There are Five Types of folks you’ll meet in this business. I use the acronym S.M.O.K.E to describe them and how to handle each type.
S – The Sometime-y person. This person is sometimes with you, sometimes works hard, sometimes has your back, sometimes participates, sometimes has good ideas, sometimes supportive. There is nothing reliable about this person except that they will change with the weather. This person is rarely malicious in their actions, however. It’s just how they are.
M – The Mostly person. This person is mostly there for you in every capacity. They value your friendship and will do what they can for you. This person is usually a friend or distant relative who believes in you. This person has usually has big dreams of their own, big dreams and thus can usually identify with your aspiration.
O – The Only Person. This person is only there for you only when it’s good for them. They only see value in a relationship with you when there’s something in it for them. Some would say that many agents would fall into this category.
K – The Killer Person. This person will kill your dreams every chance they get. They don’t want you to out-do them, so they will bring you down. This type of person taxes your spirit, your energy and your time. You’ll find these people lurking around cleverly disguised as family and friends.
E – The Every-time Person. This person may not be around all the time because they live fruitful lives, however, every time you need them they are there. This is the person you can call in the zero hour when you need help, support, a kind word, encouragement. They have a naturally uplifting spirit about them, are high energy and see value in you, personally and professionally
Your job is to stay away from the K’s and the O’s; minimize your interaction with the S’s; surround yourself with M’s and E’s. It may not be fair but you’ll be judged by the people you call friend or colleague. Often you may not be able to identify a K, S, or O because you haven’t been in a crisis. But you’ve often seen red flags in their treatment of others.
In your personal life and in your profession you’ve noticed people who inspire and encourage, often without provocation. It’s because the desire to help is in their very DNA. These are the E’s and the M’s. These people make great mentors and are a sound and reliable support system. In business these folks are go-getters, not just in rote activities, but in their passion and desire. They can taste their dreams, and through them, you can taste yours.
You are definitely an M and an E in my life, lil Mary. I try my best to be the same. And yup, like you, M’s and E’s in my life are far and few in between.
M my name is MARY…..LOL…..and I hope that I am an M and an E in your life! I feel confident in knowing that even if you weren’t a film-maker, we’d be good friends because of who you are as an individual. I would jump into the front of a bus for you Angelo Bell, as I would with the other M’s and E’s in my life (and they are few and far between). Mua!!!