Balls of Steel™: Don't Worry. Take Control

As I doom scrolled my socials this past week, I came across an older video clip of Willie Nelson, encouraging people not to spend time worrying about problems, because worry only releases toxicity into your body. 

Additionally, if you have zero control over something, worrying can’t possibly fix anything. It’ll just make you sick—emotionally and physically. Embrace Bobby McFerrin’s popular song, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”.

I know, I know. It’s almost impossible to rid your mind of worry, and even harder to be happy when anxiety clouds your best intentions. No one is that good at controlling their emotions. But perhaps time would be better spent filling your mind with positive actions you can take instead of sitting still, wringing your hands.

Solid life advice, but it also relates to your art.

Let’s face it, the industry is tough right now, and it’s not going to magically turn around anytime soon. So, what can we do that’s productive and helpful to not only our goals, but also the goals of our fellow creatives?

I sense a list coming …

Challenge yourself.

Write something that scares the hell out of you. I don’t mean horror, but perhaps something that emotionally feels “too close to home,” yet has been gnawing at you.

Yes, it’s scary to be vulnerable, or worry what people will think. But, why did you want to be a writer in the first place?

We write to make people feel. Which means you have to be willing to feel all the feels, even the uncomfortable ones. Think about the stories that move you the most—the ones that surprise you, hit you in the gut, rock you to the core. Now, imagine that writer having said, “Oh, I’m too terrified to be this vulnerable. Screw it. I’ll write something safe instead.”

Yeah, no. That’s not how you build a career.

Stop chasing trends and ignoring your passion projects. Be brave. Both you and your audience deserve it.

Related: Write What You Know

Don’t wait for permission.

How many queries to managers have you sent out? How many contests have you entered? Those are all valid ways to get discovered, but think bigger.

Cast another net by becoming a writer/director of your own work. Why not? I mean, other people have done it, why can’t you?

If you have a feature film you love, write it as a short film—a proof of concept—then gather a cast and crew and make it happen. Enter it into film festivals and filmmaking contests. Use that short to apply for grants to then produce the feature.

The goal is to hit a lot of singles instead of obsessing about the home run. Everything you create is another chance to get hired for that next project. You never know what will attract a manager or producer. I’ve had both contact me after just reading an article I’ve written.

Sure, it’s exhausting to think about juggling so much, but it’s also exhilarating! You aren’t waiting for Jesus to take the wheel, you’re grabbing a hold of it yourself.

A word of caution: Don’t just slap a short film together. Write with budget in mind, understand the importance of stellar sound quality, hire a great cast and also, find revenue potential. What you can do with the final product should be your goal. No one wants to make a short that lingers on their hard drive forever.

Pro screenwriter Bob Saenz has spoken at length about the importance of writing to budget with your feature films. Practice those skills with your shorts. Yes, he's been on "Reckless Creatives" podcast. (If you haven't already, you really should subscribe. Sadie and I have way too much fun. Just sayin'.)

Related: Balls of Steel™: When You Do Everything “Right,” But Still Can’t Break In

Build a community.

Marty Lang explores the unique options filmmakers have when opening their minds to the “creator economy." He has a great book, The Self-Sustaining Filmmaker, and you can also listen to him on “Reckless Creatives” podcast for more details. (See what I mean about the value of subscribing? OK, enough not-so-subtle plugs.)

Bottom-line: Make a list of all the people you know and try to figure out ways you can help each other. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Become a producer.

Let me take a step back here. Maybe you have no interest in ever being a filmmaker. That’s valid. I feel the same way. Instead of directing your own short, you could write one and produce it—because there’s so much for writers to learn by producing a short—and then find a team to shoot the film. You'll also be glad you wrote the script to a small budget. A lot less money to raise.

Obviously, not everyone is cut out for indie filmmaking. It’s brutal. However, you won’t know until you give it a try. Start with one short film and see how you feel at the end. Even if you hate it, you’ll learn so much.

Related: Balls of Steel™: When Your Writing Life Needs Rescuing

Stop writing.

Oh, yes, you read that right. Try another creative outlet to reboot your brain—something new, whether it’s a new medium or a new art form.

One of my friends, Katie White, writes for TV. When the strikes happened, you can imagine the trauma of not having an income. What did Katie do?

Freaked out.

But then pulled herself together and chose an unconventional path. Sometimes you have to take big risks.

Her family gave her a little bit of money, which she was supposed to use for bills. But … she bought art supplies instead.

“I always wanted to paint but assumed I would be bad at it, and I don't really allow myself to be bad at things. My therapist thought I needed something so this was a bit of a depression adventure I called ‘ugly painting.’"

Turns out, she's a natural...and entirely self-taught. Incredible stuff! 

Her family loved her work and wanted to hang them on their walls. Then her friends were buying them. Then her boyfriend challenged her to set up an Etsy shop, and when Katie is challenged, she doesn’t stand down. She’s now paid quite a few of those bills, and feels reinvigorated…and has a sense of control.

I’d say the outcome proves a great investment of time and money and worth the risks taken.

Now let’s say you don’t want to make a film and you have zero other artistic talents. Fair...

You could start writing…

Pull a Stephen King—shut the door and vomit words on the page and don’t worry about what’s going on in the outside world.

Use this challenging time in the industry to simply produce as much content as possible, experiment in different mediums—adapt your scripts into short stories or novels, creating intellectual property. Hollywood loves I.P.! Or try adapting a book that’s in the public domain.

Whatever you do, DO SOMETHING! Don’t just sit there and worry.

TLDR:

Let’s fast-forward five years. Where do you think the person is who spun a web of worry? Now where do you think the person is who pushed past their comfort zone and adapted to the challenge?

Pretty sure I know who will survive the tough times.