Marvin V. Acuna

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat. “I don’t much care where—” said Alice. “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat. “—so long as I get SOMEWHERE,” Alice added as an explanation. “Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.”

– Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”

2009 is almost over. As of this writing we have just over a month left. Time flies. It seems like just yesterday that I moved out to LA, and that was over fifteen years ago.

This past Saturday I invested three hours to simply break down two personal goals I intend and am committed to accomplish in 2010. As of December first I will devote an hour each night and three every Saturday until I have mapped out all my personal goals and commitments for 2010. I’m determined to be clear on what I want, what I must do to get there, and more importantly — define landmarks, set deadlines and status review sessions to ensure I’m on track.

Additionally, this upcoming Monday my business partners and I will complete mapping out all our business goals and set an entire calendar for 2010.

As you can see I’m a firm believer in goal setting AND setting dates. Huge believer! It always surprises me that so few folks set goals, much less build a calendar. I’m not sure why it surprises me, but it does.

Maybe someone should invent a mapquest.com for people’s dreams, then they could simply print out directions like all people do when they set out on a trip. That would be nice.

There is overwhelming evidence that goal setting and schedules lead to results.

Consider the following:

• If you sold a screenplay to a studio the agreement would include a very specific timeline of payment and the schedule for rewrites. In fact, the delivery of a rewrite is tied to the payment schedules.
• If you sold a pitch to a studio the agreement would also clearly state your writing schedule.
• And finally, if your project were to be produced, an entire schedule, with extreme specificity — drawn from the script — would be created along with budgets. In fact, if you have never done a production schedule breakdown of your script I would HIGHLY encourage you to take a class on how to. It’s a powerful exercise.

Hear me: You have chosen a profession that requires every available advantage to succeed. This is your business. No one will ever care more about your business than you. It’s so important. If you just invest a little time into yourself and your business by mapping it out… I promise it will have profound, measurable results.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Schedule — You need to block off time to set goals and build a calendar. Use a timer. Let people know you are not to be distracted. Turn off the phone, the internet… in essence anything that can be a distraction.
• Reflection — begin your goal setting sessions with a thirty minute exercise of reflection. Sit in quiet and write down a few of this year’s accomplishments. Jot down HOW you accomplished them and most importantly how it makes you feel knowing that you accomplished them. Personally, I find it sets the tone, the mood, and the belief that you have found success and are extremely capable of attaining your goals.
• Why — You need to be clear — crystal clear — on why you wish to attain this goal. There must be a strong belief that there is something in it for you to accomplish this goal.
• Calendar — I cannot stress it enough… As you break down your goals set the action steps to actual completion dates.
• Share — Choose someone you trust, admire, respect, and who desires to see you succeed. It makes all the difference in the world when you have someone to discuss your goals with, and more importantly to hold you accountable to staying on track. They can also be the perfect person to celebrate with at each milestone.

My hope is that these tips will ignite a fire within you to create the production schedule of your dream for the upcoming year.

I’ll say it one last time… this IS YOUR BUSINESS. No one will care about it more than you. I hope you invest the time to begin mapping out your dream. No one will do it for you. No one!

Go to http://www.ScreenwritersSuccess.com/access for all the details.

The first session starts tomorrow so you haven’t got much time!

Finally, for those of you who asked for it, here is a schedule of the dates and times of the “Screenwriter’s Access” Teleseminar Series.

Literary Agent Steven Glick
(23 years as head of Motion Pictures/Television department at The William Morris Agency)
Friday, December 5th, 10am PDT (1pm EDT)

Producers Peter and Alan Richie
(Producers of “Bride Wars” starring Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson – January, 2009)
Friday, December 12th, 10am PDT (1pm EDT)

Literary Manager Jon Brown
(Owner, Ensemble Entertainment)
Friday, December 19th, 10am PDT (1pm EDT)

Marvin V. Acuna
(Wrap up Q and A Session)
Tuesday, December 23rd, 10am PDT (1pm EDT)

All sessions will be recorded and transcribed for your convenience and access. Hope to talk to you soon!

http://www.ScreenwritersSuccess.com/access

May Your Life Be Extraordinary,

Marvin V. Acuna