Category: Work

Work

What’s on your slate?

There’s so much wisdom in Steven Pressfield’s posts, but this particularly resonated, “You have to have a slate.”

I was doing a free rewrite on the lot at MGM when a producer friend spotted me on the bungalow’s porch and plopped down in the chair beside me. She asked me what I was working on beside this freebie. 

I hesitated.

Don’t hesitate…

“you have to be able to rattle off four, five, six projects—and be able to pitch ‘em all with full professionalism.”

Read the full post, and more, here.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Work

The writer’s deal … or dilemma – Steven Pressfield

Today’s Writing Wednesdays post from Steven Pressfield gets to the heart of a writer’s dilemma: do you stay true to your work and possibly earn nothing (“Nobody wants to read your sh*t.”), or do you compromise to the demands of the market?

Reflecting on the author Elizabeth Gilbert’s deal with her writing, he asks if we’re prepared to do the same.

Her deal was:

“I will never ask you to support me. I will support you.”

That’s a mighty challenge to integrity and income.

Read Steven’s full post here.

Work

The Stoic and the sale – Kasey Pierce

This is good. Stoicism and salesmanship, especially as it relates to creatives and reluctant sellers.

Being published in indie publishing is a lot like starting in acting, none of us are experts, everyone is trying to get noticed, and it’s not at all glamorous. Although it is an honor and privilege to be published, to get your book in the hands of the people, to find your readers, takes some elbow grease. This means…you become a salesperson.

Photo by Ethan Hu on Unsplash

Work

Sort out your energy levels – Nicholas Bate

Without energy, you are nothing. Great ideas get fuzzy and die, good intentions collapse in a withered heap.

Nicholas Bate has essential guidance…

1. To do the things you want to do, you need energy.

2. Level 1 Energy is dependent upon MEDS, meditation, exercise, diet and sleep.

3. Take time out; move/take stairs/dance/carry; eat wide (variety) and deep (local, in season, simple); sleep.

4. …

Read the rest, here.

Photo by MI PHAM on Unsplash

Work

Take time to think big – @DanielPink

Harried by the relentless, depthless demands of email, social media, Zoom, phone and Slack?

Here’s a great idea from author Daniel Pink, originating with statesman George Schultz – the Schultz Hour.

Pinkcast 4.07. This is how to carve out an hour a week to think big. | Daniel H. Pink

Image: Claudine Gossett Photography (via UChicago News)