Over the last eight years I’ve experienced my share of miracles, from being homeless twice between 2011-13 to publishing nine bestselling books and supporting other women in transition. Yet, each day is a test, a test of faith and of strength.
I arrived in L.A. at the end of 2013 with suitcase in hand and a dream of becoming a bestselling author. I didn’t have much money, but I had faith, faith in myself and my purpose in life. You see, I’m an ARTIST!
I’m a writer, photographer and filmmaker and I also love to paint. Yet I grew up being conditioned to follow a certain path that wasn’t my own. It was during this path that I realized something was missing. I wasn’t being ME.
Life, I believe, is constant transformation. Every day we learn, we grow, we evolve. I’m not the same person I was back in 2013. I’m not even the same person I was at the end of 2018. Yet through it all, I kept my focus on MY DREAM, the end result of what I wanted to create.
Christmas, 2018, was bitter sweet. It had been a difficult year and I struggled to keep hold of my dream while also looking for a job, as money was scarce. I had applied to hundreds of jobs to no avail, and was in tears since I hadn’t paid December’s rent. I thought I’d be pitching a tent on the beach come the New Year.
However, deep down inside of me this small flame burned strong, reminding me of my dream of starting my own production company. I dreamed of inspiring creatives through education and collaboration in the areas of publishing, photography, and filmmaking. Each day I took action and one small step toward that goal, whether it was through networking online or in person, expressing my dreams out loud, or educating myself somehow. I believed with everything in me that this was what I was meant to do.
Four days after Christmas, I received the start-up funding for my company, TOWER 15 PRODUCTIONS. I officially launched on January 2nd and the last two months have been a dream come true. I get to wake-up each day in my beautiful home by the sea and do what I love while supporting others and making a difference.
When it comes to manifesting, I follow a simple four-step formula:
1. Get CLEAR on what it is that you truly want.
With everything that I’ve created, I always look to the end result. What is it that I truly want to create? I literally write down in my notebook what it looks like in every detail. I get really specific.
For some reason, writing down your goals and dreams adds energy to them. I’ve witnessed on numerous occasions how when I write something down that I want, it manifests faster than if I simply think about it. It’s like a declaration to the Universe that I’m serious.
2. Educate yourself.
Learn from those who are doing what it is you want to do. When I was first starting out as an author, I researched everything I could about successful authors, self-publishing, and resources where I could learn. I volunteered for publishing conferences and helped out in any capacity simply so I could learn along the way.
One great example is the San Francisco Writers Conference. I first volunteered in 2012 when I was actually homeless. No one knew, but I was determined to learn. On the last day of the conference, I met the Director, Michael Larsen. He took me under his wing and became my mentor. Since then, I have returned year after year in different capacities: volunteer, photographer for the program cover, and speaker. This year I was there to lead a new Book to Screen track on Screenwriting and Filmmaking, and next year I’ve been asked to return to expand the track and teach a Masterclass.
So, you just never know where life will lead you when you come from a place of educating yourself.
3. Take ACTION!
This is crucial. You can dream all you like, but if you don’t do your part, nothing is going to happen. In my first book I wrote back in 2011, It’s Simply Sausalito, I included a quote of mine that reads:
Dreamers paint a pretty picture.
Those who take action create a masterpiece.
I truly believe that. You MUST be willing to do your part. Also, I feel it’s really important to lead by supporting others. When I volunteered my services to conferences and events (and I still do), I act from a place of service. What can I do to best support the company, organization, or event? If I learn something in the process, that’s icing on the cake.
4. Let go of the attachment to the outcome.
As Mike Dooley would say, let go of the “HOW.” It’s not our job to figure that out. I’ve seen things happen that make absolutely no sense, but I’m amazed at how things come together so perfectly.
Dream your dream. Learn from the best. Take action, and then LET GO! Surrender to the wonders of the Universe, and watch the magic unfold.
