I had a big idea for a show once that no one was interested in. Months of work led to nothing. No one returned my calls, no one replied to my emails.
Nothing came of it.
I played the game and waited years until an entertainment agency decided to represent me. But they weren’t serious like I was. For me, it was a big break - my big chance to prove how good I truly was. For them, I was just another artist on the roster.
Nothing came of it.
I stumbled into big meetings when I was sleeping on couches in Los Angeles. I tried to dazzle Hollywood agents who had “seen it all” but they yawned and showed me the door.
I wrote a TV series but no one took notice. I signed with a manager who didn’t work on my behalf. I sent thousands of postcards and never got a response.
Nothing came of it…but I didn’t let that stop me.
A “No” is a good thing. It makes you prove how badly you want something. Every “No” I’ve ever received has led to some of my best opportunities.
The hard part is not taking a “No” personally. Every time a door closes you have to shrug it off and move on to the next idea. Nothing - and I mean NOTHING - can singlehandedly make or break a career. No gig, meeting, conference call, TV appearance, or special project can define you. Just keep moving forward. Keep working towards that magic word: “YES”.
One of the hardest “No’s” I ever received was when I got engaged to Stephie. People told me we weren’t right for each other. People I thought were friends deserted me and didn’t support MY decision. But I went through with it. I married my college sweetheart and it was the best decision I’ve ever made.
I just got off the phone with a big contact - a huge opportunity that may or may not come through. I’ve been slowly working towards this goal for years but I don’t know if it’ll happen this time or not.
After that conversation ended I called my wife and told her about it. She was cautiously excited - typical Stephie - and I told her that I wasn't sure it would amount to anything.
“You think another ‘No’ is going to stop us?” she asked me.
God, I’m glad I didn’t let those “No’s” keep me from saying “Yes” to her.