If you’re constructing a house, you don’t start by putting in windows and doors before the foundation and frame of the building.

It’s easy to lose focus on the important things.

It’s even easier to get caught up in trying to please others.

However, both of these things will often take you farther from where you need to be.

The smart thing to do is to respect the process.

When you do, you’ll be able to be proactive and make progress.

When you don’t, things can get messy, quickly.

When you show up for yourself, it shouldn’t be in a haphazard way.

You are worth more than you’ve probably told yourself.

But that doesn’t mean you get to have an ego.

The process isn’t an obstacle, if anything it’s your friend.

So go ahead, disrespect the process and see what happens.

The post Go Ahead, Disrespect The Process appeared first on David Yarde.

To go after your dreams is a risk.

To NOT go after your goals is a risk.

But sometimes you have to risk it all for the invisible that you only can see.

Because the biggest risk of all is to live a life that causes you to look back with regret.

Without the leap of faith, you’ll never know what you truly could be.

So do yourself, the world, and your future a favor.

Take the leap of faith and embrace the risk.

What would your tomorrow look like if you started believing in your dreams and goals today?

The post Everything Is A Risk appeared first on David Yarde.

You’ll never have the perspective of where you’re going, if you never take the time to understand what you’ve survived so far.

It wasn’t until I was laid off from an ad agency on my birthday while going into my second year as a parent did this phrase make sense in a full clarity kind of way.

But here’s what else I learned:

You aren’t the title, you’re a person with a story to share, love to give, and value to pass on. Live as such.

It’ll be tempting to do otherwise but as long as you’re truly practicing self care and acknowledging why you carry the scars you do, things become easier to navigate.

You’ll still need to put in the work though.

Life is what you make it.

Sure there are things outside of your control but how you choose to respond is what speaks to your character.

Resilience isn’t built by sitting on the sidelines.

Life will demand everything you have and then some but it’s how you respond back within these moments that give you the strength to keep going.

Your Gut Knows What’s Up. Listen.

This should be pretty explanatory but just in case it isn’t, trust your instincts but be open to adventure.

Each experience simply builds upon the previous one based on the lesson we chose to take away.

It’s important to take note of this.

Every experience can yield a multitude of lessons that our brains store away for future reference.

Those “lessons” will be referenced in ways that can either prove to be a blessing or curse.

So train yourself to gather the right lessons.

Finally, surround yourself with people that’ll tell it like it is that have your best interest at heart.

Not everyone is a solid source of support.

Without these lessons, my transition into owning my own branding firm would have been a complete disaster.

The post Accept Your Origin Story appeared first on David Yarde.

We’re all weird.

There truly is nothing called normal.

Until context is really applied.

The beauty is in owning the awkward.

Owning the things that make you who you are.

It’s when you live fully by owning the awkward parts that life yields unto you the things that truly matter.

Set aside the plans of trying to be like someone else.

Instead simply aim to be the best version of yourself daily by aiming always upward.

Awkward bits and all!

The post Own The Awkward appeared first on David Yarde.

Moving pieces are everywhere.

Some organized. Some not.

Growth isn’t easy.

But nothing worthwhile ever is.

Because if it were easy, would you still enjoy the end result?

But what about the moments you stumble and get a few cuts. Those are the moments we’re never quite prepared for.

This is where having a strong support system will help you to keep things in the proper perspective.

Remember, it’s never really about quantity.

Yet it’s always about quality.

Followed by consistency.

Not just in showing up but also in how you show up when you do.

It’s about remembering where you’re coming from but not staying stuck in the thought of the past.

It’s about trusting the process and failing often.

Most importantly it’s about showing up and helping out. Genuinely.

Those on the outside will only see the tip of the iceberg.

That’s where they make their chess move calculations.

Remember, what you’re doing is inner work.

The deep, below the surface work.

Above all, it’s important to keep in mind that no one can really and truly replicate who you are.

On the flip side, aim to be more of an original than a reenactment.

Whatever you choose to do, focus on what you can do.

Growth was never meant to be easy but that doesn’t mean it should be chaotic either.

The post Growth Isn’t Supposed to be Easy appeared first on David Yarde.

The unknown is scary.

Until you realize that it’s just a remix of the past.

Yet very few take the chance.

Hopefully that isn’t you.

There’s a certain comfort in the unknown.

It beckons with a sweet mystery that can only be solved when pursued.

When paired with a focused curiosity, things become even more interesting and intense.

There are a few things that you must know before stepping into the unknown.

Some are more obvious than others.

But when applied, they tend to yield often unexpected blessings.

The first, stay true to you and you’ll be able to stay true with others.

It’s when you try to be a reenactment of others instead an original you, problems tend to arise.

This is where prevention beats cure each and every time.

The second is, don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions and follow the path empathy provides.

It’s easy to skate around the issues at hand and act as if everything is peachy.

However, it takes courage to be vulnerable.

Keep in mind vulnerability isn’t about sharing every little detail.

It’s about sharing what’s relevant and that which gives value in the process.

And last but least, show up… consistently..oh and help out.

Most importantly, while being authentic and genuine.

Things that should come naturally after following steps one and two.

The more you show up, the more others can establish a relationship with you.

Show up too often however and it may start to work against you.

Simple as they appear, there’s an art in pulling it all together.

But with a good foundation in place, you’ll find that the unknown becomes a little less scary.

You’ll find that the right people will surround you and the right things will fall into place.

That is if you’re aware that great things can’t be done alone.

In the end it really is up to you.

So what will you do?

The post Comfort In The Unknown appeared first on David Yarde.

Forced connections are awkward.

Especially when there isn’t any prior relationship to back things up.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to connect and network.

It’s even easier for you to take a moment and say hello.

Yet even with the best intentions things can still get a little messy.

The breakdown happens when we neglect one of the most important factors when attempting to build trust.

When we fail to let that connection occur naturally and organically.

Boundaries help us to move in harmony with the world around us.

Without harmony chaos will exist.

Just because you might not find a problem with being invasive into another person’s space doesn’t mean they’ll be on the same page.

First impressions are crucial.

Don’t mess things up by failing to take the time to properly connect.

Doing things just for the sake of numbers is pointless.

It ruins the ecosystem and takes away from the good within humanity.

Its like receiving unsolicited mail.

No one asked for it yet here we are.

The post Boundaries Are Important appeared first on David Yarde.

Times ticking.

Yet you’re probably still sitting and thinking.

To the point you’re procrastinating on doing the right thing.

So you watch another video, purchase another course, like another status.

All to feel busy but in reality aren’t getting you anywhere except on the expressway to regret.

It really doesn’t take much to make a difference.

Just show up and help out.

And be consistent while you do.

It’s helpful to know why you do what you do as well.

Take advice (this post included) with a grain of salt.

Research. Research. Research.

Google is your best friend.

Take the time to dig into your craft, story, and experience.

Leverage that to make a difference.

With growing influence, one must keep in mind the equally growing responsibility.

The responsibility to help those just like we’ve been helped.

How? By doing the right thing.

The post Do The Right Thing appeared first on David Yarde.

It’s easy to put others down.

Or is it?

Either way, it’s not ok.

So why do people do it?

There’s something magical when you focus in on your own lane.

It leaves no room to hate on others.

If anything it makes you realize there should be more appreciation.

Not for anyone in particular but simply for the gift of life.

Entrepreneurship isn’t easy.

Plus there’s enough already against us all in this world, why increase that burden.

Value can only be created when you care.

It gets destroyed when you hate.

So in the vein of keeping things simple.

Don’t hate. Appreciate.

You’ll be surprised at just how much more energy and time you’ll have to create the good the world needs to feel.

The post Don’t Hate. Appreciate. appeared first on David Yarde.

What are your terms and conditions?

Do you even know?

Or are you still trying to win by the rules someone else has set.

Chances are it’s the latter.

Which is ok but not that great.

But here’s the thing.

The more you try to play by the rules of success set by someone else, it’s the least likely you’re going to win at all.

See, those rules are always changing and evolving based on that person’s needs, wants, and desires.

Not yours.

Your goals are simply getting lost in the mix.

Unless you choose to be a bit more intentional about your life.

Helping others is great and actually quite noble.

But you have to learn how to help yourself first.

How to forgive yourself first.

Then and only then can you move to forgive and help others.

Sometimes you have to take a moment and ask yourself the tough questions.

And equally deal with the tough answers.

Otherwise you’re risking a life of complacency that eventually leads to regret.

Don’t believe me? Ask any elderly person what they regret and chances are you’ll leave with quite the list.

So what exactly are you waiting for?

If it’s the right time, then you’ll be waiting forever.

If it’s people to believe in you, the result will still be the same.

It’s time for you to believe in you.

It’s time to forgive yourself for whatever thing you keep holding on to from the past.

You’re not going in that direction, so why keep trying to live there?

Own your experiences and leverage them into intentional steps that make each and every aspiration a living reality.

You and I only get one shot at this thing called life.

Let’s do it right.

Let’s create good together.

The post Your Terms and Conditions appeared first on David Yarde.