How to Change A World: 5 Things We’ve Learned About the Business of Telling Solution-forward Stories Part 3

Safely persisting through the hundreds of COVID-related production challenges for TLC

Part #3: Inertia

Part #2 encourages video and filmmakers to face decisions with honest acknowledgment of the benefits of and barriers to making the video productions we’re passionate about. One barrier is truly all in our heads.

3) Desist to Persist
This part of our story isn’t unique: when we started our video production company, I quickly found that growing a new business while raising a family meant taking on work that was outside my passions. I genuinely enjoyed working on sportscasts, industry events, and popular television shows. But I also used a lot of energy feeling conflicted, thinking that my success was in a rivalry with my purpose.
 
When I learned to release those limiting thoughts, a new energy rose in their place. I began to honor the way I was providing for my family. I dug into the deeper value of each project. If we were asked by friends or colleagues to join a purely commercial project, we said yes because sometimes it's enough being in the company of good people working hard, facing challenges and setbacks to achieve a common goal. I learned to persist in getting the bills paid while also creating paths toward making the art I wanted to make.

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Hold on tight to your dreams.
– Jeff Lynne

To new video producers, I’d say let go of limiting thoughts early. It’s ok. Get the gigs you can, discover the opportunities each one holds, and keep your goals in mind. Even while seeking out competitive compensation or commercially successful productions, we can still try to address the issues and topics that are important to us.

You might try setting a weekly appointment with yourself or a colleague to design and implement a plan that leads to telling the stories you want to tell. Even if you can only devote 30 minutes a week at first, you will be taking the step. And each step provides energy for the next .

Image caption: safely persisting through the hundreds of production COVID-related challenges for TLC