We were lucky to catch up with Brandy Robidoux recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Brandy, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
I’ve always been a glass half full person, and I think a lot of optimism, at least for me, is inherently there. However, I do think it’s possible for us to train ourselves to operate from place of optimism on a day to day basis. There is no contesting the fact that optimistic people tend to have better lives, more fulfilling careers, and are overall happier. Optimism can be the difference between letting a parking ticket ruin your day or understanding that we can appreciate the good without the bad. Once you understand that life is happening for you, not to you, you won’t sweat the small stuff. Believe in magic and that the universe is working in your favor, and see how your world shifts.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
2022 ended up being a really pivotal year for me. I cut my teeth working at magazines in New York City in my early 20’s and had lots of fun doing it, but after a while journalism started to lose its shine for me. As articles got shorter and more click bait heavy, writing started to be less meaningful for me. I wound up making the leap to music PR and I now work at one of my favorite record labels. It was a leap of faith I couldn’t be more grateful for, but more importantly, made me realize that sometimes your life unfolds in surprising ways and it’s even better than what you had initially planned.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Being hungry, consistent, and personable will go a long way in any line of work. One thing I see a lot is young artists or executives be really good at the first two things but lack some tact and people skills. I say email everyone you can, pick your boss’s brain, set up coffee dates with the people you admire most. But don’t forget to respect boundaries. Following up 3, 4, or 5 times will likely leave a bad impression.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
I think burnout is something every creative (inevitably) faces at one point or another. Especially in a digtal age we are expected to constantly be checking email, provide instantaneous responses, and constantly be in a state of pushing forward. And while drive is important, the “no days off” motto is actually stifling to creativity and art. Whether you’re a singer, a poet, a painter, or instumentalist, finding time to reset, experience the world, travel, and spend time with friends, is where you’ll find the most wealth of inspiration. Persistence without periods of peace is a good way to wind up jaded and uninspired.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @thebrandybaye
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/brandybayerobidoux
Image Credits
Blue photos = Jordan Kelsey Knight
