Pivot. Pivot! PIVOT!!!

So here we are mid-February, and for almost everyone it’s still…

I think we can all agree the global lack of work across the entertainment industry has little to do at this point with the strikes that ended way back in early November. I believe what we are collectively witnessing right now is Hollywood (painfully) reinventing itself for the 21st century. And despite this mess being no fault of our own, we’re getting drowned by the perfect storm.

I’ve said it many times before, I’ll say it again: It’s not just you.

The entertainment industry is now officially in a period of “realignment,” and for those who work in TV like I do, I’m sad to report that “Peak TV is officially over.”

To quote Jon Landgraff, FX network CEO, also coined “The Mayor of Television”:

“Our latest research estimates show that there was a 31% decrease in original scripted series in 2024 year to date compared to the same five-week period,” Landgraf said. “While I understand it is a very small sample time and some of the decline may still be related to delays in production strikes, I do believe these numbers are directionally accurate.”

My personal prediction is that in the next 5-10 years, we’re going to watch the (de)evolution of television back to what it was pre-cable when we simply had four ad-supported networks: NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX.

Only soon the four ad-supported networks controlling entertainment globally will be: YouTube, Netflix, Apple, and Amazon.

With this “realignment,” as Jon calls it – plus the adoption of artificial intelligence in many creative crafts – comes the necessity for our own realignment.

Fortunately necessity is the mother of invention.

It’s Time to Pivot

FYI if you haven’t caught the bloopers for this scene, this is epic.

All kidding aside, I know how scary it is to consider the possibility that the craft you’ve spent so many years perfecting may not support you full-time anymore.

But I promise, no matter the pivot you choose to make, whether it’s:

• Diversifying your skills but staying in the same field
• Pursuing a different craft in the same industry
• Completing reinventing your career (and even who you are)

You are not “starting over.”

When I made the transition from only editing television for a living to building my own online business, I was terrified to start over in my mid-thirties (especially with two young kids and the cost of living in Los Angeles).

I couldn’t possibly see how I had the time to focus on doing well at my job (I was working 60+ hrs/wk editing Empire at the time), staying present for my family, maintaining any semblance of health (or sanity) all while learning a whole new set of skills from the ground up.

My a-ha moment was when I realized I had a lifetime of transferrable experience & skills that made me perfectly suited for the new direction my career was headed. And this mindset shift instantly boosted my confidence (and helped me overcome debilitating imposter syndrome).

The game changed when I realized that whether I’m working as an editor, a podcaster, a writer, a coach, or a career strategist, there’s one speciality that unifies all of my generalized skills:

As I’ve told many of my students, I still edit for a living. But instead of using Avid Media Composer or Adobe Premiere, now I use Zoom.

And the story I specialize in editing is yours.

Embrace Your Inner “Jack of All Trades”

Recently I posted on Facebook about being a “Jack of All Trades,” and let’s just say some people didn’t take kindly to this phrase.

First of all, chill dude…

Secondly, what most don’t know is that the saying actually goes:

“A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”

For those of you who have have hiding your inner “Jack of all trades” in fear of not being considered for opportunities that seek specialists, it’s time to embrace what will soon become your superpower.

For those who have taken the highly specialized path thus far in your career, it’s time to reconsider the value of diversifying your skills & abilities.

Over the next 5-10 years, those who will not only survive but thrive as creatives will be those we consider to be:

A Jack of All Trades, Master of One

If you’re struggling to leverage your vast experience, skills, and knowledge to generate income, design the next steps of your creative career, or navigate a significant career pivot, my Design Yourself workshop is just for you.

In this 4-hr self-guided workshop (recorded live) I walk you step-by-step through a process I call “The Triple Tornado Technique” to help you:

• Maximize Your “Match Quality” (i.e. find the perfect job for your unique skillset)
• Fulfill Your Creative Calling (i.e. find jobs that are meaningful to you)
• Define Your Boundaries (i.e. make sure your job doesn’t burn you out)

If you’re struggling to figure out the next steps in your creative career – and you’re tired of sitting around waiting for the industry to fix itself:

👉 Learn more about Design Yourself

FYI: Design Yourself is just one of over $2000 worth of self-guided online courses, workshops, and masterclasses included with the Optimizer Premium Package.

If designing your dream career is just one small step in navigating a major career transition and you also need help with the following:

• Updating your résumé
• Rebuilding your portfolio website
• Strategizing cold (or warm) outreach
• More efficiently structuring your time
• Better managing your creative energy

As an Optimizer Premium subscriber, you’ll also have the ability to schedule a one-on-one “Hot Seat” with me as soon as next week to work on any (or all) of the above.

And best of all, all Premium subscribers join the Optimizer Slack community and inherit an Insta-Network of 350+ creatives working at all levels of the entertainment industry from newbies to Emmy winners.

👉 Click here for your Optimizer 7-day free trial