Be unapologetically yourself:

Be unapologetically yourself.

Do your thing.

Walk your own path.

Just finished Defiant Ones about the story of Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre.

Incredible story and well-done documentary.

They shaped culture and music for generations.

They were directly involved in the careers of Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga, Tom Petty, U2, NWA, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, and many others.

One scene stood out: Jimmy saw how the Internet would take out the record business then pivoted by partnering with another genius to create a product he could market.

Jimmy was the marketing genius. Dre was the musical genius.

Throughout the story, I kept appreciating about was how much struggle is part of the journey.

Just because you’re successful once doesn’t mean you’ll be there again.

It means you have to work twice as hard to get back.

You also may have your entire world crashing around you, but you have to stay consistent.

Stay on the saddle.

Keep working.

Keep creating.

There were moments where they were directly involved in controversy at the dismay of many record execs, yet Jimmy knew that for artists, you have to let them go.

He compared it to a racehorse with blinders on.

You can’t look left or right when you’re on your journey.

Keep your eyes on the prize and go no matter how many people don’t believe you and doubt you.

Take risks.

Controversy means people are talking about you.

It sells a lot more products, but it also can backfire in many ways.

Fame inflates your ego and makes you believe you’re better than you are.

Don’t believe your own bullshit.

Stay in the saddle and keep creating.

Do it for yourself.

Keep yourself in the back of your mind when you’re writing.

If the public doesn’t like it, fine.

It’s not for everyone anyway.

Not everyone is going to like who you are.

Some people will hate who you are.

They will hate the message you’re trying to push on the world.

All good, let them hate on the sideline.

They’re not here.

They haven’t done the work.

If they want their 2 seconds in the spotlight criticizing those in the arena, let them.

Let them get their clicks.

Because they’re playing your game.

More controversy means more people are paying attention.

The double-edged sword of controversy.

Being polarizing is a challenging position to maintain. It can bring you a lot of people but also a lot of downside.

Regardless, keep being you.

Keep sharing your message with the world.

You can’t be anyone else so don’t try to be.

Be unapologetically yourself.