Over a year since I updated this blog and I am sure you are tired of reading the same things over again I’m sorry things have gotten busy…but I wanted to update this afternoon, as much as happened in my career….I’ve gotten to experience so much and learn so much. It’s been amazing…But one big glaring, glob on this excitement is the thought in the back of my mind…”They don’t want me to succeed…”
I know that reeks of paranoia …Who is “They” …Am I writing from a funny farm? Typing with y teeth because my arms are bound…the answer to that is no Radio has not driven me insane..(Some would argue you have to be crazy to begin with.) but it’s time.. “They” need to be exposed. So who is They?.. Well as I slowly slink into the shadows I’m about to expose them , how they don’t want yu to succeed and how to beat them.
Technology:
Yes Technology is the first portion of this shadowy group. Technology doesn’t want you to succeed. Technology is lulling some very smart people that may hire you into thinking it’s better than you. There’s even robot DJ’s taking to the Airwaves….Airwaves that should be experiencing. There’s new complicated automation software you weren’t taught…Streaming isn’t the new hot internet photo craze…It’s an evolving plane of grey ..and feels a little like a technological boondoggle. To add on you need to know how to post content to the station’s website…write for web based reading Oh and post all the links and teasers to the 80 or so different social media and networking sites a station is connected to…Technology hates you, and wants to you to fail miserably.
How To Defeat Technology:
So how do you defeat technology? It’s actually pretty simple: Wear your passion on your sleeve and never stop learning. As a young broadcaster it’s hard to wear your passion on your sleeve. If you’re working at a station more than likely you are surrounded by vets who have proven themselves…if you’re working out of the field…you’re surrounded by people who look at you with eighteen eyes when you mention anything about your dreams. Don’t be afraid to put your passion on your sleeve and let it guide you…To ask questions…so you’re invested…To overcome technology you have to show the one thing technology can’t, emotion..You have to prove there’s a reason why you belong. If that’s sacrificing time with your family on holidays to take that shift no one else is..Do it! If you concede these types of shifts…Technology will win and you will lose.…Next, learning that’s self explanatory…Don’t stop learning..again ask questions. Keep up your writing skills fresh, write every day… Even if you are out, act like you are in, keep current with voice and breathing exercises to make the transition back in easier when it happens…Find out as much as you can about Social media and alternative marketing technology…Jacobs media does a heck of a job http://www.jacobsmedia.com/ …..Also look into web design, and basic web classes…If you don’t know anything (Like me) Take a class…You need it to succeed and why give someone an excuse not to hire you? . ..So maybe you’re ready to overcome technology…but don’t look now there’s a second part of this conspiracy.
Your Boss(es)
Yes your boss is part of “They”…This is such a tightrope walk …and unfortunately I am not the most nimble of creatures…So I’m going to barrel down the line…The reason why your boss doesn’t want you to succeed is because they can’t. Working at a station where I interact daily with the owner has been one of the hardest but most enlightening experiences that I continue to have every day… It’s frustrating because I catch every small complaint, every blemish, every fail I get it right across the chin…Some of these things I have some control over…Other times I do not..however silver lining…it has given me insight into what station owners go through…The rules the regulations. How income comes in, how it goes out. Little things you don’t think of are things they HAVE to think of. When you’re with a bigger company you’ll be a little farther away…you won’t be as close to the decisions …So it may seem they are out to get you. That they are picking on you…that they don’t want you to ever overcome that Part-time street team/swing air shift position you’ve been holding down since high school.
How To Defeat your Boss(es)
The truth is your bosses want you to succeed…obviously when you succeed so can your boss…but how you can overcome the perception they want you to fail. First you need to be a self advocate. Talking yourself up is one of the hardest thing, because there’s a line that if you cross you come off sounding like a pompous ass with an overinflated ego. The best way to tread lightly…Is to do your job, and do it well…Prove your words with your actions before you ever open up your mouth. When you do open your mouth, ask questions instead of making statements. Be understanding that some decisions are out of their hands..Make time to meet and know any higher ups that are in town. Greet them. Don’t say your accomplishments at the station or ramble your resume, just put your name out there and your face…and If you did do something wrong , own up to it and continue on…Believe me, I’ve crashed a Radio Disney van…twice…and Mickey has yet to find my family. Finally how to defeat your boss comes when they’re no longer your boss, when your fired or quit….Always exit as humbly as you have entered. Leave the angry rant for the parents and the special friend….Do not take the argument, or your hurt to social media…Don’t be the cause of you not getting another gig…Which brings me to the third part of “they”.
YOU
That’s right, take a big deep breath…You are part of “They”. A twist yes I know…but in all reality you knew this all along. Yes you don’t want you to succeed…you think you do but you don’t. Your part of Generation Y…We are pampered. We are told we are meant to succeed. Which turns into entitlement, so you make poor choices under the assumption something will fall into your lap….That this opportunity will have the best and state of the art equipment…and you will make people forget The Names Seacrest, Stern, Beck have ever existed. That you won’t have to work 14 hour days, That you don’t need to prepare or find out how to gather information and communicate it effectively , that some prep service will be there to hand it to you. It’s perpetual, there’s a whole side of you that’s like this…and there is in everyone…it’s natural…But it’s fooling you…It’s not helping you succeed in fact it’s the biggest part of “they” So how do you defeat yourself?
Defeating Yourself
Yes this idea conjures up the scene in Star Wars when Luke thinks he’s fighting Darth Vader when actually he is fighting himself ( Did I ruin it for you)…But truly to succeed you need to overcome yourself. One of the best ways is to surround yourself with people who believe in you but won’t let you believe your own BS…This will help in good times and bad. It will keep you grounded but allow you to fly at the same time. Which is needed… because you gotta battle constantly the feeling of entitlement, take those risks…Do what it takes…take up a few Part-time jobs to supplement your part-time on-air gig… Wake up early, stay late. When you earn the rewards coming your way it will be special and feel amazing Another great way to battle yourself is to give of yourself ,m volunteer (We’ve talked about this). It allows you to interact with people and hear their needs..It’s humbling and will help you succeed because it will make you realize something, that will keep your fire burning…It’ll help you realize that when you choose to be in the world of broadcasting you choose to be apart of a tradition. Something that for years, has been impacting not just individuals but communities and how they form, develop and how outsiders see them. To be a part of broadcasting is to continue this tradition..it’s bigger than you, not the other way around. Realize this and it will help stoke your flame even in the darkest of times. This will guide you to your dream.
As always I say these are just my words, from my experiences…I suggest you don’t take them as gold but add to them, with your experiences…comment, ask your own questions even if its just within yourself….and what you will find is that the truth is out there.
