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Dear LaTosha Love, I’ m a full-time teacher and independent artist / singer / songwriter. After years of desiring to create music, I just completed my first music project. I’ m excited about my project and I want to quit my job and work full-time on my music. However, I have school-aged children and my income is critical to the family. My question is should I step out of faith and finally pursue my life’ s dream or should I stay on my job for financial security? ~ Signed, Ready to Advance
Dear Ready to Advance, I think the greatest gift God gave human beings is the power of choice. However, with all choices there are attached consequences. I don’ t think there is a right or wrong choice— just different
consequences related to each choice. There are countless stories of successful artists taking the“ faith plunge " by quitting their job to pursue the dream. For example, Tyler Perry, Jim Carrey and singer Kem all became homeless in pursuit of their dream. However, there are countless stories of people like billionaires Sara Blakely( Spanx founder) and Oprah Winfrey that both maintained day jobs while simultaneously pursuing their dreams--that is also a faith move. Sara Blakely kept her job as a fax machine salesman and used her lunch breaks and weekends off to build her client base and business).
It’ s not a zero sum game and it may not be an either / or strategy. Perhaps it a mixture of both. Your situation is a very common dilemma that we as artists face in the pursuit our dream. I don’ t think it’ s an easy answer, nor onesize-fits-all answer for anyone. It ' s boils down to what CHOICE will be right for YOU! Only you know that answer. However, what I know for sure is that either choice can ADVANCE your dream if you create an appropriate plan that takes in account what I call the three BIG“ C’ s.” ~ Consequences( impact on you and your family) ~ Commitment( work required) and the realistic amount of time ~ Currency( budget) amount needed to be generated during each stage In A Pink Nutshell: " You can passionately pursue your DREAM no matter what choice you make; the key is in proper planning!"
Please send questions and inquires to LaTosha Love at mailto: AskTosha @ ResponsibleARTistry. com. Twitter: @ MsLaToshaBrown Facebook: LaTosha Love Brown About LaTosha Love: LaTosha Brown is an independent singer, songwriter, author and social activist committed to spreading love around the world through music. www. LaToshaLove. com
The mission of Sporty Girls is to cultivate, enrich and challenge young women to participate in non-traditional sports, while developing and fostering lifestyle skills.
In 2006, local radio personality Rashan Ali founded Sporty Girls Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia to provide young minority girls the opportunity to participate in non traditional sports – those not traditionally offered in metro
Atlanta public schools. A life-long competitive swimmer and recipient of a four-year swimming scholarship at Florida A & M University, Rashan knew that one day she would want that same opportunity for other girls like her. Not only did she want young girls to swim, but also learn to play, soccer, golf and tennis. Through Sporty Girls she has been afforded the opportunity to introduce young minority girls to an unconventional way to participate in non-traditional sports. Since 2007, Sporty Girls, Inc. has served over 65 girls from the metro Atlanta area. The benefits of participating in Sporty Girls program are numerous. SGI will expose the girls to sports not traditionally offered in metro-Atlanta public schools. On a very basic level, participants in Camp Elite will benefit physically by being active during the camp duration. Since each girl will also be eligible for a year-long scholarship, the likelihood for continued physical activity for each girl throughout the year is increased. It is our hope to decrease obesity among young girls and increase their knowledge in making healthier lifestyle decisions. For more information visit http:// sportygirlsinc. org /