Screenwriting - Why We're Not Perfect...

As much as we want to be the very best we will never be perfect. We need to have a healthy perspective around the need to be perfect. Perfectionism can lead to destruction. Perfectionism can cause us to be inflexible and closed minded. When we have a healthy life perspective... we are flexible, challenged to do our best, open to feedback, optimistic and most of all... human. Maybe we're not perfect so we have a chance to grow.

How can I be less perfect and more human?

MDJ

Screenwriting - Waiting...

How slowly the time passes when we are waiting. Waiting for the phone to ring. Waiting for a test result. Waiting to hear from a producer regarding a script submission. The key to a happy life is to have a life. Although down time to revitalize our body and spirit is necessary "waiting time" robs us of the time we could be using to do so many other things... like writing another screenplay, being a role model for someone, appreciating our loved ones. Today I can wait while doing other things.

How do I spend my waiting time?

MDJ

Screenwriting - Distractions

We all have them. Today we can take the opportunity to explore our distractions. These are the things that take us away from what it is that we truly want to be doing at any given moment. When it comes to writing, many distractions present themselves in order to put off the dreaded writing chair. When we look at the source of these distractions, taking a deep look at the thoughts and feelings behind them, we can then see what drives them. It is usually some negative thought or belief associated with the task at hand. When we reprogram ourselves to associate pleasure with a task we then find it easier to engage in the very action we are distracting ourselves from... like writing.

How do I distract myself from writing?

MDJ

Screenwriting - Dream Big!

Life gives all of us a share of challenges and disappointments. Our dreams are the positive amidst the storm. When we take the time to dream big and take the necessary actions towards our dreams, life's challenges shrink. What we give attention to then becomes our life focus. Today we can take inventory of all of our dreams. I care about myself enough to dream and dream big!

Have I taken stock of my larger than life dreams? What actions am I taking towards achieving them today?

MDJ

Screenwriting - The Most Important Word

One word rates #1 above all others... What is it? The most important word in any language is our name. Our name is our major identity. We feel honored and respected when people address us specifically by name. Others feel the same. When we address others by their name they feel respected, honored, cherished. Our names symbolize much about ourselves. Do we live our lives each and every day so that our name will be a positive legacy or something other than that?

What does my name all mean to me?

MDJ

Screenwriting - A Champion for My Craft

Tens of thousands of screenplays circulating the marketplace at any given time. A deal made here, a deal made there. The big deals have many champions attached to them... a power agent or manager, a respected producer or director, a well known actor... How do we as writers access those champions? The first step is for us to be our own champion. When we are the greatest champion for our craft, we give it all the things it deserves. We take the time to make our screenplays the very best they can be. We develop the amazing story. We create memorable characters. We don't rush to the marketplace. We trust our writing process. We believe when the time is right other champions will join in.

Who are my screenwriting champions?

MDJ

Screenwriting - What I Value Most...

Today we can take a look at the things we value most in our lives. These things are different for each of us. They also show us some of our life priorities. They can also show us where our passion lies. If I value my health, family and the gift of writing yet spend most of my time eating junk food, traveling and only thinking about writing then maybe I need to refocus and make some changes. This could also show me that I do not truly value those things. What we spend our time doing in our daily 24 hour period shows us what we honestly value. Maybe we should take a deeper look.

Are the things I value most part of my day?

MDJ

Screenwriting - Showing Gratitude for a Gift

Today we can explore the ways we show appreciation for our personal talents and gifts. We often take many of our talents for granted. Showing appreciation keeps us mindful as to the gifts bestowed upon us. There are many ways we can show our gratitude. One is by using our talents. Another is to share our gift with others. The ability to write and create is a blessing from the universe, how we use it is up to us.

How do I show gratitude for my gifts and talents?

MDJ

Screenwriting - Showing Up For My Passion

Writing, relationships, work, family, health, dreams... whatever it is that we are passionate about, we need to commit to showing up. Once present, we are then able to take the steps and actions necessary to work on our lifelong goals, dreams and priorities. Commitment to first showing up makes all the difference. Today we can take a look at the priorities in our lives and commit to first just showing up.

In what areas of my life am I most consistently showing up?

MDJ

Screenwriting - Comparing Ourselves to Others

We often get into trouble when we do this. We are all here to find what it is that we love doing and to do it. Simple as that. We need not compare ourselves to anyone else. We need to develop our craft and find our niche within this world. This is often a trial and error process. We only fail when we quit trying. Today we can let go of comparing ourselves to others and to concentrate on being our own best.

I can stop comparing today and be my best.

MDJ

Screenwriting - Focus

How amazing it is when we are working on a project with 100% focus. There is great strength and power in focusing on a particular task. When something is our priority, "a must" in our life, then it seems like nothing can stop us from completing a goal or dream. One key way to maintain focus is to be present to life. Present in every moment and action. Our screenwriting flourishes when we are present and focused.

How can I focus on my life priorities today?

MDJ

Screenwriting - Owning Our Power

We all receive input, comments and suggestions about our work. Much of this input may be solicited and some may not be. We need to be careful as creative individuals in sorting out who and what we listen to. And yes, we are involved in the team sport of movie making. When sorting through negative or constructive comments about our work, we need to remember that we are the last authority regarding our work. Many a creative individual has given away their power to the words of another, sometimes to the point of slowing or stopping their career. When we own our power and are secure within ourselves, we are then best able to listen to, sort out or ignore the comments of others. It is our life that we are living after all.

Do I give my power away to others?

MDJ

Screenwriting - The Gift of Growth

Although many growthful experiences are extremely painful, there is a gift within. We receive the gift of knowing ourselves more deeply and completely. Our journey through growth also allows us to love ourselves more deeply and therefore love others more completely. Our growthful experiences give us the opportunity to discover what is truly important in our lives. Many times we find that we are given a new strength on the other side of growth. A new strength to pursue our lifelong dreams.

What gifts have I received from my growthful experiences?

MDJ

Screenwriting - Aiming Higher

Today we can take the challenge to aim higher regarding our goals and dreams. We look at those iconic individuals who are living the ultimate dream that we have always wanted and wonder if it can happen for us. The answer is... YES! Each and every day we have the opportunity to move one step closer to our ultimate dream. When we commit to aim just a little bit higher, to push ourselves a little bit harder, to do one more thing each day on our "to do" list, it draws our dream to us just a little bit faster. We do all of these things because we believe in ourselves.

How can I aim higher today?

MDJ

Screenwriting - Brainstorming

As creative individuals we should have no shortage of movie ideas. A good way to keep our writing warehouse full of ideas is to take the time on occasion to brainstorm. There are many ways to generate ideas and we all need to do what works for us. The important thing is to take the time and do it. One technique is to write on the top of a piece of paper, "What if....?" The next step is to generate as many responses as possible that could possibly be a movie. As with any new idea it is important not to judge and to keep generating ideas until the well is dry. One of the ideas generated may just be the next blockbuster hit.

Do I take time to brainstorm?

MDJ

Screenwriting - Confidence

Any extremely competitive occupation like screenwriting presents many challenges. There are many ways we can stand out and present our best talent and selves. Confidence is an attractive quality and one that attracts us to others. Individuals who present themselves as confident and not arrogant tend to have a certain advantage in the working world. Today we can take the opportunity to look at how confident we are with ourselves and our talent.

What role does confidence play in my life? Do I need to do some work in this area?

MDJ

Screenwriting - What Drives Me?

The driving force behind any life mission or goal is important to keep in mind. When the rough days are upon us and we begin to question why we do what we do, we can remember what drives us. Some call it, "Keeping your eye on the prize." Whatever it is, it usually runs deep in our veins and has strong emotion attached to it. Today we can take the time to be conscious of what drives our screenwriting, knowing that tough days come and tough days go...

What drives my screenwriting?

MDJ

Screenwriting - Power of the Imagination

We often take for granted our individual talents. One we may forget is the extreme power of our imagination. Individual and collective uses of the imagination have done many amazing things throughout history. As screenwriters, we may forget that we have the ability to create amazing stories and characters unique only to us and our creative abilities. This is quite a powerful gift and one worth grand appreciation and acknowledgement. One of the best ways to appreciate this gift is to use it.

How do I appreciate the gift of an amazing imagination?

MDJ

Screenwriting - Forgetting Ourselves Today

We can get so caught up in ourselves... our goals, our dreams, our struggles and our lives that we lose a greater life perspective. It is the "me me me" syndrome. It is often a good practice to take time to fully appreciate others. Today we can take the opportunity to make this day about others... appreciating their lives, goals and dreams.

How can I appreciate others today?

MDJ

Screenwriting - In The Work

There is extreme power in being "In the work," whether it is screenwriting or some other dream or life work. It is getting there that can be the challenge. We often spend much time in the "get ready" stage. We find all sorts of things to distract us before we begin our daily work towards our dreams and goals. One of the best ways to combat this struggle is to put our dream work on the top of our daily "to do" list. When we work on our goals and dreams first thing every day we are showing ourselves one of the highest form of self love.

How do I get myself "In the work" regarding my dreams and goals?

MDJ

Screenwriting - Taking Time To Recharge

Doing nothing is an action... We all have those times in our lives when we feel overwhelmed by just about everything. It is during these times when we need to slow down and take care of ourselves. When we do this we often gain greater perspective when looking at all aspects of our lives. It isn't an easy thing to do at times. It takes practice. When we practice "doing nothing" we get in touch with who we are... the Human Being not the Human Doing.

How do I practice doing nothing?

MDJ

Screenwriting - Writer's Business Plan

All successful businesses have one. Today we can take the opportunity to explore our screenwriting business plan. If we have one that is great. We can take it out, review and refine it. If we do not have one, we can start developing one today. A business plan helps us to gain focus and contains essential items; Company description and mission statement, goals and objectives, marketing plan, etc... As screenwriters, this may sound silly but we (for the most part) are the company and need focus when it comes to what we want out of our careers. When we know our company (ourselves) well and the direction we want to move in we gain focus. This is a beginning formula for success.

Today, I can begin to develop my screenwriting business plan?

MDJ

Screenwriting - My Writer's Tool Bag

Today we take the opportunity to examine those valuable items in our writer's tool bag. These are the things that each and every one of us use individually or collectively to make us the writers we are or the writers we aspire to be. Here are some examples of things that might be in a writer's tool bag... 1) A good editor. 2) Resource materials. 3) A group of individuals that give honest feedback. 4)Screenplay marketing resources. 5)A laptop. 6)A massage therapist.... Our tool bag contains all of the things we need to pamper ourselves and our craft. If something is missing from the tool bag then I can add it. My writer's tool bag adds to my readiness for success.

What is in my personal writer's tool bag? What is missing?

MDJ

Screenwriting - Without Judgement

We all look at people, situations, screenwriting and our own lives very differently. Wouldn't it be amazing if we could approach these areas without judgement? Judgment can color life and sway how we feel and act in any given situation. When we judge our writing harshly it can have disastrous results. We may put the one project away that may have been the next big sale. Writing is a process and we need to stick with the process and see it through without judgement. If something isn't working in our screenplay, we can simply identify it and fix it. When we move through life without judging ourselves or others we seem to be much happier.

How can I let go of my life judgements?

MDJ

Screenwriting - The "Shoulds"

We all have them... The "shoulds..." I should do this. I should do that. Letting go of those nasty "shoulds" and embracing what is in our heart helps us to stay in touch with our true life direction. We all have demands placed upon our time, talents and lives. These come from loved ones, employers and the like. When we take the time to slow down and get in touch with our heart and do what we want to do first, we honor our spirit and are then able to give freely to others without the dreaded "shoulds."

What should I do today...? What is it that I want to do, honoring what my heart tells me?

MDJ

Screenwriting - Dreamstoppers

These come in many forms. Negative self-talk, unsupportive comments from friends and loved ones, writer's block in one form or another, focusing on statistics... These are the types of things that stop us from pursuing our dreams. Today we can take an inventory of these "Dreamstoppers." We write them down in black and white and take a hard look at them. And then we begin to take steps to let these negatives go. We may choose to burn the list. We may be more selective in choosing people with which to share our dreams. We may write across the list in BOLD, "This is a lie." One of the best ways to combat these Dreamstoppers is to take action toward our dreams.

What action can I take today towards my life dreams?

MDJ

Screenwriting - Examining Our Passion

It is amazing how passion can drive our dreams. Today we can take the opportunity to look at how deep our conviction is to our dreams. To check in with our passion, we can ask ourselves... How important is this? Am I willing to go to any lengths to achieve this dream? Why is this so important to me? How would I feel if I let this dream go? How do I feel when I am working on my dream? Questions like these and others let us see what the drive is behind our dreams. When we truly love what it is that we do and have that conviction to see it through we are living with passion.

What am I passionate about in my life?

MDJ

Screenwriting - My Personal Success Roadmap

We are all blessed with our unique individual talents and gifts. One thing we may not realize is that our roadmap to success is also very individual. We are the rulers of our lives. Our route to success is like no other. Ask any successful screenwriter as to how they got to where they are and you will hear many different success stories. Today we can route our success on our own individual map. We just need a starting point and end point and the commitment to take the route our gut/heart directs. The key is listening to ourselves.

MDJ

We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Screenwriting - Mastering My Craft

Today we can take the opportunity to look at how we make screenwriting unique to us. What is it that I do differently that makes my screenwriting stand out? This is an important question to ask ourselves. When we are able to answer this question we can then take the time to master that which sets us apart from other writers. We do this through practice. We focus on making our personal craft the very best that it can be on a daily basis. When we have mastered our craft we are then in a position to market it, stressing to the buyers what is unique only to us as a screenwriter.

Have I mastered my personal screenwriting craft? What do I do differently?

MDJ

Screenwriting - The Power Of A Date

We all have blocks to achieving certain goals. We may have some techniques to overcome our blocks. One valuable tool we can use to combat blocks to goals is "picking a date." We can pick a reasonable date to have our goal completed. The key to making ourselves accountable to keeping the date is to "lock it in." How do we do this? If I have the goal of going to Hawaii on December 1st. That's great, I have picked a date. I can then lock it in by 1) Booking a non-refundable ticket. 2) Getting a friend to commit to going with me and booking their ticket. 3) Booking the hotel. 4) Telling my life support team that I am going to Hawaii on December 1st no matter what, etc... The more we do to lock in our goal the more committed we become. We can do this with almost any goal.

How can I use picking a date and locking it in to my current screenwriting project?

MDJ