The ExperTease's Top Moments #4- What A difference A year makes

You may not have realized this, but I just crossed the one-year anniversary of my arrival in Phoenix. I can't believe it's gone by so fast! 

If you would have tried to tell me a year ago what my life would be like now, I would not have believed you. What a difference a year makes!

When I first arrived in PHX I truly felt like a foreigner in my hometown. It had been 12 years since I was a resident here and so much had changed. I put on a facade of confidence, told myself to act as though I were a tourist, and gave myself permission to explore and get lost. 

Sometimes you truly have to fake it until you make it.

The truth is, for some time, I felt like I was living a double life. Over the summer, I had a huge strain on my time and energy as I was still working remotely for a company in Atlanta while also hustling to establish myself in Phoenix.

Somehow, I managed to build marketing campaigns, coordinate a music festival, two Insurance conferences, write freelance articles, and manage my dad's real estate transactions all during that time. I’m not sure how I did it, but I can tell you that I didn't sleep much. 

As summer transitioned to fall, and the anticipation for LxVE Fest was building, I felt like I had reached my limit. Being pulled in so many different directions was taking its toll. Something had to give.

While I certainly enjoyed the stability of the biweekly paycheck that my job provided, I also knew that I made this journey to Phoenix so I could explore new opportunities. So on Halloween, I ended my tenure with the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia and officially began my venture as The ExperTease full-time.

Listen to Alfred Nomad & Two Dots go back and forth on "Whatever You Do".

It perfectly describes all I was feeling at this time.

Was I ready to cut the cord? Absolutely not. Was the timing right? Only God knows. But what I can say for sure is that when you hear the calling, when you get the urge, when you feel the inspiration, you owe it to yourself to at least give it a shot.

I wish I could tell you it’s easy. It's not. In fact, this may be the hardest thing I've ever done in all my years. Yet, I've never felt more alive than I do right now as I share this story.

It's been a roller-coaster ride for sure. Despite my efforts to put myself in the best possible position, things don't always work out the way you hope. But with persistence, they typically work out.

Immediately after leaving my job, I sat in disbelief as I watched two real estate deals disintegrate right before my eyes. On top of that, my marketing client flaked on his agreement instantly leaving me with no cash flow heading into the holiday season.

What was supposed to be a time of joyous celebration was overshadowed by feelings of disappointment, frustration, and sadness. On a whim, I bought a ticket to return to Atlanta, the most familiar place I knew, so I could regroup and strategize with the folks who knew me the best.

By the time I was on the plane returning to Phoenix, I still didn't have the answers to my problems; but I left feeling recharged and reassured about the decisions I made. I was clear on what I wanted from the year ahead.

I guess you could say I had 20/20 vision.

Which leads us to now… May 15, 2020. We're 5 months into the year. Isn't that crazy!?

There's not a person alive who could have predicted all that transpired in a few short months. We lost a legend in January (RIP Kobe), the president was nearly impeached in February, and the world is slowly reopening since being on a standstill since March. 

Yet in the midst of all that I've managed to complete an intense real estate training course (BOLD), get into the best shape of my life, launch a podcast, compete in a poetry slam, celebrate my birthday in a unique fashion, and I'm currently helping a young family purchase their first home.

That's a lot, I know. And as crazy as all that sounds, it's crazier to note that we’re not even halfway through the year.

It may be hard to believe considering all that’s going on, but we still have so much time left to do what we need to do in 2020. 

When it’s all said and done, what will you be able to say you’ve accomplished?

What a difference a year makes.