The Art of Balance w/ Tiffany Nicole

BY RAMONA ROBERTS

Since we were young we were taught to follow our dreams. From every Disney movie to every teacher, the thing that makes us most happy and driven is what we were pushed to aspire towards. Yet somewhere between college and early adulthood, everything switched. The idea of being “realistic” with our goals became common advice, and passion and dreams were described as childish and unwise to invest in.

Rather than settling for this perspective, the millennial generation normalized the concept of doing it all. Today, so many people balance a full time job that offers security and a side hustle that fulfills a passion–but we don’t always balance the two. I talked to BET producer and painter Tiffany Nicole, to get her perspective on the art of balance and the struggle we face in choosing between our happiness and our safety net.

“I’ve always been interested in art,” she said when explaining her love for the expression. “Pretty much my whole life, even when I was a young kid in art class, art has always been something that I gravitated towards. So it’s definitely something that I’ve been passionate about for a long time.” Surprisingly, Tiffany didn’t start her painting career until fairly recent and describes it as more of an accident.

“I kind of went to sleep and had this weird dream. [I] woke up, sketched it out and then I decided to just paint what I had dreamt and then the painting actually turned out really good. So I’m like ‘Oh wait, Hold up! We might of just did something right here!’ And then from there I was just showing people, and the feedback I was getting was just incredible. So I’m like ‘Wow. Dag I can paint.’ From there I just kept doing it, and it evolved into this little side hustle I have going on.”

But before artistry was a priority, the creative invested years in building her production career working at MTV, NFL Films, ESPN and currently BET. Tiffany is an advocate for taking jobs that serve towards your ultimate goal.

If it’s not your dream job, at least take a job where it’s a purpose and it’s going to get you closer to your dream job.

However, her stance was tested when she was faced with the crossroads many of us face in our early 20s.

“When I was right out of college I wasn’t getting job offers right away. But of course I was spraying my resume all over the internet and at that time I was just applying to any ole job...I was working at Victoria’s Secret, so I had the opportunity to advance myself and work towards becoming a manager which I don’t know, would’ve probably pay me like thirty or forty thousand a year. And I was considering it, but I also at the same time had an offer for an internship with the NFL. At the time, they paid minimum-wage which was seven dollars and fifty cents.”

A lot of times, chasing our true desires when it comes to our careers means sacraficing a pay cut. She continued to discuss the feedback she received from friends when they learned of her options. “Most people were like ‘Oh you bugging, that’s $40,000 a year right out of college.’” It was something that a college student would’ve jumped at. But I decided to go with the internship that had a very clear ending instead of that fulltime job. And that internship eventually led me to ESPN which eventually led me to BET which eventually led me to what I’m doing now. So I look back and I’m happy I took the internship with less pay.” With her currently balancing both this position and her artistry, she goes into detail about how she manages both and the sacrifices that have to be made.

“We don’t realize it but we spend way more time at home than we think we do. A lot of times I just decided you know what, instead of going to brunch, imma stay in and paint. Or like instead of coming home and watching TV, I’m gonna work on this painting...You do have the time you’re just not using it the way you should be using it. So its been a combination of like a little bit of discipline along with like me being really fortunate and having a job with a lot of flexibility.”

With balancing in our careers, we often settle for the job that pays the bills, and the side hustle that offers fulfillment. How often do we hold that fulltime job up to the standard of also fulfilling us? Tiffany believes that anything you invest your time in (especially the majority of your energy) should make you happy in some way.

“I know that this is a little controversial, but this is how I live my life. I am a big advocate for, if you’re at a job and you don’t like it, just leave...quit. I’ve done that, plenty of times...I am a big advocate for if it’s not serving you, and it’s not serving your spirit and you don’t feel fulfilled, then leave. Like there’s always going to be another job... leave, GO!” This concept is easier said than done. Yet, Tiffany remains firm in her opinion and further explains why it’s the best perception.

“A lot of people could and would disagree with that philosophy. So here’s what I have to say to the people who are like ‘Oh she’s buggin, I’m not just gonna up and quit my job.’ Okay that’s fine, if you don’t want to do it then come up with a plan and figure out how much it is that you actually need to pay your bills. Then figure how much it is you’re getting from your job and how much of a pay cut you would take if you were to go and do something else that was fulfilling to you, not necessarily paying the same amount. See what the difference is and then, see ‘what would I have to do to make up that amount of money to get my bills paid?’...where there’s a will there’s a way.” She emphasizes this for people who are young and have the flexibility to survive the leap of faith.

“It’s the sacrifices you make earlier in your career that put you in that comfortable spot later in your career. Because if you don’t do that now, then you gonna end up 40, 50-years-old working at a job for 25 years that you hate. But now instead of being young and being able to pivot, you have a kid, you have a mortgage, you got bills you gotta pay, you got obligations. So you just can’t up and quit your job like how you could when you were 20-something years old.”

Tiffany chooses to invest where she finds joy, and while building a career of producing and creating a career of painting, she shows there is no limit to how many passions you can have. Who said you can only have one!? As we grow and develop into different stages of who we are, wouldn’t our interest and passions develop as well. There’s more than just one thing we’re great at and that makes us happy, it’s just a matter of finding it.

“I just started to get into acting and improv. So that is something else I am starting to explore along with the art and producing like I do a lot of on-air stuff. Like I’ve hosted red carpets, I’ve done a lot of things when it comes to on-camera talent. So I’m just at the point where I’m doing anything and everything that I’m interested in and whatever pops off first that’s what ima run with.”

This creative clearly is a multi-tasking pro and has developed jewels of wisdom on the journey of following her happiness and balancing her career. However, your balance is subjective to you. It’s easy to get lost on the way and feel confused of your end goal. Find time to dive into where you want to be, what makes you happy, and if that is or is not where you’re currently investing most of your time. From there, illustrate your story and take the leap.

Instagram: @tiffycrazycool