Last evening I had the chance to sit and talk with a group of video producers. I was impressed with their approach to their craft.
“We have to understand all of the phases of what it takes to produce a film or video,” Tomas said. “It all sort of melts together at some point.”
That statement tells me that they are students of what they do. They take it seriously but they also dive in and have fun with it. One week one takes a turn as a director, another the sound guy and the third the director. Then they “change partners” on the next shoot. By knowing multiple aspects of the craft, they can produce a better product from understanding. It also makes them better coworkers to one another.
No matter your work–writer, woodworker, project manager, teacher, middle manager, engineer–having a global understanding of the work to be done is important.
And just as important is to be good and work hard at what you do. Your contribution at your highest level will make the “whole” that much better.
For a number of years I have talked with people dissatisfied with their work about making their current job a laboratory. If it is hard to go to work each day, take the approach that you are there to learn and improve. In a short time, that job you dreaded becomes something you want to work and with which enjoy success.
This translates well to networking as it can be hard to get up for each new event. Take each event as a “lab” and a new challenge. Give yourself the goal of meeting a certain number of people. Seek out certain types of connections and conversations.
Be a student of the craft.
Relentless