![Quantcast](http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-GS-HF4BKvzCmv.gif)
![Why ROI Should Be The Basis Of Everything You Do](https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8xOTE1MTQ1My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTcyOTA5NTU5MH0.be4rGF_xbkBCtVRMxfkO0eSyZYhKPVpExhDFFc6-xLE/img.jpg?width=1200&height=600&quality=90&coordinates=0%2C37%2C0%2C84)
Why ROI Should Be The Basis Of Everything You Do
- As we know, time is something we cannot get back, and it's the most valuable investment a person could ever make.
There is no way for us to gain more of it, so how you spend your time is essential to the type of return you're going to get on your investment. What you put your time into is ultimately what you're nourishing; and what you nourish is what will grow. We often talk about investments and ROI from a financial standpoint, but what about the other ways investments and ROI play a role in the overall quality of your life?
Any time a person invests in anything they expect to see a return, or benefit from it in one way or another. All investments aren't tangible and neither are the returns; and these may very well be the most risky. Sometimes we aren't aware of the time, emotion, or mindspace we dedicate to things that mean us no good or don't help us progress in anyway; but there are ways for us to change that:
Open Your Eyes.
The things that hinder us most are almost always right in front of us, but we can't see it because it may be the very thing that we're used to. Just because you've become accustomed to something or someone doesn't mean that it, or they, deserve a permanent spot in your life. You have to become aware of what's affecting your progress and then be willing to weed those things out. The wrong type of investments can render negative returns, especially those to which you turn a blind eye.
You have to be able to look at things and figure out if the situation is best for you; that's the key. Set your sights on what you want, and determine what's necessary for you to attain it. Anything that deters you from the path of getting that isn't worth the investment.
Be Intentional.
Doing things purposely leaves less room for anything that has no promise of a return. When you're strategic and have an end goal in mind then the things that get in the way of that will be intentionally avoided. It's like hiring a trainer, attending the sessions, then not being mindful of the foods you consume. The hard work and the money you've invested goes out the window; and if you do see results, it's going to take much longer, and will require more money and more time. Seems silly to invest in something and get in the way of your own return, right?
Knowing what you're building toward and having the mindset to go after what you deserve will aid in your decision on how and what you choose to invest in. If you know that you don't have the time and mindspace to put toward something because it's going to cost you more than it's actually worth, then you're more than likely not going to do it.
Don’t Build to Destroy.
Investing is all about putting a little in and getting something back from it. Of course there are other deciding factors that determine how big a return will be, but every little gain matters, especially to those that have an end goal in mind.
We build brick by brick, and everything takes time. Remember that the small investments with even the smallest returns make a difference because each and every one of them are needed. There is no point in building to destroy, and that's exactly what happens when you invest parts of you into things that mean you, your goals, or your peace of mind no good.
ROI should be at the basis of anything you dedicate even the tiniest part of yourself to. Sometimes we can be so invested in the idea of investing in the people and things that we care about, that we don't take notice to how it does not benefit us. Whether the return is monetary or a building block toward your personal goals, make sure that your efforts aren't in vain.
Featured image by Getty Images
Related Stories
7 Types Of Investments All Boss Women Should Know About – Read More
This Young Filmmaker Used A $5,000 Self-Investment To Manfiest Her Dreams – Read More
Money Expert Jamila Souffrant Shares Her Financial Independence Tips – Read More
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Blair Underwood Initially Turned Down 'Sex And The City' Because 'It Was About How Samantha Was Fascinated By Dating A Black Man’
Actor and heartthrob Blair Underwood is opening up about why he turned down Sex and the City the first time he was offered a role. Many fans of the HBO series may recall Blair's time on the show in which his character was dating Miranda (Cynthia Nixon). However, he was previously offered another role where his character would date Samantha (Kim Cattrall).
During his interview with AV Club, the Set It Off star revealed that he was uncomfortable with the initial offer due to the character's fascination with him being a Black man.
“I actually did say ‘no’ the first time,” he said. “The first time they had offered the role, to be honest with you, it was about how Samantha was fascinated by dating a Black man and wanted to know if, uh, all of the rumors were true about our anatomy! And I said, ‘Listen, I’m honored, thank you, but I just don’t want to play a character based on race, on curiosity about a Black man.'”
But that didn't stop them from reaching out again. This time he was offered to play Dr. Robert Leeds, the love interest to Miranda and he decided to go for it. "So they were nice enough to call about a year later, and I said, 'Well, is it gonna be about race?' And they said, 'No, no, no, we’re not even gonna mention race!' And I think it really did only come up maybe once," he recalled.
"It did five episodes, and I think Samantha mentioned it once, saying something about 'a Black doctor' that Miranda was dating. And that’s really been a consistent thing in my career: not wanting to be boxed as 'the Black guy.'
"I’ve had that conversation with many producers along the way, and they were so great. They said, 'No, he’s just a doctor who Miranda meets in the elevator, and they have a nice little fling.' And it was amazing."
Blair has had a wide-ranging career playing everything from a lawyer on L.A. Law to playing Madame CJ Walker's husband on Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame CJ Walker. And during his interview, he revealed another role that he initially turned down, Set It Off. The movie, which is considered a classic in Black culture, stars Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise. Blair's character, Keith, played a banker and love interest to Jada's character, Stony.
He explained why he said no at first and eventually accepted the offer. "I had initially said “no” to that. Because I was playing this historic, iconic African-American historical figure in Jackie Robinson, and the time, y’know, there was Boyz N The Hood, and Menace II Society was out there, and I’d finished playing this noble Negro… [Laughs]," he said.
"And I’m reading the script, and there’s a scene where Jada Pinkett’s character—Jada Pinkett-Smith now—was going to sell her body so she could make some money to send her brother to college. And I remember, honestly, I threw the script across the room. I was, like, “I don’t want to do this. I want to do something uplifting for the Black culture and Black characters, and I don’t know if I want to see this.”
After a conversation with the movie's director F. Gary Gray and the actor's manager encouraging him to finish reading the script, Blair had a change of heart. What he first thought about the movie turned out to be totally different.
"So I finished the script, and I saw that the character they were asking me to play was really the love story in the midst of all of this turmoil of all of these characters, the four ladies: Queen Latifah, Vivica Fox, Kimberly Elise, and Jada," he explained.
"It was so well-written, it was such a great platform for them. And to be able to play the love story and the storyline that gave Jada’s character a leg up and a way out of this world, something to hope for, to wish for, someone to love her… I said, 'You know what? I’d like to be a part of that.'
"And I’m so glad I did, because that film resonates to this day. People all the time come up to me and say that they love that movie. So I’m glad that I did it."