Tonya In LA: A Debrief

I would like to say that "as you know, I've been in LA" but since this writing slacker hasn't updated since last year, there's really no way you could know that.  But hey, guess what?  I finally went to LA!  And to say that it was life changing would be an understatement.  And no, I didn't get "discovered" by some shady producer promising to make me a star.

What did happen was that my quasi-goal of moving to La La Land was solidified.  Yup, it's official.  My husband and I are doing it.  Well, we're starting the process of applying for visas anyway.  But our goal is to be down there with paperwork in hand in two years.

Are we excited?  Oh yes.  Are we terrified?  Hell yes.  But we know that the potential that being in LA holds outweighs all of that.  We know we're guaranteed to be starting at the bottom (again) in terms of building a strong LA-based network.  That we won't be on set as much as we are right now as soon as we get there. We know that.  But we also know that for our goals, we need to do the hard (and expensive) thing and get down there.  Luckily, we both have work that we can do from anywhere.  As an actress, I'm extremely happy that I already am building my Arbonne business now so that when I need it to fully support me in the USA, I'll have it.  And in two years, my little part time business will be more than capable of doing that.  So cheers for not having to take a serving job and not having that money related stress!

What has really surprised me is what having a set-in-stone goal has done to both of us.  Having a clear vision of where you are going most definitely helps with daily motivation!  I've learned that it's one thing to be inspired.  It's another to be motivated.

So here's to motivation, daily tasks, and going after what you want!

Happy creating!

The Big Overhaul

You know those moments that just inspire you?  From watching almost instant photos arrive from Mars to crying over this kid's greatness, life can just rock.  For those of you who have been following along either here on the blog or on Facebook or Twitter, you know I'm a pretty positive person.  That's how I choose to live my life.  The key word there is "choose".

Now why is that?  Well, I wasn't always this positive and some days, I'm still not--I'm an actor, for goodness sake.  I've posted before about life changes and people always ask me how I do it.  It's simple: I made a choice.  A choice to not be stuck doing a survival job while waiting for my agent to call me with work.  A choice not to make someone else's dream come true but to focus on mine.  Instead, I work alongside my agent to find new work (PS: it's my career so I better be responsible for it).  I work (although work is the wrong term for something I enjoy so much) my business just a little everyday.   I do it for me and the future me.  'Cuz I sure as hell don't want to wake up one day wondering what if.  That is more terrifying for me than taking a huge risk.  I have only two true regrets in my life and I vowed to never have any more of those.

So I choose to create a life of abundance and one that is mine.  And what really rocks about it, is that after a few months of consistent effort on that front, it's starting to pay off exponentially.  That's right, my life doesn't add, it multiplies.  And that includes financially, artistically, and awesominity. See?  I even get to make up words.

So please, do yourself a favour: ask yourself where you want to be in five years and if what you are doing right now will get you there?  If it will, that's amazing.  If not, change something.  Start putting yourself on that path now.  You don't want to regret not doing now.  And while I have been fortunate enough to make big changes in my life, you don't have to do it that way.  Small things in the nooks and crannies of your day multiply (there's that word again) into huge results.

Take the first terrifying step and repeat until it's not scary anymore.  It's so worth it.

Happy creating!

PS: I'm going to be an aunt (again!) this week!!!  Can't wait to meet and spoil the girls...yes, plural!

First Quarter Fun...

Yeah.  I know.  Get it out now.  Nothing since February.  Sorry.  But!  I have my reasons!  One of which I've posted below.  It's a great little film adapted from a Tobias Wolf short story.  Adapted for the screen and directed by the uber talented Shane Belcourt, I hope you enjoy "Say Yes". 


One of my many roles is manager of a dance company and our big production just went up last weekend.  And yes, while it was full of the usual pre-show stress and jitters, the performance itself was stellar.  I'm stoked by how well it was received and the awesome attention it has brought upon the company.  


So now those projects I've had bubbling away on multiple back burners can finally be attended to.  I can't wait to dig into them again.  From writing to producing to acting projects, I get to wear my many hats over the next couple of weeks.  Oh and don't forget international business woman as well.  Yup, my at home biz has crossed a border!


So, my first quarter of 2012 was awash with great success and I can't wait for the next one! Anyway, enjoy "Say Yes"!


Happy creating!