Your Final Four..4 adjustments that will help you be your BEST

Greetings super heroes!

I hope you have enjoyed this years NCAA tournament as much as I have. Those players lay it on the line and go hard, which is what makes it so enjoyable to watch. It is the best sporting event in the US. Some of you who may be reading from outside the States might not get the tourney reference. Feel free to email me and I will gladly explain in detail :). Plus i'd love to "meet" you. I'm confident this weeks topic will still make sense. 

The Final Four..and Your Final Four

So when all the college basketball teams get to the semi finals of their championship tournament, its called "The Final Four". These are the last four teams left in a sport that has about 300 teams vying for the title at the start of the season. The prize here is BIG..winning the NCAA title means you are the undisputed champion of this year. In life, not every victory will be as absolute as this. Its still worth going hard for. So, thinking about what you want to achieve in life lets really look at the final four things that are keeping you from your best life ever. Its ok guys, we are actually one quarter of the way through this year (aka the BEST YEAR EVER) so its fine for us to have a little group kick in the butt. 

Four things that are holding back YOUR Star-life

Know thyself, gang. If you really look at your goals and objectives and why you are NOT achieving them it will come down to you and what YOU need to do. Always understand the answer comes from within. This column is not about family, friends and comparable life things :). This is about the achieving aspects of your life. Your job..your career..your luxurious dreams. So here are your final four things to GET RIGHT

1. Stop Procrastinating

Get over yourself. We always put off til tomorrow what we can do right now. Procrastinating from doing what you know you need to do is what holds us all back. Stop delaying your own destiny and do what you need to do. 

2. Take responsibility

Before you blame a single person or thing for what you are not achieving..look at yourself. Take a look in the mirror and say that "I am the reason and I need to adjust what I am doing". Adjust in order to get things right. 

3. Get the knowledge

Develop the skills and grow as a person in order to grow in your field. Whatever you think of yourself, you are were you are in your business relative to your skills and knowledge. If thats lacking, acknowledge it and get it fixed. There is nothing wrong with seeking it out from others..

4.Put IT first

Make your main thing your main thing. It seems simple but when you have those rough periods on the way to your goals, its amazing how often that corresponds with you losing focus. Put IT first. Whatever it is make sure its what you spend your time on. So long as its worthwhile, the time in will reward you. 

That wasnt so bad :) Just a little reminder as that you are both your own worst enemy and your greatest friend. Remember that

Wisdom of the week

"Sometimes its better to be lucky than good"

Peace

Moviestar Ahmad

@moviestarahmad

Academy Award lessons..Whats your personal Oscar?

Greetings everyone!

Were all in the swing of things this year and it is shaping up to be the best year of our collective lives. Its always good to talk to you guys for a second. Let me also send good wishes to your friends and families.

I hope you all enjoyed The Academy Awards. It is the biggest single night in my profession and cannot be missed by anyone who calls themselves an actor. When you watch it from afar, Oscar night is a great time to take a good look in the mirror and realize how far you are from that level of the game. Its humbling to be sure and that's good for you from time to time. After you take your medicine you can think about what you need to do to achieve your dream of being nominated for your respective Oscar. Whatever it is, make sure it is something big and worth your life energy. Make it extremely lofty but not unattainable. Then again, nothing is unattainable.

I will always love watching The Oscars. Although I am not quite there yet, I still am excited for the day that I attend the event as a presenter :) Its going to come as the result of a lot of consistent hard work, fun and continuous self development. This is the nature of trying to be the best artist that you can be. Humbly but excitedly I go forward with a few lessons that I picked up from this years Oscars.

Lesson 1: Don't hide your desire from yourself

Whatever your personal Oscar moment is, ADMIT IT :) You can hide it from others if you want but be honest with yourself about how you feel about. It will provide you the fuel needed to get there. The limos, meeting people I look up to, the red carpet (even with silly questions), wearing a tuxedo that costs more than my first car..all that stuff, I totally want that experience one day. It looks fun and is the definition of the party that "all the cool kids are invited to". By itself it should not define your career but if you really want it..WANT IT and acknowledge that.

Lesson 2: It takes a team to get there..thank them when you do

One of the best things about the show are all the thank you speeches. One thing it took me forever to realize is that you cant do it alone in a business like this. You need a team but it is your responsibility to build the best "team" you can. Martin Landau was interviewed walking into an after party and to the question of what he was excited about tonight he responded with "I'm excited to see some old friends". Whatever your field it should be like that for you. Any business/industry is a mix of friends and rivals.Our human competitive nature means we are always excited to call someone a rival because it means we can beat them. Be just as excited to call people friends..all you have to do is thank them and help them like they help you. You need both friends and rivals to get anywhere.

Lesson 3: No matter where you are today, you can get there tomorrow

As big of a gathering of stars as the Oscars are, there is always one person who ends up stealing the show and being THE star for the night. This year, Jennifer Lawrence was clearly the star of stars. Seemingly everything that night worked out well for her. Even when she fell, it made her look good with how it happened and how she recovered. Awesome for her and I wish her even more success than she has already had. The bigger take away...5 years ago she was just an actor grinding to make her dream happen. Think about that. In that short amount of time she is at the top of her business. It wasn't accidental for sure. Lots of work, luck, work, a great team, living right, going for it, sacrifice..etc. Now if told you in 5 years you could achieve your personal Oscar moment, wouldn't that fire you up? Yeah...me too.


Everyone has personal "I made it" moments in their life and career. Buying a house..an exotic vacation or car. Or maybe its the big big promotion, corner office or moving your start-up company into a bigger space. Find your moment and go after it. It will take sacrifice to get there..but so long as your Oscar is worth it, the sacrifice will be worth it .


Quote for today

“I always wanted to be somebody. If I made it, it's half because I was game enough to take a lot of punishment along the way and half because there were a lot of people who cared enough to help me.”




Thanks for reading guys. My hope is always that if we all go for what we want..we can inspire each other to the heights we all dream of. Have a great day!! Hit me up with any questions and comments.



Ahmad
@MovieststarAhmad

Simple ideas to make your 2013 GREAT

Happy New Year!!


Greetings everyone! I hope you all had a great holiday. I want to first thank those people who asked about no posts in December :) With my birthday and the holiday season I feel like people have important stuff to do with their families and loved ones as opposed to reading what I have to say. That said, the moviestar chronicle isn't going anywhere!! I'm going to continue to write about my journey as an actor and positive views on life and success for a long time. I expect this year to be the biggest year yet for my acting career (hear that, acting gods?) so I'm looking forward to telling you more stories about that. Ideally, my last post might be the day I am nominated for an academy award. That would be an amazing culmination of this part of the story..but hey, who knows. I appreciate all of you for reading. BTW Check out the newly redesigned www.ahmadruss.com when you have time.

2013 is here which means we humans have been granted more time to pursue our respective dreams and destiny! Gosh..I LOVE new years. I purposely didn't want to write to you on Jan 1 because I didn't want to get caught up in the "resolution crowd". I believe new years resolutions DON'T work. Generally anything you decide to do after the 5 glass of champagne wont last. So now a few days into the year, lets talk about how you and I are going to make this the best of 2013. I am big on goal setting and you can find that information in the archives. Take a look and set some goals. Today isn't as formal and regimented as that. Today is about a few simple ideas that will put you in a position to have a much better year this year than last. If you can add these simple things to your life plan..good stuff will come..I promise :)

1. Find one new-old thing each month to be thankful for

You arent the first or only person to take things for granted. Its a bad habit we all have. Sometimes by going against a bad habit, the result can be immediately positive. We all have things that dont go our way..you wont always get the job, house, car, boy/girl, award that you want. Its easy to focus on this. So easy that we forget whats going RIGHT in our lives. So grab your calendar and set a recurring event each month to find something in your life to be thankful for. Acknowledge it..say it out loud and then write it down in a journal or notepad. Nothing long, just a couple of sentences. Later in the year you will enjoy reviewing what you are thankful for.

2. Resolve unfinished business with at least 1 friend and 1 family member

This is a pretty vague one..but its intended to be. You have friends and family members with whom you have something important to deal with. If you are honest with yourself, you can probably think of more than 2 right now. Deal with those people! If you have to apologize, do that. If you are going to demand an apology, do that. If you need to say something to them that weighs on your mind, do it and get that weight off of your mind. The action from your end may be positive or negative and the resolution, through their response, may be positive or negative. That is fine. You guys will have a better relationship going forward and you can turn your mind towards other things. I realize we all have more than 2 people in this category. If you are so motivated to deal with more..great. Just 2 will be a big improvement

3. Identify and do 1 specific thing that will move your career/job forward

I'm an actor. Some of you are portfolio managers, accountants, car salesmen and teachers. We are all responsible for knowing our respective industries and jobs. Most of us have high aspirations and want to continue to move "up" in our fields. There are a lot of things that you need to do to make significant career jumps. Keep working on the "lot of things" but identify 1 specific thing that by itself would represent a step forward for you. I don't know all of your fields but for me, getting a 2-3 line part on a network TV show is 1 specific (and doable) thing that represents a step forward for me in my field. It will not mean I am a household name or rich and famous but if I can do that this year, I will have taken a step forward. There are much bigger goals in my field, sure, but this small thing would make this year by definition better than last year. **For those that don't like their jobs at all..stay tuned for a full post this month to help you specifically.


4. Add one small weekly fitness item  this year

No surprise here, you guys know I believe in being as fit as you can be. Some of us get fit in the cage, some of us run marathons. You don't have to do either but add a little something to your current life to help get you into the mindset for fitness. Take the stairs. Walk a mile or two. Do 10 push ups and sit ups a night. Those small things by themselves wont get you in great shape but they will start to break down whatever barriers you have internally that prevent you from being in the best shape you can be in. It doesn't have to be something I pick..but you do have to pick something

5. Do one thing for fun each month

Easy right? Do one thing each month (set it on your calendar guys) with the only idea of it being fun. Not for competition, not for money or for your job. Just something that's fun for YOU. Even better if you search for new things that you haven't done before. Get friends and family involved or do it by yourself. Just anything that is so fun that it takes you out of your every day mind frame. Smile..laugh..play..whatever it is you think is fun..make a little time for that.

**guys..all this stuff might take 1-2 days a month out of your oh so busy schedule. That's not much time when you really think about it. The rewards for you will be MUCH greater and you will have a better this year than last. Isn't that what we all want??

Quote to live by

"Instead of focusing on how much you can accomplish, focus on how much you can absolutely love what you’re doing"

Thanks for reading!! Happy 2013!

Ahmad

www.ahmadruss.com

@MoviestarAhmad 

Holidays for the artist.and family.

Happy holidays guys!

As always I hope this message reaches you in good health and spirits. I hope you all had plenty of family and food around you at thanksgiving. On a personal note, I have just hired a new manager to help me get my career moving forward. Ken, I am excited to work with you. For all of you readers, stay tuned for a revamp of my blog and website.

My parents gave me so much wisdom. I believe my fundamental advantage in life is not having movie star good looks :) or being tall..its that I had a mom and dad who cared about me. They care about me and support me to this day. Its something I don't appreciate enough some times. The holidays can be tough on us not so famous artists. Why? Because you answer more questions from family that you know, and love, regarding the lack of your name on the Box Office. First of all, to all those families out there, it is COMPLETELY FAIR for you to ask those questions. If the starving artists cant deal with that part of the game then they have bigger issues. More importantly we want to know that you care about us! Those questions about "how come you don't see us on TMZ" means you are wondering how we are doing. It makes us feel like we are not out here all alone. Your spirits and energy are with us. We can feel it..it feels great when you tap into that force. All artists should do this more often.

For the artist..answer every one of these questions. They don't expect you to be famous over night..they just want to make sure your heart is in the game. And it is..right?? Exactly. These aunts and uncles care about you and want you to live your dream. They do NOT want you to fail. When you take a moment and realize that, all the questions should get a little smile from you inside. Believe me, your agent, producer friend, manager or studio head wont ask these questions. Enjoy the love and feel the love.

I already know that my ENTIRE FAMILY will be there on my first headlining red carpet with the intent to have a ball. When that happens, ill feel all that love

Be thankful for your close people this holiday season. This is probably the most important thing I've ever said on this blog :)


Quote

"Live with no excuses and love with no regrets"

Thanks for reading guys! Hit me on twitter

Ahmad

@moviestarahmad 

It can ALWAYS be better or worse & staying positiv

Happy Fall gang!

Good to speak with you all. If you have any friends and family on the east coast, I hope they are all safe. Today I'm giving away one of my biggest keys to staying positive.

Recently I picked up a new friend on facebook. I realize this isn't exactly a news flash in 2012. I have been friends with this person in real life before facebook (which might be more of a news flash) and recently I saw them for the first time since becoming FB friends. As we were parting company she asked me "How the heck do you stay so positive on facebook?" Thanks for giving me a great blog post idea..

Life perspective of Better and Worse

Being positive comes from within..like all your magical powers (we all have them) and is a formula comprised of many things. One specific key that helps me stay positive is a statement my long term friends have heard me say many times.. "It can ALWAYS be better/worse".  No matter what happens to you in any moment, you can look at the situation and remind yourself of that undeniable fact to help bring some perspective to your short term success, failure, trouble or triumph. When things aren't going so well it is easy to see how this can help. When some crazy driver smashes into your brand new bright red Ferrari..and you are screaming at them and cursing your luck, remember, it could always be worse. You could be looking at your smashed Ferrari from a stretcher being carried by paramedics. Lets not even think about how much worse that scenario could get for you. Those times when you don't have quite as much money as you want, need, or deserve..could always be worse. Someone else is probably doing unspeakable things in order to get that money. The kind of things that you can never get away from in your own mind no matter how good the money might be. That you aren't doing those things can help calm your mind, relax and keep going in a positive direction with your actions and thoughts. For us actors, that time you didn't book that part and you see another actor get the guest-star role on ABC that you wanted definitely sucks. At the same time, it could be worse, there is some person who isn't even in Hollywood who watches that show and their heart breaks because acting is what they know they should be doing. You guys get the point on how it helps when times are rough...

How can this help me go from positive to MEGA-positive? No matter how good it is, it could always be better. Some time from now, Sony pictures will be paying me 7 figures to film an awesome movie in an exotic and great location. Sounds great right? Heck yeah it does. But It could always be better... I could be doing the same thing except its a film I wrote and I am an executive producer on the project. EVEN BETTER. When you realize that a good situation could be better you do 2 things 1. You validate the work and steps you have taken to get where you are and 2 You realize that there is more work to do and you can do EVEN MORE THAN YOU THOUGHT BEFORE. Sure, celebrate a little bit along the way but for you to reach your greatness, you have to keep pushing your talents and self to new limits. Doing so with a positive attitude will make your work light and your journey FUN! That's what I'm in this crazy life for...to have fun.

Motivational quote of the day

"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go"

Thanks guys for reading. Hit me up with any questions

Ahmad

Moviestar on the rise

Twitter: @MoviestarAhmad

Your Art and comfort..no relation

Greetings everyone!

Happy end of summer. Time to get into the gym because next summer is right around the corner and I know you all want to look your best :)

Ill keep it short this week guys. Largely because its October and there is still time to re-focus on what you want to accomplish this year and make major progress towards it. That sort of refocus will help set you up to blast through your goals and change your life next year!! Yes I said change your life. That's for another post, but that's how I think every year. The work I put in this year can and will CHANGE MY LIFE :) All that said, let me get to the point..

Art and comfort do NOT coexist

Being an artist is great on many levels. Its a big challenge, a noble pursuit, a way I can express myself and help others. It requires me to use all of my energy and makes me constantly improve myself. On that level I have gotten more out of myself than I ever imagined. One thing being an artist is not..it is NOT comfortable. Nor is it supposed to be.

To create..to focus on the art of something means you have to leave some of the comfortable aspects of life behind. Sometimes that means not eating while I am pouring through a script and trying to understand a character. Sometimes that means night shoots that require you to be mentally and emotionally fresh at 3am. Painters, sculptors and music producers can all share experiences where it got uncomfortable while they were pursuing their art. Its part of the game. The positive thing is that as you are getting more UNcomfortable, you are freeing yourself and getting ready to create art. Said another way, when you start feeling uncomfortable you are closer to expressing the artistic truth that you are searching for. To do something artistically real and honest you have to put art first..ahead of comfort. You can be comfortable afterwards.

You guys already know my thoughts on this..EVERYONE is (or can be) an artist in their own realm. There is an artistic aspect to teaching or being a personal trainer or whatever you do. If you pursue what you do and put it first, above your own comfort, you will see all the rewards that come with being one of the best artists in your respective field. I cant speak for you but that's what I want to be.

Don't worry about comfort guys. Not when you are doing your work. Just pursue your type of art with all your might. While you are training, acting, cage fighting, painting, teaching or working in the lab..put your work first..and it will put you first down the line!

Motivational quote of the week....

Enter every activity without giving mental recognition to the possibility of defeat. Concentrate on your strengths, instead of your weaknesses… on your powers, instead of your problems.



Thanks for reading!

Ahmad
@MoviestarAhmad

Hone YOUR warrior mindset!

Hey guys!

Hope all is going well for you this summer. Its almost over so go get your time in on the beach while you still can! Ramadan went great for me and I am feeling as invincible as I ever do during the year. Eid Mubarak to all, whether you fasted or not.


We all need motivation. Like working out, motivating yourself is something you have to do regularly in order to keep yourself at a good healthy level. There are certain things that I constantly feed (and re-feed) my mind over and over again to keep my mental focus high. When I first started studying acting professionally my teacher and the foundation of my acting technique, Milton Katselas, gave all his students a book that covered various things about acting and life. One thing in that book that I constantly read is what I'm going to share with you. It may not be one of the literary classics but I had never seen or read it before. Its called The Warrior. Its basically a collection of statements about how a warrior operates in life. Some of my favorite warrior statements are listed below. Take a read...because I'm sure some of it will apply to what you believe or how you WANT to be. **for you ladies out there, please replace "He" with "She" :) If you want a copy of the whole thing, let me know and I will send it to you.

The Warrior (Guerrero)

A Warrior leaps into battle

A Warrior knows but one position to face life: frontally, or some other way he believes will be effective

A Warrior adopts aggressiveness as a stance towards life that rouses, energizes and motivates

A Warrior is not stuck with one way. He is flexible 

A Warrior maintains a flexibility of strategy that comes with razor-sharp evaluation

A Warrior is constantly improving communication skills

A Warrior never holds a grudge

A Warrior knows his days are few, which leads him to an intense experience of life that is unknown to others

A Warrior fully understands celebration

A Warrior knows every act counts

A Warrior knows there is no time for hesitation

A Warrior doesn't try to be right, he just fixes things in his working and personal relationships

A Warrior is definitely the guy who walks through the threshold, if the threshold needs walking through

A Warrior is willing to confront, or not, by his own decision

A Warrior does not know how to spell flinch

A Warrior will only destroy what needs to be destroyed so that something more valuable, more effective can appear

A Warrior masters the techniques of his craft -and his life- through continuous study, discipline and stretching the boundaries

A Warrior is like a pro. He gets things done. NOW

A Warrior doesn't think too much. Thinking leads to doubt, doubt to hesitation, hesitation to inaction, inaction to losing, losing to death

Powerful stuff? Yeah I think so. We are all warriors within guys. Its not about conquering nations and destroying armies. Its about CONQUERING YOURSELF and living life to the fullest while you are here.

Motivational quote of the day..

"One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals"

Enjoy guys! Let me know what you think and thanks for reading

Ahmad

@MoviestarAhmad