Podcastastic

It's always a good idea to listen to others talk about their craft. Even if you're already successful it can help you learn about new ways to approach things or maybe even inspire you. Chris Hardwick, a stand-up comedian, the host of Web Soup on G4, a successful blogger and technology writer now just added another thing to his plate - the Nerdist (that's the title of his blog) Podcast. Chris has had great guests (Drew Carey, Jon Hamm and others) so far talking about writing, comedy and various geeky things. If you get a chance you should check it out. If you enjoy Chris and all he has to offer, you can also follow him on twitter.

Harry Potter and the Importance of Failure

J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.

Okay, yes the title is a bit of a cheat to catch your attention, but it's J.K. Rowling in the video, so it isn't a total fake out. I recently happened upon this video of J.K. Rowling giving a commencement speech at Harvard where she talks about how important it is to fail at times and how failing at something even if it hurts can help to lead you to the path you should be on. The speech is charming, self-deprecating, funny and inspirational. Take a few minutes to watch when you can.

Advice On Learning New Things

I came across this post today via Lifehacker (I site I LOVE - if you haven't checked it out, you must) and it's well worth giving a few minutes of your time to read it. It was written by a young programmer, Matt Nowack, but the advice is valuable to anyone that wants to learn new things and challenge themselves.

Be Inspired By Others

If you haven't seen the trailer for Avatar, the upcoming opus from James Cameron, you should check it out. It might not be your cup of tea and the jury is still out if it's totally up my alley, but I'm certainly intrigued enough to see it. He has made some cool movies over the years, but the one lesson that is a great take away from him is that he always tries to do something a bit different in terms of story or utilizing a new technology (Avatar is in 3D). It's inspiring to see someone keep changing and trying to keep things fresh. If you are spending time creating something you should keep this in mind and try to bring your unique voice and/or a new take to it to get people interested.

Another Great Way to Stay Informed

I always stress how important it is to stay informed about the business you're in and the world around you. You don't want to be the one person that says huh when your boss brings up something he/she read in the New York Times that morning or heard about on NPR on the way in to work. You're in luck because now NPR created it's very own iPhone app to help you out. You can read and listen to stories, listen to various shows streaming live and much more. Click here to read more about it or just go right to the itunes store and download it. You might just hear a story that will inspire you and then you will not only be informed but on your way to creating something new.

The Importance Of Being Different

I did this post in June about how being creative with your business card is a good way to stand out and have people remember you. It's so key to find a way to be clever and not seem like everyone else when you are in a crowded field like entertainment that's so competitive. I recently saw this business card sample by a designer that I thought was truly genius. This work reflects that the designer can clearly think outside the box and for the right person it would be a great card to have.

Realizing You Are Meant To Do Something Else

Here's a hilarious clip of Judd Apatow from his Inside the Actors Studio episode last week. He has talked often about how failing -- well not failing, but realizing that he would never be as good a stand up comedian as the people he was coming up with (Sandler, Jim Carrey, etc.) and how it helped him to get on the right path. It took him not really getting what he wanted to help him find his way to being a writer/director and that's taken him pretty far. I left the entertainment business in 1999 for about 5 years or so and headed to the Silicon Valley during the first boom because tech and business had always been my two other passions. I had burnt out on the business and thought I would get on a new track to happiness. I did well and got promoted at a at a big media company, but I wasn't really that happy. I would go to see a movie and my heart would ache a bit to be back in LA and in the business. My promotion proved to be a mixed bag, as I had ended up in a much more vulnerable position and many rounds of layoffs later, I lost my job. I thought about staying up north, but eventually I found a job back in Los Angeles working for a director and came home. At that time, I finally really got my nerve back to give writing a shot. I still haven't quite succeeded yet, but I'm making some progress and working as an assistant to pay the bills. I'm hoping that I ended up not staying in the Silicon Valley because this is where I'm meant to be and that I will eventually succeed. Who knows, but I still have a tiny bit of hope. Keep this all in mind when you get thrown off your path a bit because you might end up right where you belong.

Be Looking for New Info & Ideas to Inspire You Everywhere

I do many different things to stay up on all that is going on around me. I listen to NPR, read a million magazines, read Time and the NY Times, I'm on Twitter, etc. If you really want the full list, read the post I did about it months ago. As an assistant, you never know where you will find out about great new ideas that might inspire you or where you might hear about a cool new gift, so you always have to be open. Just the other day, my Twitter friend (sounds weird, but it's true) Karyn Murphy tweeted about a cool new daily e-mail called Very Short List. I just signed up for it and so far it seems really cool. Very Short List sends you an email about new music, books, etc. Karyn who is always in the know is a producer who was once a personal assistant. She writes a hilarious blog, so check it out here. She's also on Twitter, if you want to follow her.

Creativity Trumps Perfection Most Of The Time

I seriously laugh out loud every time I read about the new Food Network show called What Would Brian Boitano Make. I would have to assume that the people at the Food Network are making a bit of an inside joke with the title, but they might not have a clue. Most people my age would remember that in the original South Park video Christmas card that went around town (and eventually launched the creators into the stratosphere) -- the kids are struggling with something and they ask what Brian Boitano would do. Moments later, he skates by to talk to them and it's random and hilarious.

As I reflected on that original South Park video from way back it made me realize something that is helpful to assistants who eventually want to do something creative like writing and that's that generally creativity trumps perfection. If you look at the old video it certainly is not the best animation you have ever seen (far from it - it's actually fairly crudely done), but you can see the spirit of the eventual show within it. Even that short video is controversial, irreverent and pee in your pants funny. This concept is hard for me, as I'm a bit of a perfectionist, but I know if I will ever thrive I have to let go of that and get out of my own way. Try to embrace this and it might just free you to create your masterpiece.

Orleantastic

When I'm feeling uninspired and need to get excited about writing again, I often find that if I see a great movie, read a good book or see an interview with someone I admire talking about how and why they do what they do, it helps me to get focused again. Yesterday I was reading this great Newsweek Author Roundtable that included Susan Orlean, Kurt Andersen and others and it got me excited about working on my new tv spec. Hearing about why all of the writers in the piece write and how was fascinating and made me realize that many different paths and processes can lead to creative success.

The Thing You Think Makes You Weird Is Often What Makes You Special

Another late night post because it's hard to blog at work during lunch so far. If you haven't already seen writer and comedian/humorist John Hodgman speak at the 2009 Radio & TV Correspondents Dinner go watch it right now. You will crack up and it will improve your day no matter how bad it has been. He's a guy who became more successful later in life and is truly enjoying it. He got where he is not because he's movie star handsome (although his boyish dork thing is kind of adorable in a certain way), but because he has fully embraced who he is and is proud of being a nerd/geek. You likely will recognize John from his role as the PC in the MAC vs. PC commercials, but that's only one part of his career. If you like his speech, check out his book or one of the public radio pieces he has done, like this one. Try your best to follow this example and embrace what about you makes you different because it's likely the thing that makes you special.

Nice To Meet You. Do You Want A Bite Of My Business Card?

So tomorrow is the first day of the new gig. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so I'm never happy the first few weeks of a job. I know it's impossible to know everything in the beginning, but if I could I would. The awkward period when I don't feel like I know it all - KILLS me. Anyway, I'm doing a post or two now because I know this will be a rough week to be posting.

I'm always talking about being yourself and capitalizing on what you bring to the table. It's also key to be memorable no matter what creative field you are in. I saw these edible cookie business cards over the weekend and thought they were adorable. The upside is, if you give one of those cards to someone they would never forget you. The downside is that they might eat your info and then not be able to get in touch with you. I guess that means give out two to each person. I for sure like the cookie business cards more than the beef jerkyish meatcards that went around the web in recent months. I have to admit as gross as those seem, people probably wouldn't forget you if you handed those out as well.

An Alcohol Free Martini Shot That Will Make You Laugh

Anyone still hoping for an boozy filled post will be sadly disappointed. A Martini Shot is the name for the last shot of the day on a film set and not some cool new drink at a hotel in Hollywood. That's not the Martini Shot I'm going to talk about today though. The Martini Shot I'm talking about is the show/podcast that writer Rob Long does for KCRW. He has his own very distinct style and manages to instruct without lecturing. I probably should have included him in this piece I did back in April about letting those around you inspire you. He shares bits of wisdom and anecdotes from his years in the business. I often laugh and learn something at the same time. Listening to the pieces doesn't require much of a time commitment, so you certainly have time to check him out on the radio, via Itunes podcast or on his website. Listening to him often inspires me to stop procrastinating and actually do some writing. He's also on Twitter here, if you want to follow him.

Lather Up & Jot Down Your Best Idea Yet

A week or two ago on Twitter, I commented that I have many of my best ideas in the shower and that maybe my destiny was to get rich creating some kind of paper and pen that was waterproof. I knew the moment I tweeted it that:

A) The item probably already existed.

B) That Twitter being what it is, I would soon get tweets from companies that made such products.

That night and the next day I did indeed get two tweets regarding such products:

Aqua Notes

Rite In The Rain

As goofy as it seems, it's really important to be able to harness your creativity when it strikes, so I would probably buy this. I'm the queen of using post it notes and any method I need to in order to stay organized as a personal assistant, so these could come in handy for remembering something crucial that pops into my head for a boss.

Gary Vaynerchuk Is Crushing It Big Time

I've written about Gary Vaynerchuk on this blog before, so check it out if your not familiar with him. He's basically an entrepreneur and passionate social media guru who is about to break way into the mainstream, if he hasn't already. He has a book oming out in October all about harnessing your passion and the power of social media, in order to succeed. He was recently speaking to indie booksellers and publishers and there is video of it online. The video is worth watching no matter what field you are in. Harnessing your passion and the power of social media, video and the Internet is useful even if you are a writer or creative type and not selling a retail item like Gary's family does (wine). Gary started off selling wine and now some of the best known brands in the world are consulting with him. The video is a bit long, but take the time to see at least some of it. I swear you will feel motivated and inspired and it will have been worth your time.

A Few Cool Gifts For Kids

If your boss wants you to find just the right present for his/her kid, the child of a client or you just have a kid you need to get a gift for, I have a couple of gift ideas for you that recently caught my eye:

Leapfrog Text & Learn - I'm not the first one to say this, but this truly looks like a Blackberry for kids. The main purpose of it is to touch the letters and hear them said back to you. Engadget did a write up of it here if you want to know more.

Mini Kick Scooters - These are basically a smaller and more stable Razor style scooter for little kids.

Graffeeti Shoes & Backpacks - The shoes and backpacks from this company come with a pen that kids can write on them with and fill in some of the white space. They are pretty reasonable and it seems like a fun way to let kids express themselves.

Own Your Category & Be The Best At What You Do

On the web especially, but really in any part of the entertainment business it's crucial to try and aim to be the best at what you do and own your category if you possibility can. You might not get there at first, but it's best to aim high. There's so much noise on the web and so many outlets for people to get information and entertainment offline and online, that if you don't keep people interested and provide something valuable people will move on and do it quickly. Here are three people who I think own their category and are the very best at what they do on the web:

Whitney Matheson/Pop Candy Blog @ USA Today - I've been severely addicted to this blog ever since I started reading it. Whitney has her finger right on the pulse of all things pop culture and she never fails to share entertaining and informative stuff about television, comics, music, movies and more. Back when I was working in content/programming at Netscape tracking and sharing trends in movies and other parts of the arts, she was an invaluable resource to find out about new stuff and to make sure I was on the right track about what I was following. There are PLENTY of pop culture blogs on the web, but for my money, not one of them even comes close to Pop Candy.

Dooce Blog/Heather Armstrong - This blog is in my opinion the best personal blog that currently exists on the web in terms of content and execution. I only started reading it in the last couple of years, but I know it's been popular for quite some time. What makes this blog great is that you don't have to relate to every topic she writes about to enjoy it. She often writes about her ADORABLE and hilarious 5 year old named Leta and her current pregnancy. I don't have kids or necessarily even plan to have them, but her writing is so personal and full of such wit and humor, it's irrelevant. She also takes truly amazing pictures of her dogs and various other things. In my dreams, I aim to be as witty as she is in my writing (not on this blog, but with my other things I work on), so she serves as a constant source of inspiration to work harder. She recently wrote a book that I ordered and am planning to read it right when it arrives. In a related note, one fan of Dooce who has a blog that I recently started reading when I discovered her on twitter is Karyn Murphy. She's a producer and was Ashton Kutcher's assistant, but she's also a great writer. She was able to take inspiration from the blog she loved and mix in her own snarky sense of humor and write a blog that truly makes me laugh out loud. She did what I suggested in that she found her own angle and perspective on the world and is on her way to leading her category of best blog about not wanting to have kids! Please take time to read both blogs, I promise it will be the highlight of your day. Both women are on Twitter, so if you want to follow Heather, click here or Karen click here.

I'm aiming to own my category and do my best with this blog. I've been a personal assistant (and aspiring writer) for many years and had not seen someone really sharing great tips and all it takes to be a fantastic and creative personal assistant, so I'm trying to fill that niche and be the best at what I do. I might not be there yet, but I'm giving it my all.

Don't Focus On What Others Think Of You

One thing I really wish had realized when I was a bit younger is how to let go of caring so much about what others think of me. It can truly get in the way of everything you are trying to accomplish. I should have been writing years ago and trying to get a manager, but my fear stopped me. Especially when you are in a field that's creative, you often have to put yourself out there and you will never have everyone love what you do. You have to focus on your passion and harness that without being constricted by others opinions. It's hard, but it is crucial to stand out and not just seem like everyone else. If you look at this list from EW last year of the top 30 actors under 30, you will notice that a large amount of them have made at least some offbeat choices and it paid off. Another great example of this is Russell Brand from Forgetting Sarah Marshall. His audition for Forgetting Sarah Marshall, wasn't really what they had in mind for the character, but it was so fun and interesting, the rewrote the part for him. He is successful because he has stayed true to himself and embraced what it is that makes him special. He did a great interview recently about his new book and the idea of him being himself and getting out of his own way is discussed at length. If you want to check it out, click here.

The only thing you can care about is what you feel about what you do. The rest is out of your control, so don't let others change you. Sometimes being who you really are is the thing that will make you stand out the most.

Don't Be Boring

I think I might have just screwed myself with the title of this post. Now if it isn't super exciting, people are going to think well how come she can be boring? In an effort not to be dull, I'm going to keep it short. This video of famed guru/marketer Seth Godin (who has written a bunch of best selling books on the subject) at the Ted Conference talking back in 2007 about how to stand out and make people pay attention is perhaps even more true today. The video is all about being unique and different and why it's imperative that you stand out. Being good or even great just isn't enough anymore. I highly recommend watching if you have the time.

The video is full of good advice and if you can take it to heart, it will help you leverage what's special about you, so that you can stand out. I did this blog about how to be a great personal assistant instead another pop culture blog (which I had done before) because I knew there weren't many exactly like it and I thought I could bring something a bit different to it because of my years of experience and the creative way I tend to approach my job.

Find Inspiration In Your Boss

It doesn't always happen, but sometimes you end up working for a boss that's very similar to you and they inspire you to develop certain skills even further. Many years ago I worked for a couple that I'm lucky enough to still call my friends, Henry & Stacey Winkler. I have stayed close especially with Stacey and it's because we were always like-minded. We loved sharing ideas and tips about sending people thoughtful and surprising gifts. She's an amazing woman who was a publicist at one time, is a great writer and has done an amazing amount of charitable work in her lifetime. She helped me to realize how utilizing the ability to really listen and be resourceful can make people feel special when you share info with them, buy them a gift, etc. I mention often on this blog that it isn't the money you spend on a gift, but the time you put into finding something unique or that's related to something the recipient likes that will make a great impact. It's always the little details or the time you found the impossible thing that will make someone smile. I think it was something I already knew when I met her, but during the time I worked for her and in these past few years as her friend, I have realized how much it stayed with me and inspired me.

I also recently saw Henry in an episode of the tv show Numbers on CBS, here's the full episode if you want to check it out. In this episode, Henry is more of a tough and serious guy and he's fantastic. It made me think about another lesson that's important to learn no matter what creative field you work in -- that you have to keep stretching and trying new things. It's imperative to keeping yourself vital and your skills sharp. Henry apparently already knows this!

If you let the right boss inspire you, it will be forever invaluable.