“The river flows at its own sweet will, but the flood is bound in the two banks. If it were not thus bound, its freedom would be wasted.” – Vinoba Bhave, Born Sep. 11, 1895. You’re creative. You’re smart. You’re talented. You’re skilled. So what? Who cares? What does that DO for anyone? You or […]
How to Limit Yourself to Turn “Too Many Good Ideas” Into Actual Output Read More »
“Don’t try to be different. Just be good. To be good is different enough.” – Arthur Freed, Born Sept. 9, 1894. I don’t know that I agree exactly with this. Being different can definitely be valuable. But I don’t think you have to worry about being unique or special in that way when you’re starting
Worry Less About Being Unique, Just Focus on Being Good (By Just Doing Good) Read More »
“I think it’s healthy for a person to be nervous. It means you care – that you work hard and want to give a great performance. You just have to channel that nervous energy into the show.” – Beyoncé Knowles, Born Sep. 4, 1981. When I mentor people or consult with them, I frequently hear
How To Overcome Impostor Syndrome Forever: Kick It In the Jim-Jams and Bolt Past It Read More »
“Teaching is really very, very important. I always tell my students that you should find an opportunity to teach. When you teach others, you teach yourself.” – Itzhak Perlman, Born Aug. 31, 1945. This is really the core of what I’ve built my own business around. Plenty of others have, too. Hell. Entire multi-billion dollar
The Easiest Way to Internalize What You Learn (And Grow Your Audience, Too) Read More »
“A creator needs only one enthusiast to justify him.” – Man Ray, Born Aug. 27, 1890. You can start with a very small audience. But if you don’t have one, you’re not justified in spending too much time creating anything. Not if you want to create work people will connect with. Note – I’m obviously
How To Be Worth The Attention You Will Need To Succeed Read More »
“To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time.” – Leonard Bernstein, Born Aug. 25, 1918. I believe this so hard. Your plan doesn’t need to be immaculate, or even very detailed. I had a five year plan when I went freelance that had only one sentence per year.
You’re Taking Too Long To Do Everything (And It Will Kill You) Read More »
“The minute you make people laugh, you get them to listen.” – Merrie Spaeth, Born Aug. 23, 1943. Aside from sharing an enemy, sharing a laugh is the quickest way I know to create rapport with a stranger. And it doesn’t have to be a belly laugh. It could be anything as simple as a
How to Clown on Fools for Fun and Profit Read More »
“Diamonds are nothing more than chunks of coal that stuck to their jobs.” – Malcolm Forbes, Born Aug. 19, 1917. You know what makes diamonds? Start with carbon. That’s you. You’re mostly carbon. Carbon based life forms, they call us. And then you add two ingredients: pressure and time. In the bowels of the earth,
Conquering Challenging Work Is How You Increase Your Awesomeness Read More »
“If there is some art involved, I’d like it to be that it came through the cracks of daily work.” – Martin Mull, Born Aug. 18, 1943. Routine is important. Consistency is important. You want to be elbow deep in work when the muse shows up with inspiration. Because she won’t wait for you to
Be Busy When the Muse Arrives Or Else She Stops Coming By Read More »
“Pick up a camera. Shoot something. No matter how small, no matter how cheesy, no matter whether your friends and your sister star in it. Put your name on it as director. Now you’re a director. Everything after that you’re just negotiating your budget and your fee.” – James Cameron, Born Aug. 16, 1954. People
Call the Copy Cops to Check This Guy’s License!! Read More »
