Click Below to see The Questions that Maya Answered…..

First of all, thank you to all who’ve read and found something meaningful in my lecture.  I do share things that have helped me in my own journey.  Often I work out my difficulties, fears, and dreams in a journal.  As I pray for guidance, I come up with philosophies that capture my experience, in order to help me get through,  I, in turn, end up sharing these with others who may benefit. 

From Ediomi
1. As an indie artist what inspiration can you give to younger artist that feel the world has no room for them?

First of all, you must not feel that the “world has no room” for you.  You exist in the world, which means there is obviously room for you! Your focus doesn’t need to be based upon whether someone ELSE has room for you.  As an Artist, you must believe in yourself before others do.  Your artistry is an extension of your soul, and who you are.  You are completely unique, and I encourage you to focus on developing your unique-ness, as it will be the very thing that makes you stand-out and be an attractive business investment.  As a singer, I think of all the successful singers with long careers.  They all have distinctive voices, so unique that you could never mistake them for another.  Would you confuse Stevie Wonder with Michael Jackson?  Was there enough room for Michael Jackson AND Stevie?

2. What would you say is the most difficult lesson you’ve learned thus far in your career?

My career is rife with difficulties!  Haha.  If you work for yourself, expect to be disappointed a lot by people you trusted and expect to work harder than you ever imagined to survive.  It comes with the territory, yet it makes you strong and prepared for our own life.

3. Most say that if you have not been “discovered” by the time you are 25 there is no hope. What is your perspective?

Well, again, I do not imagine my fate in the hands of people that do not believe in me.  That said, Actor Morgan Freeman didn’t do his first movie until Age 34, and didn’t receive his first Oscar nomination until he was Age 50.  Now, wouldn’t you agree that he has a successful career?  With examples like this, I say that you should have no fear.  Focus on the quality of your product, your continual growth, stay objective and do not function based on limitations.  If you do not succeed at something, look at the quality of your work - it should not be because of your Age.  If you create something valuable to others, age will not matter. 

Oh, I just found a cool article named: “Dreams Have No Age Limit”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kristen-houghton/dreams-have-no-age-limit_b_525358.html

From Professor Maynor
Hi Maya,
I absolutely loved your lecture. Not only was it inspirational, but you also made a sister think about her own life and decisions I need to make.  I have a couple of questions that I think will benefit myself and others while on that journey.
1) There are many people in their 30 & 40’s that I know who aren’t happy with their current 9-5, career choice or simply their life and they don’t know what they want to do. What advice would you give them on finding their passion? And once they discover their passion how should they pursue it?

Thank you Professor Maynor!  Many people have spent nearly a lifetime ignoring their dreams or their calling.  Mostly, I feel we ignore these out of fear.  With so many people learning that a 9-5 Job is not the stable choice they once thought it was - unemployment rates have been close to 10% in America this past year - working for yourself is less of a fearful decision. 

At a turning point, when a person is willing to pursue their dreams, they must identify their dreams clearly, if they intend for them to become a business.  Start simple, by identifying what makes you happy.  Make a list.  Do not filter the list.  The things that make you happy may seem silly, but it doesn’t matter, it is what makes you happy and herein lives your quality of life.  Let’s say the only thing that makes you happy are “flowers”.  You have successfully identified it.  Now, do research and become a student of life (You do not need to be in a university to continue to learn.) Read every book about flowers; study websites on the subject; write down your own ideas, opinions and knowledge on the subject.  Take yourself seriously, so that others can learn to take you seriously.  You will find there are countless ways to make “flowers” into a business. 

You will also surprise yourself that, just when you think you are starting completely over by leaving a day job, you are not.  Your years of life experience go with you, and you have accumulated a wealth of knowledge that can be applied to your new career choice.  For example, if you are an accountant and hate your day-job, but then start to do flower arrangements for friend’s weddings, make business cards, start a website with a contact email, promote yourself, and keep Excel spreadsheets of all your earnings.  Your past professional experience as an accountant helps you to stay organized and good with your money in your new career path.

A bit of fearlessness goes into making a big life change later in life.  But, it is not impossible.  Check out the book, “Gold Fitness” by mother and Olympic swimmer DARA TORRES, who set three world records and brought home twelve Olympic medals, including four golds.  She is the first American swimmer to have competed in five Olympics - she competed in the Beijing Olympics at Age 41!  I also recommend “Eat Pray Love”, a book by Elizabeth Gilbert.  This is a powerful autobiography that shares the journey of a professional woman who sought happiness, fearlessly letting go of all the wonderful things that on the surface did not satisfy her soul, and ultimately found her calling.

Lastly, I believe that our calling is something that we may have always known, but ignored.  There is something inside, driving you to do something but because it may have seemed impossible, or silly, or inconvenient it was not pursued.  I have a theory:  If a hammer had a soul it would have an insatiable desire to bang things.  Why?  Because it is perfectly designed by God to do what it has the pure urge to do.  You are perfectly designed to accomplish your calling.

2) You have an incredible spirit, what motivates you to keep you going?

A big part of my motivation is that (1) I am doing what I seriously LOVE to do.  Look at relationships.  Are relationships always perfect at every moment?  Do we even expect them to be?  No.  So, what gets you through the rough spells? LOVE.  If you are doing what you love, you will be inspired to keep going despite the rough patches. (2) I’m a humanitarian. I treat my music as a service and this also keeps me going.  With all that is wrong in the world, all of the pain, injustice, sadness and need, my contribution is music.  I give music with such vigor because it is the way I have found to give back to the communities around the world.  As long as there is need, I will have something I’d like to contribute.

Determined To Educate, Inc. Thanks Maya Azucena for her contribution as “Guest Professor”. Please be sure to visit Maya at http://www.mayaazucena.com/