It’s not just you…the job market SUCKS right now.

If you’re struggling to find any work right now thinking, “Is it just me?” I can assure you, it’s not you. The job market absolutely SUCKS right now, especially if you work in entertainment.

• The global economy is sinking into a recession
• Studios are cutting back on content and slashing budgets
• A pending writer’s strike (and potentially even directors & actors too?!) is preventing all new projects from ramping up
• The introduction of Artificial Intelligence is already taking over many creative tasks (and threatening to replace us)

Short of another global pandemic, I can’t imagine a worse set of circumstances to come together into “The Perfect Storm.”

My opinion based on everything I’ve read (plus some insider’s info), is that it’s gonna be a long summer of more of the same.

So does that mean we just stick our heads in the sand and “wait it out?”

If you know anything about me already, I’m sure you know my answer.

HELL. NO.

The best use of our time, energy, and attention is focusing on what we CAN control.

Last Saturday I spent six straight hours helping over 100 people in our industry learn how to strategize a completely different way to approach building their dream network. And all I heard about was how bad things are out there right now.

You know what was even more depressing? When I asked the people that were still fortunate enough to be working the following:

Is your current job leading you anywhere, or are you just paying the bills?

I got about 50 different versions of the following:

I wish I could say these answers surprised me, but they didn’t. Not one bit. Because I talk to people every single day who are miserable, unfulfilled, and find no meaning in their work who are desperate to reconnect with their creative passions.

But unfortunately we were never given the skills to do anything but punch the clock.

I wish I could say this was an accident…

They didn’t prepare us for the world.

We are the thinkers, the storytellers, the artists, and the problem solvers. We are the outliers and the misfits who see the world a bit differently. And the world has not prepared us to live a fulfilling life that also allows our creativity to flourish.

Our educational system was designed to prepare us for the Industrial Revolution of the early 20th century and relegate our creativity to a “hobby” we picked away at the weekends, certainly not a means to make a living.

We have been trained to be the cogs on the assembly line of someone else’s dreams.

We are trained to punch the time clock when we’re told, to become extensions of our workstations, and to toe the line. We must maintain the status quo at all costs. Even if that cost is our health, our relationships, and our sanity.

The world has not prepared us for a world in which we must design the path for our chosen creative careers. Because up until recently, we didn’t need to design the path. Our paths were chosen for us.

We were supposed to start in the vault at MegaGloboCorporation, slowly climb the career ladder for 40 years, then gladly accept our gold watches and our pensions upon retirement.

Then our lives were supposed to begin!

But the world doesn’t work this way any more. (Spoiler alert: It never did.)

We’re lucky to work on the same project for more than a year or two at best. Then it’s on us to figure out what comes next. Which means it’s on us to design our own paths…with no roadmap. Not even a compass.

The world didn’t prepare us to be the CEO of our own lives.

The worst part is, this is not a flaw in the system.

It’s a feature.

If we are allowed to choose our own paths and define our own version of success, it means that we’re also willing to set boundaries.

• It means that we’re willing to say no when asked to work long hours that exploit our time & our talents.
• It means that we’re willing to say no to people who don’t value and respect our creative contributions.
• It means that we’re willing to say no when we want autonomy over our time versus playing a part in the “theater of work.”

So we’re led to believe our role is to serve, sacrifice, and put our own needs and values aside for the sake of the company.

But those days are over.

What I Believe

I believe that you deserve to love what you do for a living…but not at the expense of your health, your relationships, or your sanity.

I created the Optimizer program because I want to provide you the necessary life skills that help you become a better human being.

And I want you to have access to a supportive community of thinkers, creatives, storytellers, artists, and problem solvers just like you who are learning to navigate the next steps in their careers and their lives.

I believe that if you can optimize these vital life skills:

• Time, Energy, & Attention management
• Financial management
• Setting goals (and building systems to achieve those goals)
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Negotiation
• Networking
• Creativity

Then you will be much better equipped to follow your passions and design the life you want on your own terms.

Interested In Working Together?

If you’re interested in working with me this semester, I’ve got BIG NEWS:

👉 Enrollment is open for the Spring semester of the Optimizer program!

I’ll be sending out a lot more info over the next week about the different resources I have available to help you build the more balanced, more sustainable, and more fulfilling creative career that you deserve.

If you prefer to learn at your own pace as a self-guided student:
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer program

If you’re interested in getting the most out of this program, I’m scheduling free 30-min strategy sessions via Zoom to help you figure out your next steps. (THESE FILL UP FAST!)

→ Click here to apply and schedule a free 30-min Strategy Session 

No doubt you have plenty of questions. Tomorrow I’ll break down your different options in detail so we can help you determine the right path for you.

 

Be well.
Zack Arnold
Creator, Optimize Yourself

P.S. If you have questions about how the Optimizer program works, what features are available with each subscription option, and more importantly – will this program work for you? – keep an eye on your inbox for the next few days as I intend to clarify all of the above and more.

P.P.S. If you’d like to schedule a free 30-min Zoom chat with me or a member of my team to discuss how we can help you achieve your goals, → click here to learn more and schedule a Zoom call.

P.P.S. If you’re 100% confident you’re on the right path and don’t need guidance or support to achieve your goals in 2023, click here to no longer receive enrollment emails (but still get podcast updates & other free resources).