Do What You’ve Promised
Here’s a piece of advice, whether you’re a young stage manager or just someone starting a journey: always follow through on your commitments.
I can’t forget the first person who told me this, and it’s shaped so much of my life. It accounts for most of the praise I’ve received in my career and, on the flip side, my messiest problems.
Take this one time I planned to create a contingency list for any major incidents that might throw off the show I was working on – let’s call it an ’emergency plan B’. I shared this plan with our Technical Director. But then, life got crazy. We got swamped with launching new people into the show, dealing with rough venues, and more. We simply couldn’t find time for a meeting.
Guess what? Murphy’s Law struck. A two-person puppet in the shape of a giant dog toppled over onstage, creating a chaotic moment because no one knew what to do – the Plan B list never materialized.
Fortunately, everyone was okay, and our kiddo audience assumed the puppet dog was just taking a nap. But I couldn’t help reflecting. If I’d done what I originally intended to do, we might have responded smoothly instead of panicking.
Learn from my lesson: our meeting has since taken place, and we’re prepared for any disaster, including earthquakes.
But don’t always think big. Keeping your word can be as simple as sending an email, making a call, or picking up that promised bar of chocolate. It’s about staying on schedule for social plans.
It appears our society has grown a bit unreliable, so if you live up to your commitments, you will stand out. One cautionary note: ensure you’re careful about what you promise. This isn’t about over-promising. It’s about consistently meeting day-to-day responsibilities. As you refine this skill, you’ll also realize the importance of learning to say ‘no’. This way, you can focus on what really matters before taking on more.
What’s one career advice that has shaped your work attitude? Share your thoughts below and let’s have a conversation.
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