Sharpen Your Axe

Once upon a time there were two lumberjacks who lived in a small village. One of the men stood 6’6, had big broad shoulders, and was close to 300 lbs of pure muscle. The other lumberjack was nearly half the man, weighing only 120 lbs at barely 5’6.

All day long the two men would use their giant axes to cut down trees in the forest in order to gather wood for their small town; the big strong man swinging his hatchet handily as the weaker man often struggled to raise the weight of his axe.

Three times a day the smaller man would take a break. After several hours of chopping wood, at 9:00 am, he would take a brief coffee break. At 12:00 pm, he always made sure to have a small and healthy lunch. And finally, as the day started to wind down, he’d take one last break before the day’s final push.

Each time he left he would invite his co-worker to join him. And each time the big strong man would decline. “I have to keep working!” he’d shout.  And so the smaller man would go by himself.

As the weeks went by something peculiar began to happen. The large muscular man noticed at the end of each day, the smaller man’s pile of chopped wood was equal, and often greater than that of his own. This not only confounded the larger lumberjack, but infuriated him. Still, he kept his head down, did his work, and failed to utter a word until one day he could take it no more.

Finally, at the end of a long work day, the large man threw down his axe and demanded to know, “How is it at the end of each day you have cut more wood than me?! I am bigger. I am stronger. I work much harder. And yet, each day you leave to take not one, not two, but THREE breaks, while I stay and work! How can this be? I demand to know!”

The smaller man sat quietly and listened for the stronger man to finish. Then he spoke up and said, “True, you are bigger than me. Yes you are much, much stronger. You do in fact work harder. And you’re absolutely right, I leave for not one, not two, but THREE breaks throughout the day while you continue to toil away,” he said. Now the large man waited breathlessly to hear his explanation.

The smaller man looked him in the eye and said, “ But you never take the time to sharpen your axe.”

Do it Because You Want to

Yesterday afternoon I caught up with a close friend of mine over the phone. Hard to believe we met nearly 10 years ago during a summer training program at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis.

Over the summer he played the lead role in a feature film that received a reasonable amount of press. The movie even screened at Village Cinema on 2nd Avenue in front of a supportive group of friends and family. I was sure the film would be a major turning point in my friend's career. 

"Has the film led to newer and bigger opportunities?" I finally asked. He paused before admitting, "Not really." I could feel his frustration through the phone. 

It was a stark reminder that we can hope a project will bring us more opportunities but the foundation must be a belief and love in doing it.

Making a feature length film for instance is so difficult that if one's primary objective in making it is to build contacts or advance a career it's more likely to fail. 

If however, you are deeply committed to telling a story, or seeing a project through because you believe in its importance and the BYPRODUCT happens to be greater connections and broader possibilities that's something completely different.

First, do it because it matters to you. Whatever happens after that should come a distant second.

Hope Is Not Enough

It's great to incorporate affirmations and positive thinking into your daily approach to life. We could all probably use a little more inspiration.

But it's also important to recognize that hope simply isn't enough. It must be integrated with a grounded and well-thought out strategy for reaching your goals.

And of course, there is no substitute for hard hard work. All the uplifting declarations you make to yourself don't work unless you do.  

There May Be a Better Way - Just Ask!

This morning I discovered my car had been broken into. The driver side window had been shattered, my personal belongings were scattered on the passenger seat, and my proof of insurance had been tossed outside the car into a muddy ditch. Miraculously, all that was taken was a phone charger. Perhaps the culprit was not encouraged by my music selection deciding to forfeit the iPod in the center console.

I felt no vengeance, had no axe to grind. In fact, there was something strangely peaceful about quietly sweeping chards of glass into a dustbin on a brisk winter morning.

My insurance company notified me that my deductible was too high for them to cover the cost. Anything below $1,000 would be coming out of my pocket.

After punching in a few numbers and clicking a few boxes, an online estimate rounded my troubles to $354. I’m no car expert, nor a driver side window aficionado, but that seemed a bit steep, if not unreasonable.

I drove to an Auto Zone in my area looking for a makeshift window until I could resolve my loud and drafty commute. I bumped into a close friend who was standing at the counter in a bit of a daze. I explained what happened and he suggested I follow him home where he’d put together a slapdash window, which is to say a plastic bag cut at the corners.

We joked on his driveway as we applied this silly car Band-Aid. Just as I was set to go he asked if I’d like an estimate with his “glass guy” instead of forking over the $350 I’d silently agreed to pay the following day. “I’ve troubled you enough,” I said. “I’ve got the receipts and number of the company inside,” he insisted. “Just wait right here.”

After a two-minute phone call I was set to have my window fixed a mere 3 miles away. That certainly beat the 30 I was set to drive to a town I’d never even heard of. It was also a fraction of the cost at $160.

The window was fixed in 30 minutes, the price stood as advertised, and I gleefully cancelled my original appointment. A mess had not amassed into a bigger one. I’d persisted and somehow found a silver lining among the broken chards of glass.

Don’t be afraid to ask if there’s a better way to solving a problem. Our pride and limited thinking can keep us from opportunities we’d never even consider.

Getting Honest Feedback

How often have you rushed to a friend for his or her opinion with a problem in your life? How about their take on a new project you've just completed? A short story? A screenplay?

Having a community of like-minded people who have your back is crucial. And those of us who are fortunate to have such a network should never take it for granted.

But it can be a challenge to get the type of feedback you really need to help you take your work to the next level.

Your friends are your friends, which means they're feelings for you are biased. From their vantage point, being objective while trying to be sensitive to your feelings can be a very delicate dance.

Instead, try seeking the opinion of those you may not know as well and aren't afraid to be direct with their input. Rather than pursuing points of view that support those you already have, be on the lookout for thinking that enriches and challenges your own.

Fueled By Anger

We often don't account for how much "grey area" there is in life. In western culture in particular we tend to think things are unequivocally right or wrong - black or white.

The truth is, the nuances of life leave plenty of room for doubt and different interpretation. As one of my friends likes to say, "Two opposing views can be equally true."

I think anger gets a lot of negative airplay. It's an emotion most believe we ought to get rid of. But I disagree.

Anger can be a helpful emotion so long as it does not consume you and is channelled in a productive and positive way.

The American Revolution, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Arab Spring were all byproducts of some form of anger used effectively. 

And as an artist you can use it to fuel your drive, creativity, and determination to reject the status quo.

So be angry towards mediocrity, laziness, griping, not taking initiative, self-pity, and your industry's limited thinking. 

THEN

Use that has fuel to surround yourself with like-minded and positive people who support your vision. 

Use it to nudge you to not wait for the phone to ring and instead create your own films, monologues, plays, murals, songs, books, screenplays, and choreography.

Use it to push you to start something of value.

Hone the Craft of Gratitude

There is perhaps no more important craft worth honing than that of gratitude for it informs so many other aspects of one's life.

When one has a foundation of appreciation it seems to grease the wheels of introspection, contribution, and kindness to others.

With this blueprint what you can achieve will be hard to contain.

Happy Holidays.

You've Come Further Than You Think

In Adam Grant's book, Originals he puts forth one of the best courses to take when you have doubts on the road toward achieving a goal:

"When our commitment is wavering, the best way to stay on track is to consider the progress we've already made. As we recognize what we've invested and attained, it seems like a waste to give up, and our confidence and commitment surge."

In other words, we need to set-up small "wins." When you track your progress, your doubts often turn into a sense of enthusiasm. He goes on to say:

"Once commitment is fortified, instead of glancing in the rearview mirror, it's better to look forward by highlighting the work left to be done. When we're determined to reach an objective, it's the gap between where we are and where we aspire to be that lights a fire under us."

Remember to take inventory of what you've already accomplished. It's likely more than you think and enough to persuade you to continue on your path.

Solitude in Moderation

Solitude comes with the territory when pursuing a career in the arts. There are many benefits of spending time alone including opportunity for reflection, silencing the mind, and taking time to evaluate renewed goals and ambitions.

But like anything else, too much solitude can be unfavorable. It's easy to bury ourselves in our work, or hibernate in our homes for days, sometimes weeks on end without any with the outside world.

I'm convinced there's a "sweet spot" that can be attained, or at least pursued. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded people who care about us and support our ambitions can put a much-needed spotlight on what we can improve on. 

Often, just knowing you have a team of concerned people behind you can do wonders for the morale, while reminding you of how far you've already come; something we often fail to recognize in our pursuit of simply wanting more and more. 

Letter to a Discouraged Writer

Hey Michael,

Thanks for the advice. As far as feeling frustrated about your future prospects as a writer is concerned please take solace in knowing you're not alone. In fact, as competitive as the entertainment industry is, feeling the way you do, especially for young, very intelligent, and ambitious people like yourself isn't out of the norm.

From my vantage point you are well on your way. You're driven, you're talented, smart, and a go-getter. And as much as you millennials hate this word, it requires: Patience.

Talent is not enough. What's going to continue to separate you from the others gunning for similar positions is consistency and hard work. You combine those two principles with talent and a good attitude and opportunities will be presented. Remember to focus on the long game.

Now, if you get to a point where you really feel you need to re-strategize, or pivot you'll know. But for now, I would just say continue getting as much experience as possible. Be a sponge. Surround yourself with people who are positive and better at what you do than you are. 

Also, cut yourself some slack. You've made enormous strides. Think of what you accomplished this past year alone. The films you worked on, the people you met, the projects you finished, and the highly competitive festivals you were accepted to. Not too shabby my friend. 

It's important that we take inventory and recognize what we've done, what we can do differently, and what we're grateful for. All have helped me get my bearings as I regroup and head into a new year. 

Happy Holidays my brother. You're already living the dream.

Best,

Nick

Be Happy Where You Are

A close friend of mine is one of the most talented artists I've ever met. She's worked for major theater and opera companies, toured the world, and from the outside seems to live "the life."

Yet, each time we speak she seems to be in a frenzy. She wonders where her next job will come from, why certain directors won't call her back, and seldom seems to acknowledge her accomplishments. 

As a casting reader for Broadway plays, I spent years reading opposite brilliant actors -some famous but most were not. 

What I discovered is no matter where you are in your career you never not have problems. Your obstacles just change. 

As a result, I've learned happiness is not attained through achievement alone. One must first make a concerted effort to be happy wherever they are. And when unexpected events occur, good or bad, you're more likely to show poise because you've already decided to bring your own weather wherever you go.

Lessons Learned Traveling the World

Last summer, I had the great fortune of traveling to several countries in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. It was an opportunity to re-connect with friends, see parts of the world I hadn't visited before, and much needed reflection.

I wrote each day about my journey, while asking someone in each new place for the best piece of advice someone had ever given them. The insights were profound, while refreshingly simple.

http://www.worldambler.com/ 

On the very last day of my journey I found myself in Warsaw, Poland. My final discovery was perhaps the most poignant -- at least at the time:

Living life on your own terms, which is to say, an existence of nonconformity is like any other meaningful pursuit. It takes practice and time to hone your craft. But in time, you slowly get better and better, eventually skilled at shooing away the chatter and noise of those who project their own fears and failures upon you. The notion that you must live a certain type of life wanes in its ability to ruffle you because you have become a master craftsman in living life the way you see fit.

Start Before You're Ready

There's a great interview with actor turned screenwriter, Taylor Sheridan on YouTube. Sheridan recently brought to life the critically acclaimed stories, Sicario and more recently, Hell or High Water.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeySPEcoq4Q

During the interview Sheridan admits he knew nothing about writing a film. Perhaps equally important, he knew how not to.

“I have absolutely no idea how to do this but I know exactly how not to…tell the story I want to tell, be honest…I write movies I want to see about things that interest me," he concluded. 

Not only is it crucial to know the pitfalls of creating something meaningful, but I also gathered from Sheridan's words that it's also okay to start before you feel ready. 

You don't have to have it all together to do something remarkable. Just begin.

Be Part of Something Where It Matters if You Show Up

One of the biggest challenges of being an artist is the solitude. Unless you're consistently working in a collaborative capacity -- rehearsing a play, shooting a film, or showing work in an exhibition there is A LOT of time spent alone.

And it's when we're alone when we find ourselves battling the voices that nudge us to consider more conventional paths or question the meaning of our creative contributions.

What we need is no different from what anybody else yearns for - to be part of a community of like-minded people where we feel we're making an impact. 

Whatever your medium it may help to find a place through volunteer service, or community outreach work where it really does matters if you show up or not; a place where people are counting on you to deliver value and share what you know.

This will do wonders for your morale and likely support your artistry in unexpected ways.

Get Non-Artists Involved in Your Projects

Inspired by the 2015 Sundance Film Festival Premiere of the feature film Tangerine, shot entirely on three iPhone 5s smartphones, I decided to shoot a short on my mobile with a couple of close friends. 

Dan and Bill are medical professionals, not actors. Lured by my assurance, "You just have to be yourselves," and perhaps my promise to buy them dinner, they actually showed up on "set" (a restaurant) at their scheduled "call times." 

I had not clue what to expect, but was soon pleasantly surprised by the quality of their engagement. They both were not only terrific actors, but at times took on the roles of director, cinematographer, production assistant, and even script supervisor. 

What's more, they were insightful, curious, and clearly loved the critical thinking aspect of filmmaking. The three of us stumbled through ways to solve what to do about lighting, sound, and wide shots.

To say my film will not be at Sundance any time soon is possibly the understatement of the century. But it’s already proven a fun project worthy of my time and theirs...I hope.

Just because someone isn't an artist doesn't mean they're not creative. Get your non-artist friends and colleagues on board. They may surprise you.