Best of all…we’re doing it all from home in our pajamas. 
(you had me at ‘pajamas’)
“This feels weird to say during a global pandemic, but I am doing really good and getting so many things done that have been on my plate for a looong time. I would have lost my sh*t big time without this. Thank you Zack for helping me gain the abilities to deal with this situation. I can’t express my gratitude enough. You are a true leader!”
Whether you’re an editor like me, or a director, writer, composer, producer, or otherwise, your passion is telling stories. You live to make people feel something.
There are few professions as rewarding as being a storyteller, but there are also few as draining, as frustrating, as soul-sucking, or as confusing to navigate.
When you began your career you gave it everything you had simply for the sake of learning, collaborating, and having the opportunity to help other people realize their dreams. You would do anything!
At one point “Exposure Bucks” were enough to pay your bills, and you took whatever gig came your way, working like a machine to build credits and hone your craft. You thought you were unstoppable.
Then came a whopping dose of reality…followed by “the crash.”
Little did you know all that energy directed towards helping others achieve their dreams would be at the expense of your own. Years later you are stuck in a job you don’t want, and the passion for your craft is all but gone.
You are stuck climbing the wrong career ladder but too afraid to make the transition to something more fulfilling because you have to pay the bills
Your default answer is “Yes” to the needs of others but the only person you say “No” to is yourself
You often take on too many projects because you don’t want to “let people down,” but the long hours and the insane demands of the entertainment industry have pushed you to the brink of exhaustion and burnout
You struggle to set boundaries around your time, and at the end of the day you end up only accomplishing a fraction of what you intended
You struggle to focus and you find yourself chronically procrastinating (until your deadline is so close it puts the fear of God into you)
You gave up trying because there are just too many people competing for so few opportunities, and there isn’t enough room for you
You feel stuck in a rut, and you’re not utilizing your time to move your career forwards
You’ve been doing the same job for years (or even decades) because it feels “safe,” and you feel the pressure to maintain instead of taking the chance to grow
You have no idea what the path looks like to get where you want to be
“What I really appreciate about working with Zack is that he’s so supportive. He helps me stay focused. We take a goal and he helps me focus on the most important point so I don’t get distracted by all the things I want to do. Having a structure that is so easy to understand is HUGE for me. Zack saved my life when I couldn’t find work and things were dark and depressing. He inspired me to still love my career.”
If you work in a creative industry, you know how important it is to have a plan, a schedule, and deadlines (even the insane ones). And there’s no doubt that when asked to do the impossible…YOU. ALWAYS. DELIVER.
Because at no point in our lives has someone taught us how to define our goals and design a realistic plan to achieve them. (And don’t even get me started on time management for creative people like us…)
As an editor & director, I’ve spent the last twenty years of my career properly sequencing complex story structures with multiple twists and turns such that I can maximize the emotional impact for my audience.
As your coach & mentor it will be my job to help you restructure and rewrite the next draft of your story to maximize your impact on the world. But I can’t help you write your story without a plan.
Unlike becoming a doctor, lawyer, or accountant, there is no clearly defined path to becoming successful in the entertainment industry, so the story that leads to your success often appears unclear.
And more importantly, nobody teaches you how to define what “successful” means to YOU.
For some “success” is all about awards, money, & prestige. But for others “success” could simply mean collaborating on projects that have a meaningful and positive impact on the world while simultaneously having the time & energy left over for the most important people in their lives.
Having interviewed over 200 industry professionals, Oscar and Emmy winners, New York Times bestselling authors in the fields of behavioral psychology, habit formation, health & well-being, cognitive fitness, and the science of success, I’ve discovered that although it might not be obvious…
You have to clearly identify the ladder you want to climb (and understand how climbing it is in alignment with your deeper ‘Why’)
You have to focus intensely on becoming awesome at your craft.
You have to focus the remainder of your time, energy, and attention on making sure the right people know you are awesome at your craft.
“My mental energy has improved significantly since taking this program, I can now stay in a state of creative flow (thanks to time blocking!), and I now approach everything with intention. Learning how to separate ‘life management’ from ‘project management’ has taken a huge weight off my shoulders.”
You don’t need to summon superhuman focus & energy to topple the largest dominoes in your life such that it seems useless to even try.
All you have to do is prioritize the many things you could be doing down to literally the ‘One Thing’ such that if you accomplish it, everything after it becomes easier.
“Before I was jumping around doing random things, and always around lunchtime I would get distracted (sometimes for hours). Having ‘Macro’ and ‘Micro’ goals helped me focus, and now I know I’m on the right path and this is the thing I need to do right now.”
What is that single domino that if you knocked it over next would help you accomplish something small (yet important) that creates the positive momentum you need to move closer to your most important goals?
Is refreshing your résumé or portfolio website your “One Thing” so you can tell a better story about your skills to prospective collaborators because you’re concerned you might not have the experience yet to land your coveted dream job?
Or maybe the domino that starts the chain reaction is developing your outreach skills so you can virtually build your network from your laptop and connect with a mentor (or several) that will help you open doors you’ve struggled to open up until now?
Are you so exhausted from spinning your wheels with busy work and putting out fires all day long that the mere thought of prioritizing your resume, portfolio, or networking seems impossible? Maybe your “One Thing” is eliminating distractions and becoming a master of Deep Work?
Or perhaps your “One Thing” is getting as good at using your calendar as you are at using the software that earns you a living so you can better budget your time, your energy, and your attention?
If that’s the case, maybe your “One Thing” is developing healthier lifestyle habits such as:
Moving more throughout your workday so you don’t feel like you were hit by a truck after another 12 hour stretch at your computer?
Developing better morning & evening routines so sleep doesn’t continue being “optional”?
Prioritizing your needs above others all the time (gasp?) and advocating for yourself so you have the energy to serve others?
“Are you kidding about choosing my ‘One Thing?’ I’m too busy just making it through my day. I have no idea where to even start!”
Whether or not you’re already clear on what comes next for you and you require the tools, insider tips, and tactics to take action…
…or if you have no idea where to start because you are so overwhelmed with what you “should be” doing that you end up feeling frozen and you just do nothing (or you doom scroll social media all day and night)…
The Optimizer Coaching & Mentorship Program has your back.
Lifetime Access to all existing course materials, “Netflix-style”
Access to all public & private Optimizer community Slack channels
Access to all past audio recordings & searchable transcripts (over 80 hours!)
Connect with other likeminded members of the community (coming soon)
Schedule a Zoom session 24/7 to flex your focus muscles and Get. Things, Done
For the first time ever I’m offering new students LIFETIME ACCESS to ALL of my current online courses, workshops, and masterclasses “Netflix-style” to ensure that you have access to whatever strategies, tools, and tactics best support your current (and future) needs. This includes all content updates to existing materials as well!
‘Focus Yourself’ is a self-guided 8-module online course with over 9 hours of video training (not to mention 12+ hours of expert interviews) where I’ll teach you how to better manage your time, your energy, and your attention so you can summon your creativity on demand, organize your life so you can stop focusing on busy work, and start focusing on your life’s work.
In today’s hyperconnected world of 24/7 distractions (especially working from home), focus has become the superpower of the 21st century.
What you measure, you can improve upon
“This program has done more for my confidence in 3 months than years of therapy. Focus Yourself has changed my life and given me the tools and systems to succeed in both my personal life and my career…without fear or hesitation. I wish I had something like this 15 years ago! You are an amazing mentor, coach, and inspiration. I can’t thank you enough!!!”
‘Move Yourself’ is a self-guided four module online course with over five hours of video training & tutorials (including 10 hours of expert interviews) that will teach you how to: Sit Less. Focus More. Live Longer.
And become so active through your workday you’ll never feel guilty for skipping exercise again.
“I used to lack focus at work, brain fog was a daily occurrence. With the ‘Move Yourself’ program I’ve found a new passion for my career plus the energy at the end of the day to spend with my family! This course has truly changed my life forever.”
‘Advance Yourself’ is a brand new online course in early beta development* (all materials should be available by the end of 2021) that will help you develop the strategy to define your own unique version of “success” and pursue projects that fulfill you. This will be my most comprehensive and in-depth course yet!
There is currently very little material available, but when this course is complete (Reminder: You have lifetime access to all course updates), here’s what you’ll learn:
Learn in this 5-lesson, self-guided Masterclass how to use IMDbPro to build a robust list of creative professionals you can reach out to so they can help you open doors in your career that you previously only dreamed of.
As another added bonus you will receive FREE LIFETIME ACCESS to the ‘Move Yourself Activity Video Vault’ containing over 100 short videos you can do right at your workstation in as little as 5 minutes per day to help you:
You will be walked step-by-step in detail by licensed chiropractors and certified yoga instructors showing you how to do the right exercises that apply to your specific areas of pain & discomfort. Includes the:
Pain Relief & Mobility Library: Over 80 instructional and exercise videos & routines designed by chiropractic doctors that will help you reduce and eliminate acute, chronic, and radiating pains. This is as close as you’ll get to having a ‘Chiropractor On Demand.’
Office Yoga Library: 20 different quick & easy office yoga routines designed by a certified yoga instructor that you can do right at your desk to help you reverse the negative effects of sitting all day.
The Energy & Focus Library: A series of quick & simple movements and breathing exercises you can do to reduce stress & anxiety, mental fatigue, brain fog, and generate laser sharp focus in minutes.
We are a global network of creative professionals here to provide you with support, accountability, and a fresh & honest perspective about how you can take the most effective action towards your goals. As soon as you join the community you will have lifetime access to our private Slack workspace and the public channels.
As long as you are an active (i.e. paying) member of the community, you will have me in your back pocket 24/7 via Slack direct message to personally answer any questions you have throughout the program, and you’ll also have access to all of the private channels which include:
Where we motivate and support each other to achieve our goals and stick with healthier, more productive habits. We also do fun monthly challenges with prizes included!
Where you can get group feedback on your cover letter, resume, portfolio website, demo reel, outreach emails, and so much more.
Where community members often share work opportunities before they hit the Facebook groups and job boards.
Where you can connect with other members of the community for personal accountability, sharing skills, or group masterminds based on your career goals.
Where you’ll be the first to hear about upcoming networking events, conferences, workshops, and more.
As long as you are an active member of the community you’ll have ongoing access to listen to and/or read the transcripts from past and future Office Hours ‘Hot Seat’ sessions* (all searchable by keyword, member name, and topic).
As long as you are an active member of the community you’ll have ongoing access to listen to and/or read the transcripts from past and future Office Hours ‘Hot Seat’ sessions* (all searchable by keyword, member name, and topic).
Now with over 90 hours of content (and counting!!!), there’s bound to be a session to suit your unique needs and goals, including topics such as:
*Note: If you upgrade to a live coaching option, you’ll retain lifetime access to any recordings & transcripts for your small group or private sessions.
Search the Optimizer member database* to network with like-minded members in the community with similar goals as you to create masterminds, find a mentor, share skills, secure a shadowing opportunity, and possibly even land your next gig!
Search the Optimizer member database* to network with like-minded members in the community with similar goals as you to create masterminds, find a mentor, share skills, secure a shadowing opportunity, and possibly even land your next gig!
Need some accountability to keep you focused and engaged with your creative work? You’ll have 24/7 access to schedule unlimited Zoom sessions with community members around the globe to flex and strengthen your ‘focus muscles.’ Procrastination will become a thing of the past!
Need some accountability to keep you focused and engaged with your creative work? You’ll have 24/7 access to schedule unlimited Zoom sessions with community members around the globe to flex and strengthen your ‘focus muscles.’ Procrastination will become a thing of the past!
“I’ve gotten so much done over the last few months I didn’t think was possible. I’m almost done with a pilot that has confounded me for YEARS. For some reason I had a mental block. If I hadn’t done this program I wouldn’t have had a seven page short ready submit when the right opportunity came up… which it did!”
Ready To Get Started?
If you’re a self-guided learner who simply needs some accountability from our community to motivate you and keep you on track, you can enroll today in the ‘Community Coaching’ option and get started right away at your own pace.
(I’ll even throw in one bonus 20 minute Hot Seat with me one-on-one!)
If you’re looking to dive a whole lot deeper down the rabbit hole and you’d like to work with me more intimately, whether that’s during one-on-one Hot Seats in the large group program, in a small group class, or working together privately, read on.
If you’re ready to step outside your comfort zone to design your unique path towards more work-life balance, increased focus & productivity, and defining the next most important steps in your creative career, here are our options for working together.
Enrollment by application only
Enrollment by application only
Enrollment by application only
“It was a pure delight working with you Zack and making my goals happen. I feel like I just did something I didn’t know how to do in the past, and it’s an invaluable life skill that will continue to reap rewards throughout my life. So thank you.”
I’ve been told by numerous students this is one of the most challenging experiences they’ve ever been through (but also one of the most rewarding). You will be pushed outside your comfort zone and learn more about yourself than you ever thought possible. But with that discomfort will also come tremendous personal and professional growth.
Yes you’ll learn a bunch of cool new tips, tricks, and hacks. (And by God I will make sure you walk away from this program a Trello master!!!)
Yes, you’ll have a much better idea of your next action steps, no matter your goals.
And yes, you’ll have no choice but to become much better at managing your time and energy, because that’s what it’s going to take to achieve things that really mean something to you.
Ultimately you will walk away from this program with the same three fundamental things every other student does (or at least those who put in the work):
100% CLARITY about not only what you need to do in the next hour, but also the next day, week, month, or even this entire year.
Total CONFIDENCE that the next items on your daily to-do list are the right actions that will lead you to your destination instead of feeling “busy” all the time and wondering what the heck you even accomplished this week.
A plan that will guide you towards taking the right actions with CONSISTENCY and without struggling to summon willpower you can’t find, motivation you just don’t have, and discipline you’d rather not develop.
If you choose to work with me, there is one fundamental skill I want you to walk away with more than anything else: The ability to ask yourself better questions.
So which question are you asking yourself right now?
“How much will it cost me to enroll?”
Or…
“How much will it cost me to stay stuck in the same place?”
Ready to dive in?
Here’s a quick summary of what’s included for every member of the community:
LIFETIME ACCESS to all current online courses, masterclasses, workshops, and bonus vaults
LIFETIME ACCESS to our private Optimizer Slack community
90 DAYS ACCESS to over 90 hours (and counting!) of past Office Hours Hot Seat audio recordings & transcripts searchable by topic & keyword
90 DAYS ACCESS to the Optimizer Member Directory so you can connect with other members of the community for accountability, to form small group masterminds, find a mentor, or possibly even land your next gig!
90 DAYS ACCESS to ‘The Focus Gym’ to flex & strengthen your creative focus muscles.
If you’re a self-guided learner who simply needs some accountability from our community to motivate you and keep you on track, you can enroll today and get started right away at your own pace.
Click here to save $100 by paying in full today
Have questions before buying? No problem, that’s what this FAQ page is for!
All large group, small group, and private coaching options are available by application only. Below is a summary of the details for each option.
|
Large Group |
Small Group |
PRIVATE
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Group size |
Up to 25 people |
Up to 5 people |
Individual |
| Number of weeks in the program |
12 |
12 |
12 |
| Attendance |
Optional, as-needed |
Mandatory |
Mandatory |
| Number of sessions per week |
2 days per week (amount of time varies depending on demand) |
1 |
1 |
| Session Length |
20 minutes per individual 'Hot Seat' session* *(You can schedule up to 2 sessions with me per month) |
90 minutes per week |
60 minutes per week |
| Additional program features | |||
| Lifetime Access to all current course materials, masterclasses, workshops, and bonus vaults (a $1997 value) | |||
| Lifetime access to the 'Optimizer' Slack community | |||
| 90 days access to me personally via Slack | |||
| 90 days access to the Optimizer Member Directory | |||
| 90 days access to 'The Focus Gym' | |||
| 90 days access to audio recordings & searchable transcripts of past 'Hot Seat' sessions (currently over 90 hours worth) | |||
| Lifetime access to audio recordings & searchable transcripts of your weekly sessions |
N/A |
||
| Course Registration Fee |
$497 |
$497 |
$497 |
| Monthly Payments |
$100 x 3 |
$500 x 3 |
$900 x 4 |
| TOTAL PRICE |
$797 |
$1,947 |
$4,097 |
All large group, small group, and private coaching options are available by application only. I prioritize complimentary 30-min Zoom calls in the order I receive applications, so the sooner you apply, the better your chances of getting the spot that fits your needs the best.
“When we first met I had near zero confidence. While there’s much work to be done, you gave me enough ink, paper, and whiteout to start redrafting what was frankly a really sh*tty script. I’ve been spending the last month solving problems for seasoned editors, producers, and Amazon folks with more confidence that I thought was possible. The producers are already trying to book me for their next show! Thank you for an incredible six months.”
NO, this course is not just for editors. My job title might be “Film & Television Editor,” but my profession is “Storyteller.” In this program I’m going to use my storytelling skills to help you rewrite, refine, and retell your own story.
I have many members of this program who are not editors (and not even in the entertainment industry), including writers, directors, producers, composers, actors, entrepreneurs, college professors, engineers, and more.
The only prerequisite for this course is a willingness to get uncomfortable, roll up your sleeves, and start writing a new draft of your story with my guidance and support.
How much time we can work together in a one-on-one setting depends on your budget, your available time, and your willingness to get uncomfortable. 🙂
COMMUNITY COACHING
LARGE GROUP COACHING
SMALL GROUP COACHING
PRIVATE COACHING
In short, this program covers whatever you need it to cover. With access to all of my current online courses, masterclasses, and workshops, it’s Choose Your Own Adventure!
As a “Community Coaching” or large group coaching member you can learn from any material you’d like at your own pace
If you work with me in small groups or privately, in the first twelve weeks of this program we will work together using my Focus Yourself online course where you will learn how to define your most important goals with 100% CLARITY, how to prioritize all of the things you could be doing down to your ‘One Thing’ such that you have total CONFIDENCE your next action is always the right one, and then you’ll learn a multitude of productivity tools & strategies to ensure you follow through with CONSISTENCY (Trello, calendar apps, to-do lists, etc).
If your goals are health-oriented, we’ll design the path to build the right habits for you to meet your goals.
If your goals are productivity-related, you’ll learn how to better manage your time than you ever thought possible. You will be well on the path to becoming a ‘Productivity Ninja.’
If your goals are career-specific, we’ll design the path that you thought didn’t exist before and prioritize your next most important steps.
While we will not specifically talk about networking strategies or how to get jobs in the Focus Yourself program, you can schedule a ‘Hot Seat’ to workshop anything you would like (e.g. workshopping your résumé, an outreach email, etc).
If you want to learn specific networking strategies, how to write amazing outreach emails, or how to pitch yourself for the right jobs with your résumé, cover letter, or your portfolio website, those are topics we cover in-depth in my 12 week ‘Advance Yourself’ career coaching & mentorship program.
SMALL GROUP
If you choose to work with me in a small group (groups of no more than 5 ), this will be just like joining an online college course. You will be expected to show up to all weekly 90 minute calls – attendance is mandatory (if you’re concerned about missing one or two weeks that isn’t a big deal. All sessions will be recorded so you can catch up with anything you miss). We will work through the Focus Yourself curriculum one module at a time week by week.
Small group is the best fit for you if you value accountability and you prefer getting the most out of the curriculum and being immersive. Small group is also the best fit if you also have more personal & sensitive topics to discuss in a more intimate setting (e.g. burnout, depression, overwhelm, limiting beliefs, etc).
Small group is NOT a good fit for you if you want to learn at your own pace or ask questions or advice about topics outside the curriculum, e.g. you want to workshop your résumé even though the weekly topic is time management.
LARGE GROUP
If you choose to work with me in the large group program there is no mandatory attendance requirement. You may attend as few or as many of the calls as you like. You will have access to my ‘Office Hours’ on a weekly basis and can schedule up to 60 minutes worth of one-on-one sessions per month to address any specific needs you have.
Large group is the best fit for you if you are already a motivated self-starter and prefer to work at your own pace. It’s also a good fit if you have various miscellaneous topics you’d like to address that might not fit into the Focus Yourself curriculum, e.g. networking strategy, workshopping outreach emails, résumés, websites, etc.
Large group is NOT a good fit for you if you need accountability and support to stick with curriculum and you want me and the community to keep you on track on a weekly basis. It is also not a good fit if you have more personal, i.e. sensitive topics you’d like to discuss but don’t want a large group to listen to (e.g. burnout, depression, limiting beliefs, etc).
COMMUNITY
With the community coaching option you will not be attending any live calls, but you can listen to all Office Hours calls (past & present) as needed based on your own schedule and needs. Community coaching also includes one bonus ‘Hot Seat’ to meet with me one-on-one during the semester based on your availability and needs.
I designed this program specifically for busy, ambitious working professionals (who probably also have a family). Anticipate an average of 3-5 hours per week of work outside the Zoom calls for video lessons, worksheets, and assignments.
*Please note that unused ‘Hot Seat’ sessions DO NOT rollover month-to-month. If you don’t schedule them, they will expire.
All coaching calls are held virtually via Zoom on weekday mornings.
If you are interested in either the private or small group options, you must be available for either 60 or 90 minutes once a week somewhere between 8-11am Pacific time. If you choose to apply for the private or small group options, we will discuss which day and time best fits your schedule and needs.
If you are interested in the large group option, I will hold ‘Office Hours’ for 4 hours per week on Zoom weekday mornings between 8-10am (days and time subject to change). Because attendance is not mandatory, you do not need to make yourself available during these times each week. But if you want to schedule a ‘Hot Seat’ with me, anticipate it will be a 20 minute block somewhere between 8-10am Pacific two mornings per week (usually Wednesdays & Fridays).
Unfortunately I currently do not offer coaching on evenings & weekends. If the above times do not fit your schedule, you may enroll in the Community Coaching option and work through the conten at your own pace.
If you enroll in either the private or small group options, attendance is mandatory. If you must miss a private session we can reschedule for a later date (with 24-hrs advanced notice). If you are enrolled in the small group program the call will continue as scheduled, but all coaching calls are recorded and you will have access to past session audio recordings & searchable transcripts.
If you enroll in the large group coaching option, attendance is not mandatory. You may choose to participate as it suits your schedule. You are welcome to attend any and all sessions as a background participant, and you also have the option to schedule up to two 20-minute one-on-one ‘Hot Seat’ sessions per month during my Office Hours (schedule subject to change). All sessions are recorded and you will have access to past audio recordings and searchable transcripts.
Note: You will not receive prorated refunds for any missed sessions at the end of the semester.
Absolutely! You do not need to be local to Los Angeles, or California, or even the United States to get the most out of this program. You just need to be available for anywhere between 20 and 90 minutes per week between 8-10am Pacific time for coaching calls.
I have students all over the country and the globe from North Carolina, New York, Maryland, Ireland, Denmark, Columbia, Chile, Australia, and more.
The only prerequisite to being a member of this community is a willingness to work hard, step outside your comfort zone, and be a positive member of this global community.
No doubt your journey will have just begun after the first 12 weeks. When the time comes you’re ready to forge ahead you will have multiple options available to you:
If you cannot afford to enroll in any of the group coaching options at this time, I highly recommend checking out my self-guided Focus Yourself program as this is the EXACT same curriculum all my students use as the foundation of the coaching & mentorship program. You can go through it in as little as four weeks, or take as long as you need. You’ll have LIFETIME ACCESS.
If you’d like to enroll in any of the coaching options (private, small group, large group, community) the deadline to enroll or submit your application is Monday, January 18th, 11:59pm Eastern time. Winter semester orientation is Friday, January 22nd at 8am Pacific.
If you missed the deadline but you’d still like to enroll in the Community coaching option, reach out to my team at [email protected] and let’s chat to see if we can find you a spot.
No matter the coaching option you choose and the number of Hot Seats you are granted, Hot Seats expire at the end of the semester. There are no exceptions.
Hot Seats also do not rollover month-to-month, meaning you cannot schedule all six of your large group Hot Seats the final weeks of the semester because you procrastinated and waited until the end of the program to dive into the course materials.
If you have unused Hot Seats at the end of the semester they do not carry any monetary value, and you cannot request a pro-rated refund for unused sessions.
It is your responsibility to prioritize your time and be intentional with it. Schedule accordingly.
If for whatever reason this program isn’t the right fit, you have 30 days to request a refund at which point I will cancel your remaining monthly payments. You will also receive a $497 refund for your registration fee as well as a pro-rated refund for any unused sessions in your first month (E.g. If you register for the large group program and you request a refund after two weeks, you will receive a $50 refund as you are halfway through the first month).
Upon your 31st day after registration, if you haven’t requested a refund, you commit to the remainder of this program and no further refunds will be granted.
I stand by the quality of this program and the results it gets for my students. I’m happy to grant you a no-questions-asked refund within 30 days because I’m confident you’ll never need to ask for one. 🙂
If you have additional questions not answered above, reach out to [email protected]
In this program my mission is to help you DO better and BE better.
“Doing” better means learning how to more effectively manage your time, your energy, and your creativity so you can produce higher quality work in less time (and ultimately become a productivity ninja).
“Being” better means doing all of the above while still prioritizing the most important people, things, and passions in your life…all without sacrificing your health (or sanity) in the process.
As an ambitious creative professional who’s spent the last twenty years working in Hollywood as a film & TV editor (recent shows include Netflix’s Cobra Kai, Empire, Glee, and Burn Notice), I’ve battled depression and burnout more times than I can keep track of. Having been diagnosed with adult-onset ADD in my mid-twenties, I spent over a decade flailing as I slowly learned how to balance a demanding career, having two kids, and just trying to survive.
And that’s what brings me to you today. Having been on this journey myself from barely making it through the day to having so much energy left over that I’ve chosen to spend the last two and a half years training to become an American Ninja Warrior, I know how overwhelming it can feel taking the first step. I’ve got your back. I’m here to help shorten your learning curve so you can avoid many of the costly and time-consuming mistakes I’ve made along the way.
To be clear: If you’re looking for all the answers, I am not the mentor for you.
I am not an expert, and I’m definitely not your guru.
You and I are on the exact same journey, I just happen to be a step or two ahead on the path. Therefore my job is to shorten your learning curve by sharing my best discoveries with you over the next 12 weeks (and beyond!).
In my career I’ve worked with the following studios: Netflix, Home Box Office, Sony Pictures Television, Walt Disney Studios, 20th Century Fox Television, Paramount Television, Fox Searchlight, Universal Cable Productions, ABC, NBC, Dreamworks, Warner Bros, USA Network, Lionsgate Films, Paramount Classics, and many more.
My work as an editor, documentary director, teacher, podcaster, and writer has been featured in such publications as Forbes, The Huffington Post, NPR, I Will Teach You to be Rich, LinkedIn Learning, Cinema Editor Magazine (ACE), Cinemontage, Post Magazine, Post Perspective, Frame.io, Film Editing Pro, and many more.
At this point I’ve achieved my goals in the entertainment industry. Now I want to help you achieve yours.
However, if you’re hesitating because this program seems scary, or I might push you outside your comfort zone, guess what? Outside your comfort zone is the only place things are going to happen for you. You can either continue waiting for opportunities to find you, or you can start creating your opportunities.
Here’s my promise to you:
I will be in your back pocket 24/7 (via Slack) to answer any questions you might have during your journey, and we’ll work together every week via Zoom to clearly define your next steps, no matter your goal.
You’ll also have the support of everyone else in the ‘Optimizer’ community on the same journey as you. It’s literally like connecting to an instant network of new best friends and colleagues who are overcoming the same obstacles as you that want to help you succeed!
But here’s the thing…I can’t help you.
Wait…what?
Isn’t that what coaching and mentorship is all about?
Not quite. Only you can help you.
I can’t take the action that will lead you towards the most important goals in life.
My role is to make sure you are asking the RIGHT questions and taking the RIGHT actions for yourself. And like the sherpa leading you towards Mt. Everest, I’ll be there by your side to ensure you don’t take the wrong path.
I’ll give you the CLARITY you desire so you finally know what your goal is. And to clarify, there’s a big difference between your dreams and your goals.
I’ll give you the CONFIDENCE that every single action in your calendar is the right one. If you’re tired of being “busy” all the time and you’re ready to become “effective,” I’m your guy.
And I’ll help you build an action plan that ensures you follow through with CONSISTENCY.
Sound like a good fit so far? If so, then let’s do this!
P.S. If you’re a procrastinator, you can do that later.
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