Take it from Billy Walsh — Follow Your Gut
Any Entourage fans out there? If you haven’t heard of Entourage, it’s a show produced by HBO that follows an up-and-coming star named Vincent Chase who moved out to LA from Queens with his brother and two best friends. It’s a great show.
One of the characters — Billy Walsh — is this outspoken director who has directed two movies for Vinny Chase. The thing that I really love about Walsh’s character, is that he never submits; he never goes against his gut.
Throughout the last couple of episodes as Billy films Vinny’s latest movie — Medellin — in Columbia, he is constantly being doubted and challenged from people about the direction of the film. However, Billy continues to stand his ground and follow what he feels in right no matter what anyone else says or thinks.
Now, there’s a fine line between following your gut and taking advice from your friends and business partners/associates. True, considering feedback and being able to listen to what others have to say about what you are doing is a factor of improving your idea and reaching success.
But, when you know in your heart that something is right and that you are headed down the correct path, then I implore you to listen to “yourself” first — no matter how good the advice may seem from others. Always trust yourself before implementing ideas from other people.
It’s your company. It’s your idea. It’s your vision. So what does that mean? It means that you the one who is most intimately involved with what needs to be done and the direction that should be taken. You have a unique insight into the company and you are connected to the project in a way that nobody will ever be. Remember that.
Just like Billy Walsh, don’t be scared to go against what everyone is saying. Don’t get scared to follow your heart and your gut even if that means you lose a partner or lose a client. You must continue to take risks.
Sure, there will be times when you mess up and you were wrong. That’s expected. But when you follow your gut, you’ll be right more than you’re wrong.
7 Comments
Eric
June 25th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Too bad E thinks it sucks
David Askaripour
June 25th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Everything has room for improvement
Victor Fuentes
June 25th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
I agree. Its one of the two top ideas I live by when making a tough decision:
1 ALWAYS follow your gut
2 NEVER stray form your valuess
Thiery Henry
June 26th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Hi , its me Henry , thats just what i did last week to leave Arsenal and join Barcelona football club .
take care
David Askaripour
June 26th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Wow, is that really you Thiery? May I ask how long have you been reading Mind Petals?
Mark Bowness
June 27th, 2007 at 8:49 am
Yeah, interesting stuff. Following your gut is vital. It is important to listen to people around you and get the right people around you who you trust but ultimately make your own decision so that you are not ever in an ‘if only’ place.
Mark Bowness
http://www.peoplepassionplanet.com
Leveraging Ideas :: The Blog of Sam Huleatt: social media, technology and startups
September 14th, 2007 at 9:30 am
[...] high-risk independent film, Medellin. Eric is now his own agent, balancing friendships, learning to trust his gut, and trying to sell clients (Anna Faris). Even Ari has his own [...]
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