Intern Curtis returned to the pages of study early yesterday—he travels to our studio from Asheville to do nothing more than learn the fine art of conversation. That sort of dedication, loyalty and determination seems to inspire the thirty plus year veteran within the sips of the cups of water I devour every hour.
Thumb through old notes and blogs and you’ll quickly take note of the number of times Mr. Curtis has been brought to your attention. He’s the intern I played tough love with during a bout of not physically understanding what it is radio people do on and off stage and behind the scenes. What seems digestible to most proved to be horridly mind boggling to the continued dreams of the mountain man whose vow is to become a performer on this place music and politics get so much attention.
Remaining focused on the situation at hand then not holding true to the lessons shared is what made me think he wasn’t hungry enough to build his fortress on the land that for the moment carries my team—after an unrehearsed speech of what’s required to play this game, we agreed that it was time for him to leave. Please come back when you’re hungry…extremely hungry for something other than a place to hangout like a teen.
Curtis wasted no time to locate that hidden vibe—studying the art of what it is we do, he set sail on an ocean where getting a job is chased down by 3,000 others trying to make the same accomplishment. Ignoring the odds by putting focus on completion he’s made his way back to the stage by way of proving just how hungry his soul can be.
Focus on completion…
Within the limits to which we place ourselves on a daily if not hourly basis, the idea of just getting done with a current project energizes the warmth of a good days work. After which you’re left with a pain in your gut wondering why you no longer feel the origin of your dreams. Cold, empty, lack of spirit and drive, no need to climb anymore because starting over at your age means you’ll probably quit before being recognized by the masses that’ve already climbed a ladder thought to be made of success.
It’s human to lose focus on what’s important. We get caught up in the organization of a project, the task list and timeline teamed up with those required to put air under our wings only to learn the attention required to maintain a visual is ripped from the core of our built in systems leaving what could’ve been in a pile of everything else we’ve done along the way.
Focus on completion…
Each day Author Leo Babauta aligns his life and style in the way of moving all objects involved in a project forward by way of completion. Setting aside distractions is horribly difficult. That’s why you never catch Arroe leaving the building for lunch—it takes too long to catch back up. I don’t expect people to understand the process, they aren’t me, so the main focus is constantly set on completing rather than competing.
The act of completion requires three main objectives: Have an outcome—anyone who writes, designs, paints or prints has learned through the school of hard knocks to recognize the sketches delivered when a project is complete. How do teachers, grocery store managers, city bus drivers and airline pilots fit within the realms of completion? Gaining access to what writers call the beginning middle and end opens the door to completion.
My most recent book was delivered much differently than most novels of get better writings presented in pages past. This time around I’d write to write—just get it out, drain the brain and spell out the purpose of there being a bunch of words sitting in front of me. Do not edit…period. You can’t be everything to all things begging to be heard unless you’re physically willing to convince yourself to do it one personality and or project at a time.
Move from projects to tasks—an idea is a project; there is no reality unless you create a task. Figure out the plans required to take what you see and turn into something others can touch. Tasks are not goals…tasks are tools that build unforgettable skyscrapers.
Each day, move a single task into the bracket called completion. No new sun shall rise without your efforts of taking three tasks and giving them life. One of them should be completed by days end. The human mind is creatively and constantly inspired by the movement of water…become what I call the Kooshatay Ookooshstah: the creative flow.
Never forget to reassess your progress. Managers are brilliant at telling employees when they’re not doing well because those on the upper level take the time to reassess. Have you ever sat back and watched a worker bee take over a freshly grown flower? They don’t hang around long enough to gather all the pollen. The momma bee would kick their tail up one side and down the other if she knew how her employees work. Getting sidetracked is human nature but it requires focus…which is what Curtis lacked during the opening efforts of his budding radio career.
To keep on track requires one simple task—ask those eyes constantly looking back in the mirror what its been up to lately and look to see if what you expect from that person is being delivered. Review your layout of ideas while locating strength in the roots that make your trees extremely green during summer droughts.
Curtis hates Liver mush…to quickly grasp his vision of why he wanted to play in radio I invited him to return to Asheville to eat Liver mush for an entire week. On week number two he was to buy three cans and place them in areas where he could constantly see them, the bathroom, kitchen and in the car…because he hated the taste of Liver mush so bad, it would serve as a reminder…if you’re going to get into this business called radio, hunger for success is an everyday occurrence…without that hunger you’ll be living off Liver mush.
Completion is like making a choice…you either win or you walk away saying, “I used to be or I wanted to be. I HATE being me!” Too much time is wasted on projects that look like a quick and easy way to make money—no matter how rich and famous you become, in the end it’s nothing more than an object others will fight over and there’s nothing you can do about it.
Get back to living…steal my art.
arroecollins@clearchannel.com
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