Lately I have been thinking about work ethic. This has come up because I want to instill a good work ethic in my children. I think that my brothers and I have great work ethics. Matt is an artist living in Italy. He has spent years honing and refining his craft. As you can see by his work, he is an amazing artist. And he is incredibly knowledgable about the art architecture and culture of his preferred field. Go check out his blog and you can read and see for yourself. Same with my brother Jon,
writer, actor, produced his own movie (with his husband Tom) which is awesome. There are people that say they want to be actors, and there are people that really want to be an actor. Jon is one of the latter. If you really want to be an actor you don’t wait to be discovered you make yourself discovered. That means working hard to hone your craft, and audition, audition, audition. A lot of wannabe actors don’t do this, there are people (with or without talent) that don’t want to apply themselves to the task at hand. Even if it something that they profess to be interested in.
Not to toot my own horn, but I have accomplished a bit myself. I got a good teaching job at a great school, and have a great family. I am not a person that is afraid of working. In fact I enjoy the feeling of accomplishing tasks.
My question is: How did we, my brothers and I, get this way and how do I do the same for my children?
I have lots of memories of doing chores, or helping my dad with projects. Helping to wash the dog (a huge Irish Wolfhound) or Mow the lawn or pour concrete. Was it that we were always asked to help that work was ingrained into our childhood? I also remember my dad always sitting at night with us while we were all watching TV, and he would be writing reports. Was it the example of my hardworking parents that influenced us?
What are your experiences?
First of all, thank you very much for the kind words. All three of us have very strong work ethics. Every summer while you were in college you were off working at different theaters all over the country.
I think it’s because Dad loves the work he does. His passion for architecture runs very deep. Couple this with the fact that his office was at home, we always saw him working and work was all around us. The one thing I learned at an early age that the day-to-day life of a creative person is rather mundane. You work at it every day and some days you’re up and other days you’re down. A phrase I’ve been using a lot lately is “focus on the long game.” I’m currently reorienting myself as a type to be “Young Dad” instead of “Young Dude”. So, auditions are short right now as I’m prepping for new headshots and stuff because I know that things will be better later. Mom & Dad taught me that by example, as I’m sure they did with you and Matt… and I’m sure that you will with your kids.
Chores are important and showing how we had to earn things is important as well. So I’m sure you have been showing that to your kids and know you will as they get older.
Just my two cents. ;)
It is not very often that you see a family completely comprised by artists. We do all have very strong work ethics thanks to the example set by the folks. And you know what, they always supported what we did but added the disclaimer(often unsaid) that we could do better. Because in the end we have to be our own worst critics in order to grow.
Interestingly enough we saw the reality of a ‘creative’ home but none of us let go of the ideal. None of us sold out, including the folks. And we are paying for it in different respects in each of our own careers. Success at the cost of personal and professional dignity isn’t success at all.
I agree with Jon, chores are important. Don’t you guys remember vacuuming the stairs every saturday morning in the apartment building, instead of cartoons. It must have built some character.
With pride I share with others what we all do and that in our family culture is king and family comes second.