Lessons from Tyler Perry

Doing my weekly drive-by of the mostly bad news, I was already sensing the dark clouds gathering as I read the 3^rd article about the murder of Joshua Brown.  Young&Black&Man. Another one. Gone.

LESSON: When you are feeling down or starting to, check out your consumption.  What are you watching, reading or listening to?  If it’s not bringing you up, SHIFT. Fast.

So I decided to hop on social media aiming for mindless distraction.  The first post I saw was Tyler Perry’s.  Fresh off hosting the grand opening of his new studio in Atlanta…the first black man to own a major studio.  Immediate heart swell and pride. Spirit lifted.  Mission accomplished!

I love the man and his story.  As I swiped through the pictures of the grand opening, I couldn’t help but reflect and consciously extract some lessons from his still unfolding life.

extractions from TP’s life…so far

• WE DON’T ALL HAVE TO USE THE SAME LADDER TO SUCCESS. One of the biggest things that most of us have to fight is comparison.  Comparing our journeys to someone else’s.  Attempting to imitate someone else and becoming frustrated when we don’t get the same results.  It’s great to be motivated and inspired by someone and their accomplishments but DO YOU.  Don’t be afraid to be different. Your climb maybe on a totally different ladder.  But it’s still leading you to the “top” if you…..
• DON’T STOP! Keep growing.  Keep learning.  Get BETTER. Take chances.  Create.  Be open to and SEEK new opportunities.  If a “failure”, let down or disappointment gut punches you, catch your breath, get back up and KEEP GOING.  (I literally have to remind myself of this all the time cause my rebound game needs work.)  If you can look back at every job, every business, every project and can see the growth in skill, gifting and a Divine thread of guidance through it all…you’re on the right track. It doesn’t matter if you are the only one invested in your success at first. Just…..
•  FOCUS ON DOING YOUR WORK AND NOT ON WHO DOESN’T SUPPORT IT. Transparent moment.  I actually ABHOR the term “haters”.  If someone is NON-constructively critical of your work or doesn’t support you, um….SO WHAT!  Their issues have nothing to do with you.  Even if it’s a person of influence who may seemingly have an impact on your upward mobility, just keep doing your work in excellence.  I truly believe that what God has for you, He will make sure you get it if you partner with Him and DO YOUR WORK.  No one can stop you but YOU.  And please, get your eyes off of the so-called haters.  Most likely, folks are LESS preoccupied with you than you think.  And let’s address this once and for all. No one HAS TO support you.  No one HAS TO help you accomplish your goals or vision.  No one is obligated to.  PERIOD.  I believe there are people divinely assigned to do so, but usually these people you don’t even see coming.  Just work with integrity and keep the entitled bitterness OUT.  Your tribe will come eventually.  
• MAKE YOUR OWN OPPORTUNITIES. There will be many who cannot see YOU doing a particular thing, until you do it.  If someone doesn’t want to let you in their door, build your own door.  Yeah, it’s a lot of responsibility.  It will be scary.  There will be many days you question whether you are equipped to do IT.  But taking the reins of our own lives and not letting anyone else determine whether we have “what it takes” is actually “what it takes”.  Current proof? Mr. Perry himself.