Filed under: A Bit Of Inspiration, Attitude & Aptitude, Interviews, olympics
So I’ve written before about the value in starting your own business … and I still wholeheartedly stand by that.
However I recently read an interview with the actor Michael Keaton, that made me re-think a bit about what ‘starting your own business’ really means.
I love how he connects choosing a role with running his business.
It’s so obvious, but I never thought of it that way before.
But this is exactly how everyone should look at what they do … even if you are an employee of someone else.
What are you choosing to do?
What are you choosing to accept?
What are the standards you will work to and will expect from others?
Sure, some of these things are easier to control when you literally run ‘your own business’ … but if we acknowledge that our careers are ultimately in our own hands, then looking at what we do through the lens of it being ‘our own business’, may make us sharper on what we do and what we are willing to do. Or – as is sometimes even more important – what we won’t.
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If I’m a business owner, my decisions mean I could have run enron.
Comment by Billy Whizz September 13, 2016 @ 6:29 amBut taking advice from Keaton through you is even worse.
Comment by Billy Whizz September 13, 2016 @ 6:31 amWhat’s a career?
Comment by John September 13, 2016 @ 6:46 amAren’t you a career comment writer?
Comment by DH September 13, 2016 @ 6:48 amCareer, verb: “To move swiftly in an uncontrolled manner or direction”. As in, “career from one disaster to the next”.
Comment by Ian Gee September 13, 2016 @ 8:16 amI think John will prefer that definition.
Comment by Rob September 13, 2016 @ 8:46 amdoddsy is that definition.
Comment by andy@cynic September 13, 2016 @ 9:06 amThe theory works because if people are a small business, then companies are the conglomerate trying to put you out of business.
Comment by DH September 13, 2016 @ 6:49 amNot companies. Managers. Screwed that up.
Comment by DH September 13, 2016 @ 6:50 amA career comment writer wouldn’t have done that.
Comment by John September 13, 2016 @ 6:58 amYou’ve just proved my point.
Comment by DH September 13, 2016 @ 6:59 amI doubt that very much.
Comment by John September 13, 2016 @ 7:15 amSo close and yet so far.
Comment by Rob September 13, 2016 @ 8:46 amHope the weekend wasn’t too tough Dave.
Interesting perspective. But in such a competitive market, I wonder if people only have that power once they have established their credibility. I can’t imagine a junior getting away with dictating what they will or won’t work on. Well, you might have given it a good go Robert, but I’m talking normal people.
Comment by George September 13, 2016 @ 7:02 am+1
Comment by Pete September 13, 2016 @ 8:24 amFair point … but I would say the best example of it is Baz. Sure, it was from another time, but in terms of ‘managing his career’ [even if he was doing it because he was a cheeky and nosy bastard], he’s better than Michael Keaton could ever be. Probably earns more than him too.
Comment by Rob September 13, 2016 @ 8:48 amwithout me he would be fucking nothing. and what have i got out of it? a fucking pair of shitty earphones when i lost mine at his house 5 fucking years ago. prick.
Comment by andy@cynic September 13, 2016 @ 9:05 amWhat a great way to look at your career. I think the actor analogy is particularly good because it encourages you to round yourself out rather than focus on one type of role, which may be good in the short-term but could also make you redundant down the line.
Comment by Pete September 13, 2016 @ 8:25 amThat’s a great perspective too. Though diversity in the acting industry is far more preferable than in pretty much every other industry.
Comment by Rob September 13, 2016 @ 8:51 amwhy the fuck would i take advice from someone who was in jack fucking frost?
Comment by andy@cynic September 13, 2016 @ 9:10 amTo be fair, he’s been in less shit than most Hollywood A-listers.
Comment by Rob September 13, 2016 @ 11:24 amI know you are paraphrasing the viewpoint of someone else, but this is fantastic advice. Even for someone heading towards the end of their career. You have been writing some excellent posts of late Robert. I hope it continues.
Comment by Lee Hill September 13, 2016 @ 1:00 pm[…] shouldn’t as I’ve written about this a ton of times [like here and here for example] but when you look at how we – in the communication industry – handle […]
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