“Reciting lines is hard; making stuff up is much, much easier.” – Zach Galifianakis, Born Oct. 1, 1969. The most valuable skill you can start developing now is performing. As in, being comfortable on stage or on camera. And that can be intimidating. I hated it. It was scary when I was first starting out. […]
Become Skilled at Winging It, and Outshine Every Over-Scripted Try-Hard in Your Niche Read More »
“I think it’s a fallacy that the harder you practice the better you get. You only get better by playing.” – Buddy Rich, Born Sep. 30, 1917. The time for practice is over. The time for getting ready is done. You’re ready, so start working. Don’t just write, finish. Don’t just finish, publish. Don’t just
People’s Persistent Problem: Too Much Practice, Not Enough Playing Read More »
“Because nobody wanted to play bass, I was instantly in a band.” – Les Claypool, Born Sep. 29, 1963. There is a lot of opportunity in doing the things no one else wants to do because they don’t think it’s cool… Then you MAKE it cool by the way you do it. Let me back
Don’t Compete on Coolness – Make “Boring” Things Seem Cool Read More »
“For my stand-up, I always have my notebook with me and if something strikes me, I’ll write it down.” – Janeane Garofalo, Born Sep. 28, 1964. Some of these essays go for deep, profound quotations. But this one is just a great, compact piece of professional advice that will have a PROFOUND impact on your
Writing Even Your Brain Farts Down Will Change Your Life Read More »
“If we all tried to make other people’s paths easy, our own feet would have a smooth even place to walk on.” – Myrtle Reed, Born Sep. 27, 1874. This really is the fastest and easiest way I know to get into business – especially online. Find or create an audience, and serve them what
“Is it not dangerous to have students study together for years, copying the same models and approximately the same path?” – Theodore Gericault, Born Sep. 26, 1791. People who study marketing WITHOUT doing much ACTUAL marketing will all learn the same way. They read the same books. They copy the same winning ads. They learn
It’s Easy to Stand Out When Everyone Else is a Copycat of Some Long-Dead “Guru” Read More »
“I started doing ’30 Rock’ and started writing ‘Mystery Team’ at the beginning of that. While I was doing ‘Mystery Team,’ I started practicing stand-up. While I was doing stand up, I got ‘Community.’ It’s like I planted trees six years ago, and now they have fruit.” – Donald Glover, Born Sep. 25, 1983. Here
Stuff You Choose Today Must Bear Fruit in the Future (Or Else Don’t Waste Time) Read More »
“The whole secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in a thousand things well.” – Horace Walpole, Born Sep. 24, 1717. This is also a decent philosophy for thinking about your core content that you will use to build an audience around. You choose your central, main topic. And then
“You can play a shoestring if you’re sincere.” – John Coltrane, Born Sep. 23, 1926. Don’t let anything be an excuse that keeps you from doing what you want to do. “I only have an hour a day.” “I need a better computer.” “I’m working on my game plan.” “I was busy this weekend.” “I
Put a Pin in Those Excuses. Instead: Produce. Publish. Profit. Read More »
“There is no magic in all the world like that magic when you sell your first bit of writing.” – Rosamunde Pilcher, Born Sep. 22, 1924. Oh Rosamunde, you poor dear. The magic that exceeds your claim is the feeling when your words can sell things – yours or those produced by others – sell
If Your Wish is for Riches, Rub Pencil to Paper Instead of Polishing Magic Lamps Read More »
