C. Nzingha Smith's Blog, page 9

Weekly Reflection: Self Motivation

" It doesn't matter how talented you are, if you can't motivate yourself to do what's necessary to succeed, you'll always fall short." -Sheri Gaskins







After this week, I'm coming to realize talent is only the beginning and a very small part in the formula which helps distinguish the successful from those who are not. Throughout history there has been significant evidence of those not-so talented, being able to achieve tremendous success. We have evidence of this daily. We turn on the television and reality shows are showcasing the questionable talent of people who capitalize on the opportunity and become successful. We have all witnessed in passing a singer on the subway or a someone who might be homeless and they are obviously talented, but have yet to achieve success in life. 




While I can't speak for the individual circumstances of every talented person who isn't successful, I can say as I walk in the direction of success, being able to keep yourself motivated on the journey is more than a notion. Every day is different. New victories and new obstacles arise. There are more lows than highs and sometimes the distance you have to travel before you reach a high seems endless. 




As I study successful people, one thing they seem to all have in common is they choose to consistently make good decisions and they believe despite everything and they stay motivated from within. Despite how they feel, what's thrown at them, what they come up against, they stay focused and motivated to do what's necessary to succeed so they will get to their end goal(s). 




It's great to have the support and enthusiasm of others, but if you're counting on outside motivating factors on this journey, you are going to fall short. People have short attention spans, lives and their own dreams and goals they are working towards. It's unrealistic to count on anyone else to see you through to the end except you. I've witnessed more than a few people who are only motivated by what others are doing and it is sad to watch them set themselves up for failure.




You're path is your own. We each have one as unique as our fingerprints. What it takes to walk your path is not the same as what I need to walk mine. While I can cheer you on, motivation to finish the race comes from within. You have to find it and push yourself along the way. When you are tired, it's great to have others there to push you until you regain your strength, but remember your finishing will depend on whether or not YOU were able to keep yourself motivated during the low points. Lack of motivation makes it easier for you to give up. Giving up means you will not reach success. Activate the motivation within to PUSH yourself forward daily. This here is a marathon, not a sprint. If and how you finish is all that matters.




Be Love,

~C. Nzingha
C. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer and author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal Writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and brand communications consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages.

Quote of the Week- Audrey Hepburn

"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'! 

-Audrey Hepburn




Nothing is impossible. Nothing is impossible. Nothing is impossible. Normally, I don't like repeating myself, but I will make an exception here. Audrey's quote is refreshingly bright with an air of hope. A nice reminder of the positive perspective we should have and keep as we begin a new week full of possibilities. I'm not sure what you have on your plate this week, but having the right perspective is imperative to your success in life, love and business.




In addition to repeating this quote continuously this week, I'm also repeating, "deep breath, take a step," as I do things I've never done before and prepare to face my own impossible situations. Every time I feel a tingle of fear, nervousness or begin feeling overwhelmed, I'm going to use whichever one works best or both interchangeably. I'm already in the habit of talking to myself, so it works best when I repeat things out loud. Do you, repeat them aloud, write them on a sticky-note and post it on the bathroom mirror, just as long as you know to use them as the response to any challenges that may arise as you take steps toward your goals.




The point is we are speaking life to whatever situation we face, which gives us more confidence to not only face them, but see ourselves victorious in the end from the start. So remind yourself as often as you need to this week...nothing is impossible. You're possible! It's possible! "It always seems impossible until its done," Nelson Mandela.  Get "it" done. Enough Said.




~C. NzinghaC. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer and author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal Writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and brand communications consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages.

Weekly Reflection - Brick Walls

“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.” 
― Randy Pausch,  The Last Lecture





I keep reminding myself, if it were easy everyone would be doing it. That statement hasn't been particularly comforting as of late. In the self-publishing world, this statement really doesn't apply. Everyone is doing it, but everyone is not doing it well and doing it successfully. It's not enough for me to just be doing it, it matters to me to be among the best. It matters to me, to defy the odds and to break records and to be able to make a difference by writing change on people's insides. I don't believe in impossible. There is no such thing as far as I'm concerned. In my world anything is possible and everything is negotiable. 




The walls are there, they have a purpose. They tell you what they are trained to tell you. They expect you to call the first time, a second and possibly even a third time. They are hired to read you a script, to keep you at arm's length and to spin you in the maze. I know because I used to be on the other side, a gatekeeper, paid to filter through. They count on you getting discouraged, giving up, and going try something else and hence starting the cycle over and over again.




This has been a particularly challenging week. I can see more and more of the cliche statements people make ringing true with each step I take forward. I can understand why people reach a certain point and then turn back. I can empathize with them. What I can't do is concede. What they didn't count on is me. I'm desperate. Desperate because I don't have anything else to do with my life except to work everyday to become one of the best writers that's ever lived. It's not about fame for me, it's about what it's taken for me to get to this point. The hell I've come through with significant weight on my back. The hope I carry in my testimony and the gift I can give of touching someone with my words on paper. Giving them a different outlook on their situation. When you get desperate you're passed the stage of needing a thing, you are pushed beyond logic and you are irrational and urgent with your approach to get the thing deemed absolutely necessary for your survival. 




Yes, the wall is there. Well protected and dauntingly high. I will take a breath, wipe the sweat from my hands and rest. Bright on Monday morning, I will be back at it. My response no longer being, thank you for your time. My response now being, thank you and I will speak with you tomorrow because the hell with it. I've got absolutely nothing to lose. One of us will eventually give in. I've got the rest of my life. I'm in no hurry, but the wall will not be what keeps me out. At this point, nothing will. The only thing that was stopping me was me and I have since moved myself out of the way. I'm now the other person. The desperate one, who won't stop, can't stop.




~C. Nzingha C. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer and author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal Writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and brand communications consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages.

Sensual Art Xperience- July 26, 2012

Join me Thursday, July 26, 2012 from 7:30-10:30pm in Atlanta for the Sensual Art Xperience at Art Space International Art Gallery. I will be hosting the speed networking portion of the evening, signing copies of Lust Have Recipes and doing my two hand dance break shuffle in between! Good times. 

Read the flyer for full details. 

RSVP in advance for discounted admission:

sensualartx@gmail.com or www.sensualartx.eventbrite.com 




~C. NzinghaC. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer and author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal Writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and brand communications consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages.

Quote of the Week- Denis Waitley

“A sign of wisdom and maturity is when you come to terms with the realization that your decisions cause your rewards and consequences. You are responsible for your life, and your ultimate success depends on the choices you make.” -Denis Waitley





One of the worse things we can do is lie to others and ourselves so much that we believe the lie as truth. Taking responsibility for your life is one of the hardest things in life to do. Owning up to your own mistakes is tough. It's difficult to resist the urge and familiar tendency to point the finger at someone else and blame them for your mistakes, wrong decisions and in turn the results of those decisions. 




Acquiring wisdom is costly. I personally have had to pay a high price for it in time, money, tears, relationships and opportunities.  I'm learning success is the result of consistently making good decisions. I've been in a very reflective state, going back tracing my steps to find out where I fell off in different areas, where I began to lie to myself. The people around me didn't question me or the lies, they played along and so as a result I believed the lie as truth. The consequences have been disastrous on so many different levels for me and for them. The good news...I'm aware now. Once you become aware there is a problem, you can begin to work to fix or correct it. 




Being human, I began to beat up on myself a bit. Disappointed that I fell off and  got off track, but more so at the results of not consistently making good decisions. The thing that's been most difficult for me is getting over the disappointment, so I can now begin to repair the damage. You could compare it to getting hit off guard. Sometimes it's not the impact of the hit that knocks you down, it's the surprise.  It takes you a minute to recover and realize what just happened before you can react. This post will have to be continued as I am not sure how this will end just yet. I'm still working through it. 




I encourage you and myself to quickly recover from the initial shock of getting hit with the harsh reality of the consequences of bad decisions. The faster you can recover, the easier and quicker you'll be able to begin to correct the behavior and put yourself on the right track. It's one thing when you didn't know what you were doing to cause yourself pain, it's another when you figure it out and still do it. Resist the urge to fall back into habit. Now that we know how BS smells we can remove the things creating the smell.




Praying my way through this one. I encourage you to do the same. Ouch. Open to here your thoughts.




~C. NzinghaC. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer and author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal Writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and brand communications consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages.

Martha's Vineyard Summer Writing Program

I received this email from one of my writing groups and wanted to post it and share the information as it might be useful to some or all of my blog readers! Write On.









Martha's Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing 

Summer Writing Program












Dear Writers,



As the Director of the Martha's Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing, I am delighted to announce that the MVICW is now open for registration and scholarship applications for the 2012 Summer Writing Program. This year we have an amazing line-up for faculty, including award-winning poets, Catherine Pierce and Marcus Wicker, and award-winning short story and novel writers, Michael Kardos and Phong Nguyen (editor of the nationally acclaimed literary journal, Pleiades). The Summer Writing Program will run from July 15th-20th in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts (http://mvicw.com)



The MVICW was founded in order to give writers the opportunity to develop their craft amongst established authors. The Institute offers a comprehensive week-long focus on writing, providing writers with the necessary time to devote to their art. Each summer, the institute invites published authors and poets, literary journal editors, and university creative writing faculty from around the country to lead writing workshops, work one-on-one with individuals, and provide the necessary tips and tools for editing and publishing their work.



MVICW is happy to be able to provide merit-based and need-based scholarships this year. The scholarships cover between 50-100% of tuition costs. As well, the MVICW is offering The MVICW High School Writers Collaborative, a summer writing camp for all students in 9th-12th grade. This one-week summer camp runs from July 9th-13th at The Martha’s Vineyard Charter School. Students between 14-19 years old will come together to learn poetry and prose alongside skilled teachers, university professors, and published writers.



A detailed description of the 2012 Summer Writing Program and The MVICW High School Writers Collaborative, along with scholarship application and registration information can be found at its website, http://mvicw.com I hope you will join us this summer on the Vineyard!



Sincerely,

Alexander Weinstein: Program Director

The Martha's Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing

Website: http://mvicw.com





*Please forward this message along to any writers who you believe would be interested.*C. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer and author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal Writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and brand communications consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages.

Quote of the Week- C. Nzingha Smith

"You can think about doing it or you can get it done." C. Nzingha Smith




The time and energy put into thinking about doing something is often more exhausting than actually completing the task. It's easy to get caught up in our heads. Anticipating the outcome, fear, dread and possibly even laziness and procrastination can hold us up. Keeping the task in our minds without acting on it causes us to remain unfocused. Until the task is complete our energy will be split meaning we are not really able to put a 100% in anything else we are doing because a part of our thoughts are still dedicated to the uncompleted task. 




This week I'm challenging myself to get out of my head and just produce. Instead of thinking about having to get up when the alarm clock goes off and hitting snooze until it rejects my request, I'm just rolling over and starting the day instead. I normally blog on Monday's and this week, while I knew I needed it to, I let the thought stay in my mind absorbing my energy verses just stopping and taking a few minutes to get it done. Right now I'm on deadline for a few projects and it's crunch time, so realistically there is no way I can afford to have my energy split. I need a relentless focus now more than ever. I haven't been focused because there are too many undone things on my to-do list sucking up and splitting my energy in too many directions. 




Thinking about doing the thing is not only exhausting but it also leaves you feeling overwhelmed which in turns makes you feel discouraged and less likely to actually act. One small uncompleted task can be detrimental to your productivity. This week challenge yourself to not add anything to your list until you check something off. Piling up things to make yourself appear busy or to convince yourself you are getting things done is counter productive. It's been proven that we are only realistically only able to handle between three to five things at a time. Set yourself up for success by stopping and getting one thing done at a time before you move on to the next task to ensure you are able to get the results you want by giving it all your focus.




Have a successful week and remember it's all in your head. While you are sitting there thinking about it, it takes less time and energy to just knock it out. Get busy!




~C. NzinghaC. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer and author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal Writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and brand communications consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages.

Quote of the Week- Napoleon Hill

"Somewhere in your make-up there lies sleeping, the seed of achievement which, if aroused and put into action, would carry you to heights, such as you may never have hoped to attain." -Napoleon Hill







I'm currently reading Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. Below is an excerpt from the book which is a follow-up from a previous blog post where I used the example from the childhood story, The Little Engine That Could and the power of thought and sheer will. I hope this will reiterate the point and importance of renewing your mind, changing your thought patterns and how you can change your circumstances and life and it all begins with your thoughts. 

Have a wonderful & successful week!




"If you think you are beaten, you are,

If you think you dare not, you don't.

If you like to win, but you think you can't,

It is almost certain you won't.




If you think you'll lose, you're lost,

For out in the world we find,

Success begins with a fellow's will--

It's all in the state of mind.




If you think you are outclassed, you are,

You've got to think high to rise,

You've got to be sure of yourself before

You can ever win a prize.




Life's battles don't always go 

To the stronger or faster man, 

But soon or late the man who wins

Is the man WHO THINKS HE CAN!"




-Anonymous-C. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer and author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal Writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and brand communications consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages.

Quote of the Week- Nike

"Yesterday, you said tomorrow. Just Do It." Nike




Today is the tomorrow you referred to yesterday in which you said you were going to start. In the words of Nike, "Just Do It." Everyone knows the infamous slogan. Simple, yet profound. A call to action. A reminder that nothing is going to happen until you act. There is no getting around doing it. You won't know until you try. There is no failure but in not trying at all. 




All this sounds familiar, but we still procrastinate, we still make excuses, we still find ways to delay and put off the inevitable. Yes, you know you should have started "it" a while ago, but for whatever reason, your tomorrow keeps getting pushed back. Still working out the kinks, still trying to think it through, waiting until the perfect time to begin.




Reality check, there is no perfect time, the only way to work out the kinks is to begin, constantly thinking about it only gives you more time to make excuses and try to find ways out of it. It would be much simpler to "just do it". Get out of your head, don't talk yourself out of it again, simply begin doing it. Whatever "it" is, stop putting it off. Don't wait until tomorrow, today is the tomorrow you said you were going to start doing it. So, no more delays, no more dragging your feet. The energy used to procrastinate could be used getting it done. The sooner you get it done, the sooner you get to bask in your accomplishment, celebrate and begin again. I encourage you as I am encouraging myself this week to "just do it".




Are you a chronic procrastinator? How do you justify never beginning? Let me know your thoughts.




C. NzinghaC. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer and author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal Writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and brand communications consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages.

Quote of the Week- C. Nzingha Smith

"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, therefore I did, I do, I will." 

C. Nzingha Smith




The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper was one the first books I read as a child. It's still one of my favorites. The story illustrates the lessons of will power, hard work, never giving up and believing in yourself. The little blue engine was given a job of pulling a large stranded train over a hill, a task looked at as impossible for it do to by others and a job the larger engines refused. The little engine's attitude was, "I think I can." The little engine puffed up the hill slowly repeating to itself, "I think I can, I think I can" over and over until it reached the hill's peak. Afterwards it repeated, "I thought I could, I thought I could" as it celebrated it's achievement of completing the impossible task.



Before the little engine could face the uphill battle, he first had to think and believe in his own mind he was able to do it. Only after he believed, encouraged himself and began the task did others begin to believe he could be successful at it as well. It's amazing how clearly this translates to my life, my career and my faith walk now. First it took me to believe in myself and my ability to succeed as a writer and author. Secondly, I had to aggressively begin to put in the work. As I begin to feel resistance on this uphill battle, my will power is what keeps me chugging. I am not over the hill yet, but I am being persistent and success is the only option, so there is no giving up.



The biggest lesson I'm learning now is I had the process backwards when I spoke about my dreams, goals and aspirations getting started. I wanted the support of people. I wanted my own cheer squad complete with pom-poms and uniforms that donned Team CdotSmith on the shirts. I was looking for other's will power to get me through, for them to believe and encourage me so I could skate on their enthusiasm. Commercial break; it didn't happen. The few people I shared my dreams with looked at me in disbelief and sympathy. I was the very unimpressive picture of the underdog. Thankfully, I use this as fuel to get to where I am going faster rather than discouragement.



I stopped talking. Literally. I went into a hole and stayed there until I came out with evidence of my relentless desire in my hand. Today, I still remain silent for the most part. I use my time of solitude to realign with myself, encourage myself, exercise my belief and work out my will power. I'm in training for the fight of my life. The hard "no's", the rejections, the snide comments and the up and down tempo and payday of a writer and author starting out without celebrity parents or a reality star reputation behind me.



However, having dreams cost you and you have to be willing to pay the price for seeing those dreams come true. Like the little blue engine, I think I can and because of this initial belief, I did, I do and I will. Period. I made the decision and once you have the momentum it's easier to keep going forward than it is to turn back. Only after you believe in yourself, begin to put in the work, show your will power and stick-to-it-tiveness, will others join the party and act like they've been there all the time. It's cool though, don't be bitter, they're making you better. You needed to exercise your strength and build your muscle because it is imperative for you to have the characteristics of the little blue engine in order to reach your goals no matter how big or ginormous they are. You can do it! "I think you can". *smile* and go hard this week!



~C. NzinghaC. Nzingha Smith is a publisher/writer and author of Lust Have Recipes: IN-Gredients for Stimulation a cookbook featuring aphrodisiac recipes, poetry and imagery. Smith is also the Founder/ Principal Writer at SNC2 INK, The Business of Writing. SNC2 INK writing agency provides writing, editing and brand communications consulting to creative entrepreneurs and businesses at the start-up and growth stages.