Be careful what you become successful at

I watched a video by Colin and Samir yesterday that I can’t stop thinking about.

Samir told a story about how when he graduated film school he got a job as an assistant editor working under an Oscar winning editor.

After some time there, the editor he was assisting took him to lunch to ask him why he seemed unhappy at work.

Samir answered that everything at work just seemed very slow. It didn’t seem like the creative energy he was used to. He went on to say that in film school, he loved the fact that he could write a video, shoot it, act in it, direct it, edit it, and have it out for his friends to watch in a week.

His boss the editor said:

“Well listen, right now you’re an assistant editor. And you’re pretty good as an assistant editor. I’d hire you again as an assistant editor. I’d recommend you to my friends as an assistant editor, and you’ll keep getting jobs as an assistant editor, until maybe one day, if you’re lucky, you could be me. Do you want that?”

Samir said “No! I don’t want that at all, I want to do something with a lot more creative energy.”

The editor said “Then whatever’s in your head, go do that. Get another job if you have to to pay the bills, but go figure that thing out.”

Because success in our industry is just an opportunity to do more of what you’re already doing.

When I watched this I literally paused the video to text my buddy about it because we had just been talking about this idea this past week.

I’ve spent a lot of time trying to be successful at shades of the thing I actually want to pursue in hopes that one day it would magically transform into The Thing.

Being a fight coordinator for studio films in Hollywood is a dream come true, but if I’m honest, it’s only a part of the dream. As blessed and as fortunate as I feel, I spend a lot of time feeling like I work a well paid 9 to 5 (more like 7am to 7pm).

And it’s true. As a fight coordinator, I’m a tiny part of a much bigger picture that is someone else’s vision.

And more success as a fight coordinator means more fight coordinating, and eventually, maybe, second unit directing, or directing.

And this might sound crazy, but if I look into the future, 10 years from now, still being a fight coordinator even for the biggest films on earth, for me would feel like I failed.

I started creating content again a little over 2 years ago because in my heart I know I’m like Samir.

I know that I want to be involved in every part of the process. It’s why I’ve always been so drawn to youtube and passion projects.

Being successful at that, and getting the opportunity to do more of it, is what creative fulfillment actually looks like for me.

So maybe you’re a filmmaker, a writer, content creator, or performer.

But whatever you are, and whatever you are pursuing, just be sure that it’s where you want to be in 10 years. Because success at it will keep you there.

I hope this helps,

Caleb