I’m so happy it’s finally summer. I know that I keep mentioning it, but it’s because I really am SO happy – honestly, I think everything just seems better and easier in the summer.

One of my favorite things about summer is going to outdoor concerts. I love live music all year round, but hearing it outside is just such an experience. So this weekend I kicked off my outdoor concert series by seeing Vance Joy at Stage AE.

Stage AE is actually one of my favorite concert venues in Pittsburgh – it’s small enough that you can see the stage from every spot, and they have designated accessible viewing areas so that I can see above the heads of the rest of the crowd.

Alice Merton was the opener – she’s a singer/songwriter whose first single came out in 2016. In between songs, she was talking about getting her first single released, and she said that no record label would sign her, so she actually started her own label because she believed in herself so much. She said it wasn’t an easy process, but one that (clearly) was worth it for her.

I really loved this reminder that sometimes, you have to make things happen for yourself. That it’s not only about believing in yourself, but about following through and taking action. And while that’s the most important part, it’s also the hardest.

Starting something big, whether it’s a record label or an advocacy project or anything else – can seem incredibly overwhelming. It’s so hard to know where to even start. I’ve been making some progress, slowly, on my advocacy project, so I thought I’d share what I learned so far.

• Take baby steps
  When something seems so overwhelming, the best way to start is by taking baby step after baby step. Pick something little, that’s easy to check off your list, and do that. Even if it seems like something insignificant, it’s progress, and forward motion, and that’s what matters!

• Talk to everyone and anyone
  This one is hard for me, because I’m not one that likes to just talk to people about projects I’m still in the process of working on! But you never know who you’ll meet that might be interested in connecting and learning more about what you’re doing.

• Take people up on their offers
  So, after you’ve talked to people, you should take them up on whatever they might offer you. Whether it’s a connection, a phone call, a donation… accept it graciously. You do need other people’s help, so when they offer it, make sure you accept it!

I’d love to hear any tips you have – let me know in the comments!