So, like most of us, I’ve composed a varied amount of Apple Music playlists to suit whatever mood I’m feeling at the time. One of my current favorites is titled, “Car Rachet II.” (Yes, there is in fact, a “Car Rachet I” that predates it. Lol.) As I was driving to a networking event last week and beating myself up about not posting any blogs last week 🤦🏽‍♀️, Yo Gotti feat Lil’ Baby, “Put A Date On It” started blaring out of my speakers. Now, let me be clear, I know this song is NOT about life organization 😩😂. It’s saying if one is feeling froggy, they should leap. It’s saying, “don’t talk about it, be about it.” If you have a problem with me, “PUT A DATE ON IT!” Lolll. I don’t advocate violence but I do enjoy this little rachet number and again, because I was a bit disappointed in myself for not publishing the scheduled blogs I’d promised you guys, it had a much different meaning to me. I did in fact, “Put A Date On It.” That date WAS 6/17. 😩

All of that said, I figured it was appropriate to reassess how I’m planning to stay on top of these things moving forward. I thought the plan was sufficient, but I simultaneously asked for you all to support my brow threading and IN NUMBERS, YOU DID! *sheds one thug (appreciation) tear* So my first official week of work was slam packed and my blog #2 date (6/17) quickly passed me by. So I’ve since been inspired by Mr. Mims (Yo Gotti) and put a NEW DATE on it (TODAY, 6/24) and also a new plan. Rather than waiting for Sunday to creep up and allowing procrastination to steal the free time I do have, I’m going to schedule them. Nice and easy.

(Obvious) Moral of the story. PUT A DATE ON IT. Lol. Y’all, I’ve been talking myself out of getting these brows started for YEARS by allowing the Devil to tell me, (1) “You’re not ready.” (2) “It’s so many other ppl doing brows.” (3) “No one will support you.” (4) CJ (my son) isn’t ready to go to school full time. Doubt. Doubt. Doubt. And ALL UNTRUE. (1) I am and have always been ready. Not to be boastful, but before stepping foot into one threading or microblading class, I was in love with brows and had people asking about mine on a weekly basis. And, what does “ready” really mean? Even doctors and lawyers have a first day. You have to START. (2) Competition is a real thing. But what’s for you is for you. Rihanna and Kylie both have cosmetic lines; they’re both WINNING. Hell, Kim and Kylie are SISTERS! They both sell bronzers, brushes, lippies, etc. They even collaborate on different launches. Tuh! Not to mention the smaller companies owned by some of your favorite social media influencers. And when I say “smaller,” that’s in no way undervaluing what they’ve accomplished, as plenty of them are MILLIONAIRES! There are dozens of hair salons/barbershops/grocery stores/gas stations (etc) in close proximity to one another and many of them are WINNING! Ciroc, Kettle One, and Tito’s are also doing just fine. Point being, there’s enough room for everyone. Poverty is the enemy, being broke, being scared, THOSE are the enemies...not friendship, not collaboration...and certainly not driving in your own lane. (3) As of today, all of my brow services are completely booked until Tuesday, July 9th. So me telling myself people wouldn’t support me was just bullshit. And honestly I’m not even sure I ever really believed that. It was an excuse. Period. (4) CJ does need me, and he always will BUT on the two days, he goes to school, he’s RUNNING to his teacher because he’s obsessed with her and his classmates. That said, he is VERY READY to go to school full time. Lol. And I gave myself 2 years; he will be two years old in 3 weeks. More importantly, I want him to see his Dad AND his Mom making their way in the world and living life on their terms so he can know that he can do it too. (Complete Transparency: He still isn’t back FULL FULL time yet though 😩, but I’m working on it, and I’ve also PUT A DATE ON IT.)

So do it. Whatever your IT is. Launch it, even if it’s in Beta! 😉 Start going to the gym. Breakup with that fuck boy. Apply for that job. Get your LLC. Start volunteering. Put a date on it today and do it. But also be kind to yourself. Life has taught me the importance of giving yourself (and others) some grace. “Life be lifey.” (as my Line Sister says, Lol) So sometimes things happen and that’s okay. I heard something recently, “Guilt is a lazy emotion.” It’s fine to feel however you feel, but what are you going to DO about it?? Spending an excess of energy on what you could’ve done and tripping over what’s behind you is truly a waste of time. So put a new date on it, and keep pushing. Love y’all, and thank you, thank you, thank you for reminding me that God is always working harder than Satan. Thank you for showing up for me (reading the blog, coming into the salon, reposting on social media, saying a prayer, your kind words, all of it). Thank you!

Oh, and while you’re in the mood, click HERE to read about another company that decided to LAUNCH IN BETA today. #teamiPhone

-Lo