The Zack Arnold Podcast

If you do creative work for a living, you’re a storyteller.It doesn’t matter if you’re a film editor like me working in scripted television, maybe you work in online marketing, you are a director, writer, graphic designer, composer, or anything else creative: You tell stories. Whether it’s with a single image, a specific font choice on a poster, a music cue to increase emotional impact in a scene, or any other decision that impacts how someone perceives your work - you must understand how to make sure the story you’re telling has maximum impact.Even beyond telling stories in your work, the most important story that you need to be able to tell if you intend to be successful is your own story.If you tell other people’s stories for a living with ease but you have no idea how to translate your storytelling abilities into crafting your own story, it’s a good thing there’s now a place for that: Story Greenlight.Story Greenlight is the brainchild of Jeff Bartsch who is a multi-faceted author, teacher, and television editor based out of Los Angeles. He is the author of “Edit Better: Hollywood-Tested Strategies for Powerful Video Editing” and built his career editing television for ABC, NBC, Universal, Disney, Apple, and many others. (As a side note, Jeff edits American Ninja Warrior, so I might just be a tad bit biased!)Jeff is the founder of Story Greenlight, a virtual community that helps online video creators connect with their audience, turn up the impact of their message, and change people’s lives.Whether you create online content, you just want to perfect your elevator pitch or the about page on your website, or if you just want to better understand the fundamental building blocks of good storytelling, this episode is a must-listen.And after listening if you want to dive even deeper into the power of story, specifically understanding how to make a living telling stories that you are proud of and overcoming the psychological barriers that might be holding you back in your career, I recommend sticking around for part 2 in my “Storytelling” series with Robert Hardy, the founder of Filmmaker Freedom.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Learning how storytelling defines everything we experience and createStructuring your origin storyWhat does storytelling look like in a reality show like American Ninja Warrior?Jeff Bartch's guide to telling compelling storiesUnderstanding the most basic elements of story and their ubiquity in artYou can't NOT tell a story, so learn how to do it engaginglyThe dangers of comparing your story to others instead of living your ownIf you're struggling, remind yourself that you are at the beginning of your storyStop making excuses and turn your problems into obstacles to be surmountedDon't worry about being original, learn to be authenticUseful Resources Mentioned:Edit Better: Hollywood-Tested Strategies for Powerful Video EditingStory GreenlightOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone interested in moving more at their height-adjustable workstation. Listen, standing desks are only great if you’re standing well, otherwise you’re constantly fighting fatigue and chronic pain. Not like any other anti-fatigue mat, the Topo is scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. And they’re really fun and a great conversation starter.Guest Bio:Jeff Bartsch is a multi-faceted author, teacher, and television editor based out of Los Angeles. He is the author of “Edit Better: Hollywood-Tested Strategies for Powerful Video Editing” and built his career editing television for ABC, NBC, Universal, Disney, Apple, and many others. Jeff’s commentary on the entertainment industry has been featured in TIME Magazine, USA Today, the Associated Press, and multiple textbooks.Jeff is the founder of Story Greenlight, a virtual community that helps online video creators connect with their audience, turn up the impact of their message, and change people’s lives.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Jakin Rintelman. Special thanks to Krystle Penhall and Sarah Furie for helping to spread the love!The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

Interested in joining my brand new Design Yourself program (with a 50% discount) when enrollment opens next week? Visit optimizeyourself.me/design to learn more.Let’s be honest...“A proven 5-step framework to help you overcome the procrastination, anxiety, and fear that keep you from following through with your goals” ...just doesn’t sound sexy. You know what DOES sound sexy?✓ Losing 25 pounds.✓ Landing your dream job.✓ Finishing that screenplay.✓ Paying off your student loans.✓ Celebrating a new promotion.✓ Speaking on industry panels. And people constantly asking you, “How do you do it all?” If you’re ready to start taking action, I’m ready to open my playbook to show you how to Get. Sh*t. Done.If you’re listening to this, I already know that you’re a high achiever because rather than wasting your time scrolling social media or binge-watching another four hours of The Office on Netflix, you’re here listening to me, and I greatly appreciate that. I want to apologize in advance because there not be a new episode this week because I’m just about to launch my first new online program in two years - Design Yourself. As a regular listener, you know that my mission is to provide you with the best content and interviews that help design the optimized version of you, and that’s exactly what this program does.Design Yourself is an 8-module online learning course to help you organize your priorities, get important things done (note: important is very different from urgent), and (finally) follow through with your goals...without sacrificing your sanity in the process.This program provides you with a simple step-by-step framework to break down seemingly insurmountable goals into simple and actionable tasks that will make your success look almost too easy. No longer will you procrastinate because you have no idea if the next task on your to-do list is going to change your life...or completely waste your time. Instead you will effortlessly and consistently take the right actions that will lead you down the unique roadmap to success that you design for yourself, no matter the obstacles in your way. You might think “high achievers” have access to super-secret information you don’t:They use the most cutting-edge daily planners and productivity journalsThey consume the world’s most potent “superfoods”They know advanced automation tactics in Trello & OmnifocusThey have the perfect 67-step morning ritual to “eat their frog” by 6amThey have a secret “Success Playbook” leading them down the perfect path to their desired careerThey have unlimited access to the world's best coachesHere’s the good news...none of this crap matters.Want to know the secret that most productivity experts never talk about?Most people procrastinate on taking action or downright give up on their goals because they lack just one thing:CONFIDENCEYou have lost the productivity game if you ever have to ask yourself the following question:“So...what am I supposed to be doing now?”Imagine for a second: You wake up in the morning (without hitting the snooze button twelve times) having intentionally designed your day in such a way that you have 100% clarity about the goals you hope to achieve not only today but in the next week, as well as over the next 3 months, 1 year, or even the next 5 years.Think about what it might feel like to have the utmost confidence that the next items on your daily to-do list are the right actions that will lead you to your destination (and ANY productivity app will work...including post-it notes).Picture yourself confidently taking the right actions with consistency and without struggling to summon willpower you can’t find, motivation you just don’t have, and discipline you’d rather not develop.If you’re interested in learning more about my brand new Design Yourself program, enrollment is opening the week of May 14th and it will only be open for 7 days, and the only way to sign up is if you’re a member of my email newsletter. I won’t be advertising on Facebook, you won’t see Google Ads, and there’s no link to join anywhere on my website. And only those on my email newsletter are getting 50% off enrollment as members of my very first class.If you’d like to learn more about the program and be notified the second enrollment opens and get your 50% discount, just visit optimizeyourself.me/design and provide me with your best email. It’s that simple, I’ll do the rest. Just visit optimizeyourself.me/design and I’ll see you when enrollment opens so we can design the optimized version of you together. Thank you for being such a loyal listener and reader.Be well.Zack ArnoldSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

If you intend to climb the career ladder straight to the top, step #1 is understanding the four different types of creative jobs. Only once you understand where your job fits in can you then reframe your perspective to get the most out of every opportunity (or know if it’s time to bail out). Imagine for a moment you’ve wanted to be a doctor your whole life, and the first year of medical school is finally here. After getting a toy stethoscope for your fifth birthday, you spent the next eighteen years dreaming of wearing the white coat, helping others in need, and writing the letters ‘M.D.’ after your name. Yet despite knowing that being a doctor is the only true career path for you, you’re frustrated, anxious, and depressed. Why? You feel like all the work you’re putting in could potentially be a total waste of time because you haven’t seen enough results yet....you want to be a doctor NOW. “What if medical school isn’t right for me? I should just become an independent doctor instead.” “Maybe I should network with medical directors at local hospitals to see if there are any openings. I know I have the skills and can prove myself today.” “I deserve the white coat. Why hasn’t someone discovered me yet?” Wait a second...no medical student has ever been pulled out of their first year of medical school and given a white coat and a degree because they were “discovered.” While no one would disagree that becoming a doctor is incredibly hard, it’s also simple (not to be confused with easy).  It’s common knowledge that becoming a doctor requires everyone to follow the same path, and following that path combined with hard work and good grades almost guarantees a career in medicine. Success Rarely Has a Defined Path Unfortunately following a single defined path is a luxury you don’t have if you work in a creative field (especially filmmaking). You may have gotten your first camera at five years old and spent every moment since learning the crafts of directing, editing, cinematography, etc. Yet  despite the fact that in your mind you are a “filmmaker,” your current job title says otherwise. Let’s say you’re an assistant, and your job duties include fetching the director’s coffee, pickup up the producer’s dry cleaning, and getting lunch for the grumpy editors who never talk to you. In short: You’re a gofer. You’re confident you have the skills to be a successful filmmaker, but you feel like all you do is spin your wheels, stuck in the exact same place. Not knowing whether or not your efforts at your current job will pay off has left you  frustrated, anxious, and depressed. You’re confident you have the skills to be a successful filmmaker, but you feel like all you do is spin your wheels, stuck in the exact same place. Even worse, you recently read a story about director Ryan Coogler who’s first feature film right out of film school Fruitvale Station won him the grand jury prize at Sundance, and now he’s directing Marvel’s Black Panther! Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan, two guys way cooler than me and you. Knowing there are real people not much older (or even younger) than you who are light years ahead in the same career is demoralizing, especially when you have no clue if your current job is leading you to the promised land...or completely wasting your time. Resentment creeps in, your performance suffers, and what was formerly an “opportunity” has become an “obligation.” What if simply understanding where your current job fits into your own unique career path completely changed the way you approach your duties day-to-day and you suddenly had 100% confidence that this was the exact path leading to your dream job. Imagine having the same level of clarity as a first-year medical student that you were in the right place and all that mattered were your results. Would your mindset change? Your mood? Your performance? If you intend to climb the career ladder straight to the top, your first step is understanding the four different types of creative jobs. Only once you understand where your job fits in can you then reframe your perspective to get the most out of every opportunity (or know if it’s time to bail out). The ‘Paycheck’ Job The ‘Paycheck’ job is unfortunately the most common simply because the vast majority of jobs in the world are things that need to get done that most people just don’t want to do. It pays the rent and keeps you from starving, but that’s about it. You aren’t passionate about the work you do You aren’t building your professional network You aren’t learning new skills You definitely aren’t climbing the right career ladder It’s boring It’s stressful You don’t necessarily like your co-workers You get sick often and never have any energy Time feels like it stands still You live for the weekends Once your basic needs are met, the ‘Paycheck’ job is simply stealing your time, your energy, and your life. To be clear: There is nothing wrong with working a ‘Paycheck’ job if the most important priority in your life is to cover your rent, buy groceries, or support your family. There is no shame in working to survive, it’s a stage of life everyone goes through at some point. But once your basic needs are met, the ‘Paycheck’ job is simply stealing your time, your energy, and your life. Staying at a ‘Paycheck’ job for longer than necessary comes at a tremendous cost that in my opinion far outweighs any financial benefits, and it can lead to: Diminished passion for your craft Chronic anxiety Irritability Depression Total. Creative. Burnout. Assuming you have no interest in working a ‘Paycheck’ job the rest of your life and you’d prefer a different rung on the ladder, what’s the next step? The ‘Lifestyle’ Job The ‘Lifestyle’ job is a significant upgrade from the ‘Paycheck’ job. Your basic financial needs are met so it fulfills the main benefit of the ‘Paycheck’ job, but it also comes with a host of additional benefits: Your hours are good which allows you to spend more time with your family Your commute is awesome You love your co-workers Your work environment is virtually stress-free The pay is good and you have “fun money” to spare every month And the job itself? Well...it’s…”fine.” Therein lies the rub. While the ‘Lifestyle’ job has a host of fantastic benefits for your health and well-being, it also isn’t moving you forwards: You aren’t creatively pushed outside your comfort zone The work is pretty easy (and sometimes feels downright boring) You aren’t learning new skills You aren’t expanding your professional network You aren’t particularly proud of the work and perhaps hesitate to tell other people what you’re working on (or you hide it on your resume altogether) There are many people who would happily work a ‘Lifestyle’ job the remainder of their careers carefree. But if the words safe, reliable, and dependable bore you to death, what’s next? The ‘Career’ Job Unlike the two previous job types, the ‘Career’ job is propelling you forwards at light speed and has a host of benefits: You are pushed outside your creative comfort zone and growing every day You are learning new technical skills You are meeting new people and expanding your professional network You are building your resume and proud to share what you’re working on Your current project might even be a total “resume-changer” While the ‘Career’ job sounds like a dream in many ways, it’s far from being a ‘Dream’ job and has its own laundry list of drawbacks: You may have reduced your rate in exchange for experience (you might even be working for free) The hours are grueling and you barely have any time to manage life outside of work You are sacrificing time with your family and friends The commute totally sucks You are stressed out and constantly exhausted Your waning creativity often needs to be fueled by caffeine and energy drinks Despite being a fantastic opportunity, a ‘Career’ job can only sustain for so long before it too leads to chronic health problems, mental health issues, and eventually total burnout. There must be an alternative to choosing between either a healthy lifestyle or a successful career, right? RIGHT?????? The ‘Dream’ Job The ‘Dream’ job is the top rung of the ladder. It has all the benefits of both the ‘Lifestyle’ and ‘Career’ jobs but with none of the shortcomings: You love your work You are creatively learning and growing every day You are always meeting new people and building your network The job and the work environment are both stress-free You love your co-workers The commute is amazing The pay is well beyond your basic needs The hours are awesome and you have plenty of time off during the year for vacations You are proud of the work you do every day and love sharing it with others You can’t imagine doing anything else It’s extremely rare to find your ‘Dream’ job. Most people assume it will always be just that...a dream...and no amount of hard work can guarantee success. What if instead of relying on “more hustle,” “putting your nose to the grindstone,” or “wearing your sleep deprivation badge of honor” there was a completely different factor that ultimately determined whether or not you landed your ‘Dream’ job and enjoyed the journey along the way? The (Not-so-Secret) Secret to Success Notice I don’t categorize specific job titles into the four different types listed above. That isn’t by accident...that is by design. For example, I don’t classify “Janitor, intern, assistant, accountant, or PA” as ‘Paycheck’ jobs. Conversely I also don’t classify “Director, editor, writer, or studio executive” as either ‘Career’ jobs or ‘Dream’ jobs. Most people would assume an assistant who fetches coffee and dry cleaning must be working a ‘Paycheck’ job because the hours are long, the duties are downright miserable, and the quality of life sucks. But if that assistant works in an environment that fosters growth and there are networking opportunities, simply by recognizing the benefits that come along with that position, it has instantly upgraded to a ‘Career’ job. On the flip side, it’s also conceivable that despite directing $200 million studio feature films for a living, you aren’t working your ‘Dream’ job, instead you simply have a ‘Paycheck’ job (see: Michael Bay). Ultimately the only factor that determines which job type you have is the mindset you bring to it every single day. Several years back I reached a shocking point in my career I never anticipated. After editing four seasons of Burn Notice, nobody wanted to hire me. After editing four seasons of Burn Notice, nobody wanted to hire me. I couldn’t find another editing job anywhere. I assumed after working on a hit show I’d never have to look for work again, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. After several months of unemployment a referral from a colleague ended up landing me a job on a new show called Black Box, a medical procedural for ABC (with no recognizable stars). Never heard of ‘Black Box’? Don’t worry, neither has anyone else. If there’s one thing I have no interest in editing (ever), it’s a medical procedural. But here I was needing a steady income with zero other opportunities available. I knew at that moment if I was going to spend the next six months of my life doing creative work I had no interest in whatsoever, I had to shift my perspective for the sake of my mental health. There was no question that Black Box was not my ‘Dream’ job. Given the hours were long, it was a stressful first season show, and the commute sucked, it most certainly wasn’t a ‘Lifestyle’ job. And at first glance for me personally it definitely wasn’t a ‘Career’ job because I wasn’t interested in working on a medical show. So I guess I had to suck it up and accept that Black Box was just a ‘Paycheck’ job, right? Punch in...do the bare minimum...punch out. Easy enough. If I could narrow down the turning point of my entire career to one single moment, this was the moment. As I sat in the parking lot my first morning at Black Box I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and I told myself the number one goal of this job opportunity was to expand my professional network. That became my “One Thing.” I consistently delivered great work every single day because I was confident that doing great work would lead to the opportunity to do more great work in the future. Expanding my professional network required me to do excellent work every single day so the directors, producers, and show runners would want to work with me on future projects. Even though I wasn’t creatively interested in a medical procedural, I consistently delivered great work every single day because I was confident that doing great work would lead to the opportunity to do more great work in the future. This single shift in perspective on day one of what could have been a dead-end ‘Paycheck’ job led me to editing two seasons of Empire (Ilene Chaiken was the showrunner of Black Box who then became the showrunner of Empire). This single shift in perspective also led to editing three seasons of Shooter because the post-production producer loved working with me and wanted me on all of her future teams. And this single shift in perspective has led to three different offers to edit tv pilots and a Netflix series because the creator of Black Box and one of the directors loved my work as well. It wasn’t my ability to use Avid, my skills as a film editor, or resting on the laurels of my resume that landed me five seasons of editing work. I landed five seasons of editing work because of my attitude. Better opportunities will not lead to a better attitude. Having a better attitude will lead to better opportunities. Learn more about the importance of attitude in my interview with with Oscar-winning editor Billy Goldenberg, ACE. Now It’s Your Turn Working in a creative field can be incredibly frustrating because there’s no guarantee the effort you put in every single day will pay off...ever. It’s conceivable that after 4 years of undergrad, 3 years earning a master’s degree, post-graduate internships and entry-level jobs, and yet another several years of mid-level jobs that you still end up becoming a real estate agent or insurance salesman. While there’s no guarantee that you’ll become a feature film director after ten years of hard work like the guarantee doctors have, the one thing you can control is your attitude. Perspective is everything. If you’re working an entry-level job and hating every minute of it, instead of focusing on the things you’re not doing, try focusing instead on what you can learn from the things you are doing. If you’re doing the type of job you want but working on projects you absolutely hate, think about how bringing the best version of your craft to the table every single day can lead to lasting relationships and future projects you will absolutely love. If you’re bored at your current job because it doesn’t challenge you, focus on all of the lifestyle benefits you get from working close to home with co-workers you love with a steady paycheck and some ‘fun money’ to spare. And if after examining every facet of your current job you can find absolutely no benefits whatsoever outside of the fact that it allows you to pay the bills every month... ...maybe it’s time to pull the plug. Interested in getting the most out of every opportunity and having 100% confidence that your actions are leading you closer to your ‘Dream’ job? Enrollment for my brand new ‘Optimizers’ coaching program opens soon. Click here to join the waitlist.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

If you work a demanding creative job and you love doing creative work like I do, then you can most likely identify with how much I hate dealing with money, finances, bills, and paperwork. While I understand all of them are “necessary evils” to running a business and being successful, on an emotional level I feel like when I’m reconciling transactions, creating invoices, or organizing paperwork to do my taxes, I’m simply wasting my time because I’m not creating.Any time when I’m not “making cool stuff” is time I’m wasting.Luckily I no longer have to manage mounds of unfiled paperwork, paying bills, or reconciling transaction thanks largely in part to crossing paths with my guest today Sylvia Inks. She’s the founder of SMI Financial Coaching where she’s a business and financial coach who helps entrepreneurs and small business owners learn the financial skills necessary to succeed.Even though you may have never thought about it this way before, even if you just jump from one freelance job to the next, YOU are a small business. So this episode is especially helpful for those who work with multiple clients even if you don’t technically have a “business” with your own employees.Sylvia and I dive into all of the necessary steps to organize your finances so you spend less time wading through paperwork and more time creating things you love.If after this interview you are inspired to get your financial life organized, Sylvia has created an amazing guide where you can follow along one simple step at a time to organize your business finances and make your life easier. Click to download her 'Ultimate Guide to Organizing Your Business Finances.'Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Shifting your focus from being freelance to viewing yourself as a small businessPreventing the "week of pain" before taxes are dueFinding the expenses that you didn't know you could write offMaking your finances as simple as possible with helpful softwareTaking control of your finances, not just to save money, but to find money you didn't think you hadGetting into the mindset that time spent organizing your finances is not a waste of timeUsing Shoeboxed to digitize your important paperworkThe distinctions between an accountant and a CPAUseful Resources Mentioned:Small Business Finance for the Busy EntrepreneurFreshbooks Invoice and AccountingSMI Financial CoachingUltimate Guide to Organizing Your Business FinancesQuickbooksXero Accounting SoftwareDueShoeboxedSylvia's Folder StructureOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone interested in moving more at their height-adjustable workstation. Listen, standing desks are only great if you’re standing well, otherwise you’re constantly fighting fatigue and chronic pain. Not like any other anti-fatigue mat, the Topo is scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. And they’re really fun and a great conversation starter.Guest Bio:Facebook|Twitter|LinkedInSylvia Inks is a business and financial coach, who helps small business owners become confident by learning the business and financial skills to succeed in business, allowing them to spend more time and money on their family (and themselves).Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Jakin Rintelman. Special thanks to Krystle Penhall and Sarah Furie for helping to spread the love!The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

Click to Download Audio [Dad•bod] (noun): A male body type that is best described as "softly round." The type of physique a man "earns" when the increasing pressures of work life, married life, and especially fatherhood no longer allow him the time or drive to maintain a hard, toned figure. As a result, what was once a sculpted, chiseled frame digresses into a soft, flabby heaping pile of “I Don't Give A Shit Anymore.” A male who is usually over 30 years old that used to be jacked or in good shape, or an ex-athlete who is now an average Joe Blow with kids. Usually also hairy. Yup. Urban Dictionary1 pretty much nailed it, but they missed one small detail: They didn’t provide a photo. I’ll spare them the research. This was me just 3 months ago, the only day in my life I’ve ever tipped the scale over 200 pounds. And that one single day was more than enough to remind me I’m way closer to forty than thirty, and “getting back into shape” isn’t going to get any easier the longer I put it off. January 1st, 2018: 200.7 pounds, 38” waist, 25.3% body fat It was this very moment when I decided “Tomorrow” is no longer a day of the week on MY calendar. Given I spent ten years of my teens and early twenties obsessively training for a black belt in martial arts (and living in the weight room), and knowing it was only a few years ago that I crushed P90X2 and completed my first Spartan Trifecta, the only question that continually ran through my mind when I saw “200.7” on the scale was: “How the hell did I get here?”   It didn’t take long to do the math. 15 years of 12+ hour days living behind a computer (under constant stress...in the dark) Thousands of afternoon snacks in front of the television watching raw footage or reviewing cuts (because after a hard morning, “I deserved it”) 7 years of sleep deprivation after having two kids (they’re now 8 and 6, so I finally have sleep under control again) Only prioritizing exercise when I was training for events instead of turning it into a lifestyle choice and a regular weekly habit A lifetime of being a workaholic and prioritizing my career ahead of my well being Worst of all...2017 was not kind to me. I frequently refer to it as “The Lost Year.” According to my public profile I crushed it: I edited the pilot, finale, and two additional episodes of the limited TV series Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac & The Notorious B.I.G., I achieved the lifelong dream of becoming a member of the American Cinema Editors (ACE), and I rebranded from ‘Fitness In Post’ and launched ‘Optimize Yourself’ shortly after running a successful 5-day fitness challenge with over 1100 participants on six continents (I still can’t win over Antarctica). I found myself in the fetal position thinking, ‘My family would be better off without me.’ What you won’t learn about me on my IMDB page or Facebook is that I spent half of 2017 battling the second worst case of burnout I’ve ever faced that included months of writer’s block, debilitating social anxiety, and more than one occasion of suicidal depression where I found myself in the fetal position thinking, “My family would be better off without me.” Regular exercise and proper diet were distant memories in 2017. I spent six straight weeks between projects binging seven seasons of Shark Tank with a never-ending bowl of popcorn in one hand and Oreo’s in the other. And my daily fitness goal was attempting a 15 minute walk around the block without stopping to rest from exhaustion. (I failed more than I succeeded.) Listen here to learn more about how I dug myself out of the dark hole of depression by learning how to “rewrite my story.” So then what business does an out of shape television editor with a killer “Dad bod” have thinking he can legitimately compete against some of the top athletes on the planet on the show American Ninja Warrior? If you’re not familiar with the nationwide phenomenon that is ‘ANW,’ below I have provided clips of my two favorite runs of all time from then-rookie and now superstar Kevin Bull, as well as Jessie Graff (both of whom I’m convinced are superhuman).     On paper I clearly have no business training for one of the most competitive sports on the planet that requires ridiculous amounts of skill, strength, balance, coordination, and lightning speed: At 38, I’m “too old” to be running around on obstacle courses As a father of two with a demanding career I don’t have 3 hours a day, 6 days per week to train like a professional athlete I’ve never done a single day of gymnastics in my life (I can’t even do a cartwheel) My only prior knowledge of parkour comes courtesy of Michael Scott and his crew at “The Office” (Parkour!!!) Until a few months ago I had never done any rock climbing...ever At the lowest point of my depression last year, I could barely muster a single pull-up Therefore, the only sane question that comes to mind is…”Why?” My response is simply...“Why not?” It’s About More Than Just the Obstacles Despite the show being in its 6th season at the time, I only first heard of American Ninja Warrior (ANW) a few years ago when a YouTube video went viral of Kacy Catanzaro completing a city finals course...the first woman ever to do so (she is 5’ 0”, by the way). I watched the video thinking, “Wow, that looks kinda cool. Good for her.” And that was it. Not knowing much about the show at the time, I frankly thought it was a fancier version of “Wipeout.” A few months after, my kids starting watching ANW during their summer break. At first I would walk past and watch for one or two minutes, but given I spent the last several years running Spartan Races and Tough Mudders, I quickly became intrigued and soon found myself sitting with them and binge-watching the show for hours at a time. What drew me to ANW was not the physical feats of superhuman strength, balance, and coordination. Sure the obstacles were cool, but what was so compelling were the personal stories and journeys of each of the participants, many of whom were completely “regular” people with normal jobs and families. They weren’t professionals performing for millions of dollars per year. These were people paying their own way to travel and be on that course (some of whom waited in line for weeks) because they had a mission, a larger purpose to fulfill, and people in their lives that needed a little inspiration. Participant Zach Gowen running with one leg Frankly, many of the contestants had no business being there at all. Some of them were too short. Others were too old. One guy had a prosthetic leg, and another guy didn’t have a leg at all! Some participants were former athletes out to prove something, but other contestants were postal workers, farmers, teachers, computer programmers, engineers, maintenance workers, meteorologists, and ER doctors...just to name a few. Perhaps the greatest thing about ANW is that they fully embrace female participation...but the women have to beat the exact same course as the men. Women like Kacy Catanzaro, Jessie Graff, Meagan Martin, Barclay Stockett, caregiver Jesse Labreck, and elementary school teacher Allyssa Beird, are all examples of female participants who have completed insane courses the vast majority of the men couldn't. Name one other sport where women are allowed to compete at the same level with the men. Some of the top female ANW athletes The one constant across every season of the show is that all the participants are real people willing to push themselves outside their comfort zones to achieve something amazing in their lives and bring hope and inspiration to the most important people around them (not to mention the millions of people they inspire around the world). Hmm...the idea of someone faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles who overcame them to achieve their goals. Sound familiar? Tell Me Something Can’t Be Done...I’ll Show You How It Can Be Done By the end of my kids’ summer break ANW had become a full-blown family obsession (It’s now basically the only show we watch together), and on more than one occasion I found myself thinking, “Wouldn’t that be awesome to do? I think I could do that.”  Many would leave it at that and go back to their daily lives (at least the sane people). For me, the phrase “Wouldn’t that be awesome to do?” has a much deeper meaning. It is the word-for-word phrase that I heard over and over for seven straight years while producing and directing the documentary film GO FAR: The Christopher Rush Story about the first quadriplegic with muscular dystrophy to become a licensed scuba diver.   Watch the first quadriplegic with muscular dystrophy become a licensed scuba diver Dedicating seven years of my life to telling Christopher’s story taught me many profound life lessons, but the one lesson that sticks out far above all others is the simplest of concepts: Everyone has a disability. Chris was fond of saying  that “Everyone has a disability.” His disability was neuromuscular - he simply had no physical strength. For others it might be their sight, their hearing, a genetic disease, their financial status, or mental health issues. If you just resign and say you can’t do something because of your disabilities, then you are fundamentally cheating yourself out of the richness that your other abilities will provide for you. - Christopher Rush Every single person who competes on American Ninja Warrior has their own disability. Every. Single. One. While most of the athletes may appear superhuman, the only difference is they have chosen to focus on their abilities, not make excuses because of their disabilities. I can think of hundreds of reasons why I can’t compete, but I have no intention of cheating myself or my family of the richness this opportunity could provide us. Therefore I only need one reason to try...because I can. Welcome to the “Discomfort Zone” If a teenager without the use of his arms or legs has the courage to be weighted down, thrown into the water, and he can fearlessly swim the depths of the Cayman Islands with a smile on his face, I think I can muster the courage to overcome my own disabilities and climb the ‘Warped Wall.’ I  can get over my fear of heights and become a rock climber. I can get over years of “having a bad back” and dive head first into Crossfit. I can get over a lifetime of social anxiety and hang out with a bunch of teenagers to learn Parkour. Most importantly, I can make the commitment to living life outside my comfort zone and accept that failures on a daily basis are just a necessary part of writing my new “origin story.” Gymnastics, rock climbing, and parkour might not be my things (yet). But summoning intense, ninja-like focus to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and achieve a truly meaningful goal that everyone says can’t be done? Yup...that’s tailor made for me.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

It’s extremely common for people who are highly creative to also constantly battle with things like depression, anxiety, and attention issues. If you’ve listened to past episodes you know this is basically the story of my entire adult life, and I even delve into the link between depression and creativity in the very first episode of this show. For years I believed that I must just be a weak person, or maybe I was just doing the wrong things, or worst of all..maybe I was just “broken.” When my journey of overcoming depression and anxiety began there was no definitive diagnostic test that proved what I was battling was real, so it was easy to think (or have other people believe) that I was just “making this stuff up.” Luckily with some amazing advances in genetic testing over the last several years, depression and anxiety can be tested no different than whether or not you might have diabetes. More importantly, with the results of your genetic testing, you can make much more informed decisions about lifestyle changes that can significantly improve the quality of your life...possibly without the need for antidepressants (but please consult a medical professional before making any changes to your prescription medication, regardless of what you might learn in this interview). I’m very excited today to have the opportunity to speak with quite possibly the foremost expert on the entire planet when it comes to genetic testing, and more importantly interpreting the results of genetic tests from companies such as 23andme. My guest is Dr. Ben Lynch, the founder of the company Strategene, and he’s also the author of the book Dirty Genes: A Breakthrough Program to Treat the Root Cause of Illness and Optimize Your Health. In this episode we talk all about the genetic mutations that are very common for those dealing with mental health issues, and more importantly the simple lifestyles changes you can make to better manage (and even overcome) your mental health issues.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Understanding your personality from the perspective of geneticsThe "drive-thru" medicine approach and why it fails youWe all have dirty genes (genes that aren't functioning at their best)Epigenetics and what it looks it looks like to take control of your bodyYour genes are more malleable that you've been lead to believeThe importance of having a positive mindset when analyzing your genetic makeupRemoving the negative stigma of genetic differencesThe importance of Methylation as the basis of all bodily functionsLearning how to read and apply the results of a Strategene reportWeaning yourself off of total reliance on your doctor for your health and well-beingYour lifestyle choices' effects on the way your body functionsAction steps that can help improve your symptoms without relying on trial and error medicineUseful Resources Mentioned:Dr. Ben Lynch 23 and Me Strategene Qualia Podcast Zack's Stratagene Report ABC's of Better Health (Dirty Genes Bonus Chapter)Our Generous Sponsor:This episode is made possible by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone interested in moving more at their height-adjustable workstation. Listen, standing desks are only great if you’re standing well, otherwise you’re constantly fighting fatigue and chronic pain. Not like any other anti-fatigue mat, the Topo is scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. And they’re really fun and a great conversation starter.Guest Bio:Facebook|Twitter|InstagramDr. Ben Lynch received his Cell and Moleular Biology, BS from the University of Washington and his ND from Bastyr University. His passion for identifying the cause of disease directed him towards nutrigenomics and methylation dysfunction. Currently, he researches, writes and presents worldwide on the topic of MTHFR and methylation defects. He is the author of Dirty Genes. You may learn more about Dr. Lynch and his work at www.drbenlynch.com. Dr Lynch is also the President & Founder of Seeking Health, a company oriented towards disease prevention and health promotion. He lives in Seattle, WA with his wife, Nadia, and three boys, Tasman, Mathew and Theodor.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Jakin Rintelman. Special thanks to Krystle Penhall and Sarah Furie for helping to spread the love! The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet). Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

Click to Download AudioHere are two things that rarely ever happen:Me spending more than five minutes per day on Twitter.Twitter providing profound and meaningful value powerful enough to change someone’s perspective of life as they know it.But the perfect storm happened recently when I discovered this story while killing a few minutes on Twitter before a client session.Get This…Apparently a married couple in China was going through old photos of themselves as teenagers, and they stumbled upon similar photos where each of them was standing in front of the same monument twenty years before.Cool coincidence, right?Here’s where it gets interesting. The husband photobombed his wife in the background of her picture without either of them realizing it. They took the exact same picture at the EXACT SAME MOMENT in time.Your mind still isn’t blow yet?The husband photobombed his wife’s picture YEARS before they ever met - the same location at the same single second in time in a country with over 1 BILLION people (before digital photography no less).I’m not a mathematician or a quantum physicist, but I would guess the sheer probability of this has got to be around 0%. Yet it happened. And not only did it happen, but there’s documented proof.The WHAT Isn’t As Important As the WHYThis story quickly went viral with many news organizations and websites sharing it, but as far as I can find, everyone has focused on WHAT happened and how amazing this coincidence is. I have yet to find a story about WHY this is important.Realizing there are certain things that happen in life beyond our ability to comprehend got me thinking about the life lessons one could take from a seemingly impossible occurrence such as this.I reached out to my readers & listeners to see how this story impacted them:For me this is a great reminder that life will always guide us where we need to be. So why stress?! I've had a few instances where if I missed an opportunity that was meant to be, it appeared for me again later just like it did for them. True grace.Julie F.It seems like this story and the photo proves the old saying that there are no insignificant moments.Robert G.Amazing indeed... just what I needed cause I’m about to give up on ever finding a job. Lesson to be taken? Don’t ever give up!Christine S.No matter your religious or spiritual beliefs, it’s hard to question that these photos affirm something we cannot quite comprehend is most likely guiding us in some way, shape, or form.And I too agree that there is no such thing as “insignificant moments,” only moments we choose to ignore.Plus thanks largely in part to Christopher Rush, “never give up” is a mantra I live by every single day.But I think there’s another lesson in this story that anyone can apply to their own lives that will lead to success, no matter the goal they are pursuing.What this couple didn’t realize until twenty years later is that at this very moment they were writing ‘Day One’ of their origin story.The Power of PerspectiveWhile there’s no way to know what was actually going through the minds of these two young adults while taking these pictures, let’s speculate for a second and make up our own story.Let’s assume the young man in the photo was frustrated and depressed because he’s still single no matter how hard he looks for his soulmate. He’s miserable that he’s making no progress and can’t see the finish line, especially given he was sure he would have found someone by now. Even worse, he doesn’t believe there’s a path he can follow, and he has no feeling of control. Therefore he’s chosen to give up on finding true love - it just doesn’t exist.The young man is focused on the destination, and because he hasn’t reached it yet, he has labeled himself a failure.Let’s assume the young woman in the photo was also single and looking for her soulmate, but her perspective is different. She truly believes that her soulmate is out there and the time will come when they meet, so she continues to live her life with joy and purpose and embrace the struggle knowing the day will come when she finds her soulmate. She continues to put herself out there even when the people she meets along the way aren’t the right fit.The young woman is focused on the process and is willing to embrace the struggle along the way, confident her actions are leading her closer to the finish line.Same picture, yet two very different perspectives.So...what the heck does a twenty-year old photobomb in China have to do with you?There is a good chance you are approaching the most meaningful goals in your life the same way the young man in the photo was.Do you identify more with guy #1 or guy #2?Having spoken one-on-one with hundreds of people in creative professions similar to mine, the overarching theme is the frustration that there is no single path to follow that will lead to success. Not knowing whether or not your actions are leading you forwards causes stress, anxiety, and ultimately causes many people to simply give up because they are seemingly “getting nowhere.”While taking nothing away from the difficult accomplishment that is becoming a doctor or lawyer, they have a very clear path to follow with benchmarks along the way. But in creative professions it’s conceivable that you can spend $100,000+ on your education and also spend years doing additional training and working unpaid internships only to end up fetching a director’s coffee and dry cleaning for the next ten years.I spent the first decade of my film editing career jumping between random indie trailers, featurettes, short documentaries, as well as editing several low budget indie films (that I’d prefer to not have on my IMDB page). If I had to choose a single word to describe the first ten years of my career it would be “scattershot.”Had I set the goal, “I will be a successful A-list editor working in scripted dramatic television by age 29,” I would’ve woken up on my 29th birthday as a massive failure.My only choice that morning would have been to turn around with my shoulders shrugged, my tail tucked between my legs, and become an accountant because that would be the “reliable choice.”Yet less than a year later I landed my dream job editing the television show Burn Notice because I focused on the process and had clarity about the destination I was working towards, I took action consistently, and I embraced the struggle along the way, confident my consistent actions would lead me to the right opportunity...eventually.Change Your Vocabulary, Change Your LifeYou will no doubt call me a liar, but I affirm the following statement to be 100% true: I don’t have any problems in my life.Not one single solitary problem.How in the world is this possible?My life is FAR from perfect and I struggle every single day to balance a demanding job as a television editor, documentary director, blogger & podcaster, father of 2 highly energetic and creative kids, being present for my wife, as well as building multiple online education programs both for my own business as well as LinkedIn Learning.The reason I don’t have problems in my life is because the word “problem” isn’t a part of my vocabulary. My life is instead full of challenges and obstacles.When I’m faced with challenges and obstacles in my life, I know there are only two possible outcomes.I will overcome my challenges and obstacles and succeed.I will fail, learn from the experience by understanding WHY I failed, and then continue forging ahead.No matter the challenge or obstacle I’m facing at the time, and no matter how many times I fail, I’m always thinking one thing: “When I succeed, this is going to make a great story.”Be willing to embrace the many challenges and obstacles in your life as learning opportunities. The more you fail, the faster you’re learning. And the faster you learn, the closer you are to success.Moreover, it’s okay if your roadmap to success is fuzzy right now - just make sure your picture of the destination is crystal clear.Most importantly, be okay with the uncertainty of not knowing exactly what the path to success looks like because the next important action you are about to take is just another chapter of your “origin story.”Who knows, maybe twenty years from now you’ll be working with the next Steven Spielberg (or you’ll even BE the next Steven Spielberg), and you’ll realize that you photobombed Spielberg himself while you were getting coffee for his assistant’s assistant. Interested in learning how to design your own unique roadmap to success? I’d love to work with you in the first round of my ‘Design Yourself’ program. Learn more about setting goals and achieving them:Here’s Why Over 90% of People Fail to Achieve Their ResolutionsFinding Your ‘One Thing’ | with Jay PapasanWhy People Fail and How to Properly Set Your Goals | with Jeanette GoodrichSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

Let’s face it...creative people like us are a bit weird. Being socially awkward is just part of the package. Sitting in a dark room for days at a time making cool stuff - piece of cake. But throw us into a large crowd and force us to speak to other human beings and it gets ugly fast. But networking is a necessary skill to master if you intend to thrive in your creative career because no matter how awesome your work, people can’t hire you if they don’t know you exist!I honestly can’t think of more than a small handful of people I know in my entire industry who are natural at “offline” networking (for those of you who spend all of your energy on social networking online, offline networking is in that vast terrifying space called “the real world.”) So for all of the socially awkward introverts out there like me, I’ve brought in an expert at offline networking to help you break the ice and start building your list of quality connections like a ninja.My guest in this episode is Camille Virginia, the founder of Master Offline Dating. She has a unique talent and incredible passion for creating instant, in­-person connections and building authentic relationships. Her specialty is helping singles who are burned out with online dating and apps to find love in their own lives by providing the key skills to boost social confidence, create connection, and find lasting commitment in the real world.Trust me...the skills she teaches in the dating world are equally as applicable to professional networking settings because the key to networking is building meaningful relationships. I highly recommend taking notes and trying out a few of these approaches at your next networking event.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:The universal building blocks of human relationships and social strugglesDepersonalization and the pitfalls of online datingHow can someone introverted have a successful networking presence?The similar mechanics of dating and networkingHow to approach strangers as "friends you haven't met yet"Introducing yourself to people confidently and authenticallyProcessing the emotional toll of intense social interaction as an introvert"You have something in common with every person that you speak to"Speaking out of curiosity rather than just engaging socially acceptable topicsValuing the people you are meeting for the first timeUseful Resources Mentioned:Dating App Detox: The ultimate guide to getting a date without going onlineOur Generous Sponsor:This episode is made possible by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone interested in moving more at their height-adjustable workstation. Listen, standing desks are only great if you’re standing well, otherwise you’re constantly fighting fatigue and chronic pain. Not like any other anti-fatigue mat, the Topo is scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. And they’re really fun and a great conversation starter. Guest Bio:Facebook|Twitter|InstagramCamille Virginia is the founder of Master Offline Dating. She has a unique talent and incredible passion for creating instant, in­-person connections and building authentic relationships.Through private coaching, online courses, and live workshops she helps singles who are burned out with online dating and apps to find love in their own lives by providing the key skills to boost social confidence, create romantic connection, and find lasting commitment in the real world.Get her FREE gift Dating App Detox: The ultimate guide to getting a date without going online: www.masterofflinedating.com/yourself Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Jakin Rintelman. Special thanks to Krystle Penhall and Sarah Furie for helping to spread the love!The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

I get it. You most likely chose a creative career because you love working on your own. As a Hollywood film & tv editor I spend the vast majority of my life in a small dark room...alone. I not only chose my profession because I love the craft of filmmaking, I also chose it because I’m not the most social person on the planet. I’m what you would call an “extreme introvert.” (Don’t believe me? Just ask my wife) Being introverted and socially awkward is not a valid excuse, however, for avoiding the most necessary step to landing your dream career - networking. I don't care how amazing you are at your specific craft, it doesn't matter if the right people don't know that you exist. The key mindset shift when it comes to networking is thinking of it as a skill you must develop no different than learning software. Rather than spending time watching Adobe Premiere or After Effects tutorials, your primary objective is developing your ability to persuade. No matter how socially awkward you might be now, networking is absolutely a skill you can master with practice and consistency. Defining the Term "Expert" For the sake of clarity let’s first define the term “expert” because it can apply to many different types of people, it’s not about only finding masters of your craft who are the best ever at what they do. Sure meeting Steven Spielberg would be amazing, but getting to know his receptionist is a far more likely path to getting in the door. An expert could very easily be someone at the very top of their game and a legend in your field. An example in my specific industry would be Walter Murch, Oscar-winning editor of such films as Apocalypse Now, The Conversation, The English Patient,  Cold Mountain, and frankly too many other classics to mention. An expert can also mean someone just slightly more experienced than you. The outside world might not consider this person an “expert,” but they’ve gone further down the path than you have. They are an expert at helping you get from where you are to where you want to be. For example, if you’re working as a night logger on a reality TV show, an “expert” to you could be an assistant editor working on a high profile scripted drama. Your networking approach is no different whether you’re approaching a legend or someone only one rung higher than you on the same ladder. Networking Done Very, Very Wrong There is a right way and a wrong way to go about connecting and building relationships with industry experts and influencers no matter if you're approaching them in person or electronically. Heeding the following warnings could literally be the difference between you landing your dream career someday vs wondering why you “never get lucky.” 1) DO NOT ask for anything. Don’t hand someone your demo reel and/or business card right after meeting them and say, “I’m available for work right now and I have XYZ skills, and I’ve worked for all these different companies and if you hear of anything that might be available I’d love to be considered. And I’d love your thoughts on my demo reel too!” Put yourself in the expert's shoes for a second. They got where they are by working hard and building their own network. They have an entire list of people at their fingertips for when jobs open. Why would they consider you? They don’t know you from anyone else and they have no idea if you’re worth recommending. You must earn your spot on that coveted list. Think this doesn’t happen? I receive emails and messages via social media like the one below all the time from people I’ve never interacted with once. I get messages like this on a weekly basis 2) DO NOT ask to go out to lunch (or even coffee) to “pick their brain” in your first interaction. Once again, put yourself in the expert’s shoes…do they have an hour in their hectic day to spend with someone they’ve never met that may or may not be able to string two coherent sentences together? Nope. The knee-jerk response to this is, “Well they’re just an a-hole if they don’t have one hour for me. They just don’t want to help people.” No, actually they don't have 10 hours a week for all the requests they most likely receive every single day. It’s your job to stand out from the crowd and earn that lunch. In the next section I’ll show you how to earn it the right way. 3) DO NOT approach an expert without a plan. It doesn’t matter if you’re meeting them in person or reaching out via Twitter, Facebook, or email. The worst thing you can do in your first connection is say, “I’d love some advice,” and then when they do respond you say, “Well I don’t really have anything specific. I’m just curious what I can to do be successful.” Conversely, don’t reach out to an expert and share your life story and ask them 15 questions either. Don’t make the expert do all the hard work for you, be concise in your request. Come prepared with one question in advance. Do research on this expert before approaching them to understand what they’re working on. (If you’re interested in perfecting your “elevator pitch,” keep reading) The Secret to Networking The Right Way Assuming you’ve internalized the above approaches and you swear to never make these networking faux pas again (like EVER EVER again), you now have only one goal when building your network: Creating meaningful relationships. Whether you’re trying to connect with experts or just chat with people at a bar, you have only one goal: Create meaningful relationships. If my choices were either to hand out my business card to 50 people at a giant convention and hope 5 email me back or instead leave having created one new relationship, I’ll take the latter option every single time. Networking is a game of chess, not a game of checkers. If you’re wondering how in the world you can build a relationship with an expert in your chosen field if you’re just getting started and they are higher up on the ladder, the key is to add value. Which leads to the next obvious question: “How the heck do I add value if I have nothing to offer???”   1) Realize that you have at least one skill that expert doesn’t. I guarantee you are better than them at something. If you gently steer your conversation with them towards your skills (only if it naturally fits the conversation), perhaps there’s an opening for you to lend your services (for free of course, DO NOT use this as an opportunity to land a paid gig). Your conversation might go as follows: EXPERT: “I’ve been crazy busy working on this film and it’s been a wonderful experience, but to be honest it’s been tough to keep everything organized. I feel like I’m buried in paperwork. You should see my office!” YOU: “Wow, that sounds nuts. I’ve been through that before too, but then I discovered this cool program called Trello. Have you heard of it?” EXPERT: “No, what the heck is Trello?” YOU: “It’s this awesome project management tool I use to help me keep all my paperwork organized digitally. I’d be happy to shoot a quick screencast video on how I use it to keep all my stuff super organized and email it to you. Would that be cool? No strings attached.” EXPERT: “Yeah, that sounds awesome. Here’s my email address.” BAM!!!! You just found a way to stand out from the crowd, provide value, and get them to offer their email address…and you didn’t even have to ask for it! 2) Periodically send resources you’ve discovered that show your shared interests. After making your initial connection with an expert, keep your new relationship alive by showing you understand their interests and you perhaps have the same interests in common (just don’t abuse this privilege). For example I get emails all the time from people I’ve met at networking events or that read my blog or listen to my podcast where they send useful links to other products, programs, or guests I might have on my show in the future. It’s easy to make the assumption that you cannot provide meaningful value if you don’t have the same level of knowledge as another “expert,” but in my mind every single person I come in contact with knows more than me about at least one thing (and generally many things). 3) Take the advice you’ve received and put it into action. If you’ve begun a cordial relationship with an expert and they have given you one or two pieces of great advice, prove to them you actually listened and did something. For example, let’s say this expert answered your “one question” at a networking event (you did only approach them with one specific question, right?) and suggested you finish your undergrad education instead of taking a paid job you were offered during a college internship. After making the decision to go back to school, follow up with the expert who gave you the advice and just say, “Hey, wanted you to know I decided to finish school based on your recommendation, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Thank you!” How does this add value? Simple, it makes them feel good about helping you. They successfully helped send the elevator back down to somebody else. Only after providing value will the door open to further your relationship by grabbing lunch, coffee, or even shadowing that person for a few hours. This is time you have to earn by showing you know how to play the game. Want to see this system in action? Listen to my interview with Chris Visser. He used these steps to land the job as my assistant editor. How to Perfect Your “Elevator Pitch” Alright, now it’s time to get down to brass tacks. Whether you’re reaching out to someone via email, social media, or meeting with an expert in person, you need to have your pitch down if you want to get noticed and stand out from the crowd. NOTE: It’s called an “elevator pitch” because in a hypothetical scenario you have serendipitously gotten into an elevator with this expert or influencer and you have the amount of time to pitch that it takes to get from the ground flour to their floor.  No pressure… “So…you live around here?” Pitching an Expert In Person DO NOT under any circumstances approach someone after a panel or at a networking event and say, “I just want to do everything! Do you have any advice?” If you want to stand out and be memorable, you need to be specific. Have a succinctly honed elevator pitch with specifics about you, your interests, and where you desire to go in your career. Not sure how to narrow down your interests? Try the 'Tornado Technique' that I break down in detail in my Ultimate Guide to 'Making It' In Hollywood (As a Creative). You must have a succinct, pre-rehearsed answer to the most common question you’ll most likely be asked by not only the expert you are approaching but also other people you meet: “So…what do you do?” Here’s how NOT to answer this question: "I'm thinking of becoming an editor, I guess. I'm still figuring it out." Here's a much more concise answer to this question: “I’m currently working my way into editing scripted drama because I love character-driven stories. Emotion is what draws me to my favorite shows, and [your latest project] happens to be one of my favorites on TV. If you don’t mind I’d love to ask you one question. How did you….” Your goal is not to impress someone, your goal is to make yourself unique and memorable in as few words as possible (without being weird). While your question is being answered, pay attention. This sounds ridiculous, but nothing will disqualify you more than approaching an expert, asking your question, then looking around the room for your next “target." Show you are listening and that this advice is valuable to you. Once your question has been answered, you’re going to have to play a bit of jazz and improvise. If there are fifty other people waiting in line behind you, it’s time to move on. If you have room to breath, maybe ask a related follow up question if you’re getting the vibe that things are going well. If you want to get their contact info, DO NOT say, “Can I have your email address so I can send you my reel?” This puts them in an awkward position of most likely having to say no because they don’t want their personal information circulating. Moreover, if 20 other people are standing around, that means this person is giving away their email not to just you but 20 other people. The super-secret ninja method is instead to ask for the contact info of this person’s assistant, publicist, support staff, etc. You have a much better chance of connecting with a “gatekeeper” than the expert if you are making a cold approach. If you still insist on trying to get their contact info and there aren’t other people around, the best method is to phrase it this way: “Wow, the advice you gave me is just invaluable. I cannot thank you enough. Once I implement this I’d love to let you know how it helped me. Do you mind if I keep in touch via email and share my results with you?” As mentioned in the previous section, this approach provides genuine value to the expert by showing you know how to take advice and implement it. Everyone loves helping someone else find success. Pitching an Expert via Email When pitching an expert via email, remember they have a lot of other emails to get through, and if they’re truly an “expert,” it means their life is busy. Keep it simple. DO NOT share your life story, every single challenge you’re facing in your career, and ten questions you’d like them to answer on top of that. Try out this formula for your next pitch email: Briefly introduce yourself using your elevator pitch Share a piece of information personal to them that proves you’ve done your research and you aren’t sending the same email template to 100 people Ask one question (a related follow up question is okay as well) If this person is a halfway decent human being they will most likely respond, but do not expect them to respond promptly. In general an email like this goes into the “Someday” folder. The last thing you want to do is blow your chance at a potential response and lifelong relationship by getting irritated after only 3 days and sending the following message: “Hey, I sent you an email a few days ago and you haven’t responded yet. I know you’re busy, but after 3 days it’s kinda rude. I’d really appreciate a prompt answer to my question when you have a moment. Thank you.” This is an INSTANT DELETE. Do not make this mistake. Please. Like ever. Be willing to play the long game. If they haven’t responded in a month, it’s okay to gently nudge them as long as you are very conscious of their time. Try this simple email formula for getting their attention: “Hi, I don’t know if you remember me, a while back I inquired back about [X]. I’m sure you’re very busy, no problem at all. Just thought I’d float this to the top of your inbox as I know stuff falls through the cracks. Thanks so much.” Most likely it was an honest error and you’ll usually get a very polite response back, often the same day. The reality is you won’t always get a response. Plant enough seeds and eventually a few will sprout and grow. Networking Is One Piece of a Much Larger Puzzle If you want to land your dream job in your creative career of choice, there is no question that networking is a vital skill to master, but it isn't the only skill. Even if you follow every piece of advice listed above and build a solid network, do you have awesome work that demonstrates your skills? And even more importantly if you're working hard to climb the ladder of success, have you made sure you are climbing the right ladder to begin with? I cannot tell you how many friends and colleagues I've talked with who killed themselves in their 20's only to become "successful" and hate where they are now because they didn't take the time to assess whether they were climbing the right ladder at all. If you'd like to dive into the three fundamental steps I believe are necessary to "Make It" in any creative career, I recommend downloading my Ultimate Guide to 'Making It' In Hollywood (As a Creative). Best of luck networking at your next event! 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Kelley Dixon is the Emmy-winning editor of such iconic shows as Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, and Shameless. She has been nominated for an editing Emmy every single year since 2012 (winning in 2013 for an episode of Breaking Bad), she has been nominated for an Eddie Award seven out of the last eight years, and she has received numerous other nominations as well.Needless to say, Kelley is a film editing badass.In part 2 of our conversation today (Click here for part 1 of this interview) we dive as deep as I’ve ever gone into all of the steps necessary to climb from the bottom of the ladder to the top in Hollywood. We go over all the details of Kelley’s “overnight success story” where it took her just short of 20 years of being an assistant editor before exploding onto the scene with Breaking Bad. We chat about the mindset necessary to persevere, how to build relationships with producers, directors, and your editors so you put yourself in a position to be promoted when the time is right, how to develop your skills as an editor even if you're buried with assistant work, and most importantly we talk about the importance of playing chess with your career and making the right strategic moves rather than always chasing after the next shiny object and playing a game of checkers.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:How to know when you're ready to transition from being an assistantKelley's long and twisty path to becoming an Emmy-winning editorBuilding good relationships in the industryThe art of being a good conversationalistWhat to do when it's "your time" after being an assistant for two yearsThe importance of reminding yourself that there is no one way to make itFinding good editing mentorship to learn more as well as recognize your own styleThe danger of moving up the career ladder too quicklyHoning your editing craft by discussing subtextThe right way to approach experts instead of always asking, "Can I take you out for coffee?"Useful Resources Mentioned:Kelley DixonOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone interested in moving more at their height-adjustable workstation. Listen, standing desks are only great if you’re standing well, otherwise you’re constantly fighting fatigue and chronic pain. Not like any other anti-fatigue mat, the Topo is scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. And they’re really fun and a great conversation starter.This episode is made possible by the HumanCharger,  a revolutionary new light therapy device made specifically for people who spend long days in the dark and don’t get enough sunlight…i.e. You and me. Simply put in the earbuds for 12 minutes a day to receive your daily recommended dosage of UV-free white light. Doing so can drastically increase your energy, improve your mood, and increase mental alertness and focus.This device has literally changed my life and I use it every morning without fail. Use the code ‘OPTIMIZE’ to get 20% off your order.This episode is made possible by StoryBlocks, my go-to resource for professional stock images for my sites. Use this link to download anything from their library of over 400,000 stunning photos, textures, images, and icons free for 7 days and get discounts on millions of more items.Guest Bio:TwitterKelley Dixon grew up with a single mom who taught grade school on Chicago's South Side.After graduating from Colorado State University with a degree in Technical Journalism, Kelley's sights were set on a writing career in advertising. So it was WEST! To Los Angeles! And no openings in any of the ad firms of her dreams.So instead... Kelley landed a job in MGM's mail room, and there started a career in the film biz without going to film school!Kelley has spent the last 10 years editing Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Walking Dead, Preacher, HBO's Luck, and Shameless, among others. And has worked with some of her admired Directors and Producers and Editors.She has won 1 Emmy for Breaking Bad. And has received 9 Emmy Nominations and 6 ACE Nominations for her work.She wishes she had a better written bio than this and thinks talking about herself in the 3rd person is the most obnoxious arrogant thing and hopes you'll excuse it this time!Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Jakin Rintelman. Special thanks to Krystle Penhall and Sarah Furie for helping to spread the love!The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content