It's been a busy year. Everyone I know is EXHAUSTED.
When I was a kid, I used to laugh at that whole 'time is money' concept. Growing up in Australian suburbia, all I had was time. 'How could this be worth money?', I thought.
Now, I get it.
And everyone gets a bit more frazzled as we get to this part of the year. Time is running short before the Xmas holidays. Tempers fray. You remember the list of things you wanted to get done this year. You frown as you realise that you only got through a portion of said list.
So, given we are all a bit world-weary, I thought I would share a good-news story. Something to remind you why you keep working at it, whatever 'it' is in your case.
I know, it often seems like you are making no progress. That no matter how much you swim, the shore seems to get farther and farther away.
Nothing could be more removed from the truth.
Assuming you are always pushing yourself to do your best work, always attempting to make something remarkable, you are making progress. You may not see that progress bear immediate fruit, of course, but that doesn't mean it isn't happening.
So, with that in mind, the other day an email popped up in my inbox from a friend. He is a photographer and documentary maker who has been pushing his limits and making better and better work over the years I have known him. A few times this has lead to some mainstream media exposure, but it hasn't converted completely into full-blown success. Yet.
He was slightly confused about an email he had received. He was concerned it may be a scam. The email read something to the effect of:
Hi (MY FRIEND'S NAME),
I have just seen your amazing (SHORT FILM/PHOTOGRAPH/ETC) online and wanted to get in touch.
I was really impacted by (SHORT FILM/PHOTOGRAPH/ETC). I and my team are really interested in you and your work. We thought it would be great to hear more. Are you interested in having a meeting or a phone hook-up to chat about your work and future projects?
At this point, I guess I can understand his caution.
But then, it finished with:
All the best,
(PERSON'S NAME)
(PERSON'S TITLE)
(OSCAR WINNING PRODUCTION COMPANY, FOUNDED AND RUN BY A HOLLYWOOD LUMINARY)
(HOLLYWOOD ADDRESS)
Nice.
The hilarious part of this whole story is that my friend had NO IDEA who they were.
I had to explain it to him. That is how focused on the quality of his work, rather than networking, he is.
The good news, for you and for him, is that his work has spoken for itself. It is garnering attention for him. As your work will for you.
So, enjoy the rest of the year. Do as much of your best work as you can in the last two months.
And remember, just because it feels like you are treading water, doesn't mean that the current isn't taking you somewhere great.
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