There Are Only Two Questions

There are really only two questions:

Are you a Buyer?

Or, are you a Seller?

If you're creating content like I am (commercials, scripts, movies TBD), then you're most likely on the selling side of the equation. Pitching. Trying like hell to communicate value. 

In this era of noise and static and infinite content, it can appear a challenging place to be. Buyers (the people usually with the money) can appear to hold all the cards. 

But if you remember you have something buyers need (and if you really do), it is possible to flip the conversation. To get Buyers to have to sell you. Reframing the conversation is important and possible. 

Especially if you stop treating yourself like a commodity. Because you are truly not everyone else. 

Make sure that last sentence sinks in. 

BTW: if you are neither a Seller or a Buyer, you're not really in the game. 'Artists' sometime pretend to live in this space, but not the pros. The pros embrace. 

#FindtheHour - DAY ONE

My FIND THE HOUR project almost collapsed on Day One. 

I had an hour scheduled in the afternoon  to write - but work caught fire and I had to focus on that instead. So then this slipped to later in the day, then later, then later... until I had to jam the hour in right before dinner. But the temptation was to blow it off and 'start tomorrow'.

'Start tomorrow' may be the two deadliest words in the artist's vocabulary. 

I got it done though. The streak has started. But here's what you need to know:

• The hour is most likely an early AM thing or late PM thing. I almost blew it right out of the gates. 
• You should let everyone know your goal - especially if you have family. If they know you need your hour, that this is really important to you, they'll help you part the clouds.  Don't keep it a secret. 
• Sit down and do it. 'Starting Tomorrow' just cannot be an option. 

Instead, proceed as if success is inevitable. 

#findthehour

Finding the One Hour for Your Best Work

I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Scriptnotes, and August and Mazin were talking about the fact that if you work one hour a day on your script, you're doing better than most professional screenwriters. 

This blew my mind, because, hell, one hour?  How hard can it be?

For most of us, damn hard. If you're human (I'll make the assumption), chances are you've got work, family, errands, bills, pets, exercise, meals, more work, and the lizard brain that just wants to watch reruns of DEADWOOD.   

But I'm on a mission, starting tomorrow, to #findthehour. 

I'm going to be logging how many days I can to do this in a row. For me it's going to about writing. Maybe for you, it's going to be about drawing, or photography or....?

But #findthehour. Make it THE priority. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. 

Let's see how it goes. 

The Books Hemingway Thought I Should Read

I got this list from a great source - BrainPickings. You should check it for a treasure trove of info and writing and dreaming.

He also said that Huckleberry Finn is the best book ever written by an American author. So Twain does indeed get his props. 

We all have to write. Whether you're an accountant or a filmmaker, in the digital age you'll be sending emails/texts/poems out to someone. How strong that skill is will in large part determine how far and wide you go. If you think you're a poor writer, nothing else will happen. 

So practice. And start reading the greats. 

Want to get coffee?  I'm buying. 

Is My Work Good Enough Isn't the Question

The question is:  am I good enough?

Have I done the work and the thinking?

Or am I rushing to hit a word count (short answer: yes)?

It's interesting to me about how we all talk about engagement, while also jumping on automation (robots) to do the work. To schedule our thoughts. To push it out there while we do something else. 

Engagement is being there. That's something I indeed need to work on. Good content will follow. 

Want to get coffee?  I'm buying. 

Were You Bowie's First Fan?

It starts with one fan. When you get intimidated by how you might make your mark on the world, remember that. Keep creating, practice gratitude, and things just may line up one fan after the other for you, in ways you never imagined. Just ask David Bowie, who wrote back to his first US fan in 1967 with the following - a spot on tribute to what personal connection and dreaming big might get you. One word: Amaze-balls. 

Letter:

PITT

25th., September 1967

Dear Sandra, 

When I called in this, my manager's office, a few moments ago I was handed my very first American fan letter - and it was from you. I was so pleased that I had to sit down and type an immediate reply, even though Ken is shouting at me to get on with a script he badly needs. That can wiat (wi-at? That's a new English word which means wait).

I've been waiting for some reaction to the album from American listeners. There were reviews in Billboard and Cash Box, but they were by professional critics and they rarely reflect the opinions of the public. The critics were very flattering however. They even liked the single "Love You Till Tuesday". I've got a copy of the American album and they've printed the picture a little yellow. I'm really not that blond. I think the picture on the back is more 'me'. Hope you like those enclosed.

In answer to your questions, my real name is David Jones and I don't have to tell you why I changed it. "Nobody's going to make a monkey out of you" said my manager. My birthday is January 8th and I guess I'm 5'10". There is a Fan Club here in England, but if things go well in the States then we'll have one there I suppose. It's a little early to even think about it. 

I hope one day to get to America. My manager tells me lots about it as he has been there many times with other acts he manages. I was watching an old film on TV the other night called "No Down Payment" a great film, but rather depressing if it is a true reflection of The American Way Of Life. However, shortly after that they showed a documentary about Robert Frost the American poet, filmed mainly at his home in Vermont, and that evened the score. I am sure that that is nearer the real America. I made my first movie last week. Just a fifteen minutes short, but it gave me some good experience for a full length deal I have starting in January. 

Thankyou for being so kind as to write to me and do please write again and let me know some more about yourself.

Yours sincerely,

(Signed, 'David Bowie')

View fullsize

(Source: Sandra Dodd;)

RIP David. You are one of a kind. 

Want to get coffee?  I'm buying. 

The Value of Things

What value do you place on the things around you?

I love this story that reportedly the best salesman in the world answered to Johnny Carson.

While the salesman was a guest on the show Johnny said, "I understand you sold more than any other salesman this year at your firm. How about you sell me something." 

The salesman said, "what would you want me to sell you?"

"I don't know, how about this ashtray." Johnny answered. 

"Why would I sell you that ashtray?" the salesman replied. 

"Well, it is a useful thing to have around, a lot of our guests use it, and it also matches the desk." Johnny answered.

The salesman asked, "How much do you think that ashtray is worth?"

"I don't know maybe $199" Johnny replied.

"Tell you what. You can have it for $50."

Want to get coffee?  I'm buying. 

What I learned from The Detectorists

There is most certainly the unbearable lightness of being. That moment when beauty and sorrow intersect into the sublime. It happens when we are paying attention, when we listen, when we dig deep into something. 

It doesn’t happen when we choose to be lost in things that matter least. Which is where we all live. 

That’s why I love The Detectorists. It’s languid and often hard to understand, a bit of magic that moves like a bubble through a pint glass. A look into what love and life is, mostly all of us searching. 

You have to be quiet when you watch this. And awake. It’s a strange mix that lands squarely - and expands into the depth of certainty and meaning: Treasures all around us. 

Beautiful writing and acting and directing and…. everything. You’re left thinking, why can’t I do this?  And you can.  

#Netflix. It just paid for itself again. In spades.

Want to get coffee?  I'm buying. 

My 2015 Balance Sheet

I stole this from Anthony Iannarino. Thanks Anthony. 

ASSETS

In 2015, I rededicated myself to fitness and lost 10 pounds. I recommend T25 for this, which seriously has been a game changer for me (try it - but modify). 

I've eaten a hell of a lot better too. More kale and spinach smoothies. Less junk. But boy, this Christmas was especially brutal on the chocolate consumption. Plenty of gut bombs. 

I've become a lot more disciplined in my morning routine, which starts at 6:00 and includes a 15 minute meditation and breathing practice (5 mins of affirmation, 5 mins of gratitude, 5 mins of intent). This is the best way to get the game face on. 

Raised $250K for the movie I co-wrote with Brian Young, RED TIDE. Not bad - but a lot more work to do.

Finished the first draft of the pilot, THE RIFT. More to come on this. 

Record sales at Hand Crank Films.  Some great work with some really exceptional people I'm lucky to be associated with. 

A really great wife and family, which matters most. I could go on and on and on and on....

DEBITS

I got another 5 pounds to lose, which ain't so simple. More T25 and even better food choices. 

I need to put down the damn phone. Wouldn't it be a miracle if I could connect even more with the people I adore and are right in front of me?  Try the phone stack. 

The quality of my work can vastly improve. I often fall prey to the idea of moving as quickly as possible from point A to point B, just to get the job done. But speed does not equal accomplishment. I need to focus instead on the quality of the trajectory. 

Need to practice more gratitude. 

I’m still not disciplined enough. Have I done the ONE BIG THING today, or did BS get in the way?

I did not hit some Big Hairy Audacious Goals I set for myself in 2015. Let’s get back at it. 

Overall though, a really nice year.

You? Let me know. 

My Three Words for 2016.

The illustrious Chris Brogan asks 'what are your three words this year?"

Mine are:

Deepen - how can I create deeper relationships with people. I know it starts with gratitude. 
Sharpen - how can I sharpen my game?  Pretty sure that starts with focused intent. 
Share - how can I be of more value to people? By being less concerned about holding onto what is mine (or perceived to be mine - it's all temporary).

I've got a lot of work to do. Want to help?  Let me know your three words by commenting below.

Happy New Year - One and All.  

What is Extraordinary Content?

Everybody is talking about Content. It's the buzzword that keeps gaining steam and importance across the board. But I got to admit, I get intimidated by content creation. I perceive it to be a boatload of work. 

My goal this year though, is to be all about content. 

And content can be love letters. Or drawings on the sides of coffee cups. Pottery. It doesn't have to be films, or books or screenplays or great advertising or blog posts or podcasts... 

Maybe it's making your child smile. Your partner dance. Saying thanks to a stranger. 

Great content takes many forms. Don't get caught in one, or think you aren't producing enough. It's there - right at your fingertips. 

Have fun with it.

What's in your bag of tricks right now? Let me know.

Here's One Resolution for 2016

Create content that people will talk about. 

What that might mean is stop painting by numbers. Stop being complicit in mediocrity. Say ‘no’ more to those things that stray you from your course. Instead –

Create content that people will talk about. 

I know it’s harder than it sounds. But if it’s content you’re talking about – it’s probably a lot closer than you think.

Got some audacious ideas for 2016?  Let me know.

DEAL MEMO - EPISODE 2

So I just jumped on Patreon, which is a potentially game-changing crowd-funding model. Take a look at this and let me know what you think. And don't forget to #dothework. 

DEAL MEMO - EPISODE 1

This is Episode 1 of Deal Memo, Chris Donaldson discusses the challenge of creating revenue producing content in the new age, including for his feature film RED TIDE (www.redtiderises.com). Enter - if you dare. 

Fixing Versus Improving

I used to think every thing needed fixing. 

My finances.

My relationships. 

The way I worked. 

Thinking it all needs to be 'fixed' assumes it's broken in the first place. Sometimes it is, and maybe sometimes you do need to take out the machete and start again. 

Most of the time though, you can start in a good place. A place that allows you to think about improvement on something that's already solid. That's already whole. Improvement on something beautiful? That's the place where you might try to begin. 

It's also a lot more fun that way. And a lot more true to the way we should see ourselves. From the beginning.