My First Screenplays Were So Bad...

Some of my early screenplays were so bad my friends didn’t even know where to start with their feedback. My first try at getting a literary agent was met by well over 100 rejections. And my first few films were passed on by so many festivals I lost count.

But by not taking those failures personally and instead interpreting those setbacks as deferred successes, I continued to write blogs, articles, screenplays, one-man shows, and even a book. And as I developed my voice my confidence grew – convincing me I had something valuable to offer.

The best part was how taking initiative emboldened those around me to do the same. Friends saw that if I could do it they could too. Soon I was being asked to read their plays, edit their articles, and collaborate on their new films.

In the process we built a community where we felt invested in one another’s success. We had each other’s backs, supported one another’s vision, and held ourselves accountable to making something happen.

Done is Better than Perfect

Some of my early screenplays were so bad my friends didn’t even know where to start with their feedback. My first try at getting a literary agent was met by well over 100 rejections. And my first few films were passed on by so many festivals I lost count.

But by not taking those failures personally and choosing instead to interpret those setbacks as deferred successes, I continued to write blogs, articles, screenplays, one-man shows, and even a book. And as I developed my voice my confidence grew – convincing me I had something valuable to offer. 

Your time is limited. Don't waste another second deliberating over how to get started. Just begin. The longer you wait the more you cultivate the seeds of excuses to grow and eventually flourish.

Cutting Toxic People from Your Life Even When You Care About Them

Confidence is a result of growing comfortable in your own skin. It's a process cultivated over time through experience and getting clear on your core values. And it's likely if you're happy with who you are and have a strong sense of your principles, you've learned to surround yourself with forward-thinking people - individuals who support your vision, have your back, hold you accountable to taking action, and try to maintain a positive outlook.

Unfortunately, cutting toxic people from your life can be quite complicated. Sometimes it's the people closest to us who always seem to have an axe to grind, or have something negative to say.

You may have spent so much time with these people over the years you don't even realize how you morph into someone else in their presence, taking on their cancerous energy. Without knowing it, you start to talk about people behind their back and refuse to see the potential in others. 

Let me tell you, once you take a step back and really take inventory of the toxic residue that's seeped into your psyche, you will be much more vigilant with your mind and time.

Even when it's difficult we have to work overtime to protect our relationship to our goals, ambitions, and sense of service. Spending time with those who fail to see the good in the world threaten your potential.

Get the memo out that you won't tolerate toxic people and their energy no matter who it is. Your future depends on it. 

There's Always Room for Improvement

There are few things more rewarding in life than becoming a master craftsman at that which you love to do. A sense of confidence, meaning, and skill comes with doing something for years on end.

But I've also learned that a sense of hubris can accompany that ability if one isn't careful. I probably failed to take in some valuable lessons over the years because I thought I already knew what someone was trying to teach me, or thought I could figure it out on my own. 

The truth is, someone will always know something you don't. And even if they do know something that you do, they'll be interpreting it from a completely different perspective.

No matter where you're at, or how good you are at your craft, there's always room to get better. Always.

How to Build a Habit

It's already January 6th, which means New Year's resolutions have already been broken and old habits have been renewed. If there's anything I've learned when it comes to incorporating a new and productive habit into my daily routine it's to start slow.

If your goal is to train for a marathon don't start off training for 3-hours day, especially if you've never worked out before. Instead, start small and gradually build up. With consistency your confidence will grow and the discipline will slowly become cemented and integrated into your other habits. By the 40th day you'll feel "off" if you don't do it.

One of the most common questions I'm asked by friends and colleagues is how to develop the discipline of writing each day. My suggestion is to write each day for 5- 10 minutes. If it helps, pick a specified block of time and location where you write with no distractions, no exceptions. 

Once you've gotten the hang of it, slowly build the amount of time you work for. You can go from 5 to 10 to 15 to 30 and eventually an hour or so a day. The facility with which you'll be able to do it may even surprise you. 

Start small and whatever you do be consistent. And of course, be patient with yourself.