This is Your Year to Make Progress in the Entertainment Industry
🌟Career Coaching: A Practical Guide to Turning Dreams into Reality
A new year is upon us, and uncertainty still looms large. The murkiness makes it tempting to freeze in place or postpone taking action – a continuation of the entertainment industry’s “survive until ‘25” mantra that gained popularity this past year.
Can traditional New Year’s resolutions help us get beyond inertia? There’s certainly a track record, since the ritual of making grand annual commitments began in Babylonia some 4,000 years ago, when resolutions largely involved promises to repay debts in exchange for favors from the gods.
Today, about 45% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, and 8% of those are reported to be kept. That’s a dismal statistic by any standard. We can do better.
This year, instead of embarking on a year-long struggle to survive, let's make some real progress. Banish those vague resolutions made in a champagne haze! It’s time for a more manageable, multi-phased approach to improving our professional lives.
Achieve Big Dreams with Small Steps
To get started, remember what it is you’re after. The massive disruptions and relentless political noise of the past few years have derailed everyone to some degree. It’s understandable if your big dreams have been neglected or forgotten.
So kick off the year by reconnecting with what it is you want. Grab a few hours to get in touch with your inner drive. Daydream about a future where anything is possible. Write down what your ideal career looks like.
Once you know where you ultimately want to go, then focus on the steps you can take to get there.
For example, let’s say your overarching goal is to become an in-demand, well-paid writer, actor, director, editor, producer or a myriad of other industry options.
What specific skills do you need to succeed in that role? Which of those skills do you already have and to what degree (beginner, master or something in the middle)? How can you improve your skill level or acquire the skills you need?
How have others achieved the success you’re aiming for? Read the Wikipedia entries on people you admire. Or ask for informational interviews with people who are more experienced than you. Take inspiration from learning about their career paths.
Does your existing network include people who can help you make progress? How fresh are those contacts? Is it time to get in touch? Or do you need to attend industry events or join a professional organization in order to make new connections?
While there is no linear or “normal” path to success in the entertainment industry, you can create a road map by doing your research and identifying the small steps you need to take in order to make your dream a reality.
Embrace the Clock and the Calendar
Once you’ve determined a few of the steps you need to take, then set one or two “bite-sized” goals and begin with a focused, three week sprint.
For example, if you want to be an in-demand writer, then start writing for at least 20 minutes each weekday. If your goal is to work more consistently as a producer, then spend that 20 minutes reaching out to your LinkedIn connections, alumni in your field and former colleagues. If your dream job is directing movies, then commit to analyzing one scene from a successful script or film three times a week. Put a gold star on your calendar for each day that you stick with it.
At the end of the three weeks, celebrate and then take stock. Do you want to stick with your bite-sized goal, revise it or try something new altogether? This short timeframe should give you freedom to experiment and course correct as needed. You can always re-start the three week clock.
If you find you’re making progress, then extend your commitment to three months. It helps if the end date is a holiday – you’ll feel like everyone is celebrating your accomplishment with you. And once you’ve reached the three month milestone, once again assess your progress. Are you ready to work on other small steps? Do you need to adjust your course?
This bite-sized approach creates tangible milestones, making the journey to your big dream feel less daunting and more rewarding.
Build Your Own Pantheon of Support
The Babylonians had an advantage: when they made their resolutions, they believed the gods would get angry if they didn’t deliver. Fear of divine retribution is an awesome kind of motivation.
One of the biggest reasons people fail at resolutions is because they lose motivation. Perhaps we still need “gods” to help us succeed, or at least provide an incentive not to fail.
So you are empowered to anoint a few gods. These can be trusted friends or colleagues who know about your goals and will hold you accountable for them. They’re the cheerleaders who will encourage you when you need it and help you stay on track. (Whether you empower them to smite your oxen if you slack off is up to you.)
If you’re uncomfortable sharing your professional goals with those who are close to you—and it’s not uncommon or weird to feel that way—then consider working with a career coach. That’s what career coaches do: they help you figure out a feasible strategy for getting ahead and stay motivated as you get there.
No matter how noisy the world gets, this year can still bring opportunities for growth and transformation. A proactive, step-by-step approach to success–coupled with a mindset of resilience, curiosity and adaptability–can get you where you want to go. This year, let's not just survive – let's thrive.
