Self education doesn't mean that you teach yourself everything that you need to know. It means that you are the director of your education and that you ensure that you acquire the knowledge and experience that will help you make the most of yourself and your opportunities in life.
We enter the world with no knowledge and yet we have to survive in a sophisticated society that has evolved over thousands of years. In order to recognize and capitalize on the vast amount of opportunity that exists in our society we need to acquire a whole range of knowledge and skills and then apply them effectively.
Let's look at some of the areas in which we should be enhancing our knowledge.
Financial Education.
Money is not a natural phenomena, it is a human invention. Therefore it is unlikely that we will be born with a natural understanding and proficiency for financial matters. These are things that we have to learn.
We should be studying how to use money so that it becomes a valuable tool for us. If we don't learn the necessary skills then we will end up being slaves to money and at the mercy of those who do understand and utilize money skills.
Verbal Communication Skills
We are not born speaking our language. The language that we do learn is dependent on where we are born and who our parents are. Yet this language is a highly sophisticated communication tool.
Most people learn the basics of their native language and as such have a basic communication skill. However, very few people learn to master the intricacies of the language so that they can use language as a tool to enhance their life. This requires more than knowledge of vocabulary and grammar. It requires that you know how to use the language in such a way that you can create the life you want.
Some of these more advanced language skills are negotiation, salesmanship, marketing, rapport building, how to create enthusiasm in others, public speaking and effective writing skills. Many of the great leaders throughout history have used these language skills as major factors in their success.
These leaders have been known for their charismatic personalities and their abilities to inspire the masses through their words. These are not inherited skills present in our genetic building blocks. These are skills that those leaders acquired during the life.
Investment Knowledge
If you don't learn how to make money work for you then you will always have to work for money. Investment is a skill. There are principles and strategies that hold true across the full range of investments and it is important to understand and master these skills.
Then there are skills, strategies and knowledge that are specific to each field of investment. For example you will need a different set of skills, strategies and knowledge as a futures trader than you would need as a residential property investor.
Personal Development
Our lives are far more complex today than were the lives of our ancient ancestors. Achieving personal happiness, a successful relationship with our romantic partner, a sense of personal fulfillment and success in all the other "human" aspects of our life is becoming more and more complicated.
In order to be happy in life we need to study and acquire the skills of happiness. We need to learn how to balance the pressures of living in society with our need for happiness in life. We need to acquire to skills of handling the stresses of modern living without taking those stresses into ourselves.
In Conclusion
I have only scratched the surface of the numerous ways in which self education can enhance your life. Most people's education stops when they leave the formal system but that is when the successful person's education begins.
Will I Get A Job
One of my first jobs in Los Angeles was as a story analyst at a major production company. If you'd love to spend long nights and weekends reading and analyzing the future hits (and not-so-much-a-hits) of Hollywood, here's how you go after this fascinating, funny and frankly high burn-out entry-level gig.
THE JOB
As a story analyst, it is your job to read and summarize scripts then analyze them for structural soundness, story, dialogue, character development, creativity and more. That is called "generating coverage," and you will do that for your creative executives (CEs) on fairly tight deadlines.
THE PROCESS
When you apply for a job as a reader, you will be handed a sample script and asked to analyze it, using the company's coverage template, in a set period of time, FOR FREE. The company's development team will review your work to see if it meets their needs and may then hire you. Once you are hired, you usually work as a freelancer, being sent or picking up your ?weekend pile? of scripts when they contact you. There often are scripts to cover during the week, as well. You might read only a handful of scripts a week; at big companies, you might have to analyze twenty or more a week.
THE PAY
Oh, pay is sooooooo looooooow for readers! You almost always are paid on a per-script basis, anywhere from $20 - $55 a script, usually. Given the hours you invest, it's not much money, but it's great experience for both writers and aspiring development types.
HONING YOUR SKILLS
Before you go after a reading job, be sure you have a strong grasp of story structure! Take multiple classes, read multiple books, know industry terminology and expectations. That's not just to help yourself get a job; it's also to be fair to the writers whose scripts you are about to be responsible for vetting. As a story analyst, you are a gatekeeper for your production company, the first point of entry for screenwriters trying to get their work produced. That is a big responsibility . It is also great trench training for screenwriters who are interested in learning the buyer's point of view of this business, as I discuss in detail in my book and seminars.
GETTING THE GIG
Next it's time for the job hunt. Craig's List often has postings in the ?Gigs? section of the Los Angeles region. Just do a general search for ?reader? and for ?story analyst.? Also, let your friends know you are looking for a story analyst gig, and put a cool gift into the mix for people who get you into the consideration pool!
Of course, reading jobs are notorious ?insider? gigs, handed off from one analyst to the next, so the best way to get one of these jobs is through a contact. If you know someone who does coverage right now, ask if they can submit you for consideration as a reader for their company. If they get you in to do sample coverage, terrific ? be sure to get them a gift, whether you're hired or not.
BTW, for gifts, I love to do coffeehouse gift cards. I've caffeinated half of Hollywood in the past dozen years.
Both James Delrojo & Dma/donna Michelle Anderson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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