Do What You Want Now

Something one of my professors told a class of mine really stuck with me throughout the years.  It was a class on television and media, and although the exact details on the curriculum are fuzzy, his words are very clear.

He knew that there were a lot of aspiring writers, producers, directors, and creatives in the lecture hall, currently vying for intern positions at big media companies throughout New York City.  He also knew we were all anxious to work long hours, mostly for free, performing menial tasks just to get our foot in the door.  He told us of the importance of gaining personal experience by ‘being in the game’  but he also told us how easy it was to get stuck and lose focus on what we really wanted.

“If you want to be a film maker, make a movie.”  He said.  “Stop getting all those people their coffee and pick up a camera.”

Getting someone their coffee most certainly won’t make you a director, accomplished producer, or whatever else you set your heart on.  The key is to distinguish between what pays your bills and what helps accomplish your goals.  If making that coffee gets you in contact with the right people that’s great, but don’t wait to start doing what you love until after your big break.  You might be waiting a long time.

The fact of the matter is, bills need to be paid and food needs to be put on the table, which is why so many artists and entrepreneurs pursue their true passions on the side, until they can do it for a living.  In my past post about Carr’s NY Times article, I discussed the ways people in publishing are taking matters into their own hands.  Laryssa at Comma ‘N Sentence recently wrote about the ways she is handling the new media landscape by creating her own endeavors along the way.  The message is to simply do what you want now and not to wait for anyone.  If you want to direct movies, pick up a camera and start filming your own.  Start writing, taking pictures, making clothes, creating a business, cooking, or teaching, Whatever it is you want, start doing it now.

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Tagged as: Innovation, Media, New Media