Greetings Oleg! I hope that Michael's glee shined up your glum shoes about the job. Something better is around the corner. And as far as those questions that people ask in the Q&As, my theory is that they do it to be able to say 'I've tried everything, including attending online seminars, and asking really smart people what to do, and even THEY can't help me.' All the while, not realizing or actively denying, that there are ways to break through and move ahead in life, when they initiate action and motivate themselves. 80/20 - that rule applies to many things. 80% get it and 20% don't. That 20% is 100% of the headaches. Here's to better percentages in the future :-) KgZ
We keep on plugging away! That's why I feel like building confidence, motivating, and inspiring are as big a part of our programs as providing information. Often people know what (more) they need to do, but need a little push in that direction.
I want to talk about the "magic question/answer" thing, becasue I get that ALL THE TIME in my work, too. With the writers I mentor, and with my clients, too.
*what can you advise someone who’s already tried everything?*
This right here. My first thing is, they probably haven't tried everything, at least not REALLY. They've probably tried a half-ass version of everything (most people do things half-assed),, like the guy who wants to make money without working, (that said, I'm the guy who wants to make money without working. I've had that as my goal for my whole life and I'm pleased that I seem to have achieved it. It IS possible, but it takes a lot of nerve to pull it off. But I digress...)
Second, even if someone has "tried everything" to its fullest (and again, I have not met anyone from whom this is true, including Self), then yes, there's the awkward truth -- that all of the things in, for instance, your exxample of getting a job, only -- as we say in hollywood and probably other places, too -- get you in the room.
Once you're there, it's about you. Literally You. (the rhetorical you, of course, not you, Oleg). Not about the tricks and tips a methods for getting in the room, for getting the opportunity. It's about your talent, your charisma, your ability to tell your story and connect with people. That's when it gets personal. And it's hard to tell someone, "you're just not likeable" or "you aren't that talented." No one wants to hear it. No one wants to be the one to say it. (also what if we're wrong and we wreck someone's whole life by saying it when it's not the case.)
I'm a singer/songwriter. There are lots of ways to get an audition, or to get someone to listen to your song. Tips and tricks for networking, etc. Even assuming I use all of them to perfection (unlikely), in the end, it's still about me and my talent and the quality of what I have to offer.
We all know the stats -- 95% of people think they're above average. And live in a world where everyone is sparkly and special and thinks they deserve a participation trophy for breathing. But once they're in the room, that's where the truth of that statistic comes home to roost.
Great stuff as always. Count me as a devoted read.
I truly didn't mean your situation. Sometimes we just don't get the gig, regardless. I'm talking about people who "never seem to get anywhere" as you said. That's obviously not you...
I didn't read into what you wrote or take offense. I wasn't selected for the job and it's okay (and now that I know who was selected, it's no wonder, she's great). The challenge with job seeking in Hollywood and beyond is that there are so many unknowns. Why didn't I get the job? Why wasn't I cast? Mostly we don't get that feedback, and even when we do, will it be helpful with the next jobbo? Perhaps not. So what can we recommend? Avoid the tricks and stick to fundamentals like having someone proofread your resume and cover letter.
Yes. And maybe to get all profound and philosophical here, be the best version of yourself and know that any opportunity that requires something else is probably someone else's opportunity
I really like the dialogue here. Both here specifically and on substack in general. So far, at least. I think the platform curates towards people who actually want to talk about things. At least for now.
Greetings Oleg! I hope that Michael's glee shined up your glum shoes about the job. Something better is around the corner. And as far as those questions that people ask in the Q&As, my theory is that they do it to be able to say 'I've tried everything, including attending online seminars, and asking really smart people what to do, and even THEY can't help me.' All the while, not realizing or actively denying, that there are ways to break through and move ahead in life, when they initiate action and motivate themselves. 80/20 - that rule applies to many things. 80% get it and 20% don't. That 20% is 100% of the headaches. Here's to better percentages in the future :-) KgZ
We keep on plugging away! That's why I feel like building confidence, motivating, and inspiring are as big a part of our programs as providing information. Often people know what (more) they need to do, but need a little push in that direction.
As always, you delight and provoke.
I want to talk about the "magic question/answer" thing, becasue I get that ALL THE TIME in my work, too. With the writers I mentor, and with my clients, too.
*what can you advise someone who’s already tried everything?*
This right here. My first thing is, they probably haven't tried everything, at least not REALLY. They've probably tried a half-ass version of everything (most people do things half-assed),, like the guy who wants to make money without working, (that said, I'm the guy who wants to make money without working. I've had that as my goal for my whole life and I'm pleased that I seem to have achieved it. It IS possible, but it takes a lot of nerve to pull it off. But I digress...)
Second, even if someone has "tried everything" to its fullest (and again, I have not met anyone from whom this is true, including Self), then yes, there's the awkward truth -- that all of the things in, for instance, your exxample of getting a job, only -- as we say in hollywood and probably other places, too -- get you in the room.
Once you're there, it's about you. Literally You. (the rhetorical you, of course, not you, Oleg). Not about the tricks and tips a methods for getting in the room, for getting the opportunity. It's about your talent, your charisma, your ability to tell your story and connect with people. That's when it gets personal. And it's hard to tell someone, "you're just not likeable" or "you aren't that talented." No one wants to hear it. No one wants to be the one to say it. (also what if we're wrong and we wreck someone's whole life by saying it when it's not the case.)
I'm a singer/songwriter. There are lots of ways to get an audition, or to get someone to listen to your song. Tips and tricks for networking, etc. Even assuming I use all of them to perfection (unlikely), in the end, it's still about me and my talent and the quality of what I have to offer.
We all know the stats -- 95% of people think they're above average. And live in a world where everyone is sparkly and special and thinks they deserve a participation trophy for breathing. But once they're in the room, that's where the truth of that statistic comes home to roost.
Great stuff as always. Count me as a devoted read.
And now I'm realising this is potentially spectacularly in bad taste given the end of your article... but what am I to do?
I truly didn't mean your situation. Sometimes we just don't get the gig, regardless. I'm talking about people who "never seem to get anywhere" as you said. That's obviously not you...
I didn't read into what you wrote or take offense. I wasn't selected for the job and it's okay (and now that I know who was selected, it's no wonder, she's great). The challenge with job seeking in Hollywood and beyond is that there are so many unknowns. Why didn't I get the job? Why wasn't I cast? Mostly we don't get that feedback, and even when we do, will it be helpful with the next jobbo? Perhaps not. So what can we recommend? Avoid the tricks and stick to fundamentals like having someone proofread your resume and cover letter.
Yes. And maybe to get all profound and philosophical here, be the best version of yourself and know that any opportunity that requires something else is probably someone else's opportunity
I really like the dialogue here. Both here specifically and on substack in general. So far, at least. I think the platform curates towards people who actually want to talk about things. At least for now.
Michael's joy is beautiful!
I couldn't get the sumo clip to work. Is it this bout?: https://twitter.com/TheSumoSoul/status/1661645102002085888
Yup, that's the one. My usual sumo channel is evading stupid copyright claims by deleting the highlights a day or two after they're posted.