Happy Saturday!

I have been grinding over the past few weeks! My days have been filled with conducting research on new places to pitch, writing pitches, and even writing a few articles. I saw a few freelance writing opportunities and I took the time to put in my application. I have yet to hear back but I believe I will secure the right opportunity when it comes along. Until then, I will continue to take a leap of faith and send my resume to potential clients!

Lately, I have had a message on my heart and I want to share it with you. If you are reading my blog, I know you are a doer and a dreamer. I know you are working hard toward your dreams and trying to stay inspired. I also realize how hard it can be to stay motivated when you look around you and see others success. You wonder why a person with less talent is outpacing you in your field. You see a person you admire continuing to make big moves and you wonder when YOUR time is going to come.

You are not alone. Sometimes, I find myself comparing my writing journey to others. I wonder when my moment is going to arrive. And as much as I try to avoid being envious of my writing idols, it happens.

But you know what? I don’t allow myself to stay in a negative space. I realize that social media only gives us a snippet of what it took for someone to achieve their dreams. Their glorious successes, accolades, and admiration are often the end result of YEARS of hard work, setbacks, frustration, and dedication. There was a time when these same people were newbies. They had to find their own path to success. And they built their brands by knowing when to keep their blinders on.

That is what we have to do. We have to keep our blinders on and focus on our own path. Constantly coveting another person’s achievements will not help us stay focused on our own journey. While we can learn from their words of wisdom and apply their solid advice to our career, we cannot allow envy to derail us from our dreams.

So, how do I avoid this dangerous trap? I take a step back and give myself some credit for the progress I have made. I stick to my quarterly goals and make sure EVERY move I make is going to help me achieve my milestones. I congratulate others on their success and I remind myself that my unique journey will not look like theirs because I am not them. And I realize that there is a writer out there who wants to make it as far as I have made it today!

I hope you decide to focus on the accomplishments you have made and keep your mind focused on your own path.

-Tai Gooden