All Directions Point West; How To Find Your North, South, East or West on the Journey of Life

I've sat here for the past 4 weeks contemplating which direction to take this blog. North would mean I take the high road aka "professional content" ONLY. None of the spirituality meets business success stuff.

East would mean I take it to the ocean and lay the blog to rest in peace at sea. South would mean I spice it up, and add some personal insight into my love life while starting up a business AND evolving as a person. (This approach was inspired by an awesome, new friend. Self-help love author, Andrea Syrtash). And taking it west would entail a hybrid approach, perhaps the most "me" combining business and life advice with lessons of inspiration, motivation and spirituality. A westward bound I go.

The clock was ticking down between these various directions, and I had to pick one--for my blog and for my life. The process hasn't been easy but I know it's time. The compass and the clock say it's time to pack up the red, over sized suit case (the one that takes up half of my closest in Manhattan) and move back to LA again. It's time to bid the Big Apple a long kiss goodnight. Time to take a mental picture of all the places I've seen, the people that have embraced me as their lifelong friends upon first meeting me, it's time to evolve into another chapter of my life and leave the 29 year old version of Jaclyn Mullen, who is inspired to accomplish her dreams while helping others, here in New York City. As the famous lyrics go, "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere, it's up to you, New York, New York."

I finally walked the Brooklyn Bridge. Photo credit: Jaclyn Mullen

Everyone wants to make it in the game of life. To do so, doesn't require that you be a bi-coastal nomad like me. If you are looking for a way to "make it" in your city or in your own heart, I'm here to tell you, you can! The map to self driven success includes spirituality, mental stimulation and facing personal challenges, all managed while possessing a daily attitude of gratitude and moving in the right direction for you. How do these all come together? Allow me to explain.

What are your road signs?
Blogging, business and breaking through plateaus--these have been the recurring themes I've dealt with day to day. I've often looked back at the past 9 months of twists and turns life has presented to me, each which have been amazing but challenging as well. I mean so amazing that I had NO idea that these things were options on my horizon when I think back to last year. Instead, I've allowed each opportunity to be it's own blank canvas--one where I don't know the outcome, but I paint the experiences, new places and faces plus the way my soul feels (some days found, other days lost) upon my blank canvas to create a new masterpiece rich with emotions of gratitude, humbleness and happiness.

"That's great Jaclyn," you must be thinking and "what the heck does that mean?"

Often times, friends or business associates will ask me how I "do it." It being challenge myself, have a laser focused drive while truly living the life I want to lead. First, you have to look at the signs. Not the stop signs or names of street signs, the signs of the universe such as not getting the job you had hoped for, feeling unpleasant in the pit of your stomach about getting up everyday or dealing with a co-worker. Ignoring what seem to be coincidences as far as people, places or things. When I look back on the past 8 months of this journey, hindsight is of course 20-20. I can see the signs CLEAR as day from Googling the term "co-working in NYC" to coming across the Wix Lounge in Chelsea to, 6 months later, having a close friend from LA move a block away from the Wix Lounge in Chelsea (proving I had come full circle). Big co-relation? All directions point West, for me. There have constantly been recurring signs of LA in NYC.

What are your signs? Look back then look forward. Write down any signs or experiences that brought you to where you are today. And start paying attention for the future!

Business and Blogs--The meaning of life
Once you start paying attention to the compass of your life, and begin to follow it's direction, your real test of faith begins. I can assure you, it is not always easy to walk in faith. To trust that, by taking chances or stepping away from what you consciously know is best for you, requires a lot of faith in something. In nature, in Starbucks or in my case, god. We don't always have the answers for our lives (or our blogs for that matter), plain and simple. I cite my blog to say that I have been stuck in a paralysis of analysis as I contemplate whether people reading this want more social media, entrepreneurial advice or a blend of life advice, inspiration and business acumen. I have opted for the last direction and I'm doing so with a daily dose of faith by my side.

Mental Stimulation
I often joke that the Internet allows us to obtain our own MBA but it's quite true. There is an abundance of information online, it's never been easier to access books, so what are you waiting for? I make it a point to read 1-2 books per quarter and you should too. Information allows your thinking to evolve, information often stimulates inspiration. If you want to move forward, you must expand your comprehension and understanding. Pick up (or download) a book. Reading can often take you places you've never been before without requiring you to leave your town.


The Way To Work A Compass--Facing Personal Challenges
So, you've picked the direction you want your life to go. You're looking for a new job, getting out of an unhealthy relationship, perhaps you want to start planning a family or even launch your own business. Whatever your goals are, whichever direction you choose, just remember. If you get to a certain destination and it's not working for you, change directions. Grab that compass, close your eyes, take a deep breath in and see which direction it points to next.

Personally, I started off heading east, half way through the year, I went west. Then south, back north and now I'm heading west again--for business and my blog. Follow the signs, have faith, then buckle up for the ride.

That's what I set out to do in writing this blog post this morning. I hope I've taken you on another journey, safely.

Now, if you wish to help me on my journey, please let me know what you would like for me to continue blogging about. Oh, and one last thing, I'm doing a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity LA for my 30th birthday. Feel free to donate here.

Shifting Gears To Get Back On Track After Dealing With Writers Block

This will be a short post (I hope). 

I started this blog back in November of last year. I started my own business in January 2011. And for a while, I was able to manage my business and the blog as well as my hopes and aspirations of inspiring people, generating income and creating compelling content when all of the sudden it happened. Fear crashed into me like a tidal wave and I began to shift my focus from creative writing to the panic ridden action of treading water. 

 

I abandoned my blog due to frustration and writers block and began generating proposals without a clear vision with regard to my ideal client. I began abandoning my own strategy and advice for visibility and let my brand become less of a priority to me. I took all the meetings I could even if my gut said, "This is not a part of your vision." My focus became fear and I wore fear every single day as if it were a perfume.

What were my fears? Fear of failure. Fear of losing money. Fear of remaining stagnant and not growing.  So I did what anyone else in my situation may have done, I grabbed onto the steering wheel, revved up the engine and shifted gears.

Shifting gears is not necessarily a bad thing. We need to be able to move forward at different speeds. The only challenge is when we are in fifth gear going full speed ahead with no destination in sight. As a result of feeding my "fear fuel", there have been some good things that have happened (the glass is always half full in my book). I've been able to diversify the types of projects I am working on and my client roster has grown to now include:

Give to Get Jobs

Financially Wise Women http://www.financiallywisewomen.com

As well as a new beauty site which unites women in conversation and beauty products called  Is That Odd

I've also learned that my creative channels are extremely important to me. Never again will I go without blogging, dancing or acting. A lot of times, when I explain to people what it is that I do, they're often as confused as me, how's that for some brutal honesty. I never sought out to be a singing, dancing, comedic business development person who can tell you about your Alexa rank and keywords while doing the moonwalk--it just happened, it's just who I am and there is a title for it: Entrepreneur. 

An entrepreneur is a person who has possession of a new enterprise, venture or idea and is accountable for the inherent risks and the outcome. 

And I am learning that a part managing risks and outcomes is being able to downshift gears and find peace, while doing the moonwalk and talking blog strategy. When we only have one speed, there's no room for silence, stillness and the other presence of mind that allows for us to be creative. As business people, artists, teachers, financial analysts, Jaclyn of All Trades, it's important to be creative so that we can uncover solutions. Creativity refers to the phenomenon whereby a person creates something new (a product, a solution, a work of art etc.) that has some kind of value.

So, the moral of my blog post here is you just have to do it. Do something. Move from a place of inaction and step forward, or take a step back. I am slowing down the Jaclyn Mullen Media ship so that I can keep my eyes on the land ahead, be it the skyscrapers of Manhattan or the palm trees of Los Angeles. 

But enough about me, how about you? How has this past six months been going? Are you moving in the direction that you would like or is there some sort of obstacle on your path holding you back from your true desires? Are you making enough time to eat right, exercise and inspire yourself? 

In my case, taking a step back allowed me to banish my writers block and publish this blog post today. While I have been proud of many previous posts, I have to say this one takes the cake. Not because it's "so compelling" nor because it's my best writing yet. This post means I took a step forward to get back on track while facing my fears and pursuing what matters to me. It isn't perfect, but it is progress and that's what counts.

"Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism. Confronting your fears and allowing yourself the right to be human can, paradoxically, make you a far happier and more productive person." Dr. David M. Burns

Feel Good Fridays-Follow Your Yellow Brick Road

"As you journey through life, choose your destination wisely, but don't hurry there. You will arrive soon enough. Wander the back roads, the forgotten paths, the unknown ways, as you keep your dreams in your heart as the light that guides you. 

Seek out new voices, strange sights, and bold ideas. Such things are riches for the soul. 

And if, upon your arrival, you find that your destination is not exactly what you dreamed it would be, don't be disappointed. Think of all you would have missed if not for the journey there, and know that the true worth of your travels lies not just in where you've come to be, but in who you become along the way." ---Linda Staten

 When all is said and done, I hope my journey takes me back here.

Photo: Jaclyn Mullen. Cancun, Mexico in July, 2010.

Upon waking up this first Friday of February, I grabbed a book that was gifted to me by my college roommate Nicole (who happens to be one of my closest friends). The title "GO FOR IT--A Celebration Of Your Dreams" just called my attention this morning.

As most people do when reading a book, I flipped open to the first few pages and came upon the paragraph above. Then, I paused in my tracks. For some reason, the Wizard of Oz popped into my head and I thought about the "yellow brick road."

We all have a journey; a yellow brick road but where is it leading us? 

Does it matter where we are going so long as we grow along the way?

More importantly, have you ever arrived at the destination of the road feeling like you went down the wrong way?

Each new year is a new road to follow. That's why we create New Years resolutions and set annual goals. Some years are better than others. And for those that may not turn out as we had hoped, are we able to see who we have become along the way? 

I, unlike a lot of other people, have the fortune of pursuing various yellow brick roads. For one, I have a risk taking spirit by nature, not in a wild sense. I am a gypsy. I can live out of a suitcase without any discomfort. I am single, no husband, no kids, no pet. I can roam freely and have always taken advantage of that.

Plane picture I took circa 2007

There was the time I left my hometown at eighteen to move to Florida and start completely anew. Several years later, I moved to LA. There was the time I quit my corporate job working for a commercial real estate firm to pursue my passions and joined a hip hop dance crew. These days, I'm on a whole new path and have to work really hard not to rush to get "there."

But what about you? Are you frustrated that the route "there" is taking so long? Do you stop and make a list of accomplishments you have achieved along the way? Daily, weekly, monthly? Do you venture off into the unknown or is fear holding you back from pursuing something you REALLY want to do?

Read the statement above from Linda Staten again. Seek out a new sight today in your hometown, drive or walk a different route home. And if you can't enjoy the journey because you're pressed for time, have no fear. I'm happy to provide one new voice, one strange sight and one bold idea this Feel Good Friday. 

1. New Voice...sort of. These guys are definitely guaranteed to make you get up out of your seat and move, courtesy of many other people's voices. I don't know how "they" do it but I LOVE IT. Check out Hood Internet vs Chicago, these dynamic DJ's mix up an amazing assortment of hip hop, rock, 80's music. Whenever I need to be productive, I listen to a Hood Internet mix. Being 'hood never felt so good.
2. New, strange sight. I don't mean strange as in funky or weird, I mean strange as in new--something you don't see everyday. Newsflash, you don't have to fly anywhere to see a new sight. Check out National Geographic--with a few clicks of your mouse, you can see the sunset in Kenya.
3. One bold idea. Apple, one of America's most popular brands, has always been bold, brave and bad ass! This article from The99Percent.com demonstrates how a brand like Apple can think different and find success. Perhaps it can inspire a bold new idea or approach in you.

As this post proves, you don't have to go very far to find something new. After all, it was the wise Lao Tzu has said, "the journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet." 

Beneath--not ahead of one's feet, or behind. Right where you are. Follow the yellow brick road, even if you don't end up at your desired Emerald Castle, for maybe, as it's been in my case, it will be a Ruby Castle instead.

Ask Jac--An Advice Forum

Hello! Happy Holidays! I hope this Tuesday, December 28th, finds you all in good spirits.

This time of year, (aka the end of the year) often initiates reflection upon our lives!!! What did we accomplish this past 12 months? What could we have accomplished? What did we learn?

We, or maybe just ME then take this information and regroup for our beloved New Years resolutions. Yes, I said resolutions--plural. Personally, I will have a lot of marks for myself to achieve this year.

Often times, my friends and I get into discussions about our lives, goals and where we see ourselves down the line. And dear old father time has taught us all that, sure--you can plan but things will change! Trust me, things will change dramatically and often when least expected, causing chaos and growth yet that is the beauty of life. Finding our way amidst the mess, forging "our own path."

I have undergone A LOT of change over the years. I've worked in different industries, lived in different cities, I've traveled to different places. And so, I have become a resource for my friends and family.

"Jaclyn, how can I launch my blog?"

"Jaclyn, what did you like best about being a business traveler? What's the best way to fly from x to z?"

"Jac, I don't know how to word this, can you help me?"

Needless to say, I LOVE to help people! I should rephrase that, I LOVE to analyze and find solutions to things that people need help with. We all need help, myself included. And it is more natural for some of us (ME) to help others.

So-to share, one of my resolutions this year is to get more focused with my blog and I believe an "Ask Jac" column will allow me to do this. I can share my expertise while assisting people with advice or guidance they may need in their life. This is a formal invitation where I now invite you to think long and hard of a creative question and "Ask Jac".

I will post your questions and my answers here then link back to you (or allow you to remain anonymous if you so chose).

Whatever the case, 4 days remain in 2010. Reflect back and regroup for 2011 then get ready to ask for advice regarding your goals--not just from me, from anyone. Before we know it, 2011 year will be over too. MAKE IT COUNT!

Signing off,

Jaclyn Mullen
The Jaclyn of All Trades

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