I'm Outchea Grindin!

Disclaimer: The following post is the way I see life.  Keyword in that statement is "I".  So, you do not have to agree with me.  If I'm wrong, tell me I'm wrong.  Here it goes...

"Outchea Grindin"!!!!  You ever noticed how many people say that, and you go "Hmmm... really?"

But, I think I'm going to STOP saying that.  Because you have what you say.  Grinding means working HARD.  And it may be true.  For me, VERY true.  But who wants to be grinding FOR...EV...ER? *Sandlot voice*  Pause: If you don't know the Sandlot, you still have Similac on your breath.  Play:  Nobody wants to be grinding forever.  When people ask me, "What's good Dukes? I see you doing it."  My response: "Everything good.  And not yet, but it's around the corner."

Positivity People!  Your outlook on life WILL change things.  I promise.  Surrounding yourself with negativity is like putting a gun to your own head.  It really bothers me for people to get stuck in life.  Contentment is of the devil.  (I think)  And I'm not saying complain all the f-in' time because you're not where you want to be. I'm just saying do what you have to do, until you can do what you want to do.  I can't speak for all professions, but I can speak for entertainment when I say, "It's not a sprint, it's a marathon". -Brian White

My actual profession may be a little foggy because I do so much, but I know where I'm going.  I say that because a lady at church talked to me for a LONG time today. 
But the convo started by her saying, "So... obviously you are doing well.  But what do you want to do?  Ultimately?"

Answer: "I want to be a Producer.  With movies AND music."
"Oh... wow... So with what you doing now, how does that add up?" 
"Entertainment is entertainment.  90% is politics.  However, I can't hold an intelligent conversation with the big shots if I don't know what I'm talking about.  Or if I don't have a story to tell.  So, I'm doing radio now for the music side.  Because I've been around the people who have impacted the music industry and I know what's "radio ready" and what's not.  I know the right person to contact when trying to get radio play.  I know social networking like the back off my hand.  And it's so much more to it, but that's a start."
"So, is the tour over?  What did you do with that?"
I smiled, took a deep breath and replied, "Yea... it's over.  Well... at least for me.  It's going back out in the Fall, but with being on-air now, I don't know how that will work.  But it was a good experience.  Oh... and what did I do?  Whatever they told me! lol... 'Hey... Jay, come downstairs.'  And I'm thinking it's for an interview or something.  And they were like, 'Yea... get that bag.  And get that one too.'  Ok.  And my happy go lucky behind got THAT bag AND that one too!" 

But PERCEPTION is EVERYTHING and your OUTLOOK on LIFE is what counts.  Even though I lost alot of weight (which I haven't been in the gym like I should STILL) and I got a LITTLE, like 15 seconds of fame, stage time, I STILL wouldn't trade the experience for a 9 to 5.  NEVER!  I met some GREAT people and it was another opportunity to network.  And I learned things I never knew about that side of the industry.  But how many people can say that they've been on tour.  Not many... 

Another thing, stop letting PEOPLE determine your success.  Perfect example, my boss was doing the schedule the other day and asks me, "Do you mind working with so in so because a lot of people look at me crazy when I put them together."  And my response was, "Yea... Why not?"  And even though we will NEVER go to the mall together and  I probably won't get an invite to their wedding, MY career is in MY hands.  And if I can learn from the person, then that's the ONLY thing that matters. 

Another example, my co-worker called me mad as HELL talking about how he was getting ready to quit because he wasn't getting enough hours and he doesn't think so in so likes him and blah blah blah.  My advice: "Go talk to them!" 
"I have!  I'm not kissin nobody's ass!" 
"That's prideful and DUMB!  Do you know how many people want your job?  And what we do isn't hard!  Somebody can easily come in and train for your position and be GOOD at it in a couple days.  Quitting is for the weak.  You mad and decide to quit.  If they want you gone like you say, then if you quit, they WON!  Point, blank, period!  So, to come out on top, you MUST humble yourself, take time to have an intelligent conversation and demand a change!" 

You know what?  People REALLY think that giving up, hurts the other person.  It actually gives the a sense of relief, "Whew, glad they gone".  Just as dumb as, "He makes me sick, I'm unfollowin his a-!"  #wackandbasic

Humility is what is going to take you to that next step.  And I'm the LAST person to preach humility because I wear my shades inside and walk with my head held high.  But when it comes to doing what I HAVE to do, in order to do what I WANT to, I have that down packed!  I will not allow people's opinions to determine my status.  You should try it.  If you put YOURSELF on a pedestal, who can take you off?  Nobody called T.I. the King of The South until he said it first.  #imjussayin

Nobody knows your story unless you tell them.  No matter how long it takes you to get there, keep at it!  I was watching a rabbit the other day and they are fast as SHIT!  No way The Tortoise SHOULD have beat The Hare.  But The Hare got off track.  He took a LONG nap, stopped at the strip club to blow a couple dollars, and blew the little piggy's house down.  All stuff that was TOTALLY irrelevant to his race!

If you honestly feel that you have settled for a 9 to 5, I'm not knocking you.  But just don't lose sight of your dreams.  Set goals and make them happen.  When you are walking in your purpose it doesn't feel like work at all!  And that's the TRUE definition of a profession, "Doing what you love, but well enough to get paid for it".

~Jay Dukes aka Mr. Million Dollars aka Mr. "Hey... You Look Familiar"

Hey... YOU! "Like" my fan page PLEASE... JAY DUKES
Hey... YOU! "Like" my fan page PLEASE... JAY DUKES
Hey... YOU! "Like" my fan page PLEASE... JAY DUKES
Hey... YOU! "Like" my fan page PLEASE... JAY DUKES