Imagine not having to worry about bills, drama, racism, sexism, or any of life’s negatives.

Wouldn’t that be a great day?

Unfortunately that isn’t the world we live in.

The reality is there is everything to lose when it comes to stress, anxiety, and feeling not enough.

In short, the way to that is through forgiveness.

Forgiveness of self, the past, others, and even those who spread negativity.

It won’t be easy either but think about this, does all of that really lend itself to getting you to your goals?

We spend so much time focused on the past, what could have been, and even what should be without realizing that it’s draining our energy and lowering our effectiveness to create good.

In the process we lose our humanity chasing false hopes that we’ll gain some sort of status or wealth that’ll solve all of our problems.

Only to hit the wall of disappointment and despair each time life knocks us off our “game”, without realizing that what truly matters is who we consistently are.

That’s where forgiveness comes in.

When we’re able to let go of everything that isn’t going to uplift, inspire, and help us grow, we gain the necessary clarity and momentum to move forward and upward.

Like most things, it’s a choice to either carry unnecessary burdens or lose them all and immerse yourself in your creative awesome.

Which will it be?

The post Everything to Lose appeared first on David Yarde.

Sometimes you have to remind yourself to do what you can, with what you have.

Otherwise you’ll end up waiting for things to be perfect and end up bitter in the end because you never tried.

This includes loving deeply.

It shouldn’t have to take a tragedy, near death experience, or losing a loved one to prompt us to slow down and truly care.

Time is too short to keep wasting your gift.

The one gift we’ve all been given is love.

So use it deeply.

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You can blame others or take responsibility for yourself.

One path leads to prosperity.

The other leads to a place that only gives sorrow.

It’s easy to play the victim.

But how often do your choices lead to your own demise?

We all have obstacles, disadvantages, and disappointments that happen in our lives.

It’s what we choose to do during and after that defines you and I.

Greatness can’t be achieved through shortcuts or name dropping.

It can only be achieved by consistently showing up and applying yourself.

Goals are just dreams in action.

That is if you’re intentionally taking the steps forward to meet them.

Otherwise you’ll just be wasting your time.

Hoping that someone will come along and give you the hookup.

It doesn’t make any sense claiming that you’re passion about something.

Then show up only when you feel like it.

That’s not how passion works.

Furthermore, that’s not how progress works either.

It’s on you to put in the work.

It’s on you to show up.

Even on the days you don’t feel like it.

Unlike the many resources and things you can get back, once time is gone, it’s gone.

No do overs.

This is why it’s key to keep doing you.

To keep focusing on being better.

To not allow yourself to get complacent.

That’s all on you.

The sooner you stop blaming others, the sooner you’ll find the clarity needed to move forward.

People suck sometimes.

Yet that doesn’t mean you should stop creating more good.

If anything, that simply means you should push yourself to create even more.

But, again…it’s on you.

The post It’s On You appeared first on David Yarde.

If only we could catch our dreams in a bottle and observe them.

The things we’d learn just from watching our mental outtakes.

But given that we don’t yet exist in such a timeline, it’s better that we settle for the next best thing.

Dreaming and collaborating with others.

It’s super awesome when paired with humility and passion around a greater purpose.

There’s power to collaborating with others.

New insights can be gained.

New relationships can be forged.

And new possibilities will emerge.

Given that we have a limited time on this Earth, why waste it trying to do everything on your own?

Your weaknesses aren’t there to hold you back.

They’re there to push you to find those that compliment those weaknesses.

Collaborate and you’ll find more room to grow.
Compete and you’ll eventually get left in the street.

Stop saying I’m TRYING to become successful.

Start saying I’m TRAINING to become successful.

And what does someone that is training to become successful need?

A training team.

People to cheer them on.

People to guide and call them out to be better.

None of which can happen in a bubble or the comfort zone.

When you dream big and find those willing to join in on the journey, life begins to take on a whole new meaning.

But if you opt to stay in the comfort zone, you’ll never get to where you want to be.

Own your experiences.

Share them with the world and create good.

It’s time to do more than just dream big.

The post When We Dream appeared first on David Yarde.

With the constant stream of bad news, disappointments and other crazy or weird moments life tends to bring, it’s important to have things that balance it out.

Sometimes the obvious answer is the one we avoid. Simply, because we like to constantly stick to the comfort zone and avoid the challenge of growth. What we choose to do, spend time on, spend money on ends up being a story of what our priorities are own.

If we only care when things go wrong, who are we truly when everything is going right?

It isn’t always the person with the title

In every organization that is successful, there is order and communication. Without these two elements, an organization will eventually stagnate and die.

A lack of leadership is the fastest way an organization will spiral out of control. When everyone is focused on dodging responsibilities, no matter how great the idea is, things will quickly become barren and broken.

Furthermore, a lack of empathy, especially in business is a sure fire way of grounding any success you might have had.

Leaders aren’t always the ones with the titles but are more likely to be the ones that are focused on empowering and helping others on their journey.

Long story short. You don’t need a title to be a positive influence.

Things matter

The things we do, the choices we make, the company we keep. These things matter.

Yet, for some reason, we focus on the wrong things. Like, what someone is wearing, their skin color, religion, or food preferences. These things lend very little value to how we should be treating each other. That is, with respect for their humanity.

Creating good isn’t just about showing up just to be seen doing good but to actually do good. To stick it out when things aren’t glamorous and exciting. To be present when those we’ve promised to help need us.

Time doesn’t equal money

Time is far more valuable than any currency on this earth will be.  The sooner you realize that. The sooner you’ll take advantage of this precious gift. Otherwise, you may end up stuck trying to figure out how to “monetize” your time, only to realize that you don’t have enough of it to monetize the way you’d like.

Seek to be about that value life. The one where those around you are left in a better position after each interaction.

Don’t be afraid to fail either. It’s in the moments where we stumble and sometimes fall that the most valuable lessons appear. Instead of giving up in the face of adversity, use that time to instead create the good in your world.

“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered you will never grow.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

Stop waiting on the perfect moment for there truly is no such thing. Create good. Be good.

Aim always upward!

The post Relentlessly Pursue the Creation of Good appeared first on David Yarde.

One of the things I love about branding and creative strategy is the ability to take a look at the micro and macro levels of a brand, spot the problems and provide a solution.

No two days or clients are ever alike but I love it.

What most don’t realize is that personal branding is all about relationships. It’s a dance between a newly formed connection or interest that grows into something bigger or dies based on the delivery and experience of what was promised. This connection is even more fickle when it comes to our personal brand and the interpersonal relationships within this space.

But it’s the days when you feel drained that get you. When it seems as if common sense only exists as a mirage in this increasingly weird world.

With everything going on, it can be an often difficult task in finding that perfect moment. The moment when time slows down, when resources are on hand, when there are no interruptions to come our way. So instead of buckling down and working on our goals, we find ourselves procrastinating with the hope of “finding inspiration”.

We hand out excuses like, “I don’t have enough time”, or “I don’t have enough resources”, and my personal favorite, “It’s not ready yet”. Pushing ourselves further away from achieving something worthwhile. Before we know it, we’re asking ourselves why haven’t we done more with our existence? What is stopping me from being all that I can truly be?

How can one create more good when it seems completely pointless? This is the question I love answering the most. Or rather the process I love the most. The process of uncovering ones why and how to leverage it by being curious.

What is Your Why?

We’re at a point in the story of mankind where we have more distractions than ever before.

In the age of abundance of resources, we have little idea what to do with it. So instead of using our time in a constructive manner, we waste it with soaking up the lives of others.

Before you can tap into your flow state consistently, before your able to optimize your schedule or even create a to-do list, you have to understand why you’re doing any of these things. When you have a clear sense of purpose, you’re enabling yourself to focus on what matters the most.

So when obstacles present themselves, you’re more likely to push forward regardless. Life isn’t a sprint but a marathon to be endured, we aren’t racing against each other in this race, but against time itself.

What we choose to occupy our time with matters.

The power of choice

An often overlooked gift is the power of choice. It gives us a vast amount of leverage on the journey onward and upward.

Each day we choose whether we’ll love or if we’ll hate. We choose between being helpful or advancing or selfish intentions. Nothing rarely happens by accident. Whether it was a choice made recently or years ago, the universe has a unique way of bringing things together.

We can run from the voice of curiosity that calls us to be greater or we can embrace the waves of our own lives and move forward. Again, it comes down to the choices we make. In order to move forward and just be, we have to first forgive ourselves on a daily basis. Without this key step everything else is pointless because you can’t make progress carrying dead weight.

This is why it’s important to stay curious. Whether you want to be a better writer, photographer, brand strategist, or just simply a better friend, being curious plays a huge role in how relevant you are in the context of your interpersonal relationships.

Forgiving yourself

Forgiving yourself allows you to come to terms with all the things you may blame yourself for both consciously and unconsciously. What you think of yourself tends to manifest in the level of effort you put out in your work and appears in how we go about treating others.

Just as it is important to feed your body wholesome food, it’s equally important to feed your mind and soul wholesome things as well. As the popular saying goes, “Garbage in, Garbage out”. Forgiveness requires us to think differently and deploy grace not only to ourselves but also to others. Everyone has their own set of dreams, problems and preferences. When we think differently and forgive ourselves, we treat others differently as well.

Forgiveness also allows us to be humble. Without humility and true understanding of who we are. Things will get messy. You’ll lose support you thought you had and most likely will be avoided as if there is a stink about your brand.

Forgive yourself for the past and don’t let it get in the way of who you can be.

Upward!

The journey upwards isn’t easy. And frankly, it shouldn’t be. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. Think about anything that you received without much effort. How quickly did it take you to forget? Chances are you can’t even remember half of the things that fit in this category.

The things that challenge our creativity and critical thinking are the things that allow us to grow. The things that grant us the wisdom and understanding needed to truly be great.

Be curious. Be humble. And never stop aiming always upward.

The post Be Curious. Be Humble. appeared first on David Yarde.

It’s hard to not look back and see the many plot twists 2017 threw my way. Each one a little more painful than the one before.

So here I am. In my own state of reflection. Yet, despite a year filled with more twists and turns than a rollercoaster. I can’t help but feel truly grateful. Not only for life but also for the many experiences that unlocked even great creative possibilities.

My theme for 2017 was “The Diplomat”. A theme that in hindsight was well used. Never before have I had to push through so many uncomfortable situations and be the adult even though I was the youngest there.

The Lessons

In the process of a year that taught me that it’s okay to say no and stand up for myself more, I learned a few other things.

• If you don’t care for yourself or believe in yourself, chances are others won’t either. It’s easy to think that we’re entitled to the attention of others. Thing is this, life owes us nothing BUT will give you everything if you’re humble and provide value each step of the way. Many of us will never be great. Simply because we’re too busy fighting against ourselves and our talents.
• Stop trying to please everyone. Some people are simply impossible to please. The more you live your life for others is the less you’ll truly be living. Everyone has advice they’d love to give but very few are willing to help you understand how to implement it. Believe in yourself and put in the work to create that good you keep seeing in those visions. The rest WILL follow. Stop trying to live your life by someone else’s North Star. What’s right for them may be completely wrong for your growth.
• Stop taking advice from people who aren’t working on their dreams or are giving things a half-hearted effort. Here’s the thing about bubblegum advice. Much like actual bubblegum, it’ll eventually lose flavor. Think carefully on what you choose to chew on. Not everyone who gives advice is worth taking advice from. Know your worth, stand behind your dreams, and go all in with passion and purpose. Stop worrying about the opinions of people who haven’t put in the work towards their dreams. Find what makes you zing. Put the time in now to find out what you’re good at. Then go all in on that thing. Stop falling in the love with the thought of being motivated. Embrace the opportunities that each an every moment gives you to work on that thing. Your thing.
• Real always recognizes real. Real always recognizes real. Doesn’t matter where.  So stop faking it and just be you. The real, empathy practicing, self awareness having, you. Stay true to what’s noble and you. An eagle can fly at heights crows can’t reach. Don’t worry about the crows aka the doubters. To insure your success, put in the work. Keep things real with yourself and you’ll be able to keep things real with others. Stop doubting yourself. Stop seeking permission to be. Go out and create the good the world needs to feel. If only you could see the impact you have on the world each time you create more good, you’d spend less time worrying about what you can’t do.
• The things we often fear, may be smaller than we think. Stop giving room to fear and procrastination. The more you do is the more you’ll end up regretting in the end. Sure, it may seem scary now but give it time. Roll up those sleeves and get the dirt of experience underneath your fingers. Stop living a life you know you’ll regret later if you keep procrastinating now. Don’t be afraid to fail. It’s a part of the process. It’s what gives you the perspective you truly need to win. The less you focus on the can’t and more on what could be is the more momentum you put behind yourself. The more momentum you have from going all in on what you’re good at is the more likely you’ll end up lucky.
• Give value. Give more value. Give even more value. Give a ton of value. Bury them with value.  Flood them with value. See a pattern? That’s how you win. Giving value gives you massive leverage because it connects on an emotional level. When your personal brand is about that providing value life, people will take notice and join in on the journey of all you have to offer.
• Go all in on you. Time is too short to really care about the opinions of others. When you have the power to create good but choose to hide behind excuses you’re no better than those out in these streets doing evil. Invest in being better than you were. Take the time to focus in on your strengths. You’ll be glad you did. Some dream of greatness while others stay awake to live it. Which will you be? How will you ever know what you’re truly good at and what you’re passionate about, if you never leave the comfort zone?

I can probably go on for days with this post. Listing in excruciating detail every up and down experienced. At the end of things, all I can say to 2017 is, really?! and move on.

As I go into 2018 I’m weirdly optimistic and excited. I’ve been blessed with an amazing family, community, and set of skills. Instead of focusing on what didn’t happen, I’m choosing to embrace both the good and bad of 2017 and use that as momentum towards achieving massive success in the upcoming year!

So I guess my theme for 2018 is Creative Intensity. We’ll see where this theme goes!

May you have a blessed and super amazing 2018 and thanks for the support over the past year!

The post 2017: Really? appeared first on David Yarde.

So what is The Longest Yarde? Well in short, The Longest Yarde is all about getting things across the finish line and leveling up without losing yourself in the process. Leveling up and getting things across the finish line isn’t easy. When it comes to most projects, the last 10% is often the toughest to get through.

Each week I aim to interview one individual, utilizing their creative power to create more good. This year has taught me quite a bit. The most important thing is to stop asking what if when it comes to creating good and aiming always upward.

In this interview, we’re talking with Jeremy Wenger of Legacy Driven Life where he shares how the power of forgiveness can allow for better brand cultures, creativity, entrepreneurs, and just better people in general.

Tune in weekly as we chat with creatives and entrepreneurs from all walks of life that have had to battle the last 10% of an idea to make it a reality.

The post EP. 1 – The Longest Yarde w/Guest Jeremy Wenger appeared first on David Yarde.

If you’re an entrepreneur or creative, going against the grain is something that you’re used to. It’s why you get up each day. It’s why you pursue that vision of a better tomorrow, that often only you can see.

Yet, there are those days that stand out from the rest.

The days when you wonder how it is you’re functioning, after not getting enough sleep the night before. The days when the technology required to do your job keeps crashing, and you somehow find a way to keep going. The days when for some reason, staying focused is a little bit harder than usual. The days when it feels like there’s an extra weight on your shoulders and you’re not quite sure how it got there.

And, if you’re a parent; the days when it feels as if your tiny human is a special kind of crazy.

No matter how much we plan, no matter how much we breath, there are those days when life is testing you. Luckily there are a few ways in which you can turn that frown upside down so to speak.

1. Brood if you have to.

Before we do that, we first have to embrace that mood. Brood or brooding as defined by Merriam-Webster, is to moodily or sullenly thoughtful or serious. In other words, to deeply think or focus on a serious thought or feeling.

Now this sounds counterintuitive but there is only one way to solve a problem. That is to first acknowledge that there is a problem. In the Biblical story, David didn’t defeat Goliath by ignoring his existence.

So instead of tip-toeing around the problem, tackle it head on. When we do the difficult work. The one that involves having honest conversations with ourselves. We’re more likely to be honest with others.

Now, it’s important to note that this isn’t about blaming yourself. The key is to see what you can do in a different manner and commit to changing it the next time around.

Take it as an opportunity to learn from your bad days to prevent future ones. Learn what your triggers are and pay attention to when bad moments pile up. Is there something bigger going on that you should address?

2. Sit down. Be Grateful.

Create a list of at least two things that you’re grateful for. Consider saying them out loud or writing them down. No matter how small, this simple action can help you gain some perspective.

Take this opportunity to also write about your thoughts, goals, and feelings.

Do more thinking around the things that you’re grateful and hopeful for. Instead of thinking about you being victim of your circumstances.

You’ll soon find the list of things to be grateful for in your life will dwarf whatever is ruining your day. Giving you the opportunity to move on with your life.

3. Laugh at the obstacles

Even if you have to work at it, laughter is the best medicine to cure any obstacle that threatens to wreck your mood. If you’re looking for a shortcut to feeling better, find something to laugh at.

Mayo Clinic noted that laughter does more than boosting our mood. Laughing also plays a part in relieve stress and reducing pain.

By making the intentional choice of greeting problems we set ourselves up to win.

4. Change the flow

Take a few moments to close your eyes and practice breathing deep. Practice inhaling through your nose. Breathe in for four-seconds. Pausing for two seconds, then exhaling for another four seconds.

This will help in quieting down your stress response. While allowing yourself to regain your internal balance.

If you can get outside, head for the nearest place of natural beauty you can find. The journal Landscape and Urban Planning published a study back in 2015. That by taking a 50-minute walk in nature, you can decrease anxiety and negative emotions.

Being stuck inside all day without direct exposure from the sun can actually make a bad day worse. A change of scenery often helps signal to your brain that the current doesn’t need to carry on.

5. Learn to forgive yourself

The ability to forgive ourselves for mistakes is critical to psychological well-being. This includes mistakes both large and small.

Remember, life is a mixture of ups and downs. Yet, what’s important is how we choose to respond to each experience. Stop being so hard on yourself, life is hard enough.

If it’s a project you’re working on, cut yourself some slack while you’re on a new learning curve. Realize that you’re going to make mistakes. We all do. Even professionals are subject to making mistakes.

The way we respond depends on the skills we have. The frame of mind we’re in, and how we perceive the experience at that moment.

It may be a matter that we didn’t have as much objectivity, or acted out of fight or flight mode. It may be that we’ve let stress build up, which often puts us at a higher risk of responding in a less than stellar manner.

Whatever the reason, cut yourself a break. If you did the best you could at the time and if you learn from it, then it wasn’t in vain.

Above all, don’t stop creating more good and aiming always upward, the world needs the good you bring to the table. Don’t let something that may not be important in a few years, distract you from doing that.

The post 5 Obvious Ways of Improving a Bad Mood appeared first on David Yarde.