it out yet.

But how many of us work steadily towards a goal, sometimes for years on end, without occasionally taking inventory of its importance? Does it still matter? Is it a long-term goal or simply a means to one? And more importantly, do I have a philosophy on life? What is it exactly these goals that I value so much are helping me do? Be? Get out of life?

As of late, these are questions I haven't asked myself nearly enough. I'll plop down in a chair and begin typing away without a second thought as to why. I know they're important, or were at one point, but fail to dig deeper asking, "What is the long-term objective here?"

As a result, it's easy to lose sight of the broader vision. In fact, for some, it's impossible to lose because you never had it to begin with.

Stay focused on your dreams. Work hard. Go forth undaunted.

Just check in with yourself from time to time and embolden your, "Why." It may make all the difference.

Use the Right Metrics

Last night I took a class called: Digital Marketing 101. Now, I'm a far cry from being a tech whiz, a coder, or a marketer for that matter. Hence, the reason I sat attentively in the last row of that makeshift classroom.

The instructor however was a seasoned marketer with an impressive resume that included the names of companies we're all very familiar with.

The mark of a great educator, as far as I'm concerned, is the ability to take complex ideas and break them down into bite size pieces. Thankfully, our teacher was able to that masterfully.

Towards the end of class, I followed up with a question on a topic he'd touched upon earlier in the evening. "How many companies do you think fail because they don't use the wrong metrics for success?" I asked. He smiled before admitting there were many.

It got me thinking, how many actors quit because they're not using the right metrics to gauge their success? How many of us going exclusively by what others think it means to "win?" How many of us are comparing ourselves to the rank and pulse of busy IMDB pages of those famous and not so famous?

I think we'd all get a great deal more joy out of our crafts and creative pursuits if we changed the lenses through which we viewed our achievements.

Figure out what success means to YOU and then implement the right metrics to measure growth and success.

It'll make all the difference.

Baby Steps

I'm listening to an audiobook right now called, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott. The first misconception she tackles is the notion one can't teach someone how to be a better writer.

Instead, she argues how an insight or two from someone who's already trodden a similar path may make all the difference. After listening to a tip of hers last night, I must admit I now agree.

Writers, like many artists, often approach new projects with a sense of dread; looking at the whole mountain instead of through signposts along the way. She references a writer she admires saying, writing is a bit like driving in the dark. You can only see past the headlights, but it can still be done.

Rather than writing or creating anything by looking too far ahead simply look beyond your headlights. Tell yourself, "I'm just going to write this one paragraph as best I can." Or, "I'm just going to focus on committing the first line of this soliloquy to memory." Whatever it is, take baby steps without being overwhelmed by the complexity and scale of the project.

Inch by inch, step by step, you'll get there sooner than you think. Just break it down and be sure to give your best effort along the way without fear of how great or imperfect it turns out to be.

"Messiness," she says, "means that life is being lived."

Grit Versus Talent

Yesterday, I picked up a book called, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. The book is by Angela Duckworth, a MacArthur Fellow and professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. I was first introduced to her work in a TED Talk I saw several months ago on the very same topic:

https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance?language=en

The book talks about our fascination with talent and how we often assume having innate gifts is enough to reach our highest ambitions. It turns out, grit often often trumps talent. In fact, having talent is not only enough, but it is not necessarily a guarantee that one will have grit.

Ms. Duckworth goes on to list several examples of students, members of the armed services, and athletes who may not have been the most naturally gifted, but possessed a ferocious sense of fortitude.

"First, these exemplars were unusually resilient and hardworking. Second, they knew in a very, very deep way what it was they wanted. They not only had determination, they had direction.

The book is full of compelling discoveries and anecdotes that are both inspiring and backed by years of research. It's a book I highly suggest picking up if you get the chance. It might just put an extra bounce in your step.

Focus

We live in a time of seemingly limitless opportunity. We have more "friends" than we can manage. Communication has never been easier. You can even choose your favorite platform. And businesses, large and small, can be run from a coffee shop.

Yet, with these freedoms also comes more noise, thus more distraction. And with more distraction comes a greater necessity to zero in on how exactly we hope to make our dent in the world. It's wonderful to be multi-passionate, to have a boundless sense of curiosity, worldliness, and a desire to seek, experience, and know more.

But I've discovered when it comes to attaining any type of success both professionally and personally (however you define it) it's simply a matter of choosing to focus rather than dabble.

Seek the Insight of Non-Artists

Last night I spent about an hour speaking to a good friend from high school who now works as an attorney in Austin. Despite being in a completely different line of work he'd always shown a strong interest in my career as an actor.

We'd often talk about films we'd seen, new and exciting television shows, and actors we admired. At the end of our talks I was convinced he knew more about the industry than I did. I half wondered where he found the time to keep up all the various mediums while juggling a full-time job and the responsibilities of having a family.

Our conversation also reminded me of the importance of reaching out to folks who have nothing to do with your creative pursuits, or even any real knowledge of your medium. His insights on the story I was trying to write were poignant, introspective, intelligent, and unique. It reminded me of the times I'd asked non-actor friends to read over a pair of sides with me as I prepped for an audition. Invariably, non-actor friends would offer a point of view that seemed so obvious, yet frustratingly hidden to my actor sensibilities.

I discovered the longer you're an actor and the more training you have there is a propensity to start looking at the work as just an actor. You think in terms of "objective" and "obstacles," while your friends are simply looking at the work as human beings.

Try and seek feedback beyond your immediate circle of artists. They may surprise you with what they find.

Just Do the Work

Years ago in New York, I audited the class of a very famous acting teacher. He'd worked with some of the most famous actors in the world and wrote a book that fundamentally changed the way I approached acting.

On that cold February morning I watched intensely as this, now 70 year-old man, pushed to get the best out of each actor on stage. He was direct, loud, brusque, and sometimes tough, but always took care of his students. Everyone who studied with him knew it was coming from a genuine desire to make each scene more authentic, more truthful.

I'll never forget one of the most important lessons I'd ever heard from not only an acting teacher, but any mentor really. In an industry fraught with competition and pettiness he refused to blame anyone and insisted everyone continue to be accountable to themselves no matter what.

"Don't blame others. Don't blame yourself. Just do the work."

Get Involved

This election season has reminded me of the actor I once was - someone consumed by theater, film, and performance alone. Sure, I had outside interests like travel, reading, and the occasional sporting event, but it wasn't until a few years after graduating I realized actors, writers, musicians, and all artists have a responsibility.

A true artist appreciates that expression is not only shared through craft, but through spirited debate, listening respectably to a point of view contrary to one's own, speaking up against injustice, being civically engaged, and doing so with conviction. Choosing not to be a bystander.

Remember that your Voice Matters. A LOT.

VOTE.

Consistency

"Most people stop right before they're about to see results," I heard the moderator say. I was listening to a Webinar about digital marketing strategy. Her observation was in response to a question I'd asked about when to shift targets versus when to change tactics.

But the more I thought about her answer the more it began to resonate with me. For years, I'd stayed consistent in just about everything I started: morning routines, taking acting workshops, travel, and incorporating steps to maintain my mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

To be honest, it was often difficult to gauge whether the years of consistency had paid off. It was kind of like expecting to see immediate results in your body after going to the gym for a week.

It wasn't until friends began pointing out the disciplines I'd developed and largely taken for granted. They started asking questions about my routine, how they could include them in their own busy schedules, and any books, seminars, or podcasts I could recommend. In other words, the work I'd put it had not only began to show, but influence others.

In a previous blog post, I wrote about a word I love called, Kaizen. Kaizen means incremental improvement over time through little, seemingly insignificant actions.

Find your own method of Kaizen and remember once you cultivate those routines not to to quit. Chances are you're much closer than you think to reaching your goal.

The Importance of Self-Awareness

"I like getting older," my friend Alex told me. We were at our friend Sean's wedding over the weekend and what prompted his comment was an observation made by his better half, Liz. "You grow to appreciate that you can't do everything. And that's okay."

I took her words to heart later that evening. She was right. There's power in giving over to what is just not in the cards. It's not a form of defeat, or complacency, but rather an understanding that we can't be great at everything. You can still dream big and work diligently towards those grand ambitions, while also grounding them with a sense of truth. It's up to you to discover what that means.

I know I'll never play mid-fielder for the Men's US Soccer Team and that's okay. Instead, I have more time to go all in on my strengths and focus on what I'm skilled at doing.

Sharpen Your Intent

The other day I caught myself asking someone how they were doing and failing to hear their response. Instead, I plowed through continuing to talk about whatever was on my agenda, however trivial.

I realized that true listening is the gateway to a heightened sense of self-awareness. Listening with intention informs virtually everything we do.

Today, make the effort to sharpen your intent when interacting with others and see how it affects your communication and cultivates stronger relationships.

You may be surprised by what you discover.

Release

The other night I met up with two close friends at a popular restaurant in town. We played pool, listened to great music after commandeering the jukebox, and eventually made our way for a late night snack.

As we sat waiting for our food, one of my friends began explaining how frustrated she was with the lack of support she'd been receiving from her friends and family on her career ambitions. She'd worked incredibly over the years and to anyone paying attention it looked as though she was closer than ever to finally seeing her dreams realized. We offered her support and constructive feedback when she needed it. 

But, what struck me most about listening to her was the value of releasing - letting go of your grievances, setbacks, and hangups with a supportive group of like-minded people who have your back.

Find those who will listen, not impart their own way of thinking, offer a word, but most importantly an ear to what you have to say. It'll go a long way.