Taking Initiative Emboldens Other to Do the Same

Several years back a close friend of mine decided to start a web series. She had no experience directing, writing, or producing but felt compelled to tell her story. Admittedly, I was a little skeptical at first. I didn't share her vision for the project but after a few months I was a believer.

I marveled at how she figured out how to book space for reasonable rates, surround herself with like-minded artists who believed in her project, and consistently create great content. Within the span of several weeks she'd become a three dimensional storyteller. She suddenly knew a little about a lot and wasn't at the mercy of anyone to get her voice out into the world.

Her example inspired me to do the same. In just 3 months I too wrote, produced, and acted in three short films of my own. In the summer of 2018 I hope to make my first feature. 

Taking bold action to make a dream a reality can be contagious. It emboldens others to do the same. And though the goal is not to emulate the exact trajectory of others, we can help awaken the potential in someone, or even ourselves when we've yet to realize how remarkable we can be. 

It's Not About Where It'll Get You

When you're a kid you're conditioned to believe if you just work hard enough all your dreams will eventually be realized. As you get older in life you begin to appreciate the undeniable role luck plays in reaching exceptional heights. 

Maya Angelou was once asked about the remarkable qualities leaders like John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela possessed. She argued they weren't any more talented than you or I, they were just in the right place at the right time and "grabbed on to something."

The point is that we may or may not reach our carefully scripted dreams even if we work incredibly hard and have immense talent. But that alone should not stop us from working hard and putting our best effort towards being better than we were yesterday. 

When we rejoice in hard work and the act of striving for its own sake great things can still happen even if they are not in harmony with what we thought we once wanted.

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.

Don't Turn Back

Early this morning I ventured off to explore a national park about 30 miles from my home. Over the years I had countless opportunities to explore this remarkable monument but the notion that I had all the time in the world had influenced my faulty thinking. 

It was absolutely pouring during the drive. In fact, I missed my first turn off because I couldn't make out the sign through the deluge of water pounding on my windshield. But not once did I consider turning back. It was something that had to be done.

When I finally arrived I found a nearly empty parking lot. I made my towards the trail and soon discovered I had the entire forest to myself. The heavy rain gave way to more of a Scottish drizzle as I trudged through the mud and chose trails at random.

The morning offered some much needed introspection, solitude, and quiet. As I continued on the path I realized that most people do not make the extra effort, or the extra mile that will potentially usher in remarkable experiences. I once heard someone say, "There's less traffic up ahead." 

Be the one who makes that little extra push and refuses to turn back.