Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda.
How many times do you use at least one of those words a day? I know I’m often kicking myself in regards to the stuff I wish I could do different now. Because let’s be real hindsight is always 20/20.
The shoulda, coulda, woulda mindset is extremely limiting because we can’t go back and change what has already happened. We can only move forward.
It’s completely natural to reflect on the past and learn from the missteps. But we wouldn’t have known unless we had made that decision in the first place.
Sometimes regret can be a motivator. A client once shared with me that she had an opportunity to try out to a be a yoga teacher and she didn’t audition for a number of reasons but mostly because she was scared she wouldn’t get hired. When we started working together she told me that she was fully committed to growing her business because she never wanted to feel that shoulda, coulda, woulda feeling again.
How many times in your life have you limited yourself because of fear?
It’s easy to get locked into what we SHOULD/COULD/WOULD have done looking back. An article Susan Kelley from the Cornell Chronicle shared that in short term people regret their actions but it’s the inaction that lingers with us for years to come.
The first step to stop shoulding on yourself is to become conscious of the thoughts. “I should have gone to the gym” “If I knew what I knew now, I could have made a better decision” “I would have launched this business sooner if I hadn’t been so scared” Sound familiar?
Once you’re aware you can make the commitment to challenging those shoulda, woulda, coulda thoughts. One way to do this is to LIMIT the words should/could/.would out of your vocabulary - now let’s be real that’s tough to do and you aren’t going to be perfect so think about how you can hold yourself accountable while you work on re-routing your mindset.
Have fun trying different words and forgive yourself if you find yourself in a shoulding or coulding type of mood. Try more empowering phrases like “I am”, “I can”, “I will”. CHALLENGE the thoughts with something more accurate.
Other more tangible action to take is just that- taking action. Setting short term realistic goals can bring confidence and momentum. REMEMBER nothing is perfect & no one is perfect. Taking action will lead you to your next step.
Today’s founder, April Mosebrook, learned how to maneuver around that mindset and take action! She is the founder of Bucket List Broadway and the lead singer of her own band April and the Funk Junkies! I met April back when I was teaching yoga at CorePower Yoga. April is an avid yogi and now teacher. I still remember our conversations as she was parting from her corporate job while we were in the locker room together. Funny how the universe brings us together!
April launched herself into this new beginning. She worked diligently on getting out of her comfort zone, learned how to build her business, asked for help along the way, and poured every ounce of passion into this project. April learned to reframe her limiting beliefs and build a business that she loves. Passion is something that April instills in the decisions she makes in her life whether that is singing, spending time with her family, or with her love of exercise. April’s positive mentality and excitement to bring people together is exactly what is making her life ROCK!
Biggest take away: be like Nike, JUST DO IT.
If you’d like to learn more about participating in Bucket List Broadway and dipping your toe into this creative world take a look at this amazing YouTube video and her website to get inside look! Also you can contact April by email or text: her email is bucketlistbroadway@gmail.com and phone number is 619-726-2817. She is also available by her Facebook page or instagram.
April Mosebrook everyone!
What is YOUR story!? Tell us a bit about your background both personally and professionally.
I was born and raised in a very small town in Arkansas. I fell in love with singing early on, starting out in church and then branching out to community events, talent shows, and eventually summer theme park performance jobs. I wasn't really exposed to live musical theater because of lack of access, but I always had a flair for the dramatic! I literally wanted to BE Sandy in Grease the movie! During the summer after my sophomore year in college while working at a resort in New Jersey, I experienced my first Broadway show in NYC- a revival of Guys and Dolls. A new obsession was born. I came back to college at the University of Arkansas ready to change the direction of my life by changing my major to musical theater. However, reality didn't quite support my dream, as I was two years into classes supporting a Microbiology degree and was on a 4 year academic scholarship, which would've run out before I was able to get the new degree. So, I took every theater elective I could manage, auditioned for every campus musical I could, and promised myself that someday I would perform one way or another. Over the next few years, I had several performing jobs, one of which allowed me to live and work in Austria and travel throughout Europe. Upon returning to the US, I knew it was time to "get serious" about a career, and put my science degree to use. I had been accepted to dental school but I knew in my heart that I would not be happy (or even good at) fixing people's teeth! So I looked for something that would allow me to use my degree while also being in a competitive environment with plenty of interaction with people. This was when the pharmaceutical world was exploding so I became a sales rep - a job that would take me to Florida and California, would introduce me to the man who became my husband and father of my daughter, AND (after my divorce), the man who is the love of my life and my partner for the last 8+ years. This career path would provide me with a lucrative and stable income, amazing benefits, life long friendships, and a flexible schedule that was great for a mom. There was only one problem: I wasn't passionate about it. I tried to convince myself that, in a way, sales was "performing": I got to be in front of an "audience" of customers, and I even tied in my love for singing by writing songs that sold my products! I also pursued, on a small scale, things that brought me joy, such as yoga and singing in a band. But I still longed for more. In addition to my lack of passion, as the years marched on and times changed, I became more and more disillusioned with the pharma industry itself. This, along with other factors in my personal life, nudged me toward a self care journey in which I working with a resilience coach and a mediation guide. Shortly after beginning this, my company announced that lay offs were coming. I began to meditate upon the concept of having time and space in my life, and visualizing what I would do with it! Dreams of performing and having my own theater business kept resurfacing. I truly believe that this meditation and visualization practice helped me manifest being released from the corporate job that had held me down. In the year that followed, I received a severance pay that allowed me to explore the things that truly brought me joy. I became a certified yoga teacher, took on more responsibility in my role as lead singer of my band, and spent more time with my daughter. I knew there was still more in store for me though. I longed to be create something of my own; to be my own boss; to fashion and mold my dreams into a real business that would bring joy to myself and others. I still wasn't sure what that looked like or how it would manifest but I was open to inspiration. It was around this time that I heard about Broadway Weekends.
How did you get your idea or concept for your business?
So I was driving one day, flipping around on SiriusXM radio, when I stopped on the Broadway channel. There was a young woman talking about a new opportunity in NYC for those who dreamed of performing in musicals but didn't have the outlet. She had created a program called Broadway weekends and likened it to a summer theater camp for adults. OMG. She was talking about AND right to me! This was a bucket list item for me! Right away, I called my college theater friend in Miami and convinced him we had to do it! Throughout the weekend, I just kept thinking, "why wouldn't this work in San Diego?" This was the type of experience I had been CRAVING for years. San Diego has a huge theater presence, both community and professional, but my experience had been that it is hard to break into. And even more importantly for me, even if were to be cast in a show, the time it would take wasn't realistic for me as a mom and a spouse. So I set upon my journey - calling upon two amazing women for advice and support. First was the aforementioned young womanwho started Broadway Weekends, Jeanna De Waal. I wanted to ask for her "blessing" and guidance as I set upon this path. (Fun fact, Jeanna recently starred as the title character in Diana the musical at La Jolla Playhouse and will reprise the role on Broadway. Talk about a bad ass Female Founder! The other was my friend and mentor, theater critic Pat Launer, who connected me with so many people in the theater community, provided invaluable guidance, and suggested the name of Bucket List Broadway! I couldn't have done it without their help! From there, I researched, networked, asked questions, went out of my comfort zone, and poured passion into creating this opportunity so that like minded people could come together and satisfy their craving to perform. Hence, Bucket List Broadway was born.
Tell us more about your business and what you do!
Bucket List Broadway is a workshop during which participants get to explore their passion for performing musical theater by working with local theater professionals in a safe space. BLB'ers are guided thru different sessions, working toward a performance of solos and a group number at the end of the workshop. Participants are encouraged to bring in a solo they would like to work on and the musical director will provide tips, training and guidance to help them grow. We also work on vocals and choreography for the big dance number, as well as spend time on vocal technique, acting skills and movement. The workshop culminates in a "showcase" performance for family and friends during which the participants showcase what they have learned. We welcome any levels of experience (from seasoned performers to brand new explorers) and no auditions or training are required. It really is a beautiful thing to see my fellow Musical Theater lovers as they let go, experience, enjoy, perform, grow, blossom and fully soak up this opportunity. I provide guidance at many levels and play the role of both teacher and participant throughout the weekend.
Bucket List Broadway is a fairly new endeavor, and is the type of experience that will forever be changing to keep up with the needs and desires of each group I work with. Therefore, I know I will be revising, revisiting and morphing the program with each occurrence. I also plan on offering variations, such as special workshops for high school students, and parent/child workshops. I am also planning to offer these as special events to groups who want to set up private workshops.
Looking back would you do anything different?
I used to be the type of person who said "I shoulda, coulda, woulda" about a lot of things in my life. So I sometimes had the tendency to wish that I would have started something sooner! But, luckily, I am quickly able to pull out of that mindset, since I know that this passion could've only come to fruition when I was fully ready for it. The universe gently guided me to this when the time was right and the space was cleared in my life. This dream could have only been fully realized when I was inspired, prepared, and able to fully commit to it.
What is your favorite thing about being an entrepreneur?
I love being able to create something from the ground up. It is so freeing, fun and satisfying to take my dream and manifest it as reality. Another thing that is nice is that I am in control of my own schedule so that (at least sometimes) I can work around what works for the rest of my life and my family.
Share your favorite moment or moments while growing your business.
Two moments stick out in my mind. The first was receiving a phone call from a woman who had seen my promotional appearance on KUSI. I could hear the excitement in her voice and was surprised that she had actually reached ME! (As if I was special or a celebrity or BLB was some huge business!) It was so cute! Her story and her passion were exactly what I had envisioned as the perfect participant in my dream endeavor. The second was the performance at the end of my first workshop. When I stood up to address the crowd, I was overwhelmed with a sense of accomplishment and happiness. This moment was only surpassed by the joy and pride I felt as the BLB'ers showcased what they had learned. I was blown away by their bravery, their talent, their growth and their enthusiasm.
What are some of the challenges of being an entrepreneur?
It's interesting....my biggest challenges are born from the things I love the most! Although I love being in charge of my schedule and time, I sometimes have trouble when it comes to focusing and prioritizing. As a mom, spouse, dog owner, yoga teacher, lead singer, volunteer, avid exerciser, lover of life AND entrepreneur, I am constantly being pulled in many directions, as most women are. Also, although I have many years of sales and business experience, this is my first time starting something from scratch, which means there are a lot of things I had to learn from a business perspective.
What about some of the challenges you face as a female entrepreneur?
Luckily, I haven't really faced any challenges from others on the outside yet. I feel that women are finally starting to get the respect we deserve and that it's a great time to be a woman starting a business. Most of my challenges are self imposed - self doubt, fear of failure, what if's -and other things that I place in my own way, and sometimes it seems that these characteristics affect women more often and more profoundly than they do men. But I think women also tend to recognize and deal with these internal challenges more efficiently and honestly.
Advice for other other female entrepreneurs or those looking to get started?
Don't get in your own way. The challenges I face are only made bigger when I place limiting thoughts on them or let my fear get in the way. When you experience thoughts of failure, instead of letting them stop you, use them as fuel and reframe the situation. I literally would say to myself - "what's the worst that can happen?" and "if the worst does happen, what does that mean?" And then I decided that even if the worst DID happen, rather than seeing it as a failure, I would reframe it as a moment of growth and a lesson on how to improve for next time.
What is your favorite quote?
"The one thing that you have that nobody else has is YOU. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can" Neil Gaiman
How do you avoid burnout?
My #1 savior from fatigue and burnout is exercise! I am an avid HOT yogi and also enjoy many other physical activities, such as swimming, spinning, running stairs at the beach and hiking. I schedule this time into my day with just as much importance as any other appointments.
We know all entrepreneurs work differently. How do you schedule your day?
I schedule blocks of time to work on the business and try to stick to those, allowing breaks in order to recharge. Each day and week looks different because of where I am in the process of building a workshop and because of my other responsibilities, so I sit down every Sunday night to plan out my week (workouts included!) and make a plan that will maximize my time in the week ahead.
What are your MUST have tools?! (things like organization, calendars, social media, payment platforms, business development sources...etc.)
I am still pretty old fashioned when it comes to planning, so my big ole notebook journal is where I make my to-do lists, jot down my ideas and brainstorm. I put all all my appointments (and sometimes even reminders from my to-do list) on my phone calendar so I always have it right at my fingertips. I feel we are lucky to have social media these days as it is an amazing way to promote without having to spend any or much money!
How do you advertise your brand?
Facebook has certainly been my friend as I promote Bucket List Broadway. Not only do I post on my business and personal page, I enlist the help of friends inside and outside of the theater community to spread the word. I appeared on the KUSI morning show for an interview and a song just prior to the first workshop, which resulted in bringing in a few more participants. I did interviews and articles with several neighborhood papers, and I plan on using these same tools again with each subsequent workshop. One of my goals is to eventually advertise in playbills and programs of local shows. I imagine there are many people who, like me, wish they could be on stage instead of just in the audience so this should be a great way to find enthusiastic clients.
Is there anything else you'd like for us to know?
We will be announcing our next event soon, so please like us on Facebook to receive updates and announcements. Also, our website should be updated and ready to roll soon, so you will have one more way to stay in touch with us!
It was such a pleasure interviewing April. I love how her childhood passions helped guide her destiny. April, like myself, loves community and bringing people together. She truly loves encouraging people to try out areas of their life they’ve always dreamed about which could be performing on stage. April also reminded me to take care of myself- that we all need to take care of ourself. Time blocking our work day and scheduling physical activity is key to our success. Thank you for your time and energy dear friend! Can’t wait to have you on the LOTP podcast soon! xo
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