Above the Grid

11/27/2025

11/26/2025

Every Tuesday, I share practical insights on creativity, business, marketing, mindset, and personal growth. Stuff you can actually use. Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, freelancer, small business owner, or just someone trying to get by, there’s something here for you.

Plus, you’ll get notified whenever a new YouTube show or podcast episode drops. It’s free, personal, and 100% me.

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11/26/2025

Life feels heavy for a lot of people right now.
Not in a dramatic way. Just in that quiet, everyday way that piles up when you aren't paying attention.

The early alarms.
The late nights.
The bills that come faster than the paychecks.
The responsibilities that don’t take a day off.
The moments where you’re doing everything “right,” but nothing feels like it’s moving.

Sometimes the hardest part isn’t the big life events, it’s the grind in between them.

And if that’s you right now, I want to remind you of something:

YOU'RE DOING BETTER THAN YOU THINK.

You’re still showing up.
You’re still trying.
You’re still holding things together that nobody else even sees.
And that matters.

As we get closer to Thanksgiving, I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude. Not just the easy kind, but the hard kind.

The “thank You, God, even when I don’t understand it yet” kind.

Because sometimes the blessing isn’t the breakthrough. It’s the strength God gives you to get through the week.

Sometimes the miracle isn’t the open door. It’s the peace He gives you while you’re still standing in the hallway.

And sometimes the thing you’re praying for shows up in a way you didn’t expect. Our pastor spoke about that this past Sunday.

"Thank God for unanswered prayers."

If any of this hits home for you today, I hope it reminds you that you’re not alone and you’re not failing. You’re growing through something that will make sense later.

If this resonates, please share it and tag someone you’re thankful for today.
Sometimes the right words land in front of the right person at the right time.

11/25/2025

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Conveniently emailed every Tuesday at 11:11 AM. The 3rd One drops today! Sign up free, it's packed full of good stuff! 💯

11/22/2025

Last week, we talked about starting early, starting late, starting over… and how the “wrong turns” usually end up building the right direction.

Next Tuesday, I’m taking that idea DEEPER.

Issue #3 is all about momentum. How to build it, how to keep it, and how to get it back when life knocks you off track.

I’m breaking down:

◾️ The small habits that can actually move things forward

◾️ Why consistency beats motivation every single time

◾️ The hidden bottlenecks most creatives and business owners don’t even realize they have

◾️ And how to rebuild your momentum without burning out or starting from zero

If you’ve ever felt stuck, scattered, or like you’ve got the vision but not the movement… this one’s for you.

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One email. Once a week. Real value every time.

11/21/2025

Issue #2 of my newsletter hits home.

This week, I dove into a topic I think every creative, parent, business owner, and “figuring-it-out” human needs to hear:

It’s NEVER too early to start something new… and it’s never too late either.

I talked about:

How our kids (and the people around us) learn from the risks we take

Why “wrong turns” often become the best ideas we ever create

How failure, pivots, and starting over can build something better than the original plan

How your ideas can grow with you instead of staying stuck where you started

If that resonates, you’ll want to read this one! 💯

👇 Sign up free and you’ll get Issue #1 instantly, plus a link to every past newsletter you might’ve missed (including the one I just talked about).

www.BlayedMedia.com/atg

11/19/2025

11/19/2025

This Friday, I’ll be sitting down with Robert McConnell, Music Director & Conductor of the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra. Someone who knows what it takes to build something meaningful from the ground up!

We’ll be talking about things anyone can use, like:

• Staying creative when life gets loud
• What discipline really looks like behind the scenes
• Why reinvention is normal and how to lean into it
• The mindset shifts that move you from “getting by” to “getting better”
• Plus a few stories that prove your path doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful

This first episode is officially in motion and I can’t wait for you to hear (and watch) it!

👉 Sign up for my free newsletter to get notified the moment the podcast and video go live and to get all future episodes and posts delivered right to you:

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– Blayed Dillon Smith

11/18/2025

If you haven’t signed up for my newsletter yet… now’s the perfect time!

When you join, you’ll immediately get The 2nd One of my Newsletter.
But don’t worry, every single issue includes a link to all previous newsletters, so you can catch up anytime.

No spam.

Just real mindset shifts, creative strategy, business clarity, and the behind-the-scenes stuff I’m learning as I build all this in real time.

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11/17/2025

11/17/2025

Issue #2 of my weekly Newsletter drops tomorrow, Tuesday at 11:11 AM, as always!
If you’re not subscribed yet, now’s the time.

Real mindset shifts.
Real strategy.
Real business + brand clarity you can actually use.

It’s free. It’s weekly. And I’ll NEVER spam you! Just one solid email that helps you grow.

👇 Subscribe before tomorrow so you don’t miss it:
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11/17/2025

🌏 Happy International Students Day!

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