How to get rid of the excuses that keep you from success

So most screenwriting blogs are about technique. And that's fine. We writers definitely need that. But what I like to write about is how to move past our blocks that help us reach success. So right now I'm listening to one of my favorite authors, Wayne Dyer. His new book is called, "Excuses Begone". This book I must say, has done more for me than any thing I've ever read or heard. Ever. Maybe it's because I've read a lot of books like this and it's just that it's finally resonating with me. The premise is that it's all about how we are aligned with an inner source that is who we are, and what our life purpose is. Now, if you're not religious at all, I'm sure you can have that inner source be whatever power that makes sense for you. But what's important, is that this book really helps you reach the screenwriting success you've been looking for. It helps you understand why we make excuses, where they come from and how to finally just say, no more! The premise of the book is that we allow these excuses to keep us from reaching the potential of who we are meant to be. So it finally helped me see, that in order to reach my success, I have to stop believing these excuses I've listened to my whole life. The funny thing is, we don't even realize we're doing them. But as I was listening to the book, I could see how many stops I've had in my career. How many blocks I'd allowed in my career. And it finally helped me push beyond them.

Since this book, I've set up a meeting with one of the producers I've been working with, but he had been too busy lately. But I went beyond my comfort level and got his attention in a way I'd never done before. I also reached out to a friend who's husband is a big wig at a studio. Something I felt uncomfortable to do up until now. I've also reached out to many producers and managers that up until now, I'd never have felt comfortable doing. I even got a gig through a producer I worked with years ago, but just never contacted him. But why not? I reached out to him and he had an assignment for me right away. Although it was a short film, it was something that could eventually get me a lot of attention. And the fact is, each assignment is something that allows the universe to build upon my success. The fact is, I'm allowing success to happen. I'm in the flow of it.

So, if this book sounds at all interesting to you, I think you should check it out. I'd like to hear if it helps you like it's helped me. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Oh my gosh, it's a pitch!

So tomorrow is the big meeting I've been waiting, probably pretty much my whole life for. I feel like I've been working towards this moment most of my adult life, taking classes, learning the craft, writing, writing and more writing. The producer I'm meeting with is already sold on the idea, and all he wants to hear is the details and my take on it. So all my friends who know the situation and know the business tell me, "you're going to do fine! He loves the story, it's going to be easy!" But of course, it doesn't feel that way to me! It doesn't help that I was sick most of this weekend, so when I'm usually going over my pitch, I was either resting or too tired to even read over it and memorize it. But maybe that's better? Maybe it will seem more natural that I didn't memorize the whole darn thing. I sure hope so! But what I'm trying to do is remind myself, that this is my destiny. This is what I know I'm meant to be doing with my life. I write every day, so what's the difference with telling someone my story? There really isn't any. It seems like more of a big deal because now he can actually hire me to write the story. But that's why I've been writing specs all these years! And he's already told me he thinks I'm a talented writer. So it's not like I have to prove that to him. We were just looking for the right project to work on together. And now we've found it. And truthfully, as I was writing this pitch and this story, I felt that all the ideas just came pouring out of me. That the story really wrote itself. And really, I felt that it was sent to me from my muses, and I was just the conduit to get it on the paper. Even my husband, who's very critical of ideas of mine in an honest and truthful way, has told me "This idea is great. You're going to do great." And no, he's not like my mom who would say that about any old idea. So he is a really great sounding board. So I guess that's why I needed to write this post. I needed to validate that I know my craft. And I know the pitch enough to get the story across. I do like the story, a lot, in fact. I can't wait to see it as a script and get the chance to write it for this huge producer. So really, there's nothing I should worry about. It's all meant to be. I am meant to have this meeting. I feel like this is all happening as it should. I was listening to Wayne Dyer, one of my favorite authors, on Oprah's OWN today. And he said that when you want something to happen, you just say, "I am..." and answer with whatever you want. Like I am healthy. I am successful. I am debt-free. That when we say "I am" it tells the universe to bring you more of that, instead of saying what you don't want, because then it brings you more of what you don't want too! So, since tomorrow, is the day I've been waiting for my whole life. Then I will say, "I am a successful screenwriter." and I will believe it and keep repeating it. I think you should say it too, until you see it happen for you too.