We were lucky to catch up with Mykel “MeekFro” Trent recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Mykel “MeekFro”, great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.
I’ve always been a risk taker without even thinking too hard about it. Always have been. When everyone said “no, that’s probably not a good idea” I of course still would follow my way of thinking. The degree I chose to take up, the men I chose to date, the friends I chose to have, my career…all of the picks are quite risky.
1. I develop an understanding of the risks involved: When I’m considering taking a risk, it’s important to understand the potential benefits and drawbacks of the proposed action. I take the time to research and analyze the situation to make sure I’m making an informed decision.
2. I examine my fear: Fear of failure is a major reason why people don’t take risks. I’ll examine what I’m afraid of, and consider whether it’s a reasonable fear or an irrational one.
3. I try to set achievable goals: Rather than looking at the entire risk, breaking it down into smaller, achievable goals. This will help me to focus on the smaller steps, rather than being overwhelmed by the entire risk.
4. Prepare for failure: Accept that failure is a possibility, and be prepared for it. I can minimize the potential damage by preparing for worst-case scenarios and having a plan in place to deal with them. Even if I have no plan, I trust I will always be okay.
5. I started out taking small risks: To help me develop my ability to take risks, I start by taking small risks. This helped me to build my confidence, as well as giving me the experience to deal with more complex risks in the future.
I’m currently in the middle of a risk right now. I suffered a heavy loss on October 12, 2021. I had a stillborn in my 3rd trimester. Fast forward to now: 8 months pregnant and is classified as a high risk pregnancy due to the complications of my last pregnancy. Nothing was ever the same, but I feel more prepared this time around. Not just physically but spiritually as well. Only thing that’s tricky is keeping my mental stable. How can one not think on that previous traumatic failure that happened abruptly? I often time don’t give myself the credit, but I’ve heard I inspire many with my story.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Since 2013, I have been heavily focused on content creation. Influencer behavior, yea. I’m known as. ‘MeekFro’ in the social media world. I’ve partnered with hundreds of brands like Walmart, NewAir, Toms, Dark and Lovely, oVertone and more. I’m grateful for all of my accomplishments. I’m grateful I can get paid to be myself and share my thoughts on products/services. (Visit https://linktr.ee/MeekFro) I’ve poured into so many’s visions. It’s the best feeling. Now I’m feeling it’s time to pour into mine. Fast forward to today (2023), I’ve been digging into herbalism. I’ve launched multi-use herbal oils. Visit https://linktr.ee/BayouBorn to purchase. This new journey is so special to me, because I’ve always wanted to share with the world concoctions that have always made me happy. My idea was born at a young age. My research started in 2019. The rebirth of the products started in December 2022. Life-changing products I have to say!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
As far as content creating, I have:
1. Resilience: Resilience is an essential quality for any creator. You need to be able to bounce back from setbacks and keep pushing forward, even when things don’t go your way. My advice is to focus on the small wins and stay motivated.
2. Creativity: Creativity is key to standing out in creation. You need to be able to come up with unique and interesting ideas that will capture attention. My advice is to be curious and explore different topics and ideas.
3. Discipline: You need to be disciplined in order to stay on track and reach your goals. My advice is to set achievable goals and break them down into smaller tasks. This will help you stay focused and motivated.
If you are just starting this content creation journey, hear me out: study all resources. Those newsletters and emails/tips the platforms send out? They are there to help you. Read. Follow the platforms’ official accounts. Follow other trustworthy creators. Follow me! I won’t lead you wrong. There’s lots of info out there given to us by the sources! We just have to pay attention.
As far as starting a business, you must have as much knowledge about your field as possible. Become that go-to person. Get up everyday and learn something about your industry!
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
It’s a quite simple answer honestly. I focus on what’s going right and build off of that idea. I stop & collect myself. Whatever this means. Even if that means not doing ANYTHING. Regrouping is important. Do the things that make you happy. I like solo dates or movie day/night at home.
1. Take a break: Taking time away from the task at hand can help you to clear your head and regain focus.
2. Break it down: Breaking the task into smaller, more manageable chunks can help you to feel less overwhelmed.
3. Ask for help: Don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you’re feeling overwhelmed. There are people available to support you.
4. Prioritize: Prioritize the tasks that are most important and focus on those first.
5. Take care of yourself: Make sure you’re taking care of your physical and mental wellbeing. This includes getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising.
6. Set boundaries: Don’t be afraid to set boundaries and say “no” when necessary. This can help you to avoid taking on too much at once.
7. Stay organized: Staying organized can help you to keep track of tasks and reduce stress.
8. Practice mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness can help you to stay in the present moment and stay focused on the task at hand.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://linktr.ee/bayouborn
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mykeltrent
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/meekfro
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykel-trent-3965bb126
- Youtube: https://YouTube.com/meekfro