The Queen at CreativeLive with Jasmine Star
It almost didn’t happen. It was Wednesday afternoon March 16th, just two days before the video entries were due and I was filled with doubt and fear. What if I don’t get chosen? What if no one understands my video? What if I run out of time? What if no one likes me? What if I make a fool of myself? Does this sound familiar? We are all filled with self doubt and fear and I am fairly confident I am not the only person that hasn’t done something because of fear of rejection.
Something big happened to me at WPPI this year while sitting at Kevin Kubota’s platform class. He was speaking about fear and how it is not only a good thing, but something that should be sought out. Kevin’s point was that if you constantly scare yourself you will grow as a person and gain self confidence. His point resonated with me, but really sunk in when he asked for volunteers to come on stage in front of his large audience to attempt a mystery challenge (the only hints were the jar of peanut butter, towel, and jug of milk) I sprinted up on stage and my heart was absolutely pounding in my chest. Another girl was also selected and we were brought over to the “challenge table.” Had I just made the worst decision of my life? What was I about to do? He asked me to flip over the card on the table and complete the task. My hands were trembling when I flipped the card and began reading the directions. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The card read “Congratulations you have just won $1000 in prizes.” I turned to Kevin in disbelief and weakly asked “Are you serious.” As he began to nod I gave out a embarrassing yelp of excitement and gave him a huge bear hug. This was the easiest prize I had ever won, sure it took a risk of the unknown, but it felt so great to truly go for it.
While I sat at my desk on the Wednesday evening back in March contemplating if I should make the video, I reminded myself of WPPI and the lessons I learned from Kevin. I sat down and started writing the script to my video entry. 24 hours later, while I put the finishing touches on my video, I came to realize I didn’t care if I won (obviously it would be an awesome experience, but I had grown a lot in those 24 hours simply when I decided to just go for it). When I heard from Jasmine and CreativeLive the following Monday morning, I was excited and thrilled, but honestly I was more proud a few days earlier when I had overcome my self doubt, my fear, and my embarrassment and simply submitted my entry.
I have determined 2011 is the year to think of the upside and just go for it! No holding back as great things happen when you actually put yourself out there and chase your dreams!! So while I am new to this field and can provide little expertise, I emphatically encourage any readers out there to do the same. When you are filled with fear, take the leap, you have no idea what is on the other side of the “Challenge table” card, but it makes things exciting and makes us grow. Honestly what really is the downside? What if I hadn’t won the $1000 in prizes and had to eat a jug of peanut butter, it would still be a great story. What if I hadn’t won a spot to the CreativeLive seminar with Jasmine after submitting my entry? I still could have watched from home. Where else in our world is there such a lack of balance between potential risk and upside?
We live in such an amazing country, the risks and downsides to our actions are rarely if ever as catastrophic as we anticipate. What is the worst that can happen? If they go horribly wrong you will grow and learn from them, and just maybe you will win the $1000 in prizes, or have the weekend of your life with Jasmine Star, JD and the JStar Jets. Go out there and make it happen, and if things go horribly wrong let me know, we can have a good laugh over it and move on:)
Talk about gorgeous bookends
So glad you took the leap! Proof positive the free fall is always worth it, no matter the landing! Enjoyed the classes from home – was a great weekend – sounds like you all had a blast! Thanks for sharing!
April 11, 2011 at 2:10 pm
thank you Bridget,
it was a great weekend, but the best part is all of these great people I am meeting as a result. As Jasmine says no reason we have to be so protective and secluded. Thank you so much for checking out the post and go out there and try something that scares you. It will only make you stronger
April 12, 2011 at 7:31 pm
Anthony this is awesome! I was at Kevin’s workshop in Vegas when you won!! You are having a lucky year
Buy a lottery ticket!
I know exactly how you feel!
Thanks for the inspiration to push past my fear!
April 11, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Hey Justine! Thank you so much for sharing. Yeah it has been a really good start to the year. But honestly it has all been because I have just gone for it. I know if you put yourself out there you will start feeling the love too. Thanks again for checking out the post:)
April 12, 2011 at 7:29 pm
AHAHAHAH. I literally LOL’ed just now.
I LOVE YA! I can’t wait to leap myself! 
“Bookends”.
That’s a tallll drink of water right thur’!
So glad you did take the leap Andrew….we were all meant to be together.
xoxoxo
Ashley
April 11, 2011 at 2:25 pm
Thanks for sharing, Anthony, the topic of fear speaks to all of us! Great reminder to just go for it… “Be uncomfortable” as J* would say, right!?!
April 11, 2011 at 2:25 pm
Definately! Go for it Andria only good things will happen. And if the worst happens you will grow from it. Thanks so much for checking in!
April 12, 2011 at 7:27 pm
Thank GOD you took the leap. That we all did. Or else I would have still have gaping holes in my heart waiting to be filled. I walked away from this stronger because I am now wielding the power of the Wolf Pack/J*Jets. Long live the Queen!! XO
April 11, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Erin,
oh how my weekend would have been different if you hadn’t made your video. It certainly wouldn’t have been nearly as exciting, thrilling, crazy, entertaining. Im glad you went for it. Cant wait to see you again
April 12, 2011 at 7:24 pm
I’m so excited for you and your new friends! It was awesome watching J* online and I can only imagine what being there was like. You have ALL given me the courage to dream big, thanks! And good luck with everything from here on out:)
April 11, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Go for it!!! It will work out when you put your energy into something you love. Thank you for reading the post. I wish you all the best!
April 12, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Boy did you ever hit that nail on the head!!! Fear holds many of us back….. I watched the entire wknd you guys were there (and felt like I was there myself).
What an extraordinary opportunity!!! You’re also a great writer, I really enjoyed this post…
Cheers,
Kari
April 11, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Sorry if you receive this twice.. (the first was my friend’s login)..
I watched the entire weekend while you guys were at CreativeLive!!! What an opportunity! You are so right about fear holding us back. I want to do a video for the Lightenupandshoot weekend at CreativeLive in July and am currently in the same fear-ridden shoes.
You knew a ton about video while at the Space Needle!!! You write very well also, really enjoyed this post!!
Cheers,
Kari
April 11, 2011 at 2:56 pm
Kari,
Thanks again for the comment. It means a lot to me and keeps me going. How great is CreativeLive. I am so appreciative of what they are doing there and it was an absolute blast to finally go for something! You can do it too and great things will come your way. Thank again Kari
April 12, 2011 at 7:22 pm
it was great to see you on CL w/Jasmine!! Keep up the great work, and energy!!
Craig
April 11, 2011 at 3:54 pm
Thanks so much Craig. She was so much fun to be around. I hope you were able to take some great tips from the weekend and put them to good use. Thanks again for checking in
April 12, 2011 at 7:20 pm
I love this post!!! I feel like WPPI, Justin + Mary, and Jasmine’s workshop have all just been the perfect catalyst I have needed to flip over the “Challenge Card”. You are so right. The absolute worst that can happen is I try and fail miserably and laugh about it later. But I truly know now that I won’t always regret leaving the corporate world, but I will always regret if I don’t make the big step off the cliff into the unknown. Okay that was dramatic, but you get the point. By the way, Miss Goodwin is totally photo-bombing your picture HAHA
April 11, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Hahaha photo-bombing the shit out of it hahah. This is the year Ashley. We just have to go for it and good things are going to happen. It has been an amazing start and we need to keep pushing forward. What is your next step?
April 12, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Hey Anthony! I just found your blog after watching CL this weekend and I’m so excited to keep up with your journey! I wish you the best of luck!
April 12, 2011 at 9:14 am
what an inspiring post!
April 12, 2011 at 10:53 am
Thank you so much, Jasmine is certainly an inspiring person. Don’t sit back, take your dreams and goals to the next level.
April 12, 2011 at 7:18 pm
ANTHONY! I thought you were SO ridiculously cool! You made the experience that much more awesome. I am so glad you took a risk. Super glad to be your twitter friend and now your blog friend as well! What a great day! Love, Becky
April 12, 2011 at 1:57 pm
Thank you so much Becky, I really appreciate the support. It was certainly the experience of a lifetime and made me really learn to go for it. I hope you are able to learn from what Jasmine said and use it to push your business and life in the direction you want to go. Thanks again for checking in!
April 12, 2011 at 7:17 pm
Pingback: J*: Educator, Motivator, Tear Jerker, Peek-A-Booer « Anthony Quesada..Photographer..Filmmaker..Fun Seeker