Jack of All Trades… Master of None???

Last night, my boyfriend and I were discussing life in general and our goals for the future. As is common with many young people, we both feel somewhat confused about our calling in life; our higher purpose. We both have many talents and varied interests. And we both struggle with the feeling that although we are both good at many things, neither of us has found an area in which we feel we are exceptional or the best. For whatever reason, to be a jack of all trades but a master of none seems much less appealing than possessing just one thing that we excel in above and beyond the rest of the crowd. I feel like individuals that are good at many things can often live their lives undetected. Yet individuals, who are exceptional at just one thing, tend to receive recognition for that one thing, and are able to capitalize on it.

I want to be exceptional! I want to be able to capitalize on a skill or talent and really stand out in the crowd.

So to address this, I have come up with a few things I need to consider and some important decisions to make. First, I need to edit the various components of my life. If my focus is spread on to too many things, then I’ll never be a master of anything. Currently, some of my interests/focuses include my job, my relationship, modeling, physical fitness, blogging, my friendships and social life, my family, yoga, dancing, drinking, shopping, and traveling. Now, I don’t necessarily think that any of these elements of my life need to be removed entirely. But I could certainly pull back from certain interests to truly sharpen my focus on others. I believe that I will need to decide on just one or two to make my supreme focus. Maybe I’m okay with just being just an occasional blogger, or a sporadic yoga doer. Maybe I don’t need to be the crux of my social circle. Clearly, I can’t be the best at everything. But maybe if I can take a step back, and make a definitive commitment to truly focus on becoming as good as I possibly can at just one thing, in just one area; then I will be able to really stand out above the competition, make my mark, and get noticed.

Lady Rizo

I had an amazing time last Friday night. I had nothing planned except to go out with a group of my usual friends. But then, our friend Brad told us that he was going to surprise us by taking us out somewhere new. We we’re given no details of our plans for the evening. After meeting up at my apartment and sharing a few bottles of champagne, we made our way to Joe’s Pub. Unlike its name, Joe’s Pub was anything but ordinary. It’s a dark, chic, intimate lounge with tables and couches gathered around a hefty stage. After settling at a table just to the left of the stage, Brad informed us that we were there to see the remarkably fabulous Lady Rizo perform. Lady WHO??? Of course, we had never heard of Lady Rizo before… But let me tell you, her performance was nothing short of extraordinary!

Lady Rizo is this amazing comedian/vocalist, with stylishly over-the-top ensembles and the biggest fake lashes I’ve ever seen (which is saying a lot!)! She was sort of a Barbara Streisand meets Kathy Griffin meets Lady Gaga! Throughout her performance, she would change outfits every few numbers (Of course, any true diva would!) The best part is that each time, she asked an audience member to come up on stage and help her change behind the changing partition. The lights would dim, with a spotlight on the curtain so that all the audience could see is the shadows of Rizo and the chosen audience member. As she changed in the dark, she would ask the audience member several questions to keep the momentum of the show alive. Guess who she chose to pull up on stage!?!? Of course, non-other than yours truly! Then in front of a crowded audience of strangers she asked me a number of embarrassing questions, including several about how I lost my virginity! On the bright side, for being such a good sport, she gave me free tickets to come see her next show and invited me and my posse to attend her after-party. Miss Rizo and her entourage were quite an entertaining group of people. I have to say that Friday night was one of the best, most fun nights out I’ve had in New York City. Definitely if you have the opportunity, you must go see Lady Rizo perform! You can check her out at www.ladyrizoandtheassettes.com/ or find her on facebook- just search “Lady Rizo”.

Blahnik + Louboutin + Choo

One of my best girlfriends just phoned me tonight to ask me my advice on a recent purchase she just made. I’ll keep her identity anonymous as I gave her my word that I would not tell her husband how much she’d just spent on a pair of shoes. Puh-lease, like I could EVER even think of doing such a thing! To snitch would be a violation of the rules of feminism! LOL!

Anyways, she told me that she’d just spent $600 on a pair of Manolo Blahniks and needed some reassurance that she’d made the right decision. I can’t say that I’ve ever had the opportunity to rock a pair of fabulous, high-end, designer stilettos- so I can’t comment on their quality, comfort, etc. But, what I did say is that I can totally relate to her decision to “invest” in the perfect pair of shoes. A great pair of shoes (or a great handbag) to a woman, is like a great suit for a guy. It’s an investment piece. It can help land you a job, or even a date! People notice them, and to a true fashionista the distinction between ordinary and designer is clear as day- and totally worth it! (Although, if it were me, I would totally splurge on a pair of Christian Louboutins or Jimmy Choos long before I’d buy a pair of Blahniks!) Perhaps the best piece of advice I can offer is that if you’re trying to justify spending way too much money on a pair of designer shoes, the perfect person to call is your gay, shop-a-holic, best friend!

Lost & Found

I have some pretty exciting things going on in my life right now! Just last week, I began my new job with Saks Fifth Avenue. It’s completely invigorating to be working in a new environment, meeting new people and learning new skills. I’m confident that I will shine in my new role and continue to encounter new and exciting opportunities in my career. I’m also very excited about my new(ish) relationship; I’m truly happy and things seem to be off to a great start!

Then yesterday, it hit me.

I realized that I’ve been so focused on my new job and my new relationship that I haven’t been making much time for myself. Although I’m a very social person and tend to live a very fast-paced lifestyle, I generally take time (at least several minutes every day), to somehow focus on personal reflection and awareness. I do this by blogging, meditating, doing yoga, reflecting on my goals, or reading and doing research... by myself. I know that these aspects of my life are central to making me who I am; yet, sometimes when my life becomes so full of activity, I lose focus.

I know that I possess a deep, insightful, passionate and spiritual essence about me. But it is deep within me, hidden behind all the barriers, waiting for me to recognize it. I can choose to be aware of it or to ignore it. I think it can be so easy to just go through the motions each day without taking any time to relax or reflect and realize what’s going on within. For me, taking time to explore myself is also a means to developing a more expansive way of seeing the world around me.

Needless to say, the fast-pace of my life over the past few weeks and the focus of all my attention towards my job and my relationship has left me feeling a bit lost. Now that I recognize this, I can concentrate on getting back on track. Given all the newness in my life, I probably need to reconsider my goals and re-examine my focus anyway. I’m so grateful to have a new exciting job and wonderful boyfriend. But, I need to reclaim some of my time and energy for ME. I don’t think this is selfish. In fact, I think that by making personal time a priority again, I will ultimately be able to become a better employee and a better boyfriend. I think it’s all a matter of balance.