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.

Success Doesn't Always Happen When You Expect

Most of the people reading this blog probably don't want to be an assistant forever (and if you do - that's great as well). It can be really tough at times to keep your spirits up and believe you will succeed at what you want to do, whether it's writing, acting or whatever creative pursuit you aspire to. The thing is you never know when or how you might break through and it doesn't happen for everyone at a young age. This weekend I saw Julie & Julia (which is AMAZING - Meryl Streep truly is the greatest actor alive) and it made me really reflect on the topic of success and when it happens. Julia Child succeeded professionally and personally later in her life. Julie Powell, the girl who started the Julie and Julia blog/cooking project that inspired the book the movie is based on, also didn't hit her writing stride and have success until she was about thirty. This issue really hits home with me because I didn't really give writing a shot until a few years ago. I also left the business for quite a few years to go up to the Silicon Valley and then ended up coming back, but I'm trying to still have a tiny bit of hope, so if you can, try to as well.