A Million Ways

The more I read, the more movies I watch, the more artwork I view, the more I see that there is no right way.

Yes, there is a structure at work underneath these artforms...but what covers that structure can be far reaching...with limitless possibilities.

The more I see...the more I become secure in who I am as an artist, writer, creator.

I see that the most important thing is to do my work in a way that is me...not me imitating someone else or me trying to figure out what someone else would want.

A friend told me once, "Write the plays that you want to see."
That applies to all artforms...do the work that you want to see. The work only you can do.

Feel Better - Read a Biography

A sure cure for a self pity party is to read a biography...anyone's.

Why?

Reading or watching any biography or autobiography reminds me that everyone, no matter how successful, has a life of ups and downs, of near misses, of successes and failures, of happiness and sadness, etc.

It reminds me that perserverance is the key to a successful life.

The most important thing is to believe in what you are doing, love what you are doing, and have faith that moving forward will bring you the life you want.

I just finished reading this inspiring autobiography/biography of the dynamic and talented Stan Lee. I highly recommend it. It's a perfect example of someone who never stopped to dwell on anything distasteful, he just grabbed life and still keeps riding the wave.

Biographies remind us that everyone struggles. No one is handed an easy life on a platter, it only seems that way from the outside.

It's important to remember that just like teachers told us, it's not the smartest or most talented who succeed, it's the ones who keep their focus, work the hardest, and want what they are after the most.

Sure you can do all these things and still hit killer potholes in the road, but not letting yourself get stuck in those potholes is the secret.

Surround Yourself with People who Believe in You!

I just finished this painting of Kevin Bailey, founder of
'Anthony Cares for Kids.' Here he is surrounded by the characters he created for his book.

Looking at the painting, I am reminded of how important it is to surround yourself with people who believe in you and your talents.

And how important it is that you believe they are right.

Look at their confidence in you as fuel. It will help you get through shaky moments in your life and career.

When I doubt my big dreams, I think of the people who believe in me. I realize that if I just believe in myself half as much as they do, I can accomplish anything. This knowledge provides me with a needed boost of energy and inspiration.

Allow yourself to believe -- the people who believe in you are right.

Billable Hours

At lunch this week, I sat next to two gentlemen discussing billable hours for their company.

They talked about the importance of knowing how each employee spent their time, not just the time that would be billed to the customers.

They also discussed how hard it was to get many of those employees to turn in their time.

I do know that it's a pain to keep track of what you do all day, but I also understand the importance of knowing this information.

I realize that my own work load might improve if I keep track of how I spend my day.

It would be nice to know:

How many hours I spend on a particular project?
How many hours I spend organizing?
How many hours preparing for a school visit?
Cleaning? Painting? Watching movies? Writing correspondence? Updating my website?
etc. etc. etc.

This information will be valuable to me.

Why?

By seeing where I spend my time, I can change things that don't make sense in terms of where I want to go in my career and life.

Perhaps I will see ways to save time so I have more time to do the things I enjoy.

By having my activities and time written down, I can also give myself credit for all that I do do.

(I love it when do do ends up in a sentence.)

So, starting tomorrow, I'm going to insist that all my employees...well...me...start keeping track of billable hours.

After I master keeping track of hours, I'll move on to keeping track of money. : )

Don't Think Too Much!

Okay, it's been a long time since my last entry...why?

I've been thinking too much...

wondering, 'what should I write?' 'Should I change the name of the blog?' 'Should I change this?' 'Should I change that?'

Spending so much time worrying about details that I stopped the blog process.

This is common for many people. It's easy to get bogged down with details and then stop writing, or painting, or auditioning, or doing any of the number of things that one loves to do.

The truth is, I have many things to blog about. Each is as valid as any other. And, when it's time to change the focus of my blog and the name, I shall, because it will be obvious.

But right now, it's important to write the blog, because it keeps me writing and connecting.

It's the same for any of you. What is it that you want to be doing?
Do it.
You don't need to think that hard about it.

You want to paint?
Grab some paints, any paints, and start painting.
Don't stop and wonder, 'what should I be painting?' 'where should I be painting?' 'what materials do I need?'

Use what you have, paint where you are, and paint whatever pops into your head.

If it's not painting that you want to do, exchange the word 'paint' in the above sentences with your secret desire.

Go for it!

Just typing this has put me back on track, back to the blog keyboard...and boy, does it feel good!