Tag: passion

  • What connects us

    Understanding that first and foremost, the life you want to create for yourself, the type of person you want to become, the parts of yourself you’re most excited to develop will attract individuals who will help you get there.

    Realizing that true, authentic connection is expansive. The right relationship discovered at the right time can help you soar, find freedom, create, and see a limitless future.

    Recognizing that relationships are catalysts for growth and independence — for supporting both reckless abandon and providing the foundation to carry the wisdom that comes from experience, failure, frustration, pain.

    Acknowledging that your highest highs and lowest lows are probably different than mine; the value lies in sharing and discovering what these experiences were like for each of us.

    Accepting that at your very worst, you are someone’s pride and joy. Knowing this helps reveal the very best parts of you.

    That through the fog of confusion and longing, we can help each other find shared laughter and bouts of success, punctuated with gratitude and contentment along the way.

    That our mutual appreciation for life — the ups and downs, the hard lessons and the easy ones — may or may not happen at the same time. Your up might be my down, but no matter, when we find ourselves on the same plane, we can share the lessons we learned and the tricks we used to get us through.

    Embracing that this is all really about compassion, about elevating each other and pushing one another to succeed by sharing our struggles and our wins.

    We collaborate because our ideas become greater. Like a brilliant prism, the unique perspectives we each offer leads to undiscovered treasure.

    It’s our gift to find it.

  • Creating opportunities

    I’m looking at a room of individuals who refuse to accept complacency, who want to embrace the revolutionary times we’re living in. These people are risk-takers, entrepreneurs, storytellers, researchers, bosses, and creative weavers. They are here because they want to understand where their biggest opportunities are, and they want to figure out what to do about them. It’s no accident we are here together.

    There’s something to be said for making decisions that allow you to place yourself in environments that support your work and your dreams, for seeking out others who encourage you to keep going, and for putting yourself in the game. It takes concentrated effort, some sacrifice, and the ability to imagine — to ask yourself what if, to wander away from the beaten path, to dare yourself to explore, and to schedule time into your days to chase opportunity.

    The best moments rarely come to you. They are the result of channeled energy, thought, patience, and effort. Look to create the opportunities you want. Possibility surrounds you. Make the choice to embrace it. It is absolutely possible, and you must.

  • The best opportunities

    Most really talented people are never discovered. Most will never make it onto the Best Sellers list, won’t speak at TED, won’t be contacted by NPR.

    Chances are you may never find yourself on the big screen. That manuscript? It might end up in more trash cans than hands. And your promising business venture? You’ll be lucky if you get funded within the first ten pitches.

    So you have a choice: you can sit back and wait to be called upon…

    Or you can claim ownership of your own success.

    Don’t wait for the best opportunities to find you. Create them.

    Steps can you take to build your tribe, ship your art, design a viable solution — today:

    • Start a blog and schedule a regular publishing calendar.
    • Organize monthly roundtables with speakers of varied and interesting content.
    • Record a series of podcasts on subjects you’d like to learn more about.
    • Make sure your plan doesn’t include a stroke of luck or a winning lotto ticket.
    • Pitch your mentor, pitch your friend, practice your pitch on the stranger in the elevator.
    • Plan a film festival in a friend’s backyard (or rooftop).
    • Set a recurring alarm and write for twenty minutes each day.
    • Gather three friends and meet every other week to discuss challenges and progress.

    Note: This blog post may sound harsh, but I want you to realize this is your life, your career, your dreams, your goals. No one else will take responsibility for them.

  • 10 questions to the best version of yourself

    1. Are you surrounded by people who encourage you to step up your game?
    2. Does your work excite you?
    3. Do your daily priorities align with your grander visions and dreams?
    4. What do you gravitate towards during unscheduled time?
    5. Have you set subgoals that tee you up for greater success?
    6. Do you schedule time each day to recharge and create?
    7. Have you written your dream list?
    8. Do you actively step outside of your comfort zone and seek adventure?
    9. Do you scare yourself regularly?
    10. Are you proud of the story you tell? (Is it positive or discouraging?)
  • 24 traits of an impresario

    1. confidence
    2. hustle
    3. recklessness
    4. graciousness
    5. improvisation
    6. problem solving
    7. quick thinking
    8. empathic
    9. resilient
    10. connected
    11. creative
    12. communicator
    13. curious
    14. resourceful
    15. thorough
    16. grateful
    17. careful
    18. listener
    19. street smart
    20. curator
    21. analyzer
    22. determined
    23. fearless
    24. goal-oriented
  • Are you in the right theater?

    This may sound hokey, but stay with me.

    If you were an outside observer watching the events of your life on a movie screen, would you enjoy what was playing?

    When we’re able to remove ourselves and consider our decisions objectively, we gain valuable information. Our emotions no longer dictate action. By stepping back, we can better identify the path we’re traveling on.

    Are you moving closer towards your goals and the person you hope to be? Are you creating something you’re proud of?

    Envision your life on film.

    People are watching.