Will Smith Wisdom
If you haven't picked up your copy of Will Smith's memoire "Will," and want a successful career in entertainment, please do it today! Better yet, listen to it, as it contains snippets of his music which only adds to the experience! After reading this memoire, my respect for Will Smith, the artist and the man, only grew and I wanted to share 10 insights that I gleaned from his life. xxoo Krista
10 Fresh Career Insights from the Prince Himself:
1. Your Career is like a Brick Wall
Don't focus on the magnitude of the wall, focus on the individual brick. Lay it down one by one and in time, the brick wall will appear! Just listen to him tell the whole story in this free sample.
2. There is only one person in charge of your career and that is YOU. Only YOU
Will's military father would often say, "If 2 people are in charge, everyone dies." Seems pretty extreme, but I believe that is true for your career. Only you can decide what's right for you. Not your parents, your professors, your career counselor, not me, NOBODY lives in your skin. You can listen to everyone's advice, but check in with your soul and make sure it's right for you.
3. Parents can only understand so much
"You can't be a rapper because I don't know what that is" as said by Will's mother really struck me. Sometimes parents don't want certain things for you because they have no idea of what it is. How many of your parents understand the digital world or how being on Tik Tok can actually make you money? If your career calling flies in the face of a conventional career, that's okay, as long as you are paying your own way. When you are off the parental dole, you can make whatever decisions you want.
4. "Life is like school with one key difference
In school, you get the lesson, then you take the test. In life, you get the test and it's your job to take the lesson." paraphrased by Will Smith.
5. Be yourself
Will Smith's first hit ran counter to the rap culture. He used humor and admitted a "weakness" (getting punched in "Girls ain't nothing but trouble") in a lyric that got the attention of mogul Russell Simmons. You gotta listen to yourself and be uniquely you, no matter what everyone else is doing and the right people will notice.
6. Don't miss the opportunity to elevate
One of his partners was intimidated by a big name like Russell Simmons coming on board to elevate Will's career and eventually missed out big time because of ego. Sometimes the people who got you to the party, aren't the people who will take you to the next one. When opportunity knocks, please answer with courage.
7. Don't block your blessings
Miracle moments, divine timing, and your lucky breaks can happen....usually when you least expect it. The story of Quincy Jones asking Will to audition on the spot at a party is an incredible story. Read the story directly from him, but just know that impromptu audition was starting point of mega hit "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." The show was cast, shot, promoted and premiered in only 6 months. That is simply unheard of today!
8. Read "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho
It's a magical story about destiny that inspired Will Smith, our recent Coffee with KP guest and HarperCollins executive Lisa Sharkey (literally, she mentioned this on the session just 2 weeks ago) and I'd guess millions of others! My uncle gave me this book when I graduated from college and hit me in the same magical way it hit Will Smith! Let me know if it does the same for you too.
10. A delay in plans just might be the pause you need to create
The iconic "Summertime" was written in a 2-hour delay at O'Hare airport. You can be angry when life meets you with an obstacle or you can use the time to do something great. When the COVID lock down's happened in March of 2020, I didn't know what it would mean for my students and clients who were looking for jobs. I ended up hosting casual conversations to meet industry pros and called it Coffee with KP so my students and clients could stay connected to their dreams and the people who could possibly make them happen during this strange time. My first guest was my former assistant WME Partner and Non-scripted Dept co-head David Sherman and today, I'm hosting my 169th session with one of my past students who is now a CE for Director John Chu. I'm not sure I could have ever imagined such a program if life had continued in the same direction. There can be a silver lining to anything.