Adversity For Sale - Ya Gotta Believe - Jay Jeezy Jenkins Book Review
thechampagnesunday
Jan 26
3 min read
My first introduction to Jeezy "The Snowman" was in high school. It was 2005 and we had a substitute. This girl in my class thought it was time to climb on the table and make her performance while the teacher was teaching. Because I didn't know who or what she was listening to on her CD player, I was like oh she's probably gonna sing some Ciara or some Chris Brown song. But the first words out of her mouth were “I'm a T-R-A-P-S-T-A-R, got the city on lock, big shoes on the car and she likes it.” As she rapped the rest of the lyrics I was thinking who is that? Despite not hearing the beat I liked what she was rapping, so I asked her who was it? she lifted one headphone above her ear and said "It's that new Jeezy". That same day, on my way home I stopped by the corner store and picked up Let's Get It: Thug Motivation, 101 if you know, you know (it was a bootleg copy) I’m sorry Jeezy. All that matters is when I got home popped in the CD and started listening to the album that day I was sold as a Jeezy fan.
20 years later to witness the successful cultural staple create a brand from a snowman, create a cultural anthem for The First Black President, be a philanthropist, and entrepreneur, and now become a New York Times Best Selling Author. He is the definition of rising above any opposition, coming out on top, and staying on top. I'm so excited to give you the gems, the highlights, and insights on my first book review on my blog. Today I will discuss Jay “Jeezy The Snowman” Jenkins and his New York Times Best Selling book.
“Adversity For Sale - You Gotta Believe.”
When reading this book one main constant that Jeezy showed throughout his life difficulties and successes was “motivating resilience”. In every situation he was able to describe the odds, what he did to overcome those odds, and the lesson in what he learned from it. Especially when being faced with adversity in his environments during living in Japan when he was younger and living in Georgia all together. I also enjoyed the timeless lessons, the gems I’ve gained apply to any situation, work, life, relationships, and most importantly your personal growth some of his takeaways include,
“You have to take the time to reset especially when you're stressed.”
“If your feeling stressed out, take a small step rather than doing nothing being stuck with your fear and insecurities, the power is in the doing”
“Success only comes from discipline, dedication, persistence and commitment”
“Perfection is an impossible goal”
Jeezy reminded me how you carry yourself matters. No matter where you are someone is watching you, so you have to conduct yourself in a manner that positively represents and speaks for yourself. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Jazzy Pha noticed Jeezy because he was out popping bottles and spending money and Jazzy Pha wanted to know who he was, and that conversation led to Jeezy playing music for him and Jazzy’s people Noonie knowing Shake led to the connection to L.A. Reid. Carrying yourself with integrity goes a long way and with the six degrees of separation (the theory that any person on earth can be connected to any person through a chain of six acquaintances) you never know where you will end up based upon first impressions.
Some takeaways from that chapter in his life transitioning into the Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101 and beyond are,
“Visualize your idea in your mind so you can hold it in your hand.”
“My price is my price, and I've got to know my worth.”
“Everybody's process is different trust yours.”
Inspiration. Motivation. Hustle. The Truth. This is the message Jezzy wanted to convey in this book, but I think rooted in this message is transparency and in the authenticity of the words, the lessons and the story behind this renaissance hustler is the inspirational journey that teaches you that no matter where you come from, what lifestyle you live, what you did and didn’t do in your life, whatever path you are on, there are lessons you are going to come across and whatever those lessons are “either you want it on not”
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