So in this week’s stories of women murking the game, we have TV vet Judge Judy Sheindlin who is literally sitting on a gold mine!

She’s in the works of selling her 10,400-show archive back to network giant, CBS, for a whopping $95 million! That’s more money than I could ever fathom but really want to because who wouldn’t want to wish that much money on themselves? Like what do you do with it? Scrooge McDuck it? Buy a boat? Invest in the next big start-up? I don’t know, but this 70-year old diva is in her 21st season and currently makes around $45 million a year helping people realize how dumb they are for trying to “get over” on the law. Anywho, this is such a boss chick move.

But what’s the lesson?

The lesson is to work hard and know your worth! This is a woman who clearly understands her power and her demand.

I used to have such a difficult time with requesting pay for my creative services and now I feel like like as my star rises and my services are requested more frequently, the value of my time also increases. I can’t sell myself short for the sake of playing the nice-girl card. Who said it? Ms. Yoncé, I think it was, told the world “eff you pay me.”

Over the years she’s made incredibly smart, strategic, and very consistent moves with her brand as well as her business. She knows her 10-million viewers like the back of her hand and gives the people what they want – a smart and sassy, no-nonsense incarnation of the law.

She’s been #1 like forever and lives a quiet life with her family. This is the way to do it folks! Invest in yourself, live happily, build your empire quietly and shock the freaggin world without personally announcing a got-dog on thing! Yassss Ms. Judy…Just yasssss.

Give me my money. –#JudyTaughtMe <3

-D.Wright

So if you didn’t know, I’m a music creative and writer who currently works in the technology industry.

I’ve had about 15 years of experience in the music industry, have written stories and songs for as long as I could write and even got a Creative Writing degree to back up my passion of songwriting. It’s different, I know.

Most recently (ok, over the past year) I decided to be a grown up, because it’s never too late to abandon a woman-child mentality. I challenged myself to take advantage of whatever amazing opportunities came my way and came to realize I wanted more. I don’t mean the simple promotion more, which is totes cool, I mean the unfathomable more. I want the, I can’t believe this is my life, how cool is this – more. Now, I have a pretty nice little gig going but I knew that if I really wanted the freedom my heart desired career-wise, I had to give my dreams some new life.

So here it is, advice from a person in transition of making their unfathomable dreams an attainable reality.

Take Matters Into Your Own Hands

You are responsible for your own dreams. No one owes you their love or support when it comes to something you feel passionate about. You will be your biggest cheerleader, supporter, motivator and whatever other -er or -or noun you come up with. Support is a gift, it’s your cherry on top. It’s not a main ingredient and it took me years to honestly realize it. Along with that you can’t wait for other people to help move your forward. You must use every tool and resource you have to push yourself further. Again, this beautiful and amazing thing is YOUR responsibility. Why would a mother immediately let someone bond with her child right after giving birth? Unless some medical hurdles get in the way, it ain’t happening. Your dream is your baby that you nurture and grow. It’s yours to help grow.

Seek Counseling

It’s tough being on a journey solo-dolo and feeling like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. In your times of growth and exploration of your  dream you have to make sure that your mental well being is taken care of. Just as you exercise your body, you want to make sure that your mind-set and emotional state are in tip top shape. Getting in tune with your spirit and your mind is one of the most overlooked and empowering things you could gift yourself. With my spiritual and emotional growth, I’ve really felt a genuine breakthrough. I know I’m finally turning into the best version of myself. I don’t fear anything and I’m ready for the world. Take care of yourself, you won’t regret it.

Never Compare Yourself To Anyone

It’s great to gain inspiration from other amazing people, but your path isn’t their path and your experience will never truly align with theirs. I used to think that I was supposed to be a Disney star before being a pop princess at 18, but guess what…that made no sense. I didn’t even know how to get a tape to Disney and I barely even knew anything about the music business. What I did know was that I was a shy person with lots to learn and a ton of untapped potential. As the years went by, I saw my friends and peers (who I grew up with) in the business become internationally acclaimed creatives, working on TV shows, making tons of money, starting amazing businesses and everything else you could imagine. I began to doubt myself. They looked perfect, acted perfect, sounded perfect, lived perfect and Instagram did not help!

After a mental breakdown or two, I had to pull it together. I realized I’ll never be someone I’m not. I don’t want to even know the things they’ve been through to get what they have and I’d probably never be willing to make the sacrifices they made. I had to learn I’m the expert at my life and that my knowledge, faith, and works will take me where I want to go.

Don’t get me wrong folks, I’m still learning but I feel so powerful now and can’t wait to see what my future holds. How are you giving your dreams new life? <3

-D.Wright