Issue #81 – JB’s 2 Cents
By Julia Beverly • Jan 11th, 2010 • Category: Issue #81, JB's 2 Cents 239 views
Since childhood, I’ve always been an avid reader. Even today, in the midst of the 24/7 news cycle where a million bits of information are all vying for my attention throughout the course of the day and threatening to destroy my focus, I try to occasionally take the time to set aside all the distractions. Next time you’re lounging on the couch and the millionth rerun of your favorite reality show comes on VH1 or MTV, turn it off and become absorbed in a good book instead. You’ll be surprised.
Lately it seems like everything I read focused on one word: fear. Even looking at those four letters in print kinda grips you, doesn’t it? All the way from 50 Cent’s 50th Law (an updated version of Robert Greene’s classic 48 Laws of Power with more modern-day examples) to the daily motivational Scripture email blasts Ric Ross at Capitol Records sends out (a welcome change from the usual bullshit that pops up in my inbox every morning), everything my mind digested lately kept coming back to that same word. Fear. Fear and overcoming the crippling effect it can have on our lives and our growth, both personally and professionally.
Before OZONE, I spent a lot of time working for other people because I was afraid. I knew I had talent but I didn’t know how to translate those talents into a paycheck. I was scared to start my own company because I didn’t think I’d be able to pay the bills. When I started working under a graphic designer named Mert in Orlando, who had a local magazine, the thing that struck me was that he had no fear when dealing with clients. They’d ask for a price and he’d spit out a number. No fear. What’s the worst that could happen? They’d leave and he’d move on to the next client. I watched and learned.
We all miss out on so many opportunities because we’re scared. Being bold doesn’t mean being stupid or risky. It just means overcoming your fear and taking that first calculated step. You can’t physically take on every project. We all have limited amounts of time and energy and you have to choose the wisest path and the most economical way to be as productive as possible. Like many people, I have no problem finishing or completing a project. It’s starting that’s the problem. I make lists of things I want to do and projects I want to work on but there are always doubts or fears in the back of your mind. Hell, even writing this editorial is a chore – what if my words aren’t captivating enough, I wonder?
Fear was the underlying word for 2009. After the banks took a nose-dive in late 2008, despite Obama’s promise of hope and change, a lot of us worldwide still harbored fear, and it showed. Even though the economic crisis was real, attitude can make a big difference. Your mindset (and how hard you’re willing to work) affects your finances in a very real way. As the song goes, you might not always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you get what you need.
Despite all that *fear* lingering in the air, miraculously, we all made it through the year and are still here alive and kickin’. What does that tell you? As we approached 2010 I made a comment on Twitter that it’s time for everyone to stop using the recession as an excuse. One person responded that only someone with no financial problems would say that, but that’s a false perception. It’s all a circle and no one is exempt. If record labels, promoters, artists, DJs, and the streets are hurting, I’m hurting. If we all keep a positive outlook and keep moving forward, we’ll all be able to keep moving forward.
The whole concept of momentum intrigues me. I’m training for a marathon and one interesting thing I’ve noticed while running is that the best way to stay motivated when your body is begging you to stop is to run faster. Step it up. If you’re getting discouraged with lack of results in your life, the solution isn’t to go home and mope and watch TV and sleep. The solution is to push yourself harder in all aspects, and the inevitable results will encourage you. Do, or do not. There is no try. 
- Julia Beverly, jb@ozonemag.com
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Thank You….
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words 2 live by! keep it up
I understand ya points and all, but one thing about running. you have to run smart , know our can and cant do’s… Its ok to run harder when trouble there, most call that a coward, somtimes you have stop , look listen and confront, learn, accept then start running agn in a new fashion a new way…
Each struggle is different and some easier to run past or walk through.. My grandmother said to me “Nothing has changed since i was born, tax still high , people still out of work and ignorance is a bliss.” Thers a aying only the strong survive but the weak will suffer,, that not true, the strng will survive but the weak will learn and become strong, its a cycle///
nastyglass aka, the villian of the 804
Nice piece and I like the Yoda quote at the end.
“I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle — victorious”
@nastyglass
u misunderstood. Running as a sport.. not “running away from”
Your a hardworker and I envy your success! But I can props on telling the truth and spreading information that’s valuable to people in the industry. Many people don’t try help people, but your 2 cents have always provactive and on point. Congrats to you and yiour success, maybe I should have not listen to my friend who told watch out for you, maybe we could have done business together.