I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul
Hi friends,
I’m currently on a writing schedule of (at least) 30 minutes per day. Each time I sit down to write, I’m either working on this newsletter, my fourth book, or my weekly journal.
The weekly journal is something I started a month ago; the idea being to chronicle and reflect on the week, broken down into the major areas of my life, including the various business ventures I’m involved in. It also helps me keep everything in perspective, because, well, I’m involved in a lot of things. (Several of which are not public yet, but I hope to share with you soon 🤠.)
Typically the writing sessions break down as follows:
3-4 days on book four
2-3 days on this newsletter
1 day on the journal
I need a structure like this to keep me accountable. While I genuinely love to write — I need to write — it’s one of those things that, if I didn’t do it, no one would freak out.
Forced accountability is also something I use to keep myself on track. Currently, with this 30-minute writing schedule, I have a pact with a friend of mine who is doing the same thing, and we check in on each other each day. Just knowing that she’s going to check on me ensures I get the job done every day, no excuses.
Because I know this fact: there’s no one else to blame if I don’t accomplish my goals. It’s on me.
Truth be told, I wanted to title this post: It’s All Your Fault.
I didn’t, because I’m a bit too positive for that, and although it might have increased the number of views (everyone likes a controversial post - proof), it just didn’t feel like me. Too negative and in-your-face-y.
But it’s the way I feel.
See, I’m an entrepreneur. Have been my whole life, but officially ever since my senior year of college. Instead of paying attention in class (mom: ear muffs), I was sitting in the back of the auditorium with my laptop, trying to bring to life Raj’s designs, spinning up hosting servers, or trying to make sense of a Profit & Loss statement (how can you have a profit AND loss, anyway?!).
Invictus
There’s a poem by William Ernest Henley called, Invictus, that ends with this line:
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
I learned about this poem from Maya Angelou. Not directly from her, the way Rachelle might have (not only did she know Maya Angelou, she worked directly with her for three years!), but from Maya’s book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. It’s a phenomenal story about her life through about age 17 and I highly recommend it.
I looked up the word “invictus” and it means “unconquerable” in Latin.
Clearly, there are things in life that try to prohibit us from accomplishing our goals. Maya Angelou is a great example of someone that had to deal with more disadvantages and struggles than I could imagine. And yet.
And yet she pursued all of her dreams. She overcame hurdles that to most of us would have seemed insurmountable and, truly believing that she was the master of her fate, became an incredible leader, author, and civil rights activist.
The point
Don’t let obstacles define the reason you weren’t able to succeed. Change obstacles into allies.
Go after your dreams. Control your destiny. Believe in yourself.
You are the master of your fate.
You are the captain of your soul.
I hope you’re happy,
Jeff
PS - Yeah that’s super disappointing
Recent podcasts
I produce a weekly podcast called, Begin the Begin. I hope you'll consider subscribing.
Helping those that have been excluded to find their voice (with Mita Mallick): Spotify + Apple + Other
Exploring the Diversity Gap with Bethaney Wilkinson: Spotify + Apple + Other
Exploring true consciousness, intentionality, and the pandemic's “She-cession” with Sharon Harris: Spotify + Apple + Other
Creating a more inclusive world (with Jenn Graham of Civic Dinners): Spotify + Apple + Other
The irrepressible optimism of Atlanta (with Amir Farokhi, Atlanta City Council Member): Spotify + Apple + Other