Getting Back Up On The Horse

Balance.

We all strive to obtain it. But what balance means for some may very well differ for another. Think about it. Have you ever observed "those" people who seem to be in the midst of chaos but despite all the swarming activity around them, they're utterly content because they exercise, eat right and still make time for the movies? How could that be possible; how can one "go, go, go" and still maintain serenity?

The truth is that balance comes from within. As my father would say, it is up to YOU; it's your primary responsibility to ensure you take care of yourself with regard to exercise, diet and proper rest.
 
So, how do you know when you are spending your life in direct proportions or spending life in excess? Do you experience a sense of peace and relief when all is in order or undergo a sense of chaos and stress when things aren't? Could you possibly be unaware of the imbalances in your life?

Perhaps......if you ignore the little voice inside your heart. 

I don't think there is a right or a wrong answer and yet I do think as human beings, we can all relate to feelings of imbalance and the resulting havoc they can wreck on our day to day activities. Whether you are a new business owner, in a new relationship or possibly exploring a new career, feeling grounded (which results from being balanced) is quite essential.

Balance for me requires (1) blogging (2) running and (3) resting. That's a lot of ----ings, right? One of the questions I often hear from friends, clients and business associates alike is, "how do I make time for it all? How do I have a social life, market my business, maintain my clients and manage to sleep?"

I wish I had the magic answer. All I can say is it happens to the best of us. I am finally getting back up on the blogging horse after a nearly three weak hiatus due to an imbalance of life. My first steps forward into a more balanced state involved forgiveness.

It is very common for us to get frustrated with ourselves when our life feels disproportionate. Personally, I needed to forgive myself for stepping away from my computer and for shifting my focus. I needed to immerse myself back into a "live" learning environment to get the dendrites in my brain actively flowing again. I needed to walk (50 New York City blocks) to move stagnant energy and tension out of my body. All of these things required an energy shift from sitting behind a computer to getting out and experiencing more spontaneity in life and less routine.

So let's get some dialog going. What do you do when you start to feel frazzled?
How have you managed transitions in career, relationships or geography? What are your top three tips for getting back up on the horse and riding off into the sunset of harmonious life bliss?

I want to know and I'm sure others do as well so please be sure to comment.

I will be back to blogging this month. You can also keep current with my social media and brand consulting work through the new Jaclyn Mullen Media Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/jaclynmullenmedia

In closing, I want to thank you for your patience while I have not been blogging. I want to thank you for your continued support and encouragement of this blog. And if there is a topic you would like for me to address, I'd be more than happy to write about it! Simply email me at info@jaclynmullenmedia.com

Signing off this successful Sunday,

The Jaclyn of All Trades

Jaclyn Mullen has spent the past ten years immersed in consumer behavior, online media, and business development for several companies. As a graduate of the University of Miami, Jaclyn first developed her online expertise while studying the emergence of digital downloads on the music industry. She is dedicated to developing branding strategies and social media plans that ensure her clients and work stand out within their respective marketplace and generate consumer loyalty. She was recently recognized as a finalist of American Airlines 30th Anniversary campaign. 

Commitment in 2011-An Exercise for Inspiration

You see this good looking couple pictured above? They are my grandparents and this past December, I was HONORED to celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary with them.

61 years....that's a long time! How did they do it? How did they manage to stay together? 

Marriage wasn't the most difficult obstacle that my Grandparents had to face. Try fleeing communist Romania, immigrating to Greece, Lebanon and Israel all BEFORE finally making their way to the United States. Thankfully, New York City greeted my grandparents with open arms however, they did not speak English and were in total culture shock.

That did not matter to them. Their challenges were merely a part of life, something they had to deal with and overcome for my grandparents knew the meaning of commitment. 


I can't help but examine this topic. After all, we live in a world of "here one day, gone the next." We live by the principles of the instant gratification generation and have no problems moving on (again and again) whether it be from people, jobs or even our personal aspirations. As entrepreneurs, dreamers and members of society...we can't afford to lack commitment.

By definition, Commitment means: to show loyalty, duty or pledge to something or someone.


Could you commit to something for 61 years? Honestly, I'm not sure if I could but that doesn't mean I won't try. 

What are your commitments? 
When was the last time you asked yourself this question? 
How do you maintain them?

Personally in 2011, I am committed to blogging daily, exercising and reading more often. Aside from identifying these tasks as my commitments, I am also holding myself accountable. Everyday, these 3 things are the most important items on my "to-do" list to ensure I can get them done.

I'm trying to get back my youthful physique. (Jaclyn of All Trades, 3 years old.) 

That's me, smiling and sitting behind the boy hunched forward.  

It also helps that I have an example of commitment right before my eyes. Which is why I have chosen to share this with you! 61 years of marriage for my grandparents....reading, writing and working out for me.

What about YOU??? Could you use a little help in the commitment department?

Write down one thing you are committed to this year. Heck, you can even place it in the comments box on my blog then use this post as a reminder to, "show loyalty, duty or pledge to something or someone".

(Even if that someone is you!) 

Lessons Learned-A Reflection On Entreprenuership and Life in General

Today is just one of those days. Yes, I am aware that it's 1/11/11 but I have a huge to-do list and I am making headway through it quickly yet it just does not feel fast enough.

I have not had coffee, I have 1,000 ideas running through my mind that I should probably write down but don't have time to right now.

But you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way because I control my day, I control my time....I'm an aspiring entrepreneur and I am happy!

Me and some of my happy entrepreneurial/dream chasing friends. 11/10

Sure, attempting to work for oneself has it's pros and cons. Take starting this blog for example. Here I spent the last year working for an Internet company and thought I had learned enough to launch a blog that would have a great number of pageviews and blast off into successful cyberspace. Here I'd thought to myself "I really get Twitter and have a solid following there for my blog will appeal to people." Wrong! This blog is taking hard work however the effort is worth it to me.

Everyday I continue to learn something new. I have to create a new system, I have to hold myself accountable for my success or failure. I realize the value of my time, of planning, of not taking on too many things at once. More importantly, of continuing to promote myself while working on my dreams and goals so they don't fall by the wayside.

My past experiences and the manner in which I am approaching this blog reflect my growth. I have to get organized, real organized, more organized than I have ever been in my life which means "using my iCal and synching it to my phone" kind of organized so I can account for every minute.

After all this time, I now know my worth. As I explore the possibility of entrepreneurship and try to make a business plan, I know I provide value to the "right" company and the "right" client that sees it. I am not Walmart, I am not Neimans. I am me (and I never thought I'd compare myself to retail stores but a girls gotta do to what a girls gotta do to prove her point, haha).

The Jaclyn Of All Trades Design Collection. Just Kidding.
Designing these (my drawings are on the right) was a fun creative outlet.

I am also a creative person. If I don't have a creative outlet and utilize it, I am not happy (hence why I love Tumblr). Sure, I can sit behind my Mac book all day and crank out a bunch of great tasks for really talented people. But that would not help me fulfill my personal passions. So I need to write, dance, take an Improv comedy class, you get the gist of it.

This is my life. What are you doing with yours? Are you an entrepreneur or just wanting to follow your dream? Are unsure of the next step you need to take to get there?
What makes you want to get out of bed everyday and live? Do you have an attitude of gratitude or is something missing?

Ask yourself these questions then take a step, whatever it may be. Start a blog, take a class, travel somewhere new. You control your outcome, you control your day, you control your life so enjoy it and best of all, be free!!!

Why Would You Want To Read My Writing?

Welcome to my world, where everyday I experience something NEW! 

Over the past few years, I have earned the distinction of being known as the Jaclyn Of All Trades.

Why might you ask? (and what does it matter what people call you--and for the record, who are you?) 

I have worked in a variety of industries--some worth bragging about (entertainment), some were typical (small business consulting) but provided valuable experience. 

I have traveled the US and parts of the world. (US wise-I've been to at least 30 of the 50 states.)

I have been on TV, heard on an Internet Radio station, I even tried out for American Idol! (If you've just moved to LA and need to know a few good casting agencies, I'm your go to girl!!!)

So why does all of this matter? Because life is short and more importantly, I learned from each and everyone of my adventures.  Heck, I am still learning everyday! And I'd like to share what I have learned using this platform.

So that's it.

THIS is what my blog will be about. My life lessons and the use of social media to promote them.
I hope to make you laugh, I hope to make you cry. I hope to entertain and teach!

Let the good times roll.

K5J342GRBKV6