Ultimatehero
Life is infinite
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I just thought this might be a good thread to start. There are a lot of us here who have progressed to great areas in life and I figure we all have advice to share from our journeys along the way...
My job position: Rising screenwriter, early 20s.
My advice:
1. Be persistent - you're bound to run into many brick walls, however, if you keep with it and never give up you are more than likely to break those brick walls down at some point and continue to move forward. The journey to any top is a roller coaster. Sometimes people let go because it's taking too long. But the ones who stick by it - are the ones who make it. You just have to hold on tight and never let go.
2. Be courageous - never be afraid to ask for help from your mentors and higher-ups, it shows that you have a goal of where you want to be and that you respect their advice. It enables you to build a comradery with them. When I was 22 years old, just out of college, I pitched a script to high up Vice President that he loved and said he would have bought if they didn't have anything already similar. Ever since then he's been there helping me every step of the way. I had to step outside of my comfort zone, take a chance at being shot down, and it paid off. Always take risks.
3. Be humble - when people help you out, genuinely thank them, and see if there is anything you can do for them in return. I've found the more humble you are, the classic "small fish in a big pond" analogy, the further you get. People like seeing someone who's passionate and honest with those he works with and for and genuinely loves the whole atmosphere of it. Basically, be real. Fast talkers may seem like they run the room, but I've found being the compassionate talker has worked out just as well. I believe in "paying it forward." I never tire of telling them how thankful I genuinely am and asking how I can help them in return.
4. Make your own luck - people say be in the right place at the right time, but there's more to that - when that door is open, you have to strike hard while the iron's hot and in order to do that you need to be at the top of your A game so you can make a long lasting impression. I was lucky enough to get mine early, but even now I know that those moments don't come around that often. So when they do, you have to be prepared for them and give it your all. And sometimes, as with the VP, the pieces might be there but you still have to put them together to sometimes create your own window of opportunity.
5. Love what you do - this may sound easier than it is, but the way to put your best foot forward is to genuinely love what you do. I'm a screenwriter, it's the air I breathe, and following my passion has got me extraordinarily far at the mere age of being in my twenties. I also know a delivery man in his 70s who delivers chemicals to companies, the sheer love he has for what he does and the people he meets is seriously inspirational to me. Love what you do and you'll go further in your life and in your career for that.
Out of all of those I'd say # 3 and # 5 have gotten me the furthest.
So what is your advice?
My job position: Rising screenwriter, early 20s.
My advice:
1. Be persistent - you're bound to run into many brick walls, however, if you keep with it and never give up you are more than likely to break those brick walls down at some point and continue to move forward. The journey to any top is a roller coaster. Sometimes people let go because it's taking too long. But the ones who stick by it - are the ones who make it. You just have to hold on tight and never let go.
2. Be courageous - never be afraid to ask for help from your mentors and higher-ups, it shows that you have a goal of where you want to be and that you respect their advice. It enables you to build a comradery with them. When I was 22 years old, just out of college, I pitched a script to high up Vice President that he loved and said he would have bought if they didn't have anything already similar. Ever since then he's been there helping me every step of the way. I had to step outside of my comfort zone, take a chance at being shot down, and it paid off. Always take risks.
3. Be humble - when people help you out, genuinely thank them, and see if there is anything you can do for them in return. I've found the more humble you are, the classic "small fish in a big pond" analogy, the further you get. People like seeing someone who's passionate and honest with those he works with and for and genuinely loves the whole atmosphere of it. Basically, be real. Fast talkers may seem like they run the room, but I've found being the compassionate talker has worked out just as well. I believe in "paying it forward." I never tire of telling them how thankful I genuinely am and asking how I can help them in return.
4. Make your own luck - people say be in the right place at the right time, but there's more to that - when that door is open, you have to strike hard while the iron's hot and in order to do that you need to be at the top of your A game so you can make a long lasting impression. I was lucky enough to get mine early, but even now I know that those moments don't come around that often. So when they do, you have to be prepared for them and give it your all. And sometimes, as with the VP, the pieces might be there but you still have to put them together to sometimes create your own window of opportunity.
5. Love what you do - this may sound easier than it is, but the way to put your best foot forward is to genuinely love what you do. I'm a screenwriter, it's the air I breathe, and following my passion has got me extraordinarily far at the mere age of being in my twenties. I also know a delivery man in his 70s who delivers chemicals to companies, the sheer love he has for what he does and the people he meets is seriously inspirational to me. Love what you do and you'll go further in your life and in your career for that.
Out of all of those I'd say # 3 and # 5 have gotten me the furthest.
So what is your advice?
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