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.

Lesson Learned from Visiting the Dentist

I remember my dad telling me a story one evening about a recent visit to the dentist. “I was in the waiting room for 15 minutes when his secretary popped her head out in the waiting room and said, ‘Would you mind waiting another 10 minutes or so?’ Absolutely not!  I said.  My time is just as valuable as his.”  Seconds later, his dentist came sprinting out of his office as if he’d been chased by a pack of crazed wolves. “John,” he said.  “So sorry to keep you waiting.  Follow me.”  

My dad was teaching me how to protect my time. His little hiccup at the dentist's office also taught me you can only protect your time if you value it.

Don't Take Advice So Literally

This morning as I was driving, an excerpt of the very large audiobook I've been listening to literally stopped me in my tracks. The book is about investing and developing a better financial IQ.

"You need to rebalance your portfolio on a regular basis," I heard the voice say. "This requires discipline."

It then dawned on me that though this was very helpful advice when it came to keeping your finances in order, it was also equally valuable insight to nearly every facet of life. Take regular inventory of what you're doing to see if it's actually working, I thought.

How many times have we taken a bit of advice from a book written by someone who claims to be an expert in a field and only applied it to that discipline? Why not cross-pollinate those big bold ideas?

Why can't the lessons from a book about finance be relevant to what you put into your body? What can science teach us about leadership? And on and on.

My take, don't take advice so literally. You might find the lessons gained from one area of expertise apply to others as well.

Speak Up and Out

One of the most valuable lessons I took away from drama school was learning how to speak up when I had something on my mind.

The impulse would often arise during a rehearsal for a scene, play, or the occasional student film. The topics weren't earth-shattering, but important enough where I felt I needed to speak up about the direction, or tone the story should take.

Sometimes my ideas were applied and many times they were brushed off. Still, I took solace in the fact I'd voiced my concerns.

Learning when to speak up or silently table an idea became equally important off-stage as well.