ABCs Of Audacity - D - Do It Scary
TeeJ Mercer
Keynote Speaker??Philanthropist & Founder of Move-In Day Mafia ??Author ??Transforming HBCU Dorms for Foster Care Alumni ??Hollywood Insider ?? Passion for Giving Hugs
“The only way to get good at doing media is…
TO DO MEDIA!”
That’s exactly what I teach my Media Mavericks when I’m not on my philanthropic duties as “The Godfather” of Move-In Day Mafia.
As a media coach, I teach authors, experts, coaches, and entrepreneurs how to book themselves on ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and more without a publicist and without being a celebrity.
Walking into a studio, with bright lights, knowing you are potentially speaking to millions, and you have only 3-5 minutes to demonstrate your genius AND serve the audience with information that can solve the problems that’s keeping them up at night.
Anybody would be nervous and antsy and shaky and well…
SCARED!
And yet…
Knees knocking. Teeth Chattering.
We do it anyway.
Why?
Because the desire to serve and help walks us forward and overtakes the fear that tries to root our feet in quicksand.
But what if you aren't doing TV? What if the spotlight you face is in the boardroom, asking for a promotion, or a raise?
Or maybe it's having that tough conversation you've been avoiding?
It's still fear.
Start by activating my favorite word.
Tap into that characteristic that we are all born with.
??OUR ????????????????????!
You came into the world resilient.
Think about it.
When a baby is learning to walk, what happens?
They fall. But they keep getting back up. And this cycle repeats until…
Their legs are stronger.
Their balance is steadier.
And before you know it, they’re not just walking—they’re whirling around like a tiny tornado. Tearing through the living room, legs churning up a storm, and parents left in the dust trying to child-proof everything at knee-height.
That’s RESILIENCE!
Resilience is that ingredient that we can tap into knowing that if there is breath in our body, we can get back up again…and again…and again!
ANOTHER FAITH-FUELED FLIP
“Your time in TV as you know it is up.”
Say what now?
But those are the words I never thought I would ever hear…ever!
And yet, that’s exactly what the Holy Spirit whispered to me back in 2014.
All I’d ever wanted since majoring in TV Production at Howard University was to be a TV Editor and at the time of this new gut-punch revelation, I had lived my dream for over 20 years.
Therefore!
I wanted no part of this new plan. I loved what I did for a living. I’d worked on everything from The Tonight Show to Shrek to Cars, The Incredibles, to The Bachelor to Swamp People to Bar Rescue with a whole lotta lot in between.
And I still loved it.
So what do you mean I am done? Done to do what?
And because there were no other directions…
I was scared!
And yet…
Knees knocking…teeth chattering…
I had to do it and do it scared.
But get this…
LEAP AND THE NET WILL APPEAR
? Doing it scared led to writing 5 books, with one downloaded almost 10,000 times in 2 days on SIX continents.
? Doing it scared led to raising over $1 million in cash and prizes in less than four weeks and giving it to nearly 500 HBCU grads in a series of epic virtual Bingo games
? Doing it scared led to box-office behemoth Samuel L. Jackson hilariously referring to me as a “mf-ing cheerleader.”
? Doing it scared led to launching a nonprofit that’s dedicated to surprising and taking care of HBCU scholars who have aged out of foster care and unhoused - MoveInDayMafia.org.
? Doing it scared led to experiencing unbelievable miracles regularly.
So how did I do all of that?
?? I realized that no matter what, I was born resilient and I can come back from anything as long as I have breath.
?? I realized that my divine assignments come with the assurance that God will always be there to guide me.
?? I realized that being fearless is not the absence of fear because fear is natural and has its place.
?? I realized that every great feat often started with overcoming great fear.
?? I realized that I care more about the outcome of the good I can do than I care about my comfort zone so I leap.
These realizations have powered me through every "Oh no!" moment with a "Let’s go!" attitude. I've transformed from someone who tiptoes around fear to someone who dances right through it.
So, if you're feeling that fear, don't back down—step up.
Embrace that scared, shaky feeling and turn it into your stepping stone. Because beyond the barrier of fear lies the true magic: the chance to make a real difference, the thrill of achieving the unimaginable, and the joy of breaking past your own limits.
Up next week... theme for #ABCsOfAudacity…E-Expect Pushback!
See you then and don’t forget to download Waiting For Suddenly completely FREE. In it, I share ALL the miracles and show you the ABCs Of Audacity principles in action.
Until next week…
Give yourself a hug for me!