Most creative people dream of the day they can quit their day job and focus on their real passion. Writers want to write, painters paint, designers design, filmmakers make movies – all full time without having to work somewhere else to pay the bills. You have no idea how often I’ve dreamed of having the financial resources just to write books. But my banker and mortgage company don’t agree. They want me to keep doing my day job as well. But then, I started seeing plenty of evidence that
My friend DeVon Franklin is the Senior Vice President of Columbia Tristar Pictures in Hollywood. A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to interview him onstage at a media conference here in Los Angeles. In fact, if you haven’t read his book “Produced by Faith” then I highly recommend it. During our session at the conference, I asked him what was the single most important skill it takes to reach the top in this industry. His answer?
We celebrate our national independence on July 4th, but there’s another freedom we should consider as well – creative freedom. The problem is, creative freedom, like our national freedom comes with a price. I’m currently reading a book called “Daily Rituals: How Artists Work.” It’s a fascinating look at how successful creative people design rituals and plan their day to maximize their productivity. Reading the book, you realize pretty quickly that
If you’re like me, chances are you’re a creative professional who complains too much. In pursuit of creating my projects, I’d like a better computer, I’d like a bigger office, I could use more employees, or I’d like bigger budgets. At least I used to think that way – until I attended a church in Jakarta, Indonesia made up of Iranian refugees. I was in Indonesia helping produce a major outreach event for Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading the Way ministries. Indonesia is a long way from Iran, but many of these refugees are
Today’s personal branding challenge: Describe yourself in five words or less. What is it that defines you, captures your story, and makes you stand out from the pack? Like a movie log line, being able to pitch or describe yourself in five words or less, is a valuable tool. The next time you meet a potential funder, a producer for your project, a future boss, publisher, agent etc – you may only have a minute or two to
I worry that we live in a culture today where growing numbers of people look outside themselves for success. And when they fail, it’s always someone else’s fault. But the government, your parents, your education, and your job aren’t the key to your success – you are. Whenever I feel my dreams losing steam, I always think of Booker T. Washington. Born a slave in 1858, his childhood years were anything but pleasant. The family’s farm cabin had no glass windows, and any opening to let in light also let in the freezing wind in the winter. The floor of the cabin was dirt. The life of slave was
In a world of unlimited choices – cable channels, books, music, movies, advertising, media, websites, social media, and more, people have more options than they know what to do with. That’s why if you’re preaching a sermon, pitching a movie, publishing a book – however you’re getting your ideas out there – the initial perception of YOU matters more than ever. I don’t care how great your