Yin vs YangThe Battle for Success in Life

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Article by Peter J. Normandia. Follow me on Twitter.

Every Wednesday is Personal Development in Business…

It took us a year to figure out what I am about to share with you. I may be a bit of a slow learner, but at least it definitely all makes sense now. For any entrepreneurs out there, here is some advice that may save you the same trouble my partner and I experienced while building our company.

I am partners in a media production agency called Reimagine. We are a two man team. My partner specializes in design and creative direction. I handle the video side, client relations, project management, with a smidgen of content writing thrown in.  Read more... (878 words, 2 images, estimated 3:31 mins reading time)

EEEEH! EEEEH! EEEEH!….

I was awoken this Friday morning by the 5 am alarm clock on my iphone. As I wiped the crust from my eyes and stumbled into the bathroom, I realized that today was really the 1st day in 2009. I turned on the shower, debating whether to really count the 1st, which is more of a holiday than a typical day. Now that that was over, I had to once again teach a Muay Thai class at 6 am, just like the Fridays of last year.

As the water warmed, I stepped in the shower and thought about why this is considered a new year. I mean, yes the calendar has changed, and the dates on my checks will have 2009 on them, but other than that, what exactly is new? My routine is still the same. Nothing significant has changed in my life, and yet I am supposed to be excited for 2009?  Read more... (787 words, 2 images, estimated 3:09 mins reading time)

Look to your right.

Now look to your left.

Look up above you.

Now look under your desk.

Look all around everywhere you can see.

That is where you’ll find opportunity.

-Peter James

I guess I am feeling a bit poetic this Friday.  My company just finished another great commercial yesterday.  For all of those relatively new to YinvsYang, I will fill you in.  A little over 6 months ago (wow, time flies), my partner and I started this blog to mark a big change in our lives.  We had just started a New Media production company Reimagine, and soon after began writing.  Read more... (721 words, 2 images, estimated 2:53 mins reading time)

Things are getting rough.  This past week has been a nightmare financially.  Back in June, when I did my first commercial pro-bono with the hope of getting more work from it, I knew it would effect the upcoming month.  However, when you take a month a ‘free’ project, it can have a negative outcome on your finances.

So was it all worth it?

Isn’t that what I’ve been writing about these past months? How following your dreams is worth it.  How no matter what anyone else says, just follow your heart.  I have been riding the happy bus for 3 months now, giving every reason imaginable for readers to be inspired to follow their own dreams.  Now things look cloudier than ever.  Read more... (490 words, 1 image, estimated 1:58 mins reading time)

Yesterday, after a frantic last few weeks, my company, Reimagine, finally finished our first commercial. It took about a month or so to complete, from concept to final cut. Over that time period, I had to scramble for money, find odd jobs to pay some bills, sell off any assets I had, cut my expenses, and deal with all the doubt that comes with it. Yet, after yesterday, I can tell you it is all worth it.

There is nothing like the gratification you get from setting a goal and accomplishing it. No one can take it away from you. You set out to do it, you said you would do it, and then you actually come through. Accomplish enough of these small goals, and before you know it, you will turn around one day and realized you just accomplished your big one.  Read more... (917 words, 0 images, estimated 3:40 mins reading time)

Yesterday, I finally was back on a set, shooting video again for the first time since 2004. My company ReImagine shot a commercial for Advanced Martial Arts in North Brunswick, NJ. It has been a long time over due. Film making just feels like where I belong. I never really felt that anywhere else. For the last couple of years, when I closed a mortgage, I was happy to get paid. That’s about it.

There is nothing wrong with doing mortgages, it just was not for me. I realized after awhile that it was only for the paycheck. If you don’t put your entire heart and soul into everything you do, then a paycheck does not make up for it. I think a lot of people’s anger is sourced from this.  Read more... (494 words, 1 image, estimated 1:59 mins reading time)