In the world of film and television production, the line producer plays a pivotal role that extends beyond budget sheets and shooting schedules. While they are primarily known for their logistical expertise and financial oversight, a line producer’s influence on the set’s culture is profound and often underappreciated. This article delves into how a line producer can foster a positive production culture, ensuring a collaborative, efficient, and enjoyable work environment.
Understanding the Role of a Line Producer: A line producer is typically the senior production staff member responsible for the daily operations of a film or TV project. Their domain includes managing the budget, hiring crew members, overseeing day-to-day logistics, and ensuring that the production stays on schedule. However, the human aspect of their job is just as critical; they must also manage relationships, resolve conflicts, and set the tone for the workplace culture.
Creating a Collaborative Environment: A positive production culture starts with collaboration. A line producer can encourage this by facilitating open communication channels among all departments. Regular meetings and clear, concise briefings can help unify the crew’s vision, ensuring that everyone understands their role in achieving the project’s creative goals.
Nurturing Professionalism and Respect: The line producer can set professional standards that promote respect among the cast and crew. By leading by example and holding everyone to the same high standard, they can create an environment where professionalism is the norm. This includes addressing any unprofessional behavior promptly and fairly, which can help prevent toxic work situations from developing.
Acknowledging and Encouraging Talent: Recognizing the hard work and talent of the crew can go a long way in building a positive culture. A line producer who takes the time to acknowledge individual and team achievements helps foster a sense of value and belonging. Encouraging the crew to take initiative and contribute ideas can also empower individuals and lead to a more engaged team.
Promoting Work-Life Balance: The demanding nature of production can lead to burnout if not managed carefully. A line producer who prioritizes the well-being of the crew can help ensure a healthier work-life balance. This might involve enforcing reasonable work hours, facilitating breaks, and ensuring there are adequate resources for the team’s comfort and safety on set.
Handling Conflicts with Diplomacy: Conflict is inevitable in any collaborative endeavor, and how it’s handled can significantly impact the production culture. A line producer skilled in diplomacy can mediate disputes and find solutions that satisfy all parties. This approach preserves relationships and maintains a positive and productive working environment.
Ensuring Safety and Compliance: A safe set is a happy set. Line producers are responsible for ensuring that all safety protocols and regulations are followed. By prioritizing the health and safety of the crew, line producers demonstrate that they value their team’s welfare, contributing to a culture of trust and security.
Developing Talent and Careers: Investing in the professional development of crew members can also contribute to a positive production culture. A line producer who facilitates training opportunities, mentorship programs, and career advancement supports the growth of the team members, which can inspire loyalty and dedication to the project.
The role of a line producer in fostering a positive production culture is multifaceted and crucial. By promoting collaboration, respect, recognition, work-life balance, diplomacy, safety, and professional growth, a line producer not only enhances the immediate working environment but also contributes to the broader reputation of the production company. As the film and television industry continues to evolve, the ability of line producers to cultivate such an environment will remain an essential component of successful and fulfilling productions.
After weeks or even months of traversing the globe, working tirelessly behind the scenes of live sports broadcasts, the time eventually comes for production techs to return home. While the thrill of the road may still linger, readjusting to the comforts of home life and reconnecting with loved ones requires a different kind of mindset. In this follow-up article, we explore the journey of reacclimating to home life after being on the road, emphasizing the importance of taking a moment to reset oneself and find balance amidst the demands of a fast-paced career.
The Transition: Shifting Gears from Road Warrior to Family Time Returning home after an extended period on the road can be both exciting and challenging. We delve into the psychological and emotional aspects of transitioning from the high-stakes environment of live sports production to the familiar warmth of family life. Discover how production techs navigate this shift in mindset and strike a balance between their professional and personal worlds.
Mindfulness and Self-Care: The Art of Resetting Reconnecting with family and loved ones requires a conscious effort to reset oneself mentally and emotionally. We explore the importance of practicing mindfulness techniques to find inner calm and rejuvenate after the intensity of being on the road. From meditation to hobbies and recreational activities, we highlight strategies that help production techs recharge and be fully present for their families.
Quality Time: Rebuilding Connections and Creating Memories When work takes you away for extended periods, reestablishing connections with family can be a delicate process. We delve into the significance of quality time spent together and the impact it has on building and maintaining strong relationships. From shared experiences to open communication, we shine a light on the meaningful moments that production techs cherish as they reconnect with their loved ones.
Nurturing Home Life: Balancing Work and Family Commitments Finding a healthy work-life balance is crucial for production techs transitioning from the road to home life. We explore strategies for effectively managing professional commitments while prioritizing family time. From setting boundaries to fostering open dialogue with employers and loved ones, we uncover the keys to nurturing a fulfilling home life alongside a demanding career.
Lessons from the Road: Applying Skills and Perspective Being on the road as a production tech offers unique insights and skills that can be applied to home life. We examine the valuable lessons learned from the fast-paced, high-pressure world of live sports broadcasting and how they can positively impact personal relationships. Discover how production techs draw upon their experiences to problem-solve, communicate effectively, and thrive in their family dynamics.
As the adrenaline of the road subsides, production techs embark on a new chapter, embracing the joys and challenges of home life. This follow-up article has explored the process of reacclimating to the familiar comforts of family and the importance of taking a moment to reset oneself. By prioritizing mindfulness, quality time, and a healthy work-life balance, production techs can find harmony between their professional pursuits and their roles as partners, parents, and loved ones. Ultimately, it is through this delicate balance that they can thrive both on the road and within the loving embrace of home.
Working in the media industry can be demanding and challenging, but instead of dwelling on the negatives, let’s explore how these challenges can actually help us level up and grow both personally and professionally. By reframing our perspective, we can transform the drawbacks of working in media into valuable opportunities for development and success.
Fast-paced environment: Negative: The media industry is notorious for its fast-paced and high-pressure nature, with tight deadlines and constant changes. Positive: Embracing the fast-paced environment allows us to sharpen our multitasking, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. It teaches us how to thrive under pressure, enabling personal and professional growth.
Criticism and feedback: Negative: In media, our work is often subject to criticism and feedback, which can be disheartening. Positive: Constructive criticism is an invaluable tool for improvement. By embracing feedback, we can learn from our mistakes, refine our skills, and become better at what we do. Every critique is an opportunity to level up and deliver even more impactful work.
Uncertainty and innovation: Negative: The media landscape is constantly evolving, with new technologies and platforms emerging, leading to uncertainty and the need for continuous adaptation. Positive: Embracing uncertainty fosters innovation. The ever-changing nature of the media industry pushes us to think creatively, explore new ideas, and stay ahead of trends. By embracing innovation, we can position ourselves as leaders in our field and open doors to exciting opportunities.
Work-life balance: Negative: The demanding nature of media work can make it challenging to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Positive: While finding balance is crucial, the media industry offers unique opportunities for growth and fulfillment. By setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and finding harmony between work and personal life, we can create a fulfilling and rewarding career that enhances our overall well-being.
Networking and collaboration: Negative: Building a network and collaborating with others can be time-consuming and challenging. Positive: Networking and collaboration are essential for success in the media industry. By connecting with like-minded professionals, we gain access to new perspectives, opportunities, and support. Collaborative efforts foster innovation and allow us to level up by leveraging the collective skills and knowledge of our peers.
Working in the media industry undoubtedly presents challenges, but by adopting a positive mindset and reframing these obstacles as opportunities for growth, we can level up our skills, expand our networks, and embrace the ever-evolving nature of the industry. With each challenge, we have the chance to become more resilient, adaptable, and successful in our media careers. Let’s embrace the journey and unlock our full potential in this exciting and dynamic field.
Are you struggling to balance your career and personal life? You’re not alone. The traditional methods of climbing the corporate ladder may not work for most, leaving them (you) feeling burned out and unfulfilled. But there’s a new philosophy that can help – the “Why not?” mindset.
The “Why not?” philosophy is about being open to new ideas and experiences without immediately dismissing them. It’s about approaching opportunities with curiosity and a willingness to take risks. By embracing challenges and uncertainty, you can discover new possibilities and grow as an individual. But it’s not about blindly embracing every opportunity – it’s about making informed decisions based on your values and goals.
If you’re ready to embrace the “Why not?” philosophy, here are 9 tips for success:
1. Prioritize self-care: Taking care of yourself is essential to success. When you prioritize self-care, you are able to perform at your best and avoid burnout. Self-care can include anything from exercising regularly, eating well, getting enough sleep, and taking breaks when you need them.
2. Have SMART goals for your career: SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. When you have SMART goals, you have a clear plan of what you want to achieve and how to get there. This helps you stay focused and motivated.
3. Learn to delegate: Delegating tasks to others allows you to focus on what you do best and frees up time for other important tasks. It also helps build trust and respect among your team.
4. Build a support system: Having a support system can help you navigate challenges and provide motivation when you need it most. This can include friends, family, mentors, or colleagues.
5. Practice time management: Time management is key to success. You can prioritize your tasks, set deadlines, and plan your schedule to make the most of your time.
6. Use technology to your advantage: Technology can help you streamline tasks, communicate more efficiently, and work more effectively. From project management tools to social media, technology can be a valuable asset.
7. Seek flexibility: Flexibility allows you to adapt to changing circumstances and take advantage of unexpected opportunities. Being open to new ideas and ways of doing things can help you stay ahead of the curve.
8. Take breaks: Taking breaks is essential to avoid burnout and maintain focus. Whether it’s a short walk outside or a vacation, taking time away from work can help you recharge and come back stronger.
9. Develop a “Why not?” attitude: A “Why not?” attitude means being open to new ideas and taking risks. It means not being afraid to fail or try something new. A “Why not?” attitude can help you overcome barriers and achieve your goals.
By following these tips, you can create the boundaries necessary for success and achieve freedom and fulfillment in both your professional and personal life. So why not give it a try? Join me with like-minded people and start thriving today.
What are your challenges? Do you challenge yourself daily?
With over 33 years of broadcast experience, I have seen the industry evolve and change in significant ways. When I heard about the opportunity to join a large media client’s Digital Video Engineering team, I knew this was a chance to once again put my skills to the test.
As I started the contract just over a month ago, I was eager to learn and contribute to the team. The small team I joined communicates regularly to ensure we were all on the same page and working towards the same goals. I quickly learned that I had a lot to learn, but my previous experience would be an asset to the team.
I am responsible for maintaining core technologies, workflows, and systems vital to live-video and file-based digital workflows. I support the engineering solutions for video editing, transcoding, video streaming, and publishing across multiple properties. I have experience with video routers and Vantage Telestream from my previous roles, which has helped me handle these tasks. Learning all the new systems and their acronyms has been equally challenging at times, but going with the flow and adapting are essential.
Working within an AWS cloud environment, I am tasked with setting up virtual machines and ensuring that the digital workflow deliveries are met. My experience with S3 and FSX has been crucial in managing Windows file systems that run in the cloud.
Although I have not worked extensively with Python or JSON, I am eager to learn and expand my knowledge in these areas. I have a background in edit post-production, specifically Adobe Premier, and have experience with Linux OS and file acceleration. So, as a support person, I get to help users that are not only having editing issues, but cloud creation, and connectivity issues.
Throughout my career in broadcasting and digital streaming, I have learned the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and techniques. I am committed to continuing to learn and grow in this field, and I am excited that this opportunity to brought some of my experience and skills into play and new skill sets to the table.
33 years of experience have provided me with the expertise to tackle any challenge that comes my way. I am confident that my skills and background make me a valuable asset to the team, and I look forward to contributing to the team’s success even more. I’m on-call this holiday weekend, which had already tested my knowledge base, and with the stellar help of my teammates I have been able / we have been able to support the news divisions, while maintaining the level of support and service they not only want, but is essential to produce the news.
I am grateful for every challenge that comes my way. I am grateful to learn and grow everyday. It keeps life and my career fresh and I’m perspective everyday.
The US Open golf tournament has been held at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, on seven occasions. Here is the list of years, winners, and their scores:
1. 1903 – Willie Anderson (307) 2. 1915 – Jerome Travers (297) 3. 1936 – Tony Manero (282) 4. 1954 – Ed Furgol (284) 5. 1967 – Jack Nicklaus (275) 6. 1980 – Jack Nicklaus (272) 7. 1993 – Lee Janzen (272)
ABC Network has covered several golf events at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, including the US Open and PGA Championship tournaments. Here is a list of the events, winners, and some additional details:
1. 1980 US Open: Jack Nicklaus won his fourth US Open Championship, shooting a final round of 68 to finish at 8-under-par for the tournament.
2. 1985 US Women’s Open: Kathy Baker won her only major championship, shooting a final round of 68 to finish at 4-under-par for the tournament.
3. 1993 PGA Championship: Paul Azinger won his first and only major championship, shooting a final round of 68 to finish at 8-under-par for the tournament.
4. 2005 PGA Championship: Phil Mickelson won his second major championship, shooting a final round of 72 to finish at 4-under-par for the tournament.
5. 2016 PGA Championship: Jimmy Walker won his first major championship, shooting a final round of 67 to finish at 14-under-par for the tournament.
ABC Network provided comprehensive coverage of these events, with experienced broadcasters and producers bringing the action to viewers around the world. Some of the notable names on the broadcast team included Jim McKay, Chris Schenkel, Jack Whitaker, and Mike Tirico. The production was led by ABC Sports Executive Producer Roone Arledge, and the Director of the broadcast was Craig Janoff.
Overall, these events produced some thrilling golf and unforgettable moments, making Baltusrol Golf Club a true showcase for the sport.
I was the Production & Technical Assistant for the 1993 event held at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, from August 12-15, 1993. It was an exciting event, with some of the best golfers in the world competing for the championship title.
As a Production Assistant, my role was to assist the Production & Technical Manager in various aspects of the production. This included coordinating logistics, setting up equipment, and ensuring that everything ran smoothly throughout the event.
The 1993 PGA Championship was covered by ABC Network, with a team of talented broadcasters and producers bringing the action to viewers around the world.
Paul Azinger emerged as the winner of the tournament, shooting a final round of 68 to finish at 8-under-par for the tournament. It was his first and only major championship victory, and it was a moment that I will never forget. The excitement and energy of the event were palpable, and it was a privilege to be a part of such an incredible production.
Overall, the 1993 PGA Championship was a tremendous success, and I was proud to have played a small role in making it happen.
You can excel in your passions. But it’s important to recognize those opportunities and say yes to them.
The philosophy of “Why not?” is not based on ignorance. Instead, it is a mindset that encourages openness to new ideas and experiences without immediately dismissing them. It is about approaching opportunities with a sense of curiosity and a willingness to take risks.
This philosophy of “Why not?” can work because it prompts you to consider things that may not have been previously considered, leading to new insights, opportunities, and directions. By embracing challenges and uncertainty instead of letting fear and doubt hold you back, you can discover new possibilities and grow as an individual.
Rather than blindly embracing every opportunity, the philosophy of “Why not?” is about considering the potential benefits and risks of a situation and making an informed decision based on your values and goals. With this mindset, individuals can approach their personal and professional lives with more creativity, flexibility and confidence, ultimately leading to greater success and fulfillment.
Are you feeling exhausted and at a loss as to how to succeed in your career while still maintaining a fulfilling home life? You’re not alone! The traditional methods of climbing the corporate ladder are not working for most women, leaving many feeling burned out and unfulfilled.
I know firsthand how difficult it can be to juggle the demands of a successful career with a rich personal life. For years, I struggled to keep up with the constant pressure and insane deadlines, never able to set boundaries that would allow me to thrive in both areas of my life. Eventually, I burned out and lost everything.
But I refused to give up. Using my expertise in human behavior, I carved out a new path to success that included intelligent boundaries and the ability to thrive both professionally and personally. And now I want to share my strategies with you, so that you too can achieve freedom and fulfillment.
Whether you work in management consulting, a male-dominated culture, a client-driven organization, an entrepreneurial endeavor, or under-resourced healthcare services, these strategies can help you create the exact boundaries necessary for success. So don’t wait – follow my journey, comment and like, and join an open forum where you can connect with other women who are ready to support you. It’s completely free, and if you’re not comfortable commenting, just send me a DM with a simple “hello”. I’m here and ready to help you thrive.
9 Tips for Women in Business
1. Prioritize self-care: Make your physical and mental health a priority. Prioritizing self-care habits such as getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, seeking support from friends and family, and managing stress can help prevent burnout and increase productivity.
2. Have SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-Based) goals for your careers and put systems in place to achieve them. By identifying achievable goals and breaking them into smaller, more manageable steps, women can avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed and stay motivated.
3. Learn to delegate: Delegating tasks to other team members, including household tasks, this can create more time and energy for your careers and reduce burnout.
4. Build a support system: Networking and building a support system of like-minded women can be beneficial for navigating challenges and responsibilities that come with a demanding career.
5. Practice time management: Effective time management can help juggle both work and personal obligations. Prioritizing tasks and setting boundaries for how much time and energy to allocate to specific tasks can help be effective.
6. Use technology to your advantage: Technology can be a useful tool to manage tasks, team communication and efficient work processes which can help maximize time and reduce stress.
7. Seek flexibility: Create a job that is flexible or allows for remote work arrangements. This can help create more work-life balance by eliminating long commutes and taking charge of schedules that may not work as per their needs.
8. Take breaks: Taking regular breaks throughout the day, and in life in general, can help you recharge and return to tasks with a renewed focus and energy.
9. Not sure about achieving your goals? Develop a Why Not? attitude. Don’t give yourself excuses of why you can’t achieve your goal. Don’t look at the barriers or how “something has always been done”, don’t be afraid to challenge the norms, find out about a company you can help, and the solutions you can provide. Why Can You Do It? Keep an open-mind.
You’ve worked and worked. Shown up, gone above and beyond at work, with friends and family too. You’ve volunteered for the food bank, and local toy drive, helped neighbors with packages, and driven them to appointments they forgot about, and they didn’t want to take a car service.
You’ve gone to holiday gatherings for over a month for work and with friends. You’ve networked with your business contacts, sent notes, emails, well wishes done everything possible to bring good will to others.
Work is great, your friends and family are great, you’ve taken care of your significant other. Now what ?
It’s YOU time, that’s what!
Don’t forget about Yourself. I learned 12 years ago (on my yoga mat) that taking time for yourself is Not selfish, it’s actually one of many self-less things you can do for yourself and others. Ummm hmhmmm – it’s true.
Say what now?
Take one hour for yourself Today in anyway you’d like. A walk, meditate, if you want movement involved – work out (today I worked out, then did yoga, later I’ll play a little golf), listen to music, take a bath, swim, read, write, play an instrument, play /practice a sport, but do it. Yes Today!
You should set aside time everyday for yourself. It doesn’t always need to be an hour, just set aside some “boundary time” (time you will not be disturbed). No kids, no family, no friends, no texting, no social media – just where you’re doing You, unplugged to reset. No bills, no cooking, no cleaning, no kids (even for 5 minutes), breathe…..
This brings you back to you, the best version of you gets to emerge from this practice because not only your wants are met, an intrinsic Need of Re-connecting with yourself occurs.
You don’t know what to pick? It doesn’t HAVE to be any one thing. Pick one thing a day to try. Try something new. I chose yoga, it was the single greatest thing I did, because I didn’t even know at that moment how much I needed it yet. I just wanted to get out of the house, be with people – and try a class at my new gym. This year, learning golf and its process has me in the same zone. It’s amazing.
After the new year I’m taking a 4 day completely unplugged break. No phone, no email, no phone calls (except for emergencies only). I haven’t had a break since COVID began. Working and living at home has crossed some serious time boundaries, every day seemed to run into the next until I set some boundaries.
Exception: In an emergency, “me” time can be interrupted – but the house better be on fire! Ok, maybe not literally on fire, but I think I’ve made my point.
And, if I haven’t made my point. My point is take a break before you do!
Everyone needs even a quick reset, make it a 5 minute a day practice to start (and build from there), I guarantee others will see a positive change in you before you do. You’ll be healthier and much happier.
You’re worth it, believe it, own it, be it. You have permission to just think of yourself for at least 5 minutes a day – for the rest of your life. Then, you can return to your job, following up on tasks, the carpool, doing the dishes, grocery shopping, cleaning up after your pets and loved ones.
This is not a New Year’s resolution. Leave all your worries and things to do outside a virtual or physical door. When I step onto my yoga mat or write, nothing else exists at that moment in time. I can compartmentalize with such focus that nothing else exists, it’s almost like being in a trance. There are hours I’ve easily written through, and stepped onto my yoga mat hundreds of times, hearing just the voice of the instructor, going through the entire class, moving through each Asana, and found myself at the end not even realizing that someone else was in the room with me. It’s transcendent. It’s transformative.
It’s what I didn’t even know that I needed. Permission. Permission to think of just that for that moment in time.
You have permission to break from the task filled universe and be selfish for yourself, then you can be of service and more of yourself with the world.
Beginning a new position at a new company, working with a new team is exciting, maybe a little scary, but full of potential. Broadcast production is changing at a breakneck pace with cloud streaming, SMPTE2110, bandwidth constraints, NDI, RTMP, RTSP, SRT, HLS streams, SFPs, CDNs, and a mountain of other technology devices, and Software as a Service (SaaS) growing exponentially everyday.
Doing more with less has always been the trend. Now that is the rule rather than the exception. Not only do we need to do more with less, we need to automate systems, and have automated notification systems to let us know what may be going wrong.
This does not absolve us from manually checking -in, usually remotely though. Bots are now not a luxury, they are a necessity, but they still do not override the humans who run them. Remember, you come first, people come first. We need to take the sailing saying “one hand for yourself, one hand for the boat (to hold on). This is the epitome of taking care of yourself and whatever your “boat” is, and being safe.
You can’t give away what you don’t have. If you’re not ok, you cannot help or be of service to someone else. Remember self care? Give yourself a minute or five for meditation, a walk, a phone break to connect to another human (especially if you’re working completely remotely).
Speaking to that end, make sure you stay connected with your boss, and work team. If YOU are the sole team member, reach out to others outside of your group to interact with them, take a class, join a business volunteer group – stay connected, and communicate. Communication is key.
Luckily in production, even technical fully remote production, I HAVE to communicate with colleagues daily. It is very satisfying to me when I’m solving problems – fixing issues is how I work. Find out what excites you, and go after it. It may not happen overnight, but it is possible. The journey is not always easy. That maybe just for me though. I do feel that if I’ve worked for something and the “result” isn’t what I wanted, maybe I wasn’t specific enough as to what my intention was. So, I drill down to more details of what I want (which is always to be challenged to fix something).
This applies not only to work. I love fixing things in the house. Whether it’s spackling and painting a hole or spot on wall, changing out the broken igniter on the heater, reinstalling the screen on the front door, or cutting the hedges in the yard. This is also the basis on how I approach sports.
Take golf for instance. Recently a good friend bought a brand new set of highly technically advanced Callaway clubs. Now, there are many choices out there, and her “old set” of Callaway Rogues are in perfect condition. I’m a newer golfer, but have found a great love for the game and its process (even on a bad day), but I bought the “old” set of Rogues for a deal. I took my golf lesson with them, and then played a round with them the next day. Today I’ll goto the driving range, chip out of sand bunker, and putting green to continue my process.
“New” used Callaway clubs, my old bag, but it all works
The point is, we never know when or where an opportunity will pop up. I in turn gave away my old set to someone just starting out like I had last year. Yes, I bought the set, but watching someone have a true love and interest in growing themselves made me want to pay it forward and give to them in turn. I do a lot of volunteering as well, there are many ways to give back. Your time and attention to someone in need is invaluable!
Pay it forward in all aspects of your life, whether in-business, health, friendship, volunteering, being a good neighbor. We are here for more than ourselves. It’s a great-big world out there, be apart of it, you’ll be better all around for it. I call that being IN the green room.
My new job is completely remote, it’s a great team, and we learn everyday. We “live” our work-lives virtually in the cloud, but we are together in the production “green room”.
Whether you are just learning something new, or a seasoned veteran in your career, a new hobby, or completely pivoting your life choices, or how you approach “where you want to go next”, there are some simple premises that remain steadfast.
My actual golf bag
I started to learn Golf this year, I love it! I love the process, I love practicing driving the floater balls into the lake or range, I love putting and chipping areas, and getting even a half hour of practice in any day of the week that I can. In golf, my driving, isn’t that great – YET. But, my short game is actually wayyy better than anyone expected it to be (I’m not bragging, I have practiced a lot). I love to practice both driving, and “the short game” though. I actually have a lesson later today. With my “new” used Callaway Rogueclubs. I keep practicing BOTH areas which have very different approaches. The key is the consistency of practicing both areas, and sticking with it, even if I’m hitting a Callaway, Titleist, or my new favorite Taylormade’sKalea ball well on any given day, even if the day before I was doing very well, the next day I may not (and usually don’t) do as well.
This is true in ALL areas of life, career, athletics of any kind. I play softball with a team. For the first time in years I’m playing again (re-learning some things), and I’m also learning pickleball (I used to play tennis regularly, so pickleball has been quite intuitive). I also swim, and run regularly, and have now done tough mudders. I have I found a great affinity for mudders because the premise is everyone helping everyone get through the obstacles together. I love the diversity of each sport, the skill set is different for each and every one of them. I employ this thinking when it comes to my work life, and career.
I’ve been fortunate to have had a truly varied work life. I’ve taken jobs that I knew would be a stretch for my skill set, where there was a lot to learn, and did them. How? Practice, reading, being curious, asking questions even before I accepted the job. That also lets the new employer know that you wish to grow and learn, and move forward, and that you are forward thinking.
The point is I had to be willing to fail too. If I kept trying, I could be “wrong”, but I didn’t necessarily “fail”. But I did “fail”, I took big swings, and sometimes I got a yes, and many times I got a “no”, but I kept going. I didn’t see it as a game, it was my life career, there was definitely a strategy.
Where did I start? I listed everything that I’d be happy to do, also what I wouldn’t be happy doing, and most importantly what would I be ecstatic to do. Then, within that, I listed things that I could already knew, what would be a challenge, and even further, what I didn’t think was even possible for me to do. It’s a tough list. Then I listed the WHY I had these beliefs. I then wrote beside that negative list, a positive list of how I could achieve what I thought to be impossible. The amazing thing was that breaking it down into these categories and the solutions to get where I wanted to be made it seem at least possible.
After much introspection came self awareness, looking at time, level of effort, how my life would change, how it would change my family’s life, I came to a much smaller list. I took the impossible list and broke each section down even more into chunks to begin. Just starting the list was the hardest part. It’s like going to the gym to workout sometimes, you don’t want to go, but when you get there you’re good to go, and revved up. It’s true. I began researching, and reading everything I could. Took every free webinar I could on what I wanted to learn, paid for others when I was ready, and suddenly I found myself suggesting things to my bosses. Again, not all winners, but I was putting myself out there.
If you don’t try and fail then you’re not reaching high enough. I built a time based formula, let’s say 6 months to a year. 10% would be things that I knew I could succeed at instantly, 20% I knew I could succeed at with a specific amount of research and effort (whether hands on or not), the next 20% I wasn’t sure if I could succeed in 6 months, but knew I could within a year, the final 50% were super stretch goals that I knew without great time and effort that I probably wouldn’t succeed at at all in a year. You know what? I found that with the time based goal schedule, a set plan for time and effort, I could reasonably do while still giving my family their much deserved attention, I succeeded at about 98%.
Career goals were actually easier to attain than my physical goals. I’m not a scratch golfer – yet 🙂 but I’m working on it. I’ve done the tough mudders, half marathons, triathlons, bike-a-thons, and finished them all, but I didn’t finish “as quickly” as I wanted, but I finished. The point has been each time I’ve progressed. Athletically I’ve always been active. I got hurt earlier in this year, I recovered in about 4 or so weeks, and started out slowly to rebuild. Then, I needed surgery. It turned out to be far more extensive than the x-ray had shown, but 6 weeks later I was allowed to begin just walking again. The area “weeped” for weeks, I kept a bandage on it, I even went to the pool and just did a couple of very slow laps. In no time I was back at it.
Then, a few months ago, I was jumping out of the way of someone walking their dogs, I hopped into the street and rolled my ankle. Ok, that was annoying, I walked it off, so I thought. It felt ok, I iced, I put a wrap on it, and a few days later I went off in the early morning to play softball.
At bat
All was ok in the world for that moment. Then, I hit the ball, and ran hard to first base, there was a soft spot/hole and my right foot happened to hit it, I popped forward and double hopped on my left foot, getting to first base – I was safe! My right ankle was a bit angry at me, but ok, so I thought. The next batter made the last out of the inning, so I went to get my glove, and went into the field.
I played 2 more innings, but didn’t get up to bat again. I came in from making a play, and as I was walking in, my ankle had spoken. “You’re done”, and as I walked in – limping now, I said out loud “I’m done scratch me from the line-up”. I didn’t fail here, I listened to my body. I iced it for the remainder of the game from the dugout. I went home and iced it a lot more, put the Futuroankle brace on it, had an ice-boot in the freezer (life saver), ok, I think it’ll be ok. Not so much.
Futuro Brace
The next day, I couldn’t walk on it without a brace at all. I luckily made an appointment with a orthopedist immediately, and he took an X-Ray. I had broken this ankle in August 2018, I have a plate and 6 screws in it. Luckily all were in place, all the screws were in place, it was all soft tissue damage, and my posterior tibial tendon was “angry”.
The doctor told me I needed a walking boot for 6 weeks at least. “Ugh Really?” Really?? And not just the shorty one, one that went up to my knee (to immobilize all of the muscles surrounding my ankle), I could get one there or order one on Amazon. Since getting a walking boot through the doctor would cost about 6x more than ordering a really good one from Amazon, I ordered through them, and it was delivered, I kid you not the next morning before 10am for no extra charge. The AircastAirselectWalker boot (yes all the way up to my knee) became my new best friend. It truly did its job beautifully.
I went to softball games just to cheer, I went to the gym to do upper body work, I went to the pool (took it off and left it by the steps), and gently walked in the pool, I couldn’t full out swim, but when I did swim, I just dragged my legs. I did “cast” yoga, anything that I could do I did. 6 weeks did not go by quickly.
Then I was able to start wrapping my ankle again, so I walked around the house with just the wrap and good foot support. I finally went for a short walk for a couple weeks. I felt good, but I also ordered the Aryse IFAST Ankle Stabilizer Brace ankle support to fit IN a sneaker or shoe, and then they also have one that fits on the outside of my softball cleats the Aryse XFAST Exo Brace. Amazing, it’s all laced up and Ready To Go.
I’ve been playing softball, running and now swimming again (with the Nvorliy Ankle Brace for Swimming), no awkward kicks, and I’m still icing afterward, but I’m back in business. It sounds like a lot, but to restart and keep my ankle safe going forward, all necessary, and once it became routine, like anything else, it has become second nature, and I’m enjoying all my activities once again.
Again, I stress consistency, tenacity, taking decided chances, but also listening to your body, and stopping when you need to. Your body will tell you one way or the other. Listen to your body.
This does not just apply to sports, this applies to your work-life, and all life choices. If you give yourself the tools you need to do anything in life, you can accomplish it. Aside from reading, I watch YouTube videos for many things relating to my work (getting my CompTia Network+ certification), SMPTE2110 / AES67 Certifications, to golf tips. It all applies.
Never stop being curious, never stop trying. Put tasks into smaller attainable chunks, and build on that each day or week, whatever your schedule may be. Write is down. Write down your victories. Write down your failures, and what you’ve learned from them, and what you could do differently next time. Just keep trying until you get your win. No matter how big or little, just take it one step at a time, you are where you are at right now, just keep moving forward.
That's News To Me 