Fix Entertainment in 2010
The old year is hardly gone, and a new year is upon us. Our past has been filled with political unrest, a plummeting economy, and shocking celebrity deaths. As well as America’s historic national election, Olympic superstars, not to mention cheap gas, and sham-wow. But what, if anything, what does this mean for the entertainment industry as we enter 2009? Television, Films, Music, New Media, and even Distributors must adapt to be able to survive our trouble times. In the following series entitled “Fixing Entertainment” I will be taking a critical eye to these essential aspects of entertainment. I do not attempt to be abrasive, or judgmental. Rather my goal is to raise awareness in respective forums to cultivate conversation, and possibly true change.
Before we begin discussing the current state of our entertainment industry, I thought it best to recommend broad New Years Resolutions for all Entertainers out there to succeed early on this year. This is also the first part in a five part series.
Refocus
We must refocus ourselves fundamentally. During this difficult time we must refocus to survive. Ask yourself what can you change to better your personal life, your families, your career? Perhaps this would mean to refocus your finances to save a little to eventually be able to accomplish smaller more fulfilling creative projects. Maybe it is to refocus you mind and creative energies by spending more time on yourself. Whatever it may be you will only be able to refocus your life if you specifically take the time and look closer. Take the opportunity as the new year begins.
I must learn to refocus myself into what I consider my theme for this year: Building Bridges. I am committed to networking successfully online, in person, both personally and professionally. To accomplish my goals I must refocus on my principles of connecting persons. Another of my goals is to be able to speak more frequently. To this end I have sought out other speakers who encourage and critique me. I must refocus my eye upon the prize which I will soon attain.
What have you decided to refocus on in this upcoming year? What do you strive to accomplish?
Reorganize
Once we have refocus ourselves it is time to move into action and reorganize our priorities. There is little good to refocus our time and energies if we do not actively seek out to improve these areas, and to prune back those areas we either need to modify or do without all together. Often shortly after the New Year our passion for change or improvement fades, and we find ourselves very unorganized. Take simple steps initially to begin the reorganization process. Perhaps you must disassociate yourself with time wasters found in certain relationships, hobbies, or luxuries. Reorganizing yourself also means establishing positive replacements to support your new decisions or lifestyles.
I have reorganized my life to better reach and impact my friends, colleagues, and clients through my business website, and this blog. Also I have taken more steps to structure my online prescense more professionally. Also to reorganize my priorities to achieve public speaking success I have begun to read and interact more, thereby spending less time watching television or going out with friends.
What steps will you take to reorganize your life? What are you willing to sacrifice to achieve your goals?
Remember
Now that I find myself successfully refocusing and reorganizing myself, I must now remember who I am, and what I will attain. Stocking the fires of your inspiration will encourage you to continue growing in your personal or professional life. Never forget your roots, your origins, or who helped you get even this far. Be thankful for the ground you have been able to cover, and even thank them for the influence they have had on your life. Start the year with a direction, and a group of friends or associates who are like minded in reminding you who you are and where you have come from. This will establish a sound foundation for your future success as it rapidly approaches.
I am very nostalgic. My past experiences and memories are never too far away. I mount them on the wall in pictures or surround myself with the very people who have been instrumental for my success. However, I am challenging myself to remember who I was before even my adulthood. Remembering, my childlike joy at learning new things, with making new friends. Often work can strangle the memories of happier times, and steal the joy of making new memories. I am working on finding myself. Or rather my tinier self.
Ask yourself who or what causes you to remember who you are, and where you are from. Are you surrounding yourself with these milestone or testaments to past victories or future successes? Or are you sitting down waiting for life to improve for you?
Conclusion
This New Year will most likely bring about some frightening changes in our lives, and in our communities. Let us strive to do what is our personal responsiblities to be apart of the solution, and not tearn one another down with envy or needless squabbles. This New Year will bring its own set of troubles and challenges. Let us not add ourselves to that list. Rather build each other up, and encourage each other beyond our aspiratoins. Yes, we can ladies and gentleman. We are the gatekeepers of our destiny. The presidents of our profession. Yes, we can.