YOU BETTA WERK: Make Plan A Happen, Damn It!

You know what they say, if you want to make God laugh tell him your plans.

I’m sure I’ve given God some hearty chuckles throughout my journey. Once upon a time my plan was to attend NYU where I’d be a straight A student (even I laugh at that), network and land my (once) dream job as a wardrobe stylist, or an internship with Seventeen magazine. Well, I just graduated from Georgia State where I learned that I had absolutely no desire to be a stylist. In high-school I also thought I wanted to be a journalist-yeah, no desire to do that either (unless it has to do with fashion/entertainment/culture, back then I thought I wanted to hard news...nah son).

Let’s fast-forward, the plan was to apply to PR firms in NY a semester before graduating, land one, move out of my mama’s house and become the black Kelly Cutrone fresh out of college. Well, I am here in my mama’s house.

My plans and God’s plans were a little different as you can see, in high-school this frustrated me. My pillow was doused in tears when I was accepted into NYU only to face the reality that I couldn’t afford to go. Today, I roll with the punches because every time a door was closed, God led me to the door I NEEDED.

I needed to attend GSU, where I joined a fashion based club and learned the ins-and-outs of styling so that I could come to the conclusion that that was something I didn’t enjoy. I needed to stay in Atlanta after graduating so I could continue to save my money and find opportunities that would strengthen my resume so I could compete with the millions of girls who head to NY with dreams of embarking on a career in fashion.

PLAN B, MAKE PLAN A HAPPEN:

I never landed that dream internship with Seventeen, however I did start my own magazine and got to cover fashion week, which led me a gig as a contributing writer for Lapalme magazine.I also interned with two popular Public Relations firms here in Atlanta. One firm was more focused on PSA’s, pharmaceuticals and politics; while my most recent internship was everything I dreamed of: entertainment and fashion/art based. I got the opportunity to work and organize RAGTRADE Atlanta, described as the “Fashion Week of Atlanta”. And as of today, I have a PR contract with Lavazza and occasionally score contract paid PR/writing gigs. Let’s just say my resume and writing portfolio will be on FLEEK ( I hate that word too lol, I just couldn’t think of anything else).

Instead of immediately casting myself out and assuming that because my plans didn’t workout my dreams were unattainable, I found opportunities that would make me stand out against my competition, strengthen my craft and teach me new skills.

So, my Plan A is STILL TO BECOME THE BLACK KELLY CUTRONE. I dream that one day, in addition to being a publicist I will creative direct and organize fashion/art related events, produce content that will influence the masses and introduce the masses to gifted talents in creative and innovative ways. The road I’m taking to get there is a lot different than the one I’d originally mapped out prior to graduating and it’s constantly changing, but the focus remains the same.

I am saying all of this to say, you may not be where you think you should be, your plans may have gone astray, your goals may even seem intangible, but never lose sight of them. What God has for you is for you. That desire, that passion, that undying love for whatever it is you want out of life was not given to you in vain. When roadblocks, obstacles and detours face you, put your big girl panties on, hop in that vehicle called “determination” and meet God halfway.

The way you handle obstacles is separates you from the hundreds of millions of people with the same goals as you. What are you willing to do that they aren’t? Does your faith wither because of simple mishaps? Do you second guess your talent? If you immediately lose faith in yourself, and your talents and your destiny because of a few obstacles; why shouldn’t other people? Why should anyone else believe in you? I know, I’m asking a lot of damn questions, but these are questions you have to ask yourself. The way you respond to these questions is what separates you from your competition. It separates you from the millions of girls that got a few likes on Instagram and want to be the next top model, or the millions of girls that majored in PR, never studied their craft outside of the classroom and claim they’re publicists, the millions of rappers handing out their mixtapes to passerbyers on the streets...so answer carefully.

Moral of the story...

MAKE PLAN A HAPPEN.PERIOD.

I hope this 'You Betta Werk' post was of help to you.

If you don't like who you work for, find a way to make it work for you! In the meantime, YOU BETTA WERK BOO!

-Mani, XoXo

#motivation #career #lifestyle