Meet J.J. Colagrande

We recently connected with J.J. Colagrande and have shared our conversation below.

J.J., thanks for taking the time to share your lessons with our community today. So, let’s jump right in – one of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. Where does your self-discipline come from?
This is a good question. There is a difference between talking shit and doing shit. When I was younger, I talked a lot of shit but it wasn’t until I reached my upper 20’s did this change.

I always wanted to be a writer. But how do you change that “want” into an action.

It takes discipline. Establishing positive routines. Get to that place where you are not worried about space or time. The Japanese refer to this as “the flow.” A place where you are so pure and open that you can create.

For me it was simple things. Shut off your phone. Turn on some music. For me it’s jazz. Specifically, John Coltrane, Miles Davis or Thelonious Monk. It opens me up to create.

Get proper training and great mentors that you respect who have discipline. Listen to them.

Separate yourself from others. Stay late. Be the last one in the office. Fail till you succeed. Expect rejection. Stay humble. Temper your goals. It’s not about fame, fortune and followers.

And it’s about the work and just doing it.

The rest will come if it comes. And if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
The Jitney blog features fresh, original content written by Miami area writers.

We aim to publish daily with a focus on arts and culture.

The Jitney’s journalism currently appears in many news feeds, including Google News. We aim to keep the blog ad-free. We cover the Miami media market, from West Palm Beach down to Key West.

The Jitney blog is currently accepting ideas for coverage. And we are currently looking for writers. For inquiries contact jitneybooks@gmail.com

Jitney Books

Jitney Books publishes novels, short story collections, memoirs, and screenplays by Miami-area writers writing about Miami. We are interested in telling real Miami stories, human stories, not the Miami stories you see in pop culture.

All of our covers feature art work by Miami street artists.

Jitney Books is currently closed for submissions, but we have published fourteen titles to date.

Jitney Books Approach

Jitney Books aims to fill two voids in publishing.

Create ad-free new journalism for a media market lacking in voices that publish original and credible journalism.

Serve emerging and mid-career writers and playwrights who are either unable to connect with the corporate publishing world, or, who would rather not connect with mainstream publishing.

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?
Discipline, networking and work ethic.

Communication is everything. And don’t expect success, it’s not an entitlement.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
My dad.

I’ll leave it at that.

Contact Info:

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