Being Geek Chic is a blog about one woman navigating the male-dominated industries of production and tech. It's written by Elizabeth Giorgi, Founder, CEO and Director of Mighteor - one of the world's first internet video production companies. Learn more about Mighteor here.
Beating the Original Super Mario Brothers. Writing and directing my first narrative film. Reading the book about Pixar. Getting the high score on Galaga on the machine in my building. Traveling to Italy and drinking insane amounts of wine. Finally getting that tattoo.
It’s easy to want to do things. It’s harder to actually do them.
And yet it feels so good when we do things. When we wake up and realize: damn, I did that big thing. And I did it well. So why is it so hard to commit?
I have always wanted to be known as the kind of person that got shit done.
It started in high school, when my ultra competitive nature meant that I wanted to get into my choice colleges. It transitioned into that first year in the dorms, where I challenged myself to become a freshman staff reporter at the largest daily college newspaper in the country. (I totally did that too, by the way.) And it continued early in my career, when I decided to teach myself how to be a film editor to expand my creative professional options. That bet paid off immensely.
Then adulting got in the way.
And grocery lists.
And dating.
And all the things that don’t really have “dream” attached to them. Instead, it’s more like “obligation” with a dash of social expectations.
For me, so much of my growth this year has been about getting back to that girl. The one that said she was going to do something and then actually did it. It started simply: seeking out the challenges I’ve always wanted to achieve and forcing myself to make progress, no matter how small. Initially, this was about the simple task of crossing things off my to do list. Anyone who has ever had an absurd collection of post-it notes knows this: There is a sick level of self-satisfaction that comes from crossing things off of your to-do list. Imagine that tiny little personal pleasure being amplified by 10 or 100 when you do something truly life changing?!
Before I knew it, the dreams got bigger: write a script in the Wes Anderson cafe. Done.
Create my own start-up and actually hire some people. Done.
Write and direct a film. Done.
The point is: if you want to be the kind of person who feels fulfilled, work to fulfill yourself through goal-oriented ass kicking. Be the sort of woman who says: I want to do this. And then actually do it. Make the list. And do it.
You’ll be happier. Trust me. I know, because I am.
I’m participating in NaNoWriMo for the first time. (National Novel Writing Month for the uninitiated.) Are you?
Actually, there’s a twist.
I’m doing NaMeWriMo. National Memoir Writing Month. (P.S. that’s not a thing. I made it up.)
I have long felt my life has been full of bizarre incidents and lessons worthy of chronicling. And I have been told on more than one occasion I have a weird humor about me. I know there are probably 6 people who care about the happenings of my life, but honestly, I need to write it down. Just in case. And so should you.
Here’s some reasons you should stop reading this and go write:
1. It’s therapy. Truly. I have worked through some of the hardest things in my life by getting it out, thinking it through and piecing it together like a story.
2. It’s perspective. The economy sucks, politics are nasty, food is expensive - but you know what? The feelings and memories we often choose to put on paper are the ones that matter.
3. It’s bonding. I am choosing to do NaNoWriMo with one of my best friends, but I have always had a habit of sharing my writing with my boyfriend, friends and family. There’s something about your emotions in Times New Roman that can share how you really feel.
Your still here? Did you hear what I said at the beginning of this list? “Here’s some reasons you should stop reading this…” remember?
I’ve decided to launch a new portfolio site. As a creative, it’s important to look at what you’ve done every year and give potential clients a fresh idea of what you have to offer.
And it was also on my grand list of geeky goals - in part because I wanted to represent my geeky self alongside my professional self on my portfolio site.
I think it turned out pretty well. Simple, but clear. I am always seeking clarity in everything I do. I hope I achieved that. If you or anyone you know is ever looking for a writer or filmmaker for your project, please feel free to drop me a line or visit lizgiorgi.com.
Alright, that’s business. Let’s have some fun.
On the topic of life lists… Have you met GoMighty?
If you haven’t made a life list or you’re still tackling an old one - then this new website from Mighty Girl and a bunch of other internet ladies can help. You upload your life list and others help you achieve your goals. Similarly, you can review other peoples’ lists and offer a hand in return. Pretty cool idea, right? Achieving our dreams is more fun when we do it together.
What if Doctor Who had the Sherlock title sequence?
Well, then this would happen:
Isn’t it beautiful? Wow. I sort of with that this was a real thing.
Have a beautiful weekend, friends. I’ll be working on my Halloween costume and posting the DIY next week. Can’t wait to share it with you!
My writing elsewhere:
Get This Look: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The Best Podcasts for a Slow Day at Work
Lots of bloggers have these things called “Mighty Life Lists” - which basically chronicle all the awesome things they would like to do in their lives. It all started with the incomparable Mighty Girl, whose list includes things like:
Others, like my girl Sarah Von over at Yes and Yes, make lists based on birth years - so this year she’s doing 34 New Things and last year she did 33 New Things. Get it? Her current list includes things like:
I am a fan of lists, so this idea is something I’m definitely drawn to, but I wanted to make a list that was more “me” and reflected my goals in life. And I also think that at my age, I probably don’t know everything I want to accomplish.
Therefore, I introduce to you:
If you had to make a grand list of geeky goals - what would you include?
