5 Steps to Get Yourself in FORMATION

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I was at a lost for words when I watched Beyoncé’s latest project FORMATION. I knew this video would be something special, when the star hit us with that thug squat/gangsta lean on the floating police cruiser. Setting the tone for a Post-Katrina visual of her roots, a Southern gothic portrait of mystique and a celebration and mourning of black lives and black culture, this song and visual had messages that the masses needed to see from a superstar like Mrs. Carter.

 

Doreen St. Felix, Editor-in-Large of LennyLetter.com described it best via her tweet: “tell me Formation doesn’t look a toni morrison novel chopped and screwed come to life my GOD”

 

There were several lessons that the “Flaws and All” singer gave through her lyrics on this southern fried Mike Will Made It beat. FORMATION gave us tips for accepting who we are, working hard for what we want in life and slaying while we do it. Here are some steps to get us in FORMATION and ready to stop the world like Bey:

 

Step 1: Be Unapologetic

 

 

She starts the song off with the lyric, “Y’all haters corny with the Illuminati mess”.

 

We might not have Illuminati affiliations, but we all know about those gossip folks from work, school and in our families spreading lies and tearing down us down with their criticism.

 

I remember being in middle school, when the girls gathered around me and asked me three questions: Why do you talk like that? Why do you talk like white folks? Why are you smart like them, too? Those girls had a problem with who I was and made it known that I wasn’t one of them because of it. That was the first time I had to decide whether I wanted to fit in or march to the own beat of my drum. However, there was a price I felt that I paid for being myself. I went throughout middle and high school not feeling accepted, misunderstood and quite lonely.   It wasn’t until I entered college where I began to figure out how to let my crown shine and to make no apologies for it. A Howard University alumna said it best in her recent ESSENCE.com article as she described how the women of the university helped her discover her #BlackGirlMagic:

“And then, right before my eyes, “they” became “we.” I realized that I was among those women. We all had the ideas and the means to make our dreams come true,” Dominque Hobdy.

 

The first step to getting in formation is to be unapologetic. Being unapologetic is embracing what makes you unique and putting yourself first. Don’t change who you are to be accepted or to fit in with the crowd. They say you can’t get a job, if you rock your natural hair.  I say find a job where that environment is accepting of your braids, afro and twists. It’s all about having confidence and embracing your culture and the very essence that makes you special.

 

 

I learned in a recent panel about redefining your life that “water is a commodity and so am I”. You matter and you don’t have to apologize for it! You have to learn how to say, “no” to the things and the people who don’t align with your purpose or who take away from your happiness.

 

Step 2: Be More Than a Dreamer

 

There was an image of a man holding up a paper with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the front with the words, “More Than a Dreamer” on it. Dr. King was a change maker.  He was impactful in every way and his words became a movement to create a sense of action and purpose.

 

Therefore, the second step in formation is to be intentional in what you do and to make sure your next move is impactful. The dream is free but the hustle is sold separately. We make plans, we set goals and we envision what our lives should be, but the question is do we put action behind those thoughts.   Make this the year that you become a “doer”. The worst thing to happen is watching other people thriving in the very thing you plan to do yourself. Don’t eliminate yourself from your possibilities. You are equipped and capable of being more than just a dreamer.

 

 

Step 3: Paper is Your Best Revenge

 

“You just might be a Black Bill Gates in the making.”

Bey proved to us that you need to have a savings, when she announced her tour tickets go on sale this week.  Raise your hand if you can afford to buy a ticket today?

Being financially secure and independent is the best thing to be. When you have money you can do things on your own terms. You’ll have the money to treat your man to Red Lobster or buy him a short set whenever you feel like it.

A feeling of being chain down can come with not having your money right.  Not being financially secure will have you stuck at a job that you don’t want to be in, and stuck in a relationship you don’t need to be in.   Find ways to increase your income in order to  break free from debt and the people who suppress you because of it. Whether you take a leap of faith and pursue entrepreneurship or find ways to monetize your side hustle, you must stack your paper!

 

Side note:  I’m not going to lie, I’m not a fan of this lyric. It all started when I heard one of the Real Housewives of Potomac refer to her husband as the “Black Bill Gates” and I was annoyed. Why do you need to be the black version of someone? Why can’t you just be Black and wealthy on your own terms? But for entertainment purposes, I’ll deal with this lyric.

 

Step 4: Give it Your All at First Chance

 

I’ve been following Shiona Turini since her days as a fashion editor for Cosmopolitan magazine.  I remember when she left Cosmo, but I always wonder what was next for her. Since then she’s worked with Amazon, Fendi other fashion magazines showcasing her unique style and fashion expertise. When I found out this HBCU grad styled the FORMATION video, I was elated.

 

Shiona announced her involvement with the FORMATION visual via Instagram. It was her first time styling a music video, and she nailed every scene. This Bermudian gave it her all and I’m sure this won’t be the last time Beyoncé works with her.

 

The fourth step in formation is to give it your all the first chance you get. You never know who is watching you, and when the opportunity presents itself give it all you got! You really do only have one time to impress someone, so make it count.

 

Step 5: Ok Now, SLAY!

 

“You know you that chick when you cause all this conversation.”

 

There’s nothing like having a powerful machine behind you, and Parkwood is that machine. The way her management/entertainment company rolled out FORMATION was executed flawlessly. It was marketing brilliance and other artists just don’t know how to emulate it. Parkwood slayed this past weekend and set the tone for her upcoming world tour and possible album release.  Her team will keep you guessing as they work silently to cook up some explosive release for our taste-buds. Being different has helped her create a brand that is known for surprises and great content.  So finally, the last step to getting in FORMATION is to slay.  Slay with your actions and slay by being unique.

 

You can prove your haters wrong by thinking outside of the box. Do things differently and march to your own drum. People try, but have not come close to how she runs her empire.  Be creative,  be an individual, discover who you are and SLAY! Take a note from Beyoncé and work in silence. The best way to keep people on their toes is to surprise them. I see a lot of people prematurely announced things. What could have been a major moment for them is ruined because it wasn’t ready to be shared. Unfortunately that moment or thing never comes into fruition (i.e. announcing that you’re going to grad school, but you haven’t even applied yet and you never do).  Keep people guessing and talking about what’s next for you and let it be known to them when you’re ready.

 

Now that you have the steps,  let’s get in FORMATION. Its time to coordinate, support one another and slay!

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