Closing the Deal and Setting the Bar Higher and Higher

Life can be linear or a twisting turning road that leads you down paths you would never expect.

I never dreamed two years ago I would be where I am today. I was stuck in a dead-end job with little to no respect for what I did. I was faced with a hard choice and decided, if I didn't leave there, then whatever spirit I had left would leave me forever.

My path was linear until I found a turn in the road. It lead me to where I am now. I found a place that healed me. I found people that respected me, and most importantly, I found peace.

I once never really thought of myself as ambitious. I just got the job done. But life is funny sometimes. You find the advice of one person, even if it is someone you kind of despise in general, can give you a different perspective on life.

The one thing I took away from my dead-end job was a sense of tenacity. Of going after something and keeping after it until I achieve it. Setting a goal and doing anything to see it through.

That aspect of myself is also thanks in part, as well, to my professor in my master's program at the University of Tennessee. Thank you Dr. Buck Jones for instilling in my the belief that you have to close a deal. To finish what you start.

I was scared as hell to start my One Tree Hill Podcast. I mean, I was putting myself out there, though, I was convinced hardly anyone would listen. But then people started listening and I have to admit it is daunting sometimes.

But then it took on a life of its own. It went from a fan-made dalliance to a business. Now I have contacts with so many people it blows me away.

I have another goal now. I can't really talk about it, but it has been in the back of my mind since this fall. It seems like maybe that goal may be coming to fruition as well. But understand this, if it does come to pass, it wasn't because I sat on the sidelines.

My knees still shake sometimes, though I hide it well, when I prepare for an interview. I have actors, actresses and musical artists on my resume now but I always hope and pray I won't screw up or say something stupid.

And I still feel honored that, hopefully, my small voicemail project I did for Hilarie Burton and Kelly Tenney assisted them in their dreams with Southern Gothic Productions.

But I am not satisfied. You can never be satisfied and be successful. I have goals still for my One Tree Hill podcast and for other endeavors I hope to be involved in. And I continue to set the bar higher and higer.

I just need to close the deal.