Real Talk with Gerard Longo

Sticking with a vision -- for weeks, months, and years -- is not for the faint of heart.

However, there is a life of purpose out there for you, and it will appear more readily the longer you see your passions through.

It's easy to look on social media (or, to the media in general), see the ultra-successful people in your chosen industry, and feel a sense of inadequacy.

However, isn't it unfair to you, to compare the early stages of your creative endeavor to somebody's pinnacle?

Here's a scenario: You're in your mid-20s. You're disenchanted with the 9-to-5 lifestyle, and you want to pursue a career in music. However, the people around you keep telling you that you're "too old" to start, and are pushing you toward their idea of stability.

Is it really too late to start?

Of course not.

If you experience moments of self-doubt or fear, you're not alone. Tons of successful people -- including the people you might admire -- go through it every single day.

But... how does one push through moments of self-doubt?

We’ve all heard people who believe that social media is “too negative” or “overly political.” While there is a case to be made for those statements, it’s also worth pointing out that the power lies in the hands of its users.

Are you staying in the cycle of negativity, or are you working to change the narrative?

Of all of the relationships we have, it is the one with ourselves that is perhaps the most important of all.

Happiness, fulfillment, and success come from within.

We've all heard about the blueprint we're "supposed to" follow in life: go to school, get a good job, get married, have children, and live "happily ever after."

Well... not only is "happily ever after" a gigantic myth sold to us in greeting cards and animated movies, but happiness and fulfillment themselves have varying definitions.

The only blueprint you need to follow is the one that you create.

Life is short. As citizens of Earth, we've received that reminder on a daily basis over the past year.

That begs the question: what are you doing to make your precious time count?

A number of events over the past year have made people in our industry feel like the world is spinning out of control.

The fact? Most of it always has been outside of our control. However, there are still daily actions that we can take to improve everything within our immediate spheres of influence.

With so many people in the world creating content -- and so many brands grabbing at our attention -- authentic, consistent storytelling is more important than ever if you want to stand out among the noise.

How are you using your story to engage with the world around you?

Today on Real Talk, we begin with an exercise that will pinpoint the state of your internal dialogue. Then, we discuss why the words we use -- including those about ourselves -- truly matter.

On our creative journeys, we encounter a host of new and potentially scary situations that test our mettle. When fear pops up, we have a choice to act, or to give in to that fear.

Here's why recognizing the fear and acting in its face is always the move.

Whether in fitness, business, love, or life, the start of the year is a popular time to set goals and start something new.

However, frustration may arise when we realize the process that it will take to reach those goals. Here's why it's important to keep the process in mind as you begin your journey.