AYD2015 #8 Take Risk: Operation Honey Badger

By J.Naomi

The Honey Badger does not care. He takes what he wants.

Up late one night, I watched a discovery channel documentary about the Honey Badger. This badger is about the size of a bulldog and is in its own family. It will take on any animal by itself, no matter the size. It is very difficult to keep a Honey Badger in captivity because they will find a way out by any means necessary (note: This includes stacking its feces to climb out). The Honey Badger can cleverly adapt to any trap or situation especially involving food. Oh, and did I mention they like to eat Cobra heads for breakfast? Honey Badgers are the animal kingdoms go-getters. But Why?

Because Honey Badgers take risk! Be like the Honey Badger when pursuing your dreams.

When going for your goals you may have many ideas. Due to anxiety you may find yourself stuck because you do not want to take the risk of tying out your ideas. Think like the Honey Badger and take what you want. Take what is yours! It’s like the saying, “You will never know until you try…” Don’t get stuck in a rut because you are unsure that you may not succeed. You can and you will.






Just take a look at the risk that you have already taken in your life. If you have done the Big Chop. That is a risk. If you are pregnant or have given birth, that is a risk. Being in a relationship, that’s a risk too.

In my own personal life I can reflect on the MANY risk I have taken. Often criticized by the means of which I take risk, every idea has pushed me closer to a goal or has taken me out of a stand still. Regardless if the consequences where good or bad, I tried something. Doing something instead of nothing will create movement or progress. I learned from it and have grown. Granted, I am not saying jump off a cliff. What I am saying is if you have a well thought out plan, do it. If people tell you it cannot be done but you have thought it out and you know it can go into a Honey Badger state of mind. Try it.

Listen, you would not be reading this right now if I didn’t take a risk. Yes the swamp people (code name for haters) may come out of nowhere and try to smack that idea out of your hand but remember the idea is yours. They do not set the rules. You are the creator of your future. Ya Dig?






Another awesome thing about this animal that I think people should consider is the size of animals it takes on. A Honey Badger has taken on Lions in the wild and have won. The Lion is an apex predator. Whoa! The Honey Badger really could care less. Especially when it comes to honey, this animal is unstoppable. This animal will recklessly break open a bee hive, get stung several times just to get honey. Their favorite food.

So what is your animal? What is the thing that has put you in a stand still? Become a Honey Badger. Take a risk and pursue your dreams. You never know until you try.

Did you like this post? Stay up to date with the Achieving Your Dreams Series by clicking here and leave a comment below!

AYD2015 Series: #9 Don't Fall in to A Social Media Vortex. Gulp!

By J.Naomi Johnson

Sorry. I am late posting this very essential part of the AYD2015 series (click here to start from the beginning) because…well…I did not want to. I love my Facebook. I love my Instagram. I love my Twitter. So why on earth would I ever forbid the use of these wonderful social media tools? Well, I'm not. However, I know that the negative effects of social media when one is trying to rebuild or accomplish goals needs to be addressed but I really just don’t want to. So instead I will talk about the destruction of vortexes (and when it is time we will substitute vortex with social media, smile).

First let us discover what the heck a vortex is.

A vortex is a whirling mass of fluid or air. Typically, it's called a whirlpool or a whirlwind. We see vortexes all the time. A cyclone has a vortex. A black hole in space has a vortex. Often a vortex pulls you in, gets you all caught up in a spiraling mass of chaos and then spits you out completely at the opposite end of your beginning. In the case of a black hole you are stretched to the size of spaghetti and then ripped apart never making it to the other side.

Okay…I’m ready to talk about social media…I guess…

Social media is wonderful. It’s always active and it connects us to each other. We all have spent tireless hours perfecting our phone keyboarding abilities. For people with business it has allowed you to grow and develop your business in ways that would not have happen if you did not use it. However, we are not talking about social media for business. I am discussing, in this particular blog, social media’s impact on you, as an individual, Achieving Your Dreams in 2015.

Oh that world wide web! That super information distributor that is only but one click away at all times. That precious distraction that has frequently gotten in the way of my work and the work of others. Internet you are consistent. You are relevant. Most importantly, you can be a vortex. As we discussed before, not all vortexes are as detrimental as a black hole in space. Some serve their environmental purpose. Others impact the environment in a very negative way. For instance, the Polar vortex causes below freezing temperatures negatively changing and effecting seasons leading to the damage of crops and endangerment of animals. And then there are dirt devils…cough.

Let’s take the prior example and apply it to social media. Facebook provides us all with the chance to stay connected and inform the people we care about of major events in our lives. Weddings, child birth a new tattoo, etc. For some this availability of announcement can be problematic. Instead of looking at Facebook as a positive source for staying up to date with the milestones of close friends and family. It has become a soapbox catalyst. Something that I and many others have fallen victim to. Don’t worry. It happens. Twitter wars. Selfie contests. Facebook arguments. So on and so forth. It is the accidental trip and fall into a social media whirlwind.






In the chaos of it people are chiming in. Words are getting misconstrued. People are not speaking to others and it just gets worst. This is the chaos of the vortex. Hurling and whirling around and around. Sometimes you end up on the other side okay. People talk it out and voila! All is mended after the storm. On the other hand you lose out. Severing the relationships you once valued and shifting your focus from one thing to something that should have never had your attention in the first place.

Enter you and these big dreams you have. The totally wonderful, accomplishable plans that you have been working your butt off to reach. The last thing that you should do now with your newly gained momentum is get off track with your goals or use that momentum to fuel a twitter war. Yes, you may need social media for your business or to reach your dreams but don’t allow for it to destroy your planning. Don’t get sucked into its vortex of non-prosperity. By all means do not allow for it to stretch you so thin that you turn into spaghetti and get ripped apart. Seriously.

The most important things that we have, in regards to a social life, are the relationships we have with each other. I think that we have begun to believe that the people who are connected to our social media accounts are the same as the people that we talk to and have interpersonal relationships with. Or in other words, we have believed that distant or estranged people on our social media accounts matter. I have made this mistake too. This is a cost effecting mistake. Costly because some of the people you have on your social media that you believe are in your corner are not and given the chance can and will betray or hurt you. And although they watch you and/or like your post they are often envious and miserable in their own lives and cannot stand the happiness in yours. They cringe at your joys while never taking their eyes off you. They discuss you frequently while you live your life unaware to their alternative motives miles and miles away. Lesson: Don’t get caught up in the social media vortex.

Yeesh…sensitive subject alert!

Social media relationships are not the same as the relationships we have invested emotionally and physically with which requires more than occasional inbox messaging. What I mean by this is that if you do not have a memory with someone than what is the value of that someone if the only connection is social media? There is not one. This too is part of the chaos of the vortex. Believing that a person in your social media has any power or influence in your life when you are only connected through social media. The idea of six degrees of separation or two degrees depending on your city and town only extends as far as knowing “of” a person. Not of “knowing” a person. You dig?






While you begin to chase your dreams and start to knock off those accomplishments don’t fall into a negative social media vortex. Although they are easy to get into you may not make it out. You have something amazing going on now. You’re destined for greatness regardless of the past. Most importantly now is the time to take hold of your future and rewrite history. Something I want you to know is as much as I would like to say that your biggest enemy is you that may not necessarily be true. So keep a look out for activities and people that suck you in and want to stretch you thin. You have much to do and no time for black hole spaghetti. Yeesh!

My advice comes from bonafide expirence. Have you ever been sucked into a social media vortex? Let’s hear about it in the comments below!

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AYD2015 Series: #10 Believe in your talents and be the best sign spinner ever!

By J.Naomi Johnson

Note: This is the first post of a series entitled Achieving Your Dream in 2015. To get the most out of this series read the initial post by clicking here and follow along. This series goes from 10-1 and is posted once a month.

Are you talented? No really, I mean do you have an ability that is sought after by others? I am not asking you if you are passionate. Many people are passionate and yes passion is what can fuel your talent to becoming a lucrative option, however, I am asking you if you’re talented. You can be passionate and not talented. There are many passionate people in this world that lack the talent to be perceived more than anything than just hot heads and crazies. This is not a guessing game. This is not a situation where you pick something cool and do it very passionately. I want you to dig deep to that young person you were and remember what it is that you are talented at.

This post it geared toward helping you believe in what you have. Your beautiful God given talent.

First, let us review dreams.

The difference between someone who obtains their dream and someone who is dreaming is simple: They believe in their talent. You should too. Know that you are enough and capable of successfully doing whatever it is that makes you talented. Dig deep. Don’t worry. I have a story.






So, you’re driving to work and that is when you see him. Some kid dressed up in a statue of liberty suit holding a sign pointed to the place that you could get your taxes completed at. Thanks, but no thanks. This kid looks like life has punched him in the throat and he would rather be texting his “boo-thang” than making an honest dollar. The light is red and you’re shaking your head.

We can all relate to this. The job the kid has is not his dream. He could care less. Not only is he not passionate about his work but clearly this is not where his talent lies. Like him, the job you have is a buffer and deep down you feel like you’re wasting away. Still you go to that job every day. The excuses pile up. Family, finances even your age has become a limitation to keep you from believing that your talents will find a way. You have rerouted your life because you stopped believing in the talented you that you are. Now you’re living someone else’s life exploiting your talents to someone else’s dream. Green light, time to go!

So you continue driving and suddenly…WOWZA!

Another sign spinner dressed in regular street clothes is “going to town” with his sign on the corner of a busy interstate. This sign spinner is flipping his sign up, down and all around. He is dancing and waving to cars. While jamming out to his IPod he is creatively providing all who watch directions to the nearest car wash. You can’t take your eyes off of him. The boy is amazing. You had no idea holding a sign could be such a talent. Suddenly, you remember it has been a while since you washed your car and you decided to stop by the car wash after work.

End story.

Let’s go back to what we are here to discuss. Believe in your talents no matter what. In the example I used both kids applied to the job assuming that they were talented enough to get the job. However, one kid limited his ability by cutting off his talent flow. The kid in the liberty suit thinks the job is lame and that his talent to spin a sign is not a return on his investment. Whereas, the other kid, BELIEVES he is talented and that there is a return on investment.

You must invest in the vision and plan God has for your life. And unfortunately, you may have to do it blindly.

Not only did the car wash spinner use his street corner to promote his talent through a passionate display of dance moves but his passion for his talent will led him to other things. Perhaps even a promotion. The difference between the two is that one believes that his talent holds limitless possibilities and the other does not. It is because he removed his mental barriers of fear and doubt that he, no matter what his situation is, will have a bright future in spinning signs.

So are you the lame in the liberty suit or are you the underdog kid with moves like Jagger?

Would you agree that all the talents in this universe have not become discovered yet? If you agree than why would you not believe that you are talented enough to attain your dream? Perhaps you make something so important that you change lives or perhaps you provided simple information. No talent is too small or irrelevant. Everybody is necessary in this universe.

Stop severing your potential. When we are young there is something that we know we can do. Something that we love to do and something we can teach others. As children we are asked what we want to be and we say it. It is literally that easy. Up until we begin to limit ourselves with doubt and fear, everything we do is towards that goal. Be the inhibited child you once were.






Believing in your talents is believing in what your cable of. A large part of this includes knowing who you are and what you are good at. Ever feel like you’re at a good paying job just wasting away? Well it’s because you are. You’re contributing to someone else’s dream and not your own.

They are all going to laugh at you.

Just deal with it. You may have some unattractive moments. It’s possible that prior to the sign spinner being able to displaying exemplary talent, he was probably dropping the sign everywhere and almost getting ran over by cars. His days were probably filled with car honks and cold weather. He did not stop. His belief was too great. His internal belief outweighed the external opinions of others. I am sure some days sucked and he was so pissed he could have cried especially when he dropped that sign on his head. Those edges are sharp! Still, he had enough gumption to persevere. That makes all the difference. Now, he is a sight to behold and people are lining up at the car wash. POW. Mission accomplished. Most importantly it did not happen overnight. I guess what I telling you is that 80% of this quest is believing in you. Become convicted by you. Know who and what you are about. You can do it. I believe in you.

Life is so short. It’s over quick. So I will ask you one last time… What are you talented at? Let me know in the comments below!

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Ten Steps to Successfully Achieving Your Dreams in 2015

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By J.Naomi Johnson

The dawn of a new year is upon us.

There are one million reasons why you should not do it. You are safe. You’re okay with the way things are. The job you have pays the bills and so on and so forth.

These are vicious lies. You have to stop lying to yourself.

Maybe, when you were in school and you had the time to fart around ideas, lying to yourself was okay. You found yourself majoring in art history one year and business the next. You said you’d take a year off then came back six years later and completed your degree. There is nothing wrong with that. Hell, I did it. Shit gets in the way. Life happens and it was cocktail hour.

The problem is to not get caught up in putting your dream in the background. Putting your passion away into your pocket is a downright crime.

Well those days are gone. That was so last year. It’s 2015. The time is now. The fate of your world depends on it. I know it’s better said than done but you can do it. I have faith and a top ten list of ways that will help you to chase your passions and achieve your dreams this new year. Yey!

So here we go.

10.) Believe in your talent.
The idea is yours. Others may have an idea like yours but no two people are the same. I can hear you right now. “Well, someone already thought of the idea…so…” So what? In school I once took a marketing class and the teacher said to never reinvent the wheel just make it roll faster! You and only you stand behind your process. No one is as passionate about or as attentive to the needs of your project more than you. You got to believe you have something special. Believe in your vision. It’s yours.

Speak it into existence. Talk about it all the time. Talk about it so much that people tell you to relax. Talking about it puts your dream in the front of your mind and keeps you focused. Passion is the fuel to a dream and when people see how passionate you are they began to believe in your dreams too.






Listen, regardless if someone is already doing the idea God created your blessings specifically for you. Stop looking at other peoples blessings and focus on obtaining your own. Which brings me to…

9.) Stop monitoring your Instagram and Facebook!
Unless you are marketing or launching campaigns do not sit and waste your time feeding into the hype of others. Websites like the ones stated, no matter how entertaining, are nothing but one big ole show and tell. Someone’s fantastic life took a lot of preparation and maybe even some drama to achieve. Do not rate your life based on the online photo albums of others. This is a detrimental mistake. You don’t know if the grass is really greener or if it is just some good looking astro turf. Also, aside from marketing you don’t need to let people know what you’re trying to do because there are some haters out there. A majority of them are on your Facebook. Seriously. Take the achievement of others and refocus that energy as motivation to create your own online show and tell. Here is a game: For every friends accolade add another task to your do to list to make you venture a reality. This really helps when you are trying to develop your marketing strategies for your business plan.




8.) Get a little crazy and take some risk.
Some of the most magnificent people were thought of as smucks, losers, lames and crazy. If everyone had the same dream than it would be a societal norm. I think family can be some of the hardest critics. They cannot see the finish line of your dreams only the fact that you where indecisive in college and when you were sixteen you wrecked your dad’s new car. You get what I am saying? Don’t be afraid to take risk. A lot of the people around you think your nuts anyways and that opinion will not change until you are successful at your venture.
It is the bottom line: try it.

Whatever it is try it and see what happens. You want to say you did try. You are not going to catch anything different fishing around in the pond you are custom to. You have to get the big fish out in the open water.

7.) Stop taking note of what you cannot do and start utilizing your ability.
Not to take it to the streets but I have seen a hustler make something outta nothing. Single mothers do it every single day. The college student figures it out too. I know when I first got to Atlanta I was broke as hell but I would take those receipts from Popeye’s and complete the surveys on the back and get a full meal for like two dollars. So instead of saying I'm not going to eat, I said I have to figure out a way to eat. But anyways, do you see the difference of thought there? I chose that regardless of how IT happened IT was going to happen. I chose this over the can or cannot school of thought. Because believe me your girl was going to eat.




In the real world, people of color are not always born into financial ability. The idea of being able to throw your kid a couple grand to start a new venture is not a reality for most people. If your one who maybe has to figure out how to get your dream don’t limit yourself by what you don’t have instead say, “I gotta whole lotta…(fill in the blank)” and work with that. It’s a definite bonus if you get what you needed for free too. You are only limited by the boundaries that you create for yourself.

6.) Lose faith in the word No.
It means nothing. When someone tells you no it’s because they don’t want you to proceed with what you are doing. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. People say no for a ton of reasons. They say no because they could not accomplish the task. They say no because they don’t want you to accomplish the task. People will tell you no all day long but there are billions of people on this planet and one person will say yes. Lose your faith in the word no and replace it with this person cannot but somebody will.




5.) Get up, get out and meet somebody.
Remember when I said earlier you should be talking about your dreams all the time. Well your friends should also have dreams. I don’t mean they should be dreaming. I mean they should have solid plans in motion. If your friends do not than you need to find some people that do. That’s networking 101. I am not saying that you need to leave people behind. I am saying that you need to increase your circle of connections and connect to people who are trying to do the same as you. Networking can open doors to finance, skill, organization etc. It is a beautiful thing when people from different walks of life come together and create something that society can utilize. A good place to start is Meetup.com. So don’t be shy. Get out there and socialize.

4.) Stay consistent.
If the plan is to wake up every morning at 8am than wake up every morning at 8am. The longevity of your brand or venture depends on your consistency. You must produce the same quality of service and goods each and every time. As humans we appreciate consistency. Think about it. Did you like the person you dated who you could count on or did you appreciate the wildcard ex? Granted I am sure you had fun with the latter but I am willing to bet you viewed the prior long term. One way to stay consistent is to set a schedule of due dates for yourself. Stick to your schedule like the holy grail. Never veer from it. Not even for a second.

3.) Become a dictator of your time.
That is one thing we just don’t have a lot of. You cannot just give people who are not helping you to succeed time. It’s too precious. Be about your business and value your time. One thing that helps most business savvy people is that they equivocate time with cash. Loss of time equals loss of money. Do this and you will be mindful of when people are wasting your time. It becomes offensive because it is not theirs to waste. Take a stand when you are losing time and say it. Plan in advance so you save time. Make sure every moment brings you closer to your goal. You only have a certain amount of hours in the day. Once they are gone, you do not get them back.




2.) Always finish what you start.
You better finish that business plan. You know, if you finish what you start you already surpassed people who were trying to accomplish the same goals as you? You may fail but do not allow failure to be your reason for not finishing your plan. Even if you fail you are still moving in a positive direction. Some ideas may not be so great but by finishing the task you have completed something and that is better than nothing at all. On the other hand if you fail you know what steps not to take in the future.

1.) Plan a celebration no matter how small for every accomplishment that brings you closer to your dream.
Throw a party, go shopping or dine out at your favorite restaurant. You deserve to acknowledge your success. There is a great feeling when you accomplish your goals. Celebrating also helps to remind you of where you came from and how much you have done. This also allows for a mental break and gives you a reset to the next phase of your planning. Pretty soon you will have reached your dream and can begin a new venture.

EXTRA.) Don’t let your past become chains. I will talk more about this in the next post.

I hope this list helps you succeed. Please remember to subscribe and comment to my blog and share!