Great Advice from comedian Maria Bamford.
What’s your advice for someone thinking of getting into comedy/showbusiness?
(Alison’s note: change comedy/showbusiness for your desired career)
“Just do it. Do whatever it is you want to do. Do it poorly, do it horribly, do the worst job you possibly can. Fail miserably. Get fired. Do it and do it and do it. Over and over and over. Read “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron, if you’re into that type of thing. Do it wherever you can, wherever you are. Ask yourself if you’re enjoying it. Do it again. Find places to do it where you enjoy it the most. Do it there. Keep on doing it. Move to a city where there’s more of it. Realize that – though it’s fun- it doesn’t fill the hole inside. Do it again. Get better at it. Get recognized for doing it. Realize that that doesn’t fill the hole inside. Do it again. Focus on your personal life. Have people ask you for advice. Do it again. Do it poorly, do the worst job you possibly can. Fail miserably. Get fired. Do it again. Keep doing it, but take off 9 days a month. Do it some more.”
Interesting Article
Be careful. You may get caught in a perpetual cycle of opening links on this site.
Important Life Lessons: What’s The Most Important Life Lesson Older People Feel You Must Know?
Short + Sweet Story
At a recent annual check-up a new doctor looked over my intake form and said, “Career coach. What is that exactly?”
“I help people figure out their career direction,” I replied.
“So you tell them to give up on their dreams and get a job,” he said knowingly.
I laughed politely, but inwardly cringed.
In my experience, there are plenty of other people in our lives who are standing ready and able to dispense such flippant and pessimistic advice.
It takes quite a bit more skill to support and bring a dream to life.
I read this dedication in a book recently, and it resonated with me so much I jotted it down.
“For T. and A.. You believed in me. You pushed me. You waved off every setback and squealed for joy when good things happened. And when I most needed you in a dark, dark time, you held my hand and kept me going.”
That’s the standard that I’m striving for when I’m given the honor of being your coach.
I’d love to hear your comments on any of these ideas!
Hey Alison!
I was fortunate enough to stumble across your site just now and have read a couple of your articles. Recently I’ve been having a really hard time coming to and sticking to a decision on making a move career-wise. I’ve always avoided getting into anything that I am passionate about for fear of failing at something that I truly care about. The articles I’ve read have helped me gain some much needed perspective and get away from all the negative emotions and fear that always creep up when I start thinking about careers. So thank you for that perspective and clarity you have given me, and thank you for the help you have no doubt given to hundredsor thousands of others.
Yours in gratitude,
Dustin
Hey Dustin! You are so very welcome. I’m truly glad that you found my website to be a helpful resource during a difficult time. Best of luck! And always feel free to shoot me an email if you have a question.