Stephen J. Cannell’s Footnotes to Success

I was in my private reading room, relaxing on my personal (porcelain) throne, when I found an article in Success magazine about the author/actor/Hollywood legend Stephen J. Cannell. The article, titled Character Development, was written by Michelle Medley, and provides a brief look into the life of the man that gave us many of the shows that we’ve seen over the years. The Rockford Files, The A Team, and 21 Jump street – just to name a few.

In the article, Canell shares a few Footnotes to Success, and I couldn’t help but notice how each of them applies directly to the life of a freelancer.

Lighten up. Don’t take yourself so seriously that you can’t grow.
You can create business and opportunity for yourself if you’re willing to bet on yourself.
Pour energy into your career, and it will make a difference.
When you hire somebody, make sure they share your emotional philosophy and your human philosophy. Don’t get somebody who has a different take on what is right and wrong.
It’s better to be underpaid. You won’t be the first fired when times are bad.
Finish what you start. Broken manuscripts teach you nothing.
Avoid saying no to an idea when you’re in the room. Always bring it back to the den and kick it around before you throw it out in the sand.
Hire people who are better than you, the secret to being successful.
Don’t just play safe. Don’t just throw your fastball. Get out there and really mix it up.
The joy must be in the doing. If you’re focused on awards, on money, you’re in the wrong place.
Decide what you want to do. Don’t let other people grade your paper.
Root for your friends.
Refuse to fail. Keep smiling, keep punching. Don’t quit on your dream.

For me, the most important footnotes are “Don’t just play safe,” and “Refuse to fail,” but it’s “Finish what you start” that I need to work on the most.

Do any of these footnotes resonate with you?