From me to you (and to me, too): Fretting the Needle

It’s easy to give advice. I think I find it easy to take advice too.

But for me to heed the words that I say to others? Not so easy.

So this one is for both of us.

One of my favorite actors, Donald Sutherland, passed away last week after an amazing, long career.

I’m sure that few of my student realize I’m a quoting Sutherland’s character from Animal House, Professor Jennings, when I groan in class “Listen, I’m not joking… this is my job!” But I am.

And M*A*S*H, Ordinary People, Invasion of the Body Snatchers…some of my favorites barely scratching the surface of Sutherland’s presence on screen.

In the earliest days of my very first job, as an usher at Woodfield Theaters 3 & 4, the world was abuzz with the release of the controversial movie Endless Love, rated R and starring Brooke Shields. Since I was still 16 at the time, our theater manager declared long and loud that “This boy is not allowed anywhere near the theater” playing the highly anticipated and presumably very steamy Endless Love. The manager continued. “He can handle the other screen on his own.”

On the other screen was Donald Sutherland’s WWII spy thriller Eye of the Needle. A really good movie. A little slow at times. And much steamier, which I can say even having never seen Endless Love.

There are probably a lot of lessons to be learned here but I’ll focus on this one: Don’t create a potentially bigger problem with a heavy-handed (or half-hearted) attempt to solve a lesser problem.

You can do it. You’ll be glad you did.
(And so will I!)

See you tomorrow!

(My friend Rob and I just published the latest issue of our podcast for you to enjoy. Find “Marketing vs Sales” on your favorite podcast platform. Pull up a seat and join us, and let us know what you think!)