We cite them constantly. They have a lot to say. They have opinions, they make claims, they set bars and decide what matters—but who is they!? We treat them like judges. Like anonymous critics with real weight and authority. But who gave them that power? More importantly, why do we keep handing it over?
Be the Source, Not the Echo.
When everyone has a soapbox, words start to lose weight. Volume drowns out value, and I’ve grown to learn that the loudest voice isn’t always the sharpest—nor the most honest. Just because something is loud or gets repeated doesn’t mean it should hold weight. Noise demands attention, but attention alone doesn’t make someone worth listening to. Real authority doesn’t come from being heard—it comes from having something real to say and standing behind it. They repeat, but I know. They assume, but I live. Power isn’t in volume—it’s in truth. Be the source, not the echo. Use your voice wisely, own your work, and stand behind what you build.
Own your I's.
I create. I build. I stand by my work. I evolve, rethink, and sharpen. And here’s the thing—if I stop to answer every critic, I’m no longer creating, I’m performing. Even as a kid, I hated showing my work while I was doing it. Whether it was solving a math problem or working on something creative, explaining it mid-process always seem to break the flow—forcing me to focus on showing instead of thinking, making it harder to get things right in the first place. Collaboration and awareness matter, but I don’t always need they to agree—or even see it. Sometimes, moving is more important. They will always have something to say. I will always move forward.
Move First. Ask Forgiveness Later—or not.
January is always a quiet month for me—not because nothing is happening, but because that’s when I lock back in, set the plan, and start executing. This January, I moved cross-country. This February, I’m clearing my student loans. And the next move? Already in motion—planned and prayed for. Because history isn’t made by those who repeat what they say or mimic what they do. It’s made by creatives who move with intention, own their voice, and stand on their work. Forget what they say. The ones who make history? They move anyway.