Everybody is Doing It

Everybody is doing it, whether you know it or not. In 2004, I was in a TV series entitled Everybody’s Doing It, directed and produced by Clayton Brooms Jr. The series described young individuals chasing their dreams. They were pursuing acting, singing, and modeling. Some did it for fame and money; some did it for the passion, love, or perhaps both.

Regardless, they were doing something with their lives. They were figuring out how to cross over into the arts where their gifts and talents would be on full display. They were excited to become successful by showing the best version of themselves.

Fast–forward to 2026, everybody is still doing it. Everyone is still pursuing something. They are getting involved in various transformative activities. They are life coaches, content creators, health coaches, doctors, lawyers, financial experts, business developers, network marketers, writers. Whatever it is, they are aiming to make a difference. They want to change something inside of them. They want to change lives and change the world.

One thing for sure, what I’ve learned is that changing the world starts with changing yourself by:

• Assess yourself and your current reality.

• Track how you actually spend your time.

• Identify what makes you thrive.

• List the top three priorities in life (What do you value?)

• Decide on an action plan.

  
  

When I look around my environment, online and offline, I see a lot of people striving to create a sustainable, stable foundation to make their communities better and to improve the lives of others. Recently, my friend started a home-based business. The business works to assist individuals with developmental disabilities. It was a passion of his while working his 9-to-5. For over ten years, he knew he wanted to start the business. He talked about it for years; he did his research. He did his due diligence. At one point, he almost went into partnership with someone, until he realized that if he did, it would not have been a partnership. Finally, one day he and his wife decided to get to work and pursue their dreams. No holding back. Their business is up and running now.

Everybody is doing the best they can with the knowledge they have, and those five steps mentioned above can be a starting point to embark on your journey.

One of the reasons why some people may not want to utilize those five steps is because of the fear and judgments they think others may place on them. Because in a world where everybody is doing it, pursuing something will come with a cost. Indeed, others may judge, and when that happens, quite too often, your pursuits halt. It halts for years on end because of worrying about what ‘They’ might say. And sometimes when everybody is doing it, one may feel like there is no need to do what they want to do because they think the market is saturated.

When I decided to write The Happy Black Daughter, I did experience a slight sense of doubt in the beginning. I wondered what people were going to think about the book. I thought about the millions of books already out there; who is going to want to read mine?  However, the more I thought about the impact the book could have on the lives of others, the more determined I became to continue writing. I was not going to allow the fear of judgment or the opinions of others to stand in the way of my purpose, even when I knew there were millions of published books out there on the shelves. No pressure, no intimidation, right?

Purpose becomes greater than fear when we stop worrying about how others are judging us. Especially during these times when the world feels divided, uncertain, and overwhelmed with negativity. Negativity on the internet and sometimes off the internet can become so palpable and disheartening. Judgment, criticism, and division often overshadow kindness, compassion, understanding, and the love of simply doing the work. Because of this, there are amazing change agents who fear sharing what they do. That should not be the case.

Lately, I've been taking on a new role as the Founder of Hearts of Sunshine Foundation, a foundation I started to help families and young adults in need. Although it is not yet a 501 (c) (3), I’m building it little by little because the goal is to change lives. What has been fun is being able to partner with other organizations like The Giving Pot Foundation, which share similar initiatives. Working with others with the same goals is inspiring and effective.

Another fun note I would like to emphasize: never suffocate who you are. Embrace the layers of you. Your life has influence. Never limit your potential. Do not be bogged down by one thing. Remember this: making a difference in the lives of others is ongoing for so many professionals. Whether you are a Writer, a Life Coach, or a Philanthropist, we have a choice to use our voice and our gifts in ways that encourage and inspire. Everybody is doing it; why can’t you?

Follow me here on Instagram. @Allison_Braham

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Author Allison Braham