30 Things To Do Before Turning Thirty (The first ten)

On September 11th, 2011, I will turn thirty.

I don't know what is more shocking: the date of my birth paired with the fact that Osama Bin Laden was killed this year OR the fact that as of 09/11/201, my twenties will officially be history.

So, to embrace this new stage of life, I'm compiling a list and I intend to fulfill it. I have approximately seven weeks to make magic happen before I surpass the age of twenty nine. And if you thought I was going to attempt these 30 things on my own, you were mistaken. Join me on this journey, it will certainly make it more fun for all parties involved.

Let's get started, here are my first ten things.

1. 30 Stories of Turning 30 blog. I'm sure I'll come up with a more compelling title than that but for now, I will start taking submissions and stories from people regarding how you spent your 30th birthday. Did you go on a trip, cross something off your bucket list, help someone in need? How are your thirties treating you? What was the most meaningful thing you learned from your twenties? Email stories to: info@jaclynmullenmedia.com DEADLINE August 26th, 2011.
2. Birthday build. I will be celebrating my 30th birthday by raising funds for Habitat for Humanity Greater LA. I plan to raise $5,000 and gather a group of friends to work on an actual Habitat Site. If you'd care to join in, save the date of Saturday September 10th, 2011. More details to come these following few weeks. 
3. Publish an E-book. Yes. I need to practice what I often wisely preach to my clients and publish an ebook. I am contemplating the idea of inspirational content and stories vs. practical business advice. Any thoughts? Topics? Subjects you'd like to read about? Let me know. 
4. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge. It's a New York City landmark. And it's easily accessible to me when I am in Manhattan. The word around the city that never sleeps is you are to walk the Brooklyn Bridge and eat a slice of Grimraldi's pizza in Brooklyn then turn around, and walk back to Manhattan. I'll keep you posted on my progress. 
5. Write and record another song. I went to school for Music. I danced my whole life and yet, somehow I have let the artistic side of me sit on the sidelines for way too long. Considering my Mac proficiency, it should be no problem for me to write and record another song. Your ears may thank me later.
6. Enroll in an Improv Comedy Class. I've graduated from stand up comedy school, now it's time to conquer another form of comedy. I've got plenty of accents and imitations just itching to break out. Tweeeeeder.
7. Volunteer my business savvy for a good cause. A recent contact I met for drinks told me about Sparked.com, a website that allows you to volunteer ONLINE. There are a variety of great topics and ways to contribute including Blogging, Marketing, Social Media. If you haven't heard of it before, check it out.
8. Reach out and contact three of my idols in business. You never know what doors may open if you at least knock. Maybe I'll Tweet them or send them a hand written note, heck I may even give them a call. More to come on this.
9. Plan a performance. I've been saying it over and over again, I want to put on a show. So, I am either going to get a license to perform at Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica this September or I am going to perform at an open mic in NYC this August. TBA.
10. You decide. Thinking of thirty things to do before turning thirty is a lot of work so please, suggest something for me. I'm pretty open minded, although I am law abiding so nothing crazy folks. Share some ideas you think may help diversify the next 49 days of life at 29. 

All in all, I'm quite nervous about this new chapter. But since I am still 29, I'm not going to stress anything too much, (at least not until September 1st when the countdown will begin). For now, I'm going to focus on my list and experiencing new opportunities. I'm going to listen to the wise words of Dan Benson who once said, "It's not a successful climb unless you enjoy the journey."

In that case, bon voyage twenties! Bon voyage.

Signing off, 

The Jaclyn of All Trades

Are we connected? Join me on Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook.

Twitter: @jaclynmullen

http://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclynofalltrades  

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jaclynmullenmedia

Barbecues, Beaches and Blogs-God Bless America Blog Post

Fourth of July. Independence Day. This year, the birthday of the United States has special meaning to me. 

 Image from WashingtonPost.com

Sure, I’ve always admired the fireworks and festivities. After all, I grew up right outside of our nation’s capital. But this July 4th marks seven months that I have been self employed so today’s Independence Day is really….independent from the previous years.

Today, I want to honor all the workers in our country whether they are entrepreneurs or employed in a 9 to 5 job, whether they work at McDonald's or drive a bus. Each day, they wake up and exercise their right to earn money in this free country, a country where people have given their lives for the mere idea of opportunity.

I want to honor the many people like my grandparents who immigrated to this country in pursuit of the American Dream. As I think of all the stories I've heard over the years, tales of dedication and determination, these words come to mind:

This land is your land, this land is my land

From California to the New York Island

From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters

This land was made for you and me.

Today, as we wake up to the red, white and blue, there’s no denying that it’s summertime (and about darn time that I get back to my blog.) As seasons change, so has our country. Many of my friends are now seeking self employment instead of working corporate jobs, technology is allowing everyday citizens to weigh in on the media, we are in an age of innovation. As my business coach Mitchel Groter would say, "If you can conceive it and believe it, then you can achieve it." 

When I launched this blog back in November of last year, I initially viewed it as a passion project to help me get my writing fix while working as a Project Manager. Within a few weeks, it became so much more to me as I started to receive feedback indicating that people were inspired by the content. The positive reinforcement encouraged me to grow my blog as if it were a fragile, gentle plant. I dedicated time to write weekly since this outlet was a way to connect with new people and build my Jaclyn Mullen Media brand.

Then I experienced a few fireworks of my own—I began to pick up additional clients and wanted to be sure to dedicate my time and energy to them. Thus began the tango with my blogger account—everyday that I intended to post, I didn’t. My blog seemed to slip further and further away from me, ideas dried up and for the first time in my life, I felt like I had nothing to say and equally, that no one cared about what I had to say which was even more devastating. Somehow, I let self-doubt and disbelief step into the place of me and they quickly hijacked my confidence. At the strong suggestion of my PPP (professional power partner), I took the most well deserved vacation in my life and slowly started to make some space to write again.

 The look of FREEDOM...let freedom ring!

For someone who has spent their whole life improvising, writing, and performing, you’d think writers block would never be an issue for me but it took many sunrises, sunsets and moments of stillness to go from writer’s block to sunblock.

Now, beachbound and recharged, I write this entry to continue and thank those of you that have offered a kind word about my blog. I thank those of you that have shared it with your friends or those of you that have found some inspiration from it.

This evening, as we watch the fireworks take over the nights sky, as we enjoy good times and great food, please remember what the foundation of our country was all about—independent thoughts, ideas and freedom. Barbecues, beaches and blogs.

As I finally post this entry and prepare to spend quality time with my family, I celebrate this Independence Day for I am living proof of the American Dream.

For those of you that have helped me get here today, God bless you! And for those of you who believe in yourself, God Bless America. Always remember:

This land is your land, this land is my land

From California to the New York Island

From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters

This land was made for you and me.