You can do this...

Well, I’m getting a taste of what it’s like to be an independent producer. After attending Screen Forever 40 this year, I have returned to put my head down and my butt up, and just bite the bullet and go for it. (How many cliches can you fit into one sentence?)

So this week alone I have been working on a pitch for my first feature documentary seeking a co-producer or co-production house, my first reality TV show with some awesome collaborators, my first scripted TV show, two game show ideas, a podcast and a partridge in a pear tree. 

It’s an interesting new direction, one that takes a lot of courage and self-belief, but ultimately is rewarding and fulfilling at the same time.

It seems to be biting off more than I can chew, something I’ve been guilty of in the past, but if there’s one thing I now know it’s how to remain as balanced as possible just by having a few priorities in place first.

At the desk wrapping up for the week

For anyone out there who is just as busy, if not busier than me, but needs reassurance that balance is possible, here are a few things I have implemented recently.

1. Therapy - it’s been a long time coming, but I’ve finally gotten around to seeing a therapist on a regular basis. I would ordinarily not talk about this aspect of my life, but I feel if I’m being as real and open as I want to be, there’s no point hiding it. I constantly advocate for people, men in particular, to talk more about their mental well-being, so this I guess is me putting my money where my mouth is. Therapy has been good so far. I leave with a weight off my shoulders having been able to talk about work loads, stresses that are less visible to people on the outside, and so much more. If you are not already doing so, please at least speak to somebody before it becomes too overwhelming. 

2. Re-align with a friend who understands you, your business and your industry. I had a great chat with a mate over zoom this week about what I had on my plate, what could be scraped off and what needs prioritising. Galvin helped me to reduce my 7 roles to just 3, place 3 projects under each role, and shelve the rest. It was great advice, and I’m extremely grateful to him for having the time to give me this insight. 

3. Just do it. I’ve always believed in this expression that Nike made famous, I don’t know how many years ago, but it’s true. This week I had the courage to pitch on three separate occasions to three different people with three different projects. One has come onboard with an exciting new TV show idea, one is reviewing my pitch as we speak, and one was scarier than all the others combined and God knows if anything will come from it…BUT - I just did it. I wasn’t even 100% ready with some of these, but if I didn’t do it this week, I would never have done it. 

4. Stay consistent with what matters! This is the big one. I had a great coffee catch up with another friend this morning to just shoot the breeze, but this week I was also able to: go to the gym every day (heading there after this blog is published), walk the dog every day, watch something new with the whole family every day, do breath exercises each day, make the bed, have a shave - you get the idea - by doing something that matters each day, I’ve been able to do everything else without burning out (fingers crossed). And even if I do burn out, I have the tools to recognise this is going to happen, so step back, breathe, compose, move forward.

   
   

Life can be balanced, you just have to plan for it and more importantly take control of it before it feels like it’s controlling you.

That’s all the time I have this week on the new blog, but I will be elaborating more each week on balance mindset and action. Take care and have a great weekend!