by Sue Perez | Featured Contributor
With days to go until 2020 everyone is getting their gift shopping done and attending those Holiday Parties. But as entrepreneurs we are planning. The activities we are doing now in December yields fruit 60 sometimes 90 days later. I have my schedule laid out for the next 4 weeks. I’m currently traveling with NBC Sports and providing makeup services for the on air talent on Sunday Night Football. It’s so exciting to watch football live, the roar of the crowd, the energy and excitement on the football field! I can feel it in my soul and it’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. But I’ve made some huge goals for 2020 and like many of us; it feels as though we are climbing upward, one reach overhead at a time, carefully and methodically moving forward.
Trust your confidence
I’m a successful television makeup artist but I always research every project. I read Bios, looks at images, ask questions, shop for anything I need and then at crunch time deliver first-rate work. Even though I obsess and over prepare for every shoot I have on occasion felt overwhelmed by those voices of self-doubt in my head. This is when I sit down alone and center myself. Having a clear vision of my plan, how I will execute whatever I am going to do next, having a successful outcome is a determination that I make. It’s a choice and that is what I prefer to entertain. At a holiday party recently an aspiring makeup artist who had missed an event of mine was finally introduced to me and she was beyond ecstatic to say the least. “Sue, I would love to work with you, I would carry your makeup kit or clean your makeup brushes!” she gushed. She’s fully aware that I published a book and won my Emmy award. She wants to do what I’m doing. Many of you have had experiences too where other people say how great and awesome you are. So how is it possible that even when we are experts in our field that we should harbor even a tiny shred of self doubt? It happens. But Trust in yourself and in your confidence.
Choose Joy
Something’s don’t go our way and how we respond to it is a choice. Sometimes I yell but most times I laugh. I’ve learned that when unexpected changes happen to pivot and allow myself this new venture into the unknown. Often a change creates a new opportunity, and usually one I wouldn’t have had without the mishap in the first place. It’s very interesting but the next time something goes against your plan, stay flexible and smile. Joy comes from life’s little surprises. It takes practice and it’s not easy, but gee it’s definitely a lot more fun! In my work I talk to all sorts of people, ages and with different backgrounds. I make sure to share something about myself, flash my sense of humor and keep the convo off any hot topics. You don’t need to go far to get into a debate these days about a variety of stories splashed in the media. But I like to laugh and prefer topics that are fun, inspiring or creative. Why discuss sad things, or dwell on bad news? It’s natural to have obstacles in life, loss and pain. When I have moments with people I want them to be fun and memorable for the right reasons.
Celebrate Life
So as we transition into another calendar year lets be joyful! I lost my mom this year, so it’s been very difficult without her. But I dream with her and see her as she was in her 30’s and 40’s. Vibrant and happy. I think about the best days I had with her and I made sure to have many. Celebrating the people I love and connecting with them is a reward I give myself. Watching them enjoy a meal I cooked for them, or enjoying a spa service as a treat, even opening a card or present I picked out for them and watching their excitement makes me feel so happy inside. I think I like giving gifts more than receiving them actually because I remember what people say they like. I try to celebrate little things too. Like when I reach a goal I made for myself, this year I’ve had some excellent career opportunities and I’ve been making progress in my other projects too. I list all the good things I’ve accomplished and I keep all the Thank You cards I’ve ever received. It’s in this massive photo album and it’s so wonderful to review them and read all those heartfelt messages! Letters from family members some are now deceased, many sentimental beautiful notes. Treasures that I am proud to still have. There were more challenging times in my life (a super long time ago) when I wanted to give up, but I sat down and read those cards and letters. I cried, they made me smile and reassured my faith in myself.
Pass the Prosecco
Now at the end of every year I write a letter to myself. As a business owner I look at the year in quarters, every three months. My letter outlines my successes and goals of course. It’s a very pretty shiny work of art that I place stickers all over and decorate. Not every goal is achieved and thats fine, I can assess what needs to be completed. It’s also filled with good wishes and loving affirmations. I’ve learned to become my biggest cheerleader. Another great way I stay focused is by carefully choosing who I surround myself. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but when people are constantly in the default position I avoid them like the flu. These individuals are so judgemental, secretive, pessimistic and complaining. Never truly happy for anyone else’s success because they are always comparing themselves to some unattainable goal. Truly miserable folk that suck the air out of the room. Maybe you know a few, I prefer to smile and move away from them. It takes practice, but it keeps me sane and emotionally healthy. I don’t need thousands of likes and followers to know how great I am. I am the star in my life without even being in a movie. Celebrating life, ourselves and the good things we create in other people’s lives are the greatest gifts of all.
Happy Holidays and have a Fantastic New Year!
Sue Perez the Dynamic Video Coach- is an Emmy Award winning television makeup artist with 3 decades of video production experience-both behind the scenes and in front of the camera. Some productions and shows include NBC4NY, New York Live TV, Open House, Sunday Night Football, HBO, The Doctor Oz Show and Law and Order SVU.
She created her own company Beautyphonics in 2014 to bring highly
skilled education to other beauty professionals and brands seeking her expertise. Her first book Beneath the Makeup-12 Lessons to Empower and Inspire You became available on Amazon in the spring of 2019.
Sue has been a beauty expert contributor on topics from wellness and beauty to makeup products for Dermstore, Oprah Magazine, and Fab Fit Fun and a featured contributor for SheOwnsIt.com a website that celebrates female entrepreneurship with monthly creative, uplifting and success driven content.
In March of 2020 she stepped into her business full time working with women entrepreneurs who needed personalized beauty sessions and consultations over teleconferencing and Zoom.
In October of 2020 she pivoted her brand and launched a 5- week program to answer a need in the marketplace for entrepreneurs who were seeking more direction with improving their image, content creation and brand messaging on video with Dynamic Video Blueprint.
Her interview for the apple podcast Field Guide to Awesome by business coach Trina Serrecchia is inspiring and she offers her views on mindset challenges, finding confidence and why she is so committed to helping women entrepreneurs to step into their power and unleash their brands on video.
Her most recent interview was for LATINAS on CUNY-TV, Sue talks about the importance of your image over Zoom and shares her best advice for making your presence memorable online.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MhNNLResyE&t=1040s
