Principles from James Cameron
Push your Boundaries: Lessons in Excellence from James Cameron
Estimated reading time (5 minutes)
Happy Friday, everyone.
Welcome to Principles Friday, where I share one principle that can help you in your life or business, one thought-provoking question, and one call to action toward that principle.
Principle of the Week
“If you set your goals ridiculously high and it's a failure, you will fail above everyone else's success.” by James Cameron.
Alright, picture this: James Cameron, the brain behind some of the biggest blockbuster movies, had a rather quirky habit. 🎬 He used to buy the most uncomfortable chairs purposefully. Why? Well, brace yourself, it's quite unexpected – he bought these chairs to write as fast as possible and get out of them!
"I mean, it's very hard for me to get started. And it's very hard for me to stay focused. And it's very hard for me to stay focused," he once confessed.
So, imagine this scene: he's got Terminator in the works, and then bam, he's also tasked with scripting sequels to Alien and Rambo – all on the same day! Same time frame, same pressure.
Now, how does he tackle this epic challenge? He sets up a different desk for each script, cues up different tunes for each one, and then decides that each script would be precisely 120 pages long, summing up to 360 pages in total. He then crunches the numbers and figures out how many pages he needs to write per hour.
"I just wrote that many pages per hour," he shrugs as if it's a piece of cake.
And what do you know, all three films become blockbusters that practically define the filmmaking scene in the '80s and beyond. Terminator made $78 million on a $6 million budget. Aliens banked $183 million and is still hailed as one of the best sequels ever. Rambo: First Blood Part II made a whopping $300 million and kicked off the trend of opening in 2,000 theaters.
But what's truly intriguing is James Cameron's method. He labels it a "lonely process." Surprisingly, he doesn't consider himself a natural wordsmith. Yet, he's the genius behind three of the top four highest-grossing films ever!
So, what's his secret sauce? He focuses his energy on forcing himself to be productive on what matters most – the current important thing. And here comes the interesting part: he turns that focus into a laser-like discipline. Everything in his environment, from desks to music, and, yes, those uncomfortable chairs, pushes him to give his best to the task at hand.
For James Cameron, it's all about crafting a killer script, no matter how much he may dislike writing. And that's the key takeaway – find what works for you. Whether it's building a booming business, boosting your income, or producing exceptional work, discover your jam.
Wanna change your life? Shift your mindset to tackle your focal task head-on, even if you're not jumping for joy about it. James Cameron drives this point home: "You have to have committed to do whatever it takes to get the job done – and try to inspire other people to do it." 🚀
Question to Ponder
What ambitious and daring goals have you dreamed of setting but have always put in the back seat because you are afraid of major setbacks?
Call to Action
Now that you set your ambitious and audacious goal that pushes the boundaries of what you believe is possible, write it down, break it into actionable steps, and commit to pursuing it with determination and resilience.
James Cameron's approach to setting audacious goals and achieving success can be encapsulated in a framework that reflects his mindset and strategies. Here's a framework inspired by Cameron's principles that you can use to set yourself up for success:
1. Visionary Ambition: Set a clear and compelling vision for what you want to achieve. Imagine a goal that excites and challenges you, even if it seems beyond reach. Just as Cameron envisioned creating groundbreaking films, define a goal that resonates deeply with your passions and aspirations. James Cameron's ambitious vision to create groundbreaking films, such as "Avatar" and "Titanic," pushed the boundaries of storytelling and technology in the film industry.
2. Breakdown and Blueprint: Break down your audacious goal into smaller, actionable steps. Develop a detailed plan that outlines the milestones you need to reach along the way. Cameron meticulously plans each aspect of his films, from the script to the visual effects. For "Avatar," he developed a detailed blueprint for the fictional world of Pandora, which guided the creative and technical teams.
3. Resourceful Innovation: Embrace resourcefulness and innovation to overcome challenges. Cameron's ability to achieve his goals often involved thinking creatively and finding unconventional solutions. Similarly, seek innovative ways to address obstacles and leverage your existing resources. In "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," Cameron used innovative visual effects techniques to bring the T-1000 character to life, showcasing his ability to find new ways to achieve his artistic vision.
4. Resilient Determination: Cultivate a mindset of unwavering determination. Cameron's resilience in the face of setbacks is a key factor in his success. Prepare yourself mentally for challenges and setbacks, and persevere despite adversity. Despite facing numerous challenges during the "Titanic" production, including budget constraints and technical issues, Cameron remained determined to see the project through and turned it into a massive success.
5. Continuous Learning: Be open to continuous learning and improvement. Just as Cameron is known for his commitment to exploring new technologies and techniques in filmmaking, be proactive in seeking knowledge and adapting to changing circumstances. Cameron's interest in deep-sea exploration led him to personally dive into the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the ocean. His curiosity and willingness to learn about various subjects contribute to his creative depth.
6. Fearless Action: Take bold and fearless action, even if it involves taking risks—Cameron's readiness to take calculated risks led to many of his achievements. Embrace challenges and step out of your comfort zone to propel yourself closer to your audacious goal. For "Avatar," Cameron embraced the challenge of creating a new cinematic experience using 3D technology. His bold decision paid off, as the film became one of the highest-grossing movies ever.
7. Feedback and Adaptation: Seek feedback and be willing to adapt. Cameron often tests his films with audiences and adjusts based on their responses. Similarly, gather feedback on your progress and make necessary adaptations to stay on course. After receiving initial negative feedback on the pacing of "Aliens," Cameron re-edited the film to improve its flow, resulting in a version that received critical acclaim and further solidified his reputation.
8. Reflection and Refinement: Regularly reflect on your journey and refine your approach. Just as Cameron revisits his work to enhance it, take time to evaluate your progress, celebrate your achievements, and fine-tune your strategies. Cameron's commitment to quality is evident in his revisiting and re-releasing of his films with enhanced effects and extended versions.
Remember, even if you don't reach the exact outcome you envisioned, the journey of striving for such high aspirations can lead to remarkable growth and achievements.
Video of the Week
In this personal talk, he reveals his childhood fascination with the fantastic -- from reading science fiction to deep-sea diving -- and how it ultimately drove the success of his blockbuster hits "Aliens," "The Terminator," "Titanic," and "Avatar."
If you want to learn more principles, I interview founders on my podcast, The First 100, where they share how they acquired their first 100 paying customers. This week:
Episode 90 - The First 100 with Tony Beltramelli, CEO and co-founder of Uizard
Things I Came Across This Week
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