We had the good fortune of connecting with WEI-JEN LIAO and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi WEI-JEN, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Everything that exists on the planet has its purpose and meaning. We see all the different industries have some extremely noticeably successful people with lots of resources to contribute or have more access to their needs and desires. If we pay closer attention to those highly successful people and study them, we may notice they all have some quality comments.

However, before we look at others’ success, I genuinely think it is crucial to define what success / the success of your brand means to you. Does success/success of your brand mean having lots of a certain amount of money? How much will you make to qualify to be successful? Or does success mean having many followers on your social media or some likes on your online post? Then, how many followers or likes would be considered successful to you? Seven hundred followers or ten thousand followers? Once you define your success and you achieve that success, then what? Would you still be content, satisfied, and fulfilled with the achievements you made? These are the questions I often would invite people to ask themselves before I guide them on their success. They are also the questions I have to ask myself periodically for check-in.

Once we define the meaning of success, then we need to merge it with other essential elements to achieve success. Here are the top three crucial qualities that I observe most extraordinarily successful people have, and I also implement them into my success.

1. Knowing what you want and why you want.
Let’s look at people who have been successful throughout history to our modern generation from all different industries regardless of class, ethnicity, sex, or gender. They know what they are striving for and why they are striving. The motivation and intention behind the outcome or the success we see on the surface level are crystal clear. Growing up, we all have unique stories and experiences with different people and events. Some may experience poverty, so that motivates them to want to make lots of money as success. Parents with perfect character traits may have raised others, so they become adults with the same characteristics and need to be perfect. These are the stories and the meanings we give based on our experiences to determine what we want and why.

2. Filtering and rewriting negative beliefs.
In addition to knowing what we want and why we want it, another crucial aspect of achieving success lies in filtering and rewriting negative beliefs. Our healthy and unhealthy beliefs are often ingrained during childhood based on our environment and upbringing. As a child, we absorb beliefs indiscriminately, adopting negative self-perceptions such as “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t deserve success or love.” Moreover, societal attitudes towards wealth can foster negative beliefs about money, associating it with evil, corruption, or unattainability. To succeed, we must revisit and filter these ingrained beliefs, discerning which no longer serve and actively cultivating new beliefs aligned with our goals and aspirations.

3. Take massive action and stay consistent, establishing non-negotiable standards.
As we pursue our goals, we must consistently take significant actions aligned with our objectives. Moreover, as we identify actions that prove effective in driving our success, we must elevate them to non-negotiable standards. These standards are unwavering commitments, regardless of circumstances or excuses, ensuring continuous progress toward our aspirations. They may seem like ordinary routines or tasks, such as a daily exercise or writing your morning page daily. Yet, they play a pivotal role in fostering a mindset of dedication and propelling us toward success.

Reflecting on my journey and the principles that have contributed to my success and the success of my brand, I am reminded of the importance of aligning what I want and why I want it. As an artist, my desire to be seen and heard and to contribute to my community, particularly to minority groups, serves as my driving force. Through introspection and regular practice, I have transformed negative beliefs of inadequacy into a foundation of self-assurance; I now ask myself, “Who am I not to succeed?” This shift in mindset has empowered me to take action, even when unsure of the path forward. I have discovered strategic approaches to achieving my goals by consistently navigating and adapting. Cultivating non-negotiable standards ensures that my beliefs and actions remain aligned, leading to personal growth and success.

While outcomes may not always meet my ideal, I measure success by the effort exerted and the absence of regrets. I am a proactive go-getter, committed to giving my all to pursue my dreams, regardless of the outcome. Through this journey, I can confidently assert that I have no regrets, knowing that I have done everything within my power with the knowledge I possess.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a Northern California Bay Area camera, stage performer, filmmaker, coach, and educator. My journey hasn’t been easy-I’ve faced rejection, language barriers, and doubts. But through it all, I’ve grown, building my community and crafting stories that reflect my passion and purpose.

Today, I’m empowered to create characters and narratives that resonate with my experiences. I’ve learned to embrace imperfections and overcome obstacles, and I’m passionate about inspiring others to pursue their dharma with courage and resilience. If I can do it, so can you. Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When friends visit my town, I always take them to Benicia’s One House Bakery, a local favorite known for its homemade treats that are moderately sweet. Located in Benicia, CA, it’s a popular spot attracting visitors from neighboring areas. The bakery boasts a charming backyard surrounded by trees, providing a serene environment for friends to relax and mingle.

I’m a nature enthusiast, so my next stop with friends would be Muir Wood National Park. This protected area boasts over 100-year-old trees and diverse habitats, making it a serene and energizing destination for nature lovers like us.

To end the visit, I’d invite friends to a local theatre play in the Bay Area. We’re spoiled for choice with incredible venues like Berkeley Rep, Marin Theatre Company, Shotgun Theatre Company, and more. These diverse and professional theaters create a memorable night out, showcasing top-notch productions everyone can enjoy.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to shoutout my big community, including:

The most critical acting teachers, Bobby Weinapple and George Maguire, for their dedication and encouragement;
My agent, Tabitha Kit from KIT INTERNATIONAL TALENT LLC, for her leadership by being an example and support;
My allies, Dania Denise from Runaway Mill Productions, Solana Paz, and Michael Scordakis from SCENES PLUS PRODUCTION CO., for their guidance and inspiration;
My coach, Donni Satu, and Honey Bear, for the mentorship with a bit of tough love;
My sacred family program, for their unconditional love and compassion
My sister, Yayun Hsu, for giving me a hand when I am at the lowest point of my life.
My friends/collogues, Pat Chou, Luis Kiss, David Lewis, Carolina Vita Shepherd, Clinton Vidal, Pooja Karkhanis, etc, for their friendship and believing in me;
My husband, for the challenges, led me to transform the most resilient and attractive version of me with tremendous strength and self-love.

Without all your support, love, and guidance, I wouldn’t be where I am and who I am today. THANK YOU!

Website: weijenliao.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/weijenliao/

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/weijenliao

Facebook: www.facebook.com/weijenalice

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@weijenliao7802

Other: IMDb: imdb.me/weijenliao WEI-JEN STUDIO: www.weijenstudio.com VibeUp Life&Love IG: instagram.com/coachweijen Personal Transformation YouTube: www.youtube.com/@weijenofficial

Image Credits
Adventist Health, David Chan Photo, Scenes Plus

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