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Episode 153 | ANOTHER THREE PEARLS OF INVALUABLE WISDOM


THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: The Scarescotland Talent Agency.

Good advice is always certain to be ignored, but that's no reason not to give it. Agatha Christie

Regular listeners will recognize that this is I think the third in a series of PEARLS OF INVALUABLE WISDOM, and the reason for that is that they have proven to be very popular shows. Today I have three more pieces of advice for you to ponder and learn from.

 

In last week's show, I talked about a problem that many of us face when putting together a creative project and that is when someone comes on board that proves to be more of a drag factor to the thing than, a boost to a project’s success. That one is called the Eff wit Factor and I’ll warn you now that some swearing is involved.

Act as if success is certain. Price Pritchett

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My first pearl of invaluable wisdom is this…

 

A RISK IS THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR AN OPPORTUNITY

 

I’ll say it again…

 

A RISK IS THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR AN OPPORTUNITY


This advice is often attributed (amongst several others) to Tom Sellick of all people and maybe a little hard to get your head around at first but it is valuable. He specifically said I praise CBS for taking a risk, which is always the price you pay for opportunity. This is not standard movie-of-the-week storytelling. Extrapolating from that we end up with a clear piece of productivity advice that allows us to weigh up our opportunities to achieve significant rewards. It’s a widely accepted principle in business, investing, and personal growth.

 

Most opportunities come with inherent risks and the potential for significant gain is almost always accompanied by the possibility of loss or failure. We must always, as high-level thinkers, weigh the potential risks against the possible benefits when pursuing opportunities to make informed, strategic decisions as opposed to taking reckless chances.

 

Taking risks is essential for growth and progress. Stepping out of our comfort zones and tackling new challenges can lead to personal development, innovation, and advancement in various fields. I’ve covered this before in another show called Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable as far too often we play it safe when it comes to running our lives and businesses.


While acknowledging the necessity of risk, A RISK IS THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR AN OPPORTUNITY also underscores the importance of risk management. This involves identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks and developing strategies to minimize potential negative outcomes.

 

It also brings attention to the concept of the risk-reward ratio, a fundamental principle in investment and business strategy. Balancing the potential rewards of an opportunity against the risks involved to achieve the best possible outcome.

If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary. Jim Rohn

A RISK IS THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR AN OPPORTUNITY encourages us to have an entrepreneurial mindset, where taking calculated risks is a necessary step towards innovation and success.

 

This all encourages us to view risk itself as a form of investment. Just as a monetary investment is required for potential financial returns, risk itself is an investment of resources, time, or effort for the chance of future opportunity and success.

 

It is a reminder that risk and opportunity are often two sides of the same coin, especially in contexts where growth, innovation, and success are the desired outcome. I encourage you if you truly want to achieve success, to start taking a few more risks along the way. I’m not saying you should gamble away your rent money or take on anything that could physically harm you or others, but in business terms, I think you could stop playing things the way you always have been.


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I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees. Henry David Thoreau

The second piece of advice is one that I often have to remind myself about and it is to  STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS.


It's simply a metaphor that emphasizes the importance of taking time out of our busy lives to appreciate and enjoy the simple, often overlooked pleasures and beauties around us, but it's one that in todays stressful high-octane fast delivery world gets lost all too quickly.

 

I’m forever getting stressed out or anxious due to some problem with work or the lack of it. I touched upon this in episode 150 POSITIVE THINKING POSITIVE OUTLOOK. Stopping to smell the flowers encourages mindfulness, urges us to be present in the moment and truly engage with our surroundings. It teaches us to appreciate life and all the good things we have going for us.

 

In our fast-paced world, taking a moment to enjoy simple pleasures can significantly reduce stress and anxiety, promoting mental well-being. It nurtures a sense of gratitude, helping us recognize and value the small joys and blessings in life, leading to greater overall happiness.

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Stopping every once in a while can provide perspective, and remind us that life isn’t just about work or obligations but also about experiencing joy, beauty, and relaxation. Such moments can be rejuvenating, providing a necessary break that can increase productivity and creativity when we return to our tasks.

Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams. Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Stopping to smell the flowers" serves as a valuable reminder to slow down, savor life's simple joys, and work harder to maintain balance and well-being in our lives. Next time you are having a meltdown or feeling overwhelmed with what lies ahead of you, instead of doubling down on that feeling, opt out of it and try taking a short walk or a look out of the window for 5 minutes with a cup of tea. You may find that your productivity, your mental well-being, and your mood will be all the better for it. In turn, you will likely find yourself to be more open to solving the problems that lie before you. In the words of John Muir "In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks."

 

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Our final pearl of wisdom today is from Price Pritchett, author of You2

 

and it is this PROBLEMS BELONG IN THE PROCESS.

 

I’ll say again.

 

PROBLEMS BELONG IN THE PROCESS.


I feel that this one goes hand in hand with the earlier Pearl of Wisdom, A RISK IS THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR AN OPPORTUNITY, for if we don’t take risks and take action on our dreams or our goals or our aspirations, if we forever see only problems we will not move at all. Coming up against difficulties or challenges is a natural and expected part of any process and recognizing this can help us to mentally prepare for whatever challenges lay ahead. Too much attention on problems kills our faith in possibilities.


The thing is - problems often present opportunities for learning and growth as facing and overcoming difficulties can lead to acquiring new skills, gaining deeper insights, and developing resilience.

 

Encountering problems is crucial for process improvement. Each challenge provides an opportunity to refine methods, improve efficiency, and enhance overall effectiveness.

 

They often require creative solutions and push individuals and teams to think outside the box and innovate.

 

Dealing with problems regularly builds resilience. It helps individuals and organizations become more adaptable and better equipped to handle future challenges.

 

...and when you accept and understand that PROBLEMS BELONG IN THE PROCESS it will normalize the struggles you will encounter. It encourages embracing problems as part of a journey rather than viewing them as setbacks or failures.

Progress is made by trial and failure; the failures are generally a hundred times more numerous than the successes; yet they are usually left unchronicled. William Ramsay

My point in bringing this to you is simply that you shouldn’t wait for that perfect moment, that ideal alignment of the stars and the planets to make a move on following your dreams. By recognising that PROBLEMS BELONG IN THE PROCESS you will be encouraged to take the steps required to start you on your journey. Knowing where you are going is far more important than knowing how exactly you are going to get there.

Problems are guidelines, not stop signs! Robert H. Schuller

Thanks again for tuning in to the show and sharing your valuable time with me here today. I hope that you have found something valuable in the episode, and I look forward to seeing you next week on the final episode of this miniseries - The Discoverability Problem. That will be the final show of this short season.


As a reminder then - today's pearls of wisdom are as follows:

 

1.      A RISK IS THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR AN OPPORTUNITY.

2.      STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS.

3.      PROBLEMS BELONG IN THE PROCESS.

 

I’ll end today with a relevant quote from Arianna Huffington who said, Failure is not the opposite of success; it's part of success.

 

Now take control of your destiny, keep on shootin’, and join me next time on FILM PRO PRODUCTIVITY AND SUCCESS!


ANOTHER THREE PEARLS OF INVALUABLE WISDOM

  • The music you can hear right now is Adventures by A Himitsu and the executive producer is Kris Sommerville of Frontline Kit UK. Uniform hire for TV and film.

  • You can view the show notes for this episode on the official website filmproproductivity.com

  • You can follow my personal accounts on Twitter and Instagram @fight_director or follow the show on Twitter @filmproprodpod or on Facebook @Filmproproductivity

  • Please support the show by subscribing, spreading the word and leaving an AWESOME review.


EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:


Kris Sommerville of Frontline Kit UK. Uniform hire for TV and film.

Frontline Kit UK Premier police kit and uniform clothing provider.


THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: The Scarescotland Talent Agency.


Scarescotland Talent Agency provides uniquely talented performers to the film, television, and Live action industry.  Including creature actors,  stand-ins, and classic horror characters for events.


References:

None.



 

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