Introduce, Intensify, Adapt, Shift. It’s what I did as a member of the CAL Track and Field team. I’m not entirely sure that I understood the concept when I started. I thought it was much more complicated, but soon learned it was simple. If I wanted to improve, I would never be comfortable. For just when I thought I had a handle on pace, the workout would intensify. And, just when I thought I could handle the level of intensity, the challenge shifted. At the end of each cycle, right when I thought I had things mastered, my coach would force me off a ledge.
This is rarely the case in life. True, we each work towards individual goals, be they professional, personal or other. Unfortunately, there isn’t always someone there to push us from the ledge when things get comfortable. There may, however, be a nagging inner voice, one that seems, often times, contradictory. In one moment, it’s courageous, fueling increased ambition. In the next, it’s fearful, cautioning slow and calculated steps into the unknown. One thing is for sure, the move from our comfort zones is necessary for change. We grow the most when we are forced to adapt.
As you move forward this week towards accomplishing your goals, be thankful for the challenge and the rush of accomplishing that of which you are uncertain. And, as always, remember that you are capable of much more than you can imagine. There are innumerable stories that serve to inspire, Manteo Mitchell’s 4×4 race despite injury, Barack Obama’s ascendance to the Presidential post despite cultural obstacles, or Gabrielle Gifford’s recovery after the shooting in 2011, just to name a few. But, if you take a chance and move out of your comfort zone, one day you will find inspiration in your own story.
It’s remarkable. Numerous Olympic athletes, along with their friends and family, have livened up the atmosphere in London. I was here last summer and today there’s a marked difference; the town is filled with hope and positivity. It’s too bad I can’t bottle this up and take it home.
Every four years Olympic athletes serve as an inspirational beacon for their countries. But ask any athlete, their success is never unhampered by extenuating circumstances: injury, financial hardship, family issues, etc. But no matter, something inside of them, the love for their sport, their will to be champions, or their hope and belief that anything is possible, keeps them going. Many of these athletes, especially American Track and Field athletes, compete for little to no financial gain. They aren’t compensated like basketball players. Some have modest contracts, while others hold down part-time jobs to make ends meet. They are forced to stay physically in tune while working. For those of you who find it hard to go for a jog after a day of work, just imagine training at the elite level. Simply put, Olympic and Elite level athletes do what they do for the love of their sport.
There’s another side of the Olympics that’s not-so-inspirational, but definitely present, the definition of failure. So much emphasis is put on ‘medaling.’ And sometimes, more than just medaling but winning Olympic gold. Placing 4th is often regarded as failure, but someone has to get 4th right? As someone who’s not competing in the Olympics, it would be hard to imagine considering myself, or anyone for that matter, a failure for getting anything less than a gold medal. For those who place 4th or 23rd at the Olympics, they’ve competed at an unbelievable level and are among the best in the World. But we all know that success is bred from hunger. So, if you have the desire to perform at a high level, no matter your profession, there’s very rarely a sense of contentedness. We achieve one level of success and always want more.
So what’s the take away for non-elite athletes, for those working in finance, as doctors, as assistants or writers? There’s a saying, “Do what you must to do what you love.” I undoubtably agree with this but only under two conditions, that one have hope and gratitude. Like these athletes, everyday won’t be perfect, some days you’ll see professional or personal setbacks. But if you’re on a path, you must have hope that you are capable of achieving what you’ve set out to achieve. And if you have gratitude, you’ll find satisfaction on every level of your journey as you steadily climb higher, take a step back, and everything in between. Otherwise, what’s the point?
Good day! It’s wonderful. I’ve found that I don’t have to look far for a little motivation. Seriously, there are days when I either don’t want to do anything or feel completely overwhelmed by pending tasks. But the moment I take a second to admire and acknowledge the varying successes of people in my community, I’m immediately driven to change my attitude. My sluggishness and indifference are instantly replaced with positivity and hopefulness.
If you’re a creative writer, someone thinking about writing, or someone who finds inspiration in seeing people who are thankful to do what they love, read on. If not, well, look away.
Back in February, I had the opportunity to attend the first ever Table Read Initiative, organized by Mike Flynn, Lena Waithe and Codie Elaine Brooks. Today, I’m happy to bring you a little inspiration from TRI Co-founder, Mike Flynn (Detroit 1-8-7, Happy Town, Life on Mars). After graduating from San Diego State University, Flynn made the move to work as a professional writer, and has been on a steady climb as a television writer ever since. The Table Read Initiative’s first reading featured Lenox Ave, Flynn’s incredibly ambitions, and if I do say so myself, entertaining, hour-long period drama. The pilot focuses on a diverse African American community during the Harlem Renaissance. Despite the fact that the project hasn’t been picked up, it currently has Dennis Haysbert attached and was responsible for landing Flynn his first staff writing gig.
Even with the success he’s had, Flynn continues to give back. He currently volunteers with Inside Out Writers (IOW), an organization that partners young writers, who’ve been in or are currently in juvenile detention, with working mentors.
Thankfully, I got the chance to ask Flynn about his struggles as a Hollywood writer, what inspires him, and for some advice for aspiring creative writers out there.
Q&A
How’d you get started writing?
Well if you want to get technical, I’ve always enjoyed hearing stories and telling them. I used to write in a journal as a kid and compose short stories out of sheer boredom. I had a lot of time to myself, but never imagined pursuing a profession out of it. But growing up, I would stay up after 9pm watching television shows with my mother and sister…adult shows like HBO’s “Dream On,” “The Larry Saunders Show,” “Beauty And The Beast,” “New York Undercover,” and the list goes on. I’d hear words and ask my mother what they meant, and she sent me to the dictionary. So I spent a lot of time reading that book among others. But what grabbed me were the storylines and things that characters would say. I loved characters like Sipowicz from “NYPD Blue” — we don’t get to see too many flawed characters like that anymore; people are too scared to venture into that realm. So I grew up wanting to tell stories and create characters that pushed the envelope; stuff that makes you sit back and think, “Wow, this writer really went there.” I carried that passion over into college. I majored in TV and Film Production and minored in English, began writing at 19 and haven’t stopped.
What’s your primary goal as a storyteller?
My primary goal is to entertain the viewer or reader. What would be my purpose if I didn’t? Some times novice writers get caught up in wanting to tell their “life story” that they think everyone wants to hear, but if nothing exciting or interesting happens, there isn’t any reason for calling yourself a writer. Entertain the people and they will return!
Where do you get the inspiration for your scripts?
I get inspiration from everywhere. I once got inspired to write a short story just by playing with my mom’s boyfriend’s dog. I asked her what type of dog he was: a Great Pyrenees — a big white dog that’ll intimidate anyone. I did some research on where these dogs came from (Pyrenees mountains in Europe). Then I thought about monsters and a psychiatrist for some reason. So I put the two together and wrote a short fiction piece about a psychiatrist who treats monsters at an institution before sending them back out into society, set within the Pyrenees mountain range. See how that came together? It was a fun write. But I also get inspired by photography, art, music, stupid things my friends do that makes me crack up, family and everyday people who I meet.
What’s the most important part of your process?
To be honest? Sleep. Whenever I call myself going to bed, I twist and turn for about two hours because I can’t shut my brain off. I’m constantly reaching over to my phone to jot down ideas on the notepad app (thank you iPhone). I find that my best ideas come to me when I’m trying to nap or I just lay down. I’m an artist, so excuse my eccentricities. I know other people pace around the room, or go running, but I just lay on my back and let the ideas flow, man.
Passion project?
I have one, but it’s too ambitious. Period pieces always scare people, from what I hear…yet, they buy them every year. That’s a whole other discussion though. But I have come across a book that I feel, if the rights are available to adapt, will resonate with an audience. Whenever I get a chill down my back and it stays there for a couple seconds, I know I’m on to something. And this book gave me those chills.
T.V. vs Film: Do you have a preference? What elements make each of these appealing?
Film gets you the glory. TV gets you the respect. I love both but I prefer to work in television. People respect the writer on set of a TV show. They come to you for every question and I’m happy to offer an answer. You get to explore your characters more in TV, follow them week in and week out and find out what makes them tick…what makes them love and hate. I recently watched a character take a dark turn on an episode of “Scandal.” It was something that really opened up his character and set up more opportunities to see how his past life and actions may catch up to him. In film, you only get to stay with the characters for 2 hours (unless there’s a sequel), then you’re left wondering what happens next (if the movie is good). TV is gaining a reputation for having a film-like quality and is bringing the A-game. That’s why you see a lot more film actors coming to TV. I don’t blame them; it’s where the pimps rule.
What have been the most difficult and rewarding moments of your experience as a Hollywood writer?
The most rewarding moment was getting dressed up and going to the NAACP Image Awards for writing on a show that was nominated for Outstanding Drama (“Detroit 1-8-7″). It was a lot of fun talking to people about what you do and watching their eyes light up. Today, TV writer/producers are gaining more respect and notice, which is making this profession more and more attractive. I think the most difficult thing was finding my voice as a writer. I’m honestly still trying to hone in on it but I think I’m just about there. It’s very challenging to get your writing to stand out of a crowd of many other talented writers. It’s a hustle that requires discipline and diligence.
Any advice for writers looking to get their scripts in an agent or talent’s hands?
Keep writing. And write some more. Network with assistants, join tracking boards or industry-related organizations. Work for a successful writer or in a production office until you get that opportunity to work for a successful writer who can take you under his/her wing. Have a strong work ethic and swallow your pride. If you want to get your script into a talent’s hand, I’d suggest paying that fee on IMDB Pro. You can see an actor’s representation contact info and contact them. If you want to get it into an agent’s hands, well, you better have a friend who is a star client at X Agency who can vouch for you. That’s the honest truth. Unless you have the gift of gab and can find a way to be persistent without coming off as annoying, go the old fashion route and write agencies that accept query letters. The WGA has a list of agencies on their site that do just that.
I’m thankful that my mom never sheltered me or discouraged my imagination. It’s only grown from when I was a kid and has allowed me to do something that I love while making a living. So to that, I say, thank you, Vanessa Flynn.
Thank you, Mike! Can’t wait to see what you’re involved with next! Continued success to you.
I hope that jump-started any of you with an ‘inspiration’ block. Remember, inspiration can come from the most surprising places. Keep your eyes, ears, mind and heart open. Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday!
~Thankful
Prior article about The Table Read Initiative: here
Giving thanks is a major part of this blog. And, Oprah is on a similar mission to promote worldwide gratitude with her “Thank You Game.” Click the picture below to find out more information!
I hope everyone is having an inspiration filled Thursday!
Recently, I read a New York Times Op Ed article, which discussed how student athletes were, often, less deserving of their college admission. As a former college athlete, I was enraged. So much so that I wrote a response. It was a long rant about the amazing capabilities of athletes, especially considering that, in addition to attending class, they devote nearly forty hours a week to their sport. Some even have to add a part-time job in the mix.
You hear plenty of people downplay the intellectual capacity of athletes. I’m happy to say that today’s daily inspiration comes from three former Cal Football players. Justin Forsett, Wale Forrester and Wendell Hunter all attended the University of California, Berkeley. Justin was a running back, Wale was a defensive back, and Wendell Hunter was a line backer. Justin continues to play in the NFL. Wendell, a former member of the Buffalo Bills, is now an ER technician, and Wale became a firefighter. Little did any of them know, that years after meeting each other, they’d create their own product, ShowerPill.
ShowerPill, a portable body wipe for use when you can’t reach a shower, definitely has good creative karma. While in college, Wale contracted Bacterial Meningitis. He and his teammates became increasingly concerned about hygiene. Justin, Wale and Wendell saw this as an opportunity to create a product that provided a valuable service and could save lives. Thus, the ShowerPill came to be.
They’ve found a way to merge their talents, resources and team working skills to form a company that’s on the rise. Thankfully, I got the chance to ask Justin a few questions about the trio’s experience starting a new business.
Q&A
You’re used to being a part of a team, how has this carried over to your business?
Playing on a team has shaped the way that we run our company. Accountability, attention to detail, execution and passion are concepts that proved to be essential in the team sport atmosphere. Now, these are proving to be equally important in the business world. I think that being on a team develops your interpersonal relationship skills and also enables you to display a certain level of focus that is unique to the world of competitive athletics.
How supportive has the NFL been as far as encouraging entrepreneurship among its athletes?
The NFL has been extremely supportive. Players and team officials are some of ShowerPill’s best customers
Once you all had the idea, what was your next step?
We researched to see if there was another product like ours on the market. Then we began to search for manufacturers that would be able to make this wipe.
What’s been the most difficult aspect of the startup?
Money and time. In a startup you either run out of time, or you run out of money. It has been difficult for us to take advantage of every opportunity because of money, and it has been impossible to capitalize off of other opportunities because of our lack of staff. So, we have to be extremely strategic in how we use both of those precious resources. (time and money)
What has been the main concern of buyers when purchasing a new product?
Their main concern has been our production capabilities. They want to be sure that we’re capable of sustainable production.
What’s the best advice you’d give someone looking to start their own company?
Just do it. You can spend years researching, praying and planning. Until you do it, it won’t get done.
Philanthropy is an important part of your life. How does this fit into ShowerPill’s corporate DNA?
At ShowerPill we have instilled a culture of charity. Every member working for our company has a separate community service project that they are working on. It’s not a company policy, it’s more so our company culture.
I am thankful for my wife, my family, friends, and business partners that support me in everything I do. I am blessed!
Thank you, Justin! I’ll be keeping a few ShowerPills on hand for emergency post-workout meetings. Go Bears!
Good luck to everyone reading, as you continue to push forward implementing your ideas.
“People underestimate their capacity for change. There is never a right time to do a difficult thing. A leader’s job is to help people have vision of their potential”
Sometimes, I feel as though I’m cheating. The majority of the inspiration for my posts come from conversations with friends and personal experiences. But, alas, I can’t seem to help this.
I’m a firm believer that, the luckiest people are able to make a living doing what they love. In a previous post, Are You in Love?, I calculated that, in a traditional full-time job, assuming that you aren’t doing any work outside of the office (ha!), one spends 145,600 hours, in a lifetime, at work. So, you’d better love what you’re doing! Otherwise, you could have a gnawing feeling inside.
I brought this up recently to a friend and they said something really interesting: “Well, at some point in everyone’s life, there’s a time where the dream dies and you have to find another path to pursue.” This person went on to explain that, whether you’re an athlete, or the head of a company, there’s a point at which you’re no longer at full capacity. You’re forced to retire and find another way to spend your time. They said that this could come early in your career — or later. But, eventually, we are all forced to accept and adapt to change.
At first I found this notion really negative. But then, I considered that I was looking at their comment from the wrong angle. No doubt, every one of us has to make changes in life and we don’t always perceive them as being for the better. My grandmother absolutely loved working. She almost went stir crazy after retiring. So much of her identity was tied up in work. And, thankfully, she enjoyed it. So, my grandmother, who was the Assistant State Director of the Department of Human Services, took a job at a bank. She was 70 years old. Her tasks weren’t at all the same, but she thoroughly enjoyed her new role.
My friend’s comment served as the ultimate reminder for me that, I am not solely what I do. We must remain cognizant of our many interests. Hopefully, when the time comes to give up our first love, we can start devoting energy to our second, third and fourth loves.
It’s Monday and I don’t know about you all, but It’s always nice to start my week with a little inspiration. The New Year encouraged me to commit to a number of personal goals I’d been putting off. After wavering between multiple paths, I realized that I had to be specific to successfully move forward, because I wasn’t doing any of them well. Fear made it really difficult for me to be definitive, but here I am and it isn’t as scary as I thought. If you’re one of the millions out there who’ve had the good fortune to be able to pursue your passions, or you’re thinking about finally taking a leap, then keep reading.
Poet, musician, writer, teacher, producer and artist, Rafael Casal, is a prime example of how diligence combined with the love for one’s work can payoff. As you can tell, he’s a man of many talents but the one constant is storyteller. Over the past ten years of his career he’s evolved from a Poet to a Producer. Casal received his earliest praise for being phenomenal with spoken word (see the video below).
Casal has always considered language to be essential to one’s education. His involvement with Youth Speaks, a San Francisco non-profit that touts knowledge of the written and spoken word as the primary tool for self-empowerment, placed him in a teaching/mentorship role for many kids in the Bay Area. Casal’s experience as a teacher and performer would eventually bring him to the University of Wisconsin, Madison where he ultimately received his Bachelor’s and became the University’s new Creative Director for their emerging performing arts program. After 2 and a half years tirelessly working at UW, he found his way back to California.
He recently formed GETBACK Productions with the partnership of several friends and creative powerhouses. Their goal is to create engaging content across all platforms, music, film, theater, print and whatever else lends itself to storytelling. Additionally, he’s gotten one of his plays into production, is set to release a new album, WHOVILLE LP, on February 2nd, and has just relocated from the Bay to LA to pursue his dreams.
I was lucky enough to ask him about his takes on art, life, and mentorship…
You started performing at a very young age. At what point did you realize, this is what I was born to do?
I don’t know that I have realized that yet. I feel that way about each project that I dedicate myself to, but there is no umbrella over them all that feels like a “born to do” sort of thing. I know broader truths about myself: that I love to inform the uninformed, to supply perspective, to question. It’s empowering to both realize what you do not know, and use what you do. The first, is the lit fuse that triggers the second. In ten years I could be anywhere/one in the world, but I’ll bet I’ll be creating, and teaching.
You started out in spoken word, from there your passion grew into music, then theater, and production. How has your process evolved? Are there any elements that are a constant regardless of the medium?
The fundamentals of each art form are very similar. They are all about expression, they all have a foundation in language, they all require an audience. Poetry is a great gateway art form, because it, in many ways, is the most open-minded. Poetry has so many forms, takes so many shapes, and accepts all as valid. A play can be poetic, many argue that music itself can be /is poetry. In that, there is no reason to consider them anything BUT poetry. Another structure to master, towards the same idea – tell a story, convey a feeling, provoke a reaction. For the audience, there are distinctions. My music, for example, is a very impulsive art form. I make it a point to not sit and over think my songs, I want them to be snapshots of my consciousness, which tend to be shallow or simple in origin. We are all very similar creatures at our core, and the commonality of that truth is often the beauty of music. It is why we write songs about love over and over again, why we complain about poverty, why we write about happiness and hopelessness – they are common, daily, universal experiences. Poetry is very much a humorous/angry/contemplative art form. It (to me) is all about insight, perspective, wisdom. It should feel premeditated, and intentional. Theater, is very much a beautiful middle ground between the two – each character is impulsive, seemingly simple, filled with commonalities for the audience to identify with or rebel against, but the whole play is one big poem. Same structure, same sense of intent and perspective.
How important has mentorship been in your development as student, teacher and artist?
Mentorship is everything. It is overwhelmingly important to have close mentors, and to be a mentor to others. The term mentor is loosely used, but a true mentor feels responsible for you, has your best interests in mind but does not keep you from falling. They aren’t your parent, they are mentoring you for the betterment of your craft. My mentors have had a profound impact on my art and my life, and I pay it back by mentoring those who look to me for that guidance, that I feel can achieve what they are striving for. It is…a brilliant relationship, to be a mentor and to be a mentee. It keeps you forever a student, and simultaneously forever a teacher. Humble, questioning, practicing leadership, and always growing.
What brought you to the University of Wisconsin?
The stars aligned just right for me in Madison. I was touring, and one of my mentors was in residency there. He brought me out to perform and speak to his class, and while I was there I was introduced to some folks who were trying to build a spoken word-based diversity scholarship 4-year undergraduate arts program. A mouthful, and was as ambitious as it sounded. With noble intentions, they were in way over their head and my mentor would soon be leaving. They began the program, and for the first year I came back to Madison a few times for performances and worked very briefly with the first batch of students. A member of this program’s staff heard that I had never finished my Bachelors degree and put an offer on the table – If I moved to Madison, I could be Creative Director of this new university program, design the 4-year artistic curriculum with the faculty artistic director (who would soon become my next mentor, Chris Walker) get a slam salary, and a full ride to the university to finish out my degree. It was an overwhelming task – it would mean that I would work full-time, and go to school with nearly 21 credits a semester. But it also meant getting to design one of the first programs in the country that was about developing new aesthetics in the writing/performance world, while giving young artists of color a free education. It was all the things I stood for, and so I packed up and moved.
What has been the scariest part of your career?
Frequent, unexpected poverty. Not knowing how to survive. There is no 10 year plan for a renegade career; just hope, leads, and faith.
How about the most exciting part?
I have priceless stories. And as a writer, I live for stories.
What’s the next step?
2012 – new album, continue to get my newest play developed, trying to get some web series ideas developed, take some trips, have some adventures, write about them .
What can we look forward to on your new Whoville LP on Feb 2nd?
Oh just a lot of surface level ranting and me holding up a mirror to myself. I lot of ugly honesty, some sexism, some critique of my own sexism, bragging, great melodies and production, clever punchlines and a solid number of analogies. Yeah…its THAT good/bad.
If you could give one piece of advice to a new artist, young or old, what would it be?
Take in far more than you put out. Whether you take in others art, or life, you need perspective to write perspective. Living is the best research.
What are you thankful for?
Life.
Thank you, Rafael, for being so open, honest, and thoughtful! Check out The Getback’s website here and Rafael’s website here. And, if you’re feeling socially inclined you can get the latest updates by following @rafaelcasal on twitter!
I hope that this provided a little jump-start to everyone’s week. This goes to show that if you chase your dreams you might just catch them. It’s refreshing to see someone fearless.
~Thankful
Here’s a link to a preview from Rafael’s 2011 Album.
I believe that positive thinking is necessary for positive living. I love inspiring people and think that their stories often encourage others to fearlessly pursue their own passions and ambitions. For questions, comments or corrections, contact: thankfulforamillion@gmail.com
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