Step 2.2: The First Law of Holes
The First Law Of Holes: when you’re in one, stop digging.
“The last jobs I had were fixing cars and covering football games for a local access TV station. As in, driving the mobile van to the field, setting up 3 cameras, teaching depressed grownups and interns how to use them and directing the game from the van - and then wanting to kill myself.”
- Louis C.K.
When you're in a hole, put down the damn shovel.
Look at Louis C.K. Before he was selling out Madison Square Garden, he was directing high school football games from a TV van, contemplating suicide. Rock bottom isn't a sob story – it's a wake-up call. He didn't find Jesus or read some self-help bullshit. He just admitted he was going the wrong way. Instead of of digging deeper, he climbed out.
While working at the local access TV station, Louis decided he wanted to become a standup comic. He got his first shot in 1984 at a local open mic night – but bombed so badly that he stayed away from comedy for two years.
Eventually, he decided that he had the talent, desire + will to pursue a career in comedy, and committed completely to this road. He put in the work to develop his writing, standup, acting, directing and business skills and went on to write for late night hosts like David Letterman, Chris Rock, Conan O'Brien and Dana Carvey; star in his own HBO sitcom; appear in a number of feature films - and ultimately become one of the most successful and beloved standup comedians in the US.
(Unfortunately, he’s now digging himself out of another career hole of his own making.)
The hard part is knowing whether you’re in a hole or not.
You don't need to know where to go after you get out of the hole yet – we'll address that in the following chapters – but its critical for you to know whether you're in a hole before you can move forward.
What do you think? Who are other examples you can think of – celebrities, friends, family, neighbors, colleagues – who went through this?
Your Playbook:
Real talk: Are you in a hole or just having a bad day, week, month or maybe a year? Look in the mirror. Be honest with yourself.
If it's a hole, stop digging. Now.