Lessons In Leadership From a Dancing Guy05.23.11
Love this video!
THOUGHTS/MUSINGS
Giving The Finger To The Dream Killers Amongst Us12.02.10
I went to a screening of Love and Other Drugs last night. The stars, Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway, along with the director, Ed Zwick did a Q&A afterwards.
One of the questions in the audience came from a man who asked Mr. Zwick how he could get a script he had written into his hands. The crowd immediately groaned and started giving the guy a hard time. Anne Hathaway, bless her heart, chimed in with “ladies and gentlemen give it up for chutzpah.”
I sat there wondering why a theater full of actors, who face daily rejection as they go for their dreams, felt compelled to chastise this guy jumping at perhaps a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Even more fascinating, much of the Q&A focused on how Ed, Jake and Anne had to overcome daily fears in order to make this film. It required a high level of vulnerability on all their parts and the crowd applauded them as they shared their experiences.
So why cheers for the courage of the stars up on stage and jeers for the courage of the unknown screenwriter in the audience? It might have been the screenwriter’s tact, or the fact that the audience was “star struck”, but in the end I realized the reason why didn’t matter.
I am one of those unknown artists out in the crowd and what concerned me more was how witnessing this attack could impact my own acts of bravery in the name of my dreams. It made me realize that as a human race we are often our own worst enemy. We have become chutzpah killers.
Give It Up For Chutzpah
I’m not too concerned about the guy who got groaned at during the Q&A, he’s found a way to be brave enough despite the possible backlash. But what about others in the crowd, like me, who may have dreams burning inside of them that will require acts of bravery like that screenwriter in order to make them a reality. How many dreams in that crowd got suffocated by fear after they witnessed the reaction of the majority?
I read somewhere that Julia Roberts diligently contacted the head of whatever studio did Pretty Woman pitching herself for the lead role. Most admire that type of tenacity. We flock to great blogs like Chris Guillebeau’s The Art of Non-Conformity or Tyler Tervooren’s Advanced Riskology in hopes some of their fearlessness will rub off on us. And yet, in the blink of an eye, we turn around and attack someone taking a brave step if their actions make us uncomfortable in any way.
With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility
I’m not here to figure out why humans attack on a dime. Trying to change the behaviors of a society as a whole is a big task. My hope is to appeal to the individual and bring awareness to how small actions, we may not think twice about, can have a huge impact.
If you tend to be one of those quick to judge the actions of another, I ask you consider the repercussions of your judgment before you act. Especially when it is connected to someone’s dreams. You have the power to lift someone up or pull them down with everything you say or do. Don’t underestimate your power. Remember, as Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben said, “With great power comes great responsibility.”
Jake, answering how he handles feeling unsure about his choices as an actor, said, “Most of the time you just have to put yourself out there and say fuck it.” So in a similar vein, if you are one of those who may have a dream in the fragile infant stage, I offer you this simple phrase to use when faced with the chutzpah killers…”FUCK YOU!”
The Buck Stops Here05.22.10
I’m currently reading Andy Andrew’s The Traveler’s Gift. One word…awesome!
I am writing out these couple of pages from Chapter 3 because I want it to really saturate my psyche.
It’s a tad long but worth reading every word. If you really want to feel the power…read it out loud!
THE FIRST DECISION FOR SUCCESS
The buck stops here.
From this moment forward, I will accept responsibility for my past. I understand that the beginning of wisdom is to accept the responsibility for my own problems and that by accepting responsibility for my past, I free myself to move into a bigger, brighter future of my own choosing.
Never again will I blame my parents, my spouse, my boss, or other employees for my present situation. Neither my education nor lack of one, my genetics, or the circumstantial ebb and flow of everyday life will affect my future in a negative way. If I allow myself to blame these uncontrollable forces for my lack of success, I will be forever caught in a web of the past. I will look forward. I will not let my history control my destiny.
The buck stops here. I accept responsibility for my past. I am responsible for my success.
I am where I am today—mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially—because of decisions I have made. My decisions have always been governed by my thinking. Therefore, I am where I am today—mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially—because of how I think. Today I will begin the process of changing where I am—mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally and financially—by changing the way I think.
My thoughts will be constructive, never destructive. My mind will live in the solutions of the future. It will not dwell in the problems of the past. I will seek the association of those who are working and striving to bring about positive change in the world. I will never seek comfort by associating with those who have decided to be comfortable.
When faced with the opportunity to make a decision, I will make one. I understand that God did not put in me the ability to always make right decisions. He did, however, put in me the ability to ‘make’ a decision and then ‘make it right’. The rise and fall of my emotional tide will not deter me from my course. When I make a decision, I will stand behind it. My energy will go into making the decision. I will waste none on second thoughts. My life will not be an apology. It will be a statement.
The buck stops here. I control my thoughts. I control my emotions.
In the future when I am tempted to ask the question “Why me?” I will immediately counter with the answer: “Why not me?” Challenges are gifts, opportunities to learn. Problems are the common thread running through the lives of great men and women. In times of adversity, I will not have a problem to deal with; I will have a choice to make. My thoughts will be clear. I will make the right choice. Adversity is preparation for greatness. I will accept this preparation. Why me? Why not me? I will be prepared for something great!
I accept responsibility for my past. I control my thoughts. I control my emotions. I am responsible for my success.
THE BUCK STOPS HERE.
The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success
CHICK Episode 701.04.10
Even when we go after our dreams we have moments when we question whether going after them was the right decision.
How will Lisa deal with a low point in the quest to realize her dream?
Check out CHICK Episode 7. A new episode drops tomorrow.
CHICK Episode 601.03.10
Sometimes it’s all about trust and faith. As the saying goes, leap and the net will appear.
Lisa takes the leap in Episode 6 of CHICK.
CHICK Episode 501.02.10
I love those times in life when we reach a fork in the road. The road untraveled is always a scary one but filled with magical opportunities. When I’m hesitant, I like to remind myself the best opportunities often require I walk towards the fear.
Will Lisa walk towards the fear? Check out Episode 5.
Oh and don’t forget to vote for CHICK in the Streamy Awards for best new web series.
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CHICK Episode 401.01.10
I’ve always found if fascinating how much we cling to old patterns even when they no longer serve us. Often times it seems we’d rather stay with what’s painful but familiar than go for something new but unfamiliar. This is Lisa’s dilemma in Episode 4 of CHICK.
CHICK Episode 312.29.09
We all have big dreams we’d like to realize. It’s amazing how often people kill our dreams just by the things they say. Lisa fights for her dream to be a superhero in Episode 3 of CHICK.
CHICK Episode 212.26.09
I trust everyone had a great Christmas if you celebrate that holiday.
Here’s episode 2…my favorite one so far. Hope is restored in this episode. Enjoy!
CHICK EP. 1 and the Streamys12.23.09
My web series CHICK is on hiatus for the holidays. If you haven’t watched the show, catch up over the break. I’ll be posting a recent episode every couple of days throughout the holidays.
If you like what you see, please vote for us in the Streamy’s awards for Best New Web Series.
You can vote once per day per category through January 22.
CHICK has been getting some great press including a feature in the print and online editions of a recent Sunday Washington Post. Check it out here.
So here’s Episode One of CHICK…enjoy! And Happy Holidays!