Hey friend,
I woke up this morning after sleeping ten hours straight and feel like I could sleep another ten.
These are strange times, aren’t they? I keep wondering when I’m going to wake up from this dream called reality.
How do we as creative individuals respond to something like a pandemic, a crisis that causes the whole world to shut down?
When this whole pandemic began—or at least when things seem to get real—I shared why now is the time to give away our greatest gift.
But what if our greatest gifts are no longer needed?
What do you do then?
Do you double down on what you’ve always done when your work may now seem irrelevant?
Do you pivot in the direction of new opportunities?
Or do you do something else?
There is one question I have discovered that reframes the whole situation:
“What role is being required of me right now?”
We all play different roles at different times, and new situations require us to use our skills in unique and creative ways.
In this week’s episode of The Portfolio Life, I interview my longtime friend and mentor, Michael Port, and he shares his perspective as a trained actor and public speaking coach.
Michael is a best-selling author, fantastic speaker, and co-founder, along with his wife of an organization called Heroic Public Speaking, where they train communicators on how to change the world one great speech at a time.
What I loved about this conversation was Michael’s response to the question of what do you do when you feel like your work isn’t necessary.
Sometimes a crisis reveals your true values, and in many ways, forces you to focus on the things that have always been most important to you.
What happens when you ask yourself the question, “how can I share these gifts and skills, in a way, right now, where they’re actually needed?”
Michael and I talked about public speaking and communication, and how to respond both as an artist and as an entrepreneur when the world seems to be changing. I think you’ll really enjoy it.
Click here to tune in and let me know what you think.
Best,
Jeff
P.S. I’d love to hear your answer. What role is being required of you right now? Shoot me a reply.
