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October 23, 2014
Stay Calm and Rock on…. How to conquer your nerves!

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One of my 5 minute warm up sketches… more to come!! 

Stay Calm and Rock on…. How to conquer your nerves!

I have to say I am soooo distracted right now… just thinking about all the exciting things going on today (stay tuned to my social media to find out – links below).
I have to take a deep breath and breathe it all in because sometimes firsts like these need to be celebrated!

Today (as you read this) I am supporting my fiancé while filming something awesome for About.com regarding technology.  He always manages to be SOOO FREAKIN calm while filming all the things he does. It is truly a talent and he makes it look so easy.

I need to absorb some of that “calmness” from him because TONIGHT I will be live drawing (!!!!!!!!!) for a major new retail concept launch event in midtown Manhattan with loads of press and high fashion players. I am so excited and I can’t wait to see what the night will hold.

Speaking about that…. I was talking to my sister yesterday about an exciting event that SHE is attending this weekend and again, the topic of how to stay calm and rock the night came up…… I seem to feel a blog post coming on….

So here are my top tips for conquering your nerves and showing up to rock the scene.

  1. Remember that we are all humans.

Meeting people that inspire you, who have made a major mark in the world and whom you aspire to be like can be very daunting and nerves can set in.  Remember that we are all human beings and they were all at the same stage you are at some point.  Looking at someone as though they are untouchable is a great way to choke on your words, and we don’t what that to happen.  In your mind remind yourself that they have hopes, dreams and fears just like you, they eat breakfast in the morning and they want to lay in their pjs and sleep late sometimes too!  They have worked extremely hard to get where they have gotten and that deserves major respect.  Take a note from them and see how it’s done to live a life you have always dreamed of.

  1. Lead with your passions.

To be in the same industry, we all share the same passions. Lead with what you are inspired by and the words will flow out of you naturally. No need for stiff rehearsed elevator pitches, although it is good to know what you would like to say and know it so well you can feel it in your bones.   Which leads me to…

  1. Make genuine connections.

Authentically ask about things you are interested to know. Getting to know someone through pure curiosity about what makes them tick, and what they stand for as a person is a sure fire way to make a real connection.  Ask questions you care about as opposed to what you THINK they want to hear.  Know you will be guided to meet the people you are supposed to meet!

  1. Be polite, be polished and be patient. 

Use every opportunity when meeting someone new to be polite and engaging.  Be polished – put care and thought into your appearance and your style because what you wear and what you look like SPEAKS VOLUMES before you even open your mouth.  Dress like how you want to come across. Follow up with email or text after you meet someone but be patient – know that if you do make a connection these people are just as busy if not MORE busy than you are.  If you feel a real connection is made trust that they will get back to you when they can.

That’s it for now folks… I am returning to “polishing” myself off for what lies ahead today.

Wishing you luck and fun on your next endeavors and as always…
Hope that inspires you!

xoxo
Emily

Follow me on Instagram @EmilyBrickel

August 22, 2013
Pleasure vs. Success and dealing with Burn out

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“If you go for success, pleasure is 50/50. If you go for pleasure, success is guaranteed.” Quoted the founder of Boom, Cindy Joseph.

I recently read this statement and it was quite interesting to hear.

“Pleasure is suspicious in our society but if you are honest with yourself and what you really want your only hope of happiness is going for what gives you immense pleasure” Cindy said.

People are judged pretty heavily based on their successes and their enjoyment of life.  If you see a hard working person who is grunting and complaining of the pains in their life, but who appears to have it all, money, cars, a relationship, nice things, great job, etc. this person is most always regarded as successful even if they seem to not be enjoying the process.  Sometimes these people even go as far as complaining on purpose to even the playing ground, to make others around more comfortable and downplay their actual happiness and successes.

On the flip side when a person is successful BECAUSE they are enjoying life, having fun and living their desires they are almost always regarded with a negative attitude (or perhaps jealousy) and even deemed to have “stumbled upon success”, to have been “handed it” or worse remarks that are so far from the truth.

Why does pleasure have to be guilty?  If I want to have a mid afternoon chocolate break (instead of coffee) and also enjoy working out – what really is the problem?  But we as a society really enjoy making pleasure seem guilty.   After my chocolate break I am hard wired and programed (by society) to feel bad that I indulged.  Why?

I honestly have no idea but it is absurd! What’s the point in living life if you truly can’t enjoy it!!!?!!?

Whoever heard of the saying “You can’t have your cake and eat it too!?”  WHY WOULD YOU HAVE CAKE IF YOU CAN’T EAT IT TOO!?!?!?  This is perplexing!  I understand this proverb is about trade-offs in life but why does pleasure have to be a trade-off?

Why can’t we have it all?

Well.  My answer to that is we can, actually, have it all.  When following your heart’s desire you are on the path to success – headed towards living a life beyond your wildest dreams. So go for it, and keep on going for it.  You will always be successful if you are following your passion.

Now, in terms of burn out: “You run long and hard, you get tired. That’s a fact. Marathoners don’t criticize themselves after a race for being exhausted. They rest.” – Danielle LaPorte.

 

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

When doing your Passion work, you are highly likely to face burn out at one point or anther. That’s ok. It’s normal. You should.

Danielle goes on to say:

-As the legend goes, when the Phoenix resurrects from the flames, she is even more beautiful than before.

 

-“Life balance” is an insidious myth. Picasso, Oprah, Steve Jobs, Einstein, Maria Callas – they weren’t aiming for balance, they were aiming to rock their genius, and they’ve all had periods of burn out.

-On the seventh day, even God rested.

-Take stock of all you’ve accomplished. You’ve come far, baby. And you’ve got the road rash and the muscle definition to prove it.

And lastly

Burn out is a natural part of shining. Naturally. I welcome it now.

Thanks Danielle.

And now I invite YOU to go find your biggest desires and make them come true.  Do your Passion work, shine bright, burn out, rest, and do it all over again and then repeat. This is how you serve the world with your gift and keep on giving.

Hope that inspires you!
xoxo

Emily

December 14, 2011
The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor

Last week I had the tremendous, glamorous, every-girls-dream experience of coming nose to nose with some of Ms. Taylor’s most exquisite gems of all time.  With three generations of women who grew up on her style, my Grandmother, my Mother and myself set out to be in awe of her most lust-worthy collection.  The gems were breathtaking and so is her legacy.

“This is one of the greatest collections in the world. Its the auction of Elizabeth Taylor…the most legendary and romantic jewels.”

“There is romance behind each piece because it was given to her by Richard Burton, Mike Todd. There was so much pleasure in the way she received the jewels and so much emotion in each and every piece.”

“Jewelry was a way of life for her. Richard Burton would go to the store with her and spend the entire afternoon a Bulgari in Rome when they were filming Cleopatra…. Richard Burton used to wait to see the emotion in her eyes because then he would know if she really liked the jewelry.”

“Elizabeth Taylor was a global Icon… She’s unforgettable because its a big life for a star.  She just was, In Burton’s words, just breathtakingly beautiful. She’s famous for being herself, larger than life. More beautiful than anyone, more scandals, more fun, … more guts, more, more, more, more. More is more, she said. She’s right.”

All quotes from “The Making of An Auction” Behind the scenes at Christie’s New York.

Some Quotes from the Iconic Ms. Taylor

“I’m ruled by my Passions.” – On life.

“I will not be silenced, I will not give up and I will not be ignored!” – On her AIDS foundation.

“I hope with all my heart that in some way I have made a difference in the lives of people with AIDS, I want that to be my legacy.” On her life’s work

The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS foundation has raised millions for the cause and the Auction at Christie’s will bring that number even higher with over $150 million dollars of acquisitions.

The guts, passion, and many love affairs (with men and diamonds) that Elizabeth has lived in her 79 years of age will transcend generations for the tests of time.

Hope that Inspires you!
Emily

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