Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vergi Rodriguez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Vergi , 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?
Self discipline for me was born out of a combination of motivation, goal setting, practice and consistent habits. By setting attainable goals it provided guidance along the way while also breaking down tasks into smaller manageable steps which enhanced my focus. It has emerged for me by aligning my everyday actions with long term objectives that have been influenced by my core values and aspirations.
As a classically trained ballet dancer, who sometimes was training over 6 hours a day, self discipline was key. It came from a combination of passion, dedication and rigorous practice. Since classical ballet demanded precision, strength and unwavering concentration, it helped me shape a disciplined mindset at a very young age. As I grew into becoming a professional dancer the demanding nature of rehearsals, adherence to routines and the pursuit of perfection all contributed to the cultivation of self discipline. Ultimately self discipline became ingrained in me while I was training because it became a part of my artistic journey driven by passion and the pursuit of artistic mastery.
In the end, it was about making a decision to prioritize my long term results over satisfaction.
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?
Sure. Previously, I have worked in entertainment as a professional dancer & choreographer. I had the opportunity to work with a multitude of names like Britney Spears and Prince. Some of my television credits include Jim Carrey’s “I’m Dying Up Here”, Tru Tv’s “Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks”, “Dancing With The Stars” and feature films like Universal Pictures’ “Honey” and Disney’s “The Hot Chick.” From my experience of being a dancer and working on a variety of sets I wanted to explore being a filmmaker. It enabled me to make my directorial debut with my first short film “Dreamer” which was officially selected in over 80 film festivals including Geena Davis’ Bentonville & the UCLA X Film Festivals. It has won accolades like the Audience award at the Boston Latino Festival, Revelation Filmmaker at the Hollywood Arts & Movie Awards and Best Short at the Barrymore Film Festival. I also received a certificate of Commendation from the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office , Eric Garcetti for being selected for the NewFilmMaker L.A.’s “On Location: The Los Angeles Video Project.”
Parlaying my experience in entertainment into a Branding and Marketing career has also been very fruitful. It’s given me the chance to create partnerships and experiences for consumers for brands like AT&T, General Mills & Bacardi.
One of the key elements I like to practice everyday is emphasizing my self care and maintaining some sort of exercise regimen which has a beneficial impact on mental health.
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?
Throughout my journey I’ve found adaptability, curiosity and effective communication to be incredibly important. Being adaptable allows me to navigate through changing circumstances, which has helped me build resilience. My curiosity is what drives me to learn and explore a range of subjects while keeping an open mind. Effective communication, both, in writing and speaking has been essential in expressing my thoughts, collaborating with others and sharing knowledge. For me, these qualities work together to create a skill set that empowers me to tackle challenges head on and maintain my passion for learning while engaging meaningfully with individuals and ideas.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
“The Four Agreements”, by Don Miguel Ruiz has been incredibly influential in my development as well as providing insights into the pursuit of personal freedom and a fulfilling life. This book has shared some key wisdom from the Toltec culture which introduces four transformative principles :
1) Be impeccable with your word.
2) Don’t take anything personally.
3) Don’t make assumptions.
4) Always do your best.
These agreements have served as a guiding principle for fostering more self awareness, nurturing relationships and achieving emotional well being. Applying the agreements of not taking things personally and avoiding assumptions has significantly enhanced my ability to navigate challenges with resilience and empathy. Overall, “The Four Agreements” has offered timeless wisdom that has profoundly influenced my views on growth and how I choose to interact with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.veerodriguez.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vergiluv
Image Credits
Photographers Kenny Washington – (pictured with Brian Friedman ) David Muller – (With black jacket) Sthanlee B Mirador – (red carpet pictures) pictured with Christian Vincent on right & Robert Fukudome on left Ashley Canario – (Purple dress & White tank Top )
