Why Adam Savage Once Declined Two Profitable Gigs
Vložit
- čas přidán 14. 09. 2023
- Should you charge a client for the time spent learning a skill? Should you ever turn down a profitable job? In this livestream excerpt, Adam answers these questions from Tested members David Marden and Andrew Montgomery, whom we appreciate their support! Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks, like asking Adam questions:
/ @tested
Subscribe for more videos (and click the bell for notifications): czcams.com/users/subscription_c...
Tested and Adam Savage Ts, stickers, (de) merit badges and more: tested-store.com
About Tested: www.tested.com/about
Twitter: / testedcom
Facebook: / testedcom
Instagram: / testedcom
Discord: / discord
Amazon Storefront: www.amazon.com/shop/adamsavage...
Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman
Thanks for watching! - Věda a technologie
Join this channel to support Tested and get access to perks, like asking Adam questions:
czcams.com/channels/iDJtJKMICpb9B1qf7qjEOA.htmljoin
I love Adams honesty here, and the fact that he's not ashamed to say he had help. We all need help sometimes, don't be scared to ask.
probably because he's part of the cattle who supported mandates and cancel culture
Agreed. I’m glad he addressed the privilege she had growing up. After all, those of us who have kids have as a main goal to be able to be our kid’s safety net when they grow up and give them those types of privileges.
in reality, anyone successful, has help from someone (usually multiple Someone's), and the wise ones understand it and continue that tradition by helping others.
As long as people understand that sometimes you grew up in circumstances where you didn’t have that help. Not getting financial assistance to explore creative avenues isn’t necessarily a philosophical decision - it’s sometimes an expression of the stark reality you’re trying to claw you’re way out of.
Big props to Adam for his honesty and self-awareness. Too many successful people never acknowledge the breaks they may have had along the way. It does not diminish their accomplishments imo. But it does enhance their character.
“There is no such thing as a "self-made man". We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the makeup of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success.” - George Matthew Adams
Agree... Love Adam's honest here. He's a very smart, self aware dude. It's refreshing to see someone admit that they had a lot of help getting to where they are at. There's too many successful people out there who everyone thinks "hit a home run", but few of those successful individuals will admit they started out on third base.
Adam's first wife was a saint... That level of trust doesn't come easy. Makes you wonder what went wrong there?! Personal and private stuff for sure, don't expect any explanation, nor should one really be given.
Arnold had a great speech about this. czcams.com/video/lF7NqeZuO3E/video.html
As a freelancer creative, I could listen to Adam talk for hours about his experiences and advice. Really appreciate this channel!
Genuinely. It's almost validating to here him talk about the things I have been/am going through as a freelancer. Also, i will NEVER ever be a shade of how talented he is, but it does make me feel a very little bit like "I'm like him" in some ways (Again, NOT the ways related to talent, moreso shared industry problems), which excites me in a small way haha.
@@danjamesdixon9835 Totally, part of the reason I enjoy them so much is because Adam hits the nail on the head with how relateable so much of it is!
Even not being a maker at all, just listening to Adam makes me feel like I've learned such valuable life lessons.
I appreciate the nuance Adam has developed in his perception of privilege regarding learning confidence and latitude in the spectrum of developmental values. No Meerkat pup ever survived learning to eat scorpions without having the sting bitten off until it was older and developed the skill.
I love your oddly specific example!
“There is no such thing as a "self-made man". We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the makeup of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success.” - George Matthew Adams
I too just watched the new Casual Geographic video just before this one 😂
🥱
It is impressive that when you say episode 2 we know it is Star Wars
I think the privilege conversation there is so important, because it doesn't mean there is any lack of skill or knowledge or hard work, it's just that having a safety net or abilitiy to recieve help on things like rent can go so far in helping creatives achieve goals. I love when people like Adam acknowledge that when talking about their success. Much respect.
As long as people acknowledge in a way where they aren't ashamed or apologizing for it. I grew up poor but didn't realize it until I was much older because everyone else around was just as poor. Until I was around 5 maybe 6 I thought my dad was just some drunk guy who slept on the tore up vinyl couch in our living/dining room. I have never looked at people with money who earned it through honest means as being "privileged" or undeserving of what they have. It's ridiculous. Same with the whole white privilege. It's not a thing. If it were then it would follow white people everywhere they go but it doesn't. How much privilege do you think they have in an African country. Whole lotta none. So it's not a thing. I almost moved on to another video when he said the word privilege. Okay rant over...
@@mrdonetxPrivilege dosn't exist everyone just as different disadvatages and only point to others advatages rather then looking at their own
This is why I enjoy this channel,not just for the creative projects,but for the wealth of knowledge and life lessons that Adam brings in each episode,and this is another prime example...thank-you Adam!
These candid freelance stories and backgrounds are so valuable. It's incredibly helpful and puts things in perspective
I love how honest and open Adam is, I could listen to him talk about his life all day.
“I grew up with a value on my personal experience.” As someone who lives not a “successful” life, but a “happy” life, I am so thankful that finally put words to this feeling.
I'm not a maker but I do run a construction company. Just want to say I appreciate these videos, their honesty and guidance. I remember the early days when there wasn't more work than could be handled and was always worried about where the next job would come from. The self employed life can be hard to start (and continues with its surprises) but in the end it is worth it.
As a builder/salesman for the last 38 years, I agree with Adam that it's as important to learn the jobs not to take as it is the ones to take. Learning the bidding process and the smell of a potentially bad job are essential and sometimes the difference between staying in business or not.
Tested has been knocking it out of the park with good content lately (loved the Starfield ICVFX stuff). I really love these sit down, mentor type story moments shared from the biz perspective of a freelance maker. These sorts of videos should be put into curricula! Thank you for sharing- would absolutely love to continue to hear more in regards to freelance maker biz practice!
I am super glad that your parents provided loving support and personal affirmation!
Too many times one or both parents are “tough love” parents and crush the emerging person in their children.
There are times for tough love…
There must be a better term than “privilege” to describe being heard, loved (in all it’s facets), encouraged, emotionally supported and allowed to follow your own path.
You were richly loved but it wasn’t money that did it (it was a blessing that your parents were able to financially help) but it was their love that enriched your life and allowed us to peek into your life through Y.T…
So happy for you!
“I trust you…” I have got tears in my eyes those words are impactful!
I'm an IBEW Journeyman Electrician (Retired in Detroit), what you described is when we drag a job to go to the hall & pick up another one.
I freelanced as a sportswriter for four years, and there were three kinds of clients I always tried to avoid:
1. Clients who interpreted "due on receipt" on an invoice as "Net Eventually." Or who pay a 1/10 Net 30 invoice on Day 29 and whine when you invoice them past due on the discount they weren't eligible for based on their payment date. I stopped offering discount invoice terms within the first three months.
2. Clients whose idea of editorial standards run hard up against your own standards for your writing. I wrote about a trans athlete and correctly gendered them with their preferred gender. The published version after the edit misgendered the athlete. I disavowed the work (although you bet I made sure the client paid me for it. I wasn't giving them the double-whammy benefit of getting that for free after vandalizing it.)
3. The per-article rate looked great until it became evident that there were a bunch of hidden "extras" in what they wanted that would drive the hourly rate down below the federal minimum for my time.
In these days of discussions about working from home, it is important to remember that working at a place that's an hour's commute away is actually really new. Common ways that people used to work:
* farming
* making things in your home or adjacent workshop to sell, either directly, or to / via somebody else
* making / repairing things at a workshop / factory within half an hour walk
* mining in a nearby mine
* doing services for people in your home / nearby space / shop within a half hour walk
Part of the reason that big families were sustainable, was that if something bad happened, both parents were within a 10 minute sprint of home like, 99% of the time. At least one parent, grown child, or extended family member was _always_ close to home.
There were obviously journeying and traveling jobs, like trading, exploring, resource harvesting, etc. But they were much less common than jobs that basically served your small community, and were often done by young people who didn't have families yet, or people who just weren't going to have kids.
The age of being more than 30 minutes' walk from home (which does not slow down from bad traffic -- you're *always* 30 minutes' walk away) for 8+ hours a day is very new, and I believe rather abusive to our social fabric.
I didn't learn that until I was in my 40's. Ran my own IT company for 2 decades and the thing keeping me down was the constant adherence to awful clients. As soon as I started saying to to bad clients I started making more and had more time to actually complete tasks at another level.
Thanks for the video Adam, definitely a really meaningful one. Been watching you all my life and im glad youre still here for all the fans after all these years.
TIL that Adam almost got a cameo in Episode 2 itself! They oughta call you back sometime, man. But the main thing is the great work Adam did contribute, which is great.
There is so much in common with what you say and what I do in a port engineering consulting company! All these experiences are so transversal to different businesses and realities. I started following Tested to fullfill my nerdy needs and now I love it more because of all these wise gems from Adam.
A warm hug from Chile!
Walking the line, and so accurately setting limitations and expectations. Your sharing of experience and knowledge is infinitely valuable. Never change Savage!
An exception to not charging extra for needing to learn a skill is if there is no-one else that does have that skill that they could go to. It could be something that has never been done before or it could be something that no-one in your local area does. If they have no choice but to go to someone that will be doing it for the first time, you can charge for that.
The more I learn about Adam the more I’m impressed with his character. Not only is he an amazing passionate science nerd he is both intellectual and self aware. Keep being awesome
Amazing perspective Adam. Thanks for sharing mate.
Adam, most of your videos resonate with me, but this one resonates so much today. I've been in and out of Disney engineering and have said exactly what you've said to your partner and mine has fortunately responded the same to me. Love this vid on a topic that's often an afterthought
Thank you for your humility. You are a good man.
These videos are fantastic - honest, real, and valuable advice. So helpful for anyone working as a self-employed creative. Thanks Jamie.
Your story about turning down work for mental health is exactly what I needed to hear right now. I'm not turning down work but the part about my mental health is what I bring to the project and that is why I enjoy working for myself put into words the feelings I haven't been able to express. Even before all of the troubles of the last few years. I love working on the road under my terms, I'm just sad that I haven't be ableto find someone to share that with.
This has been exactly what I needed to hear today! I didn't grow up with those same opportunities, but I developed a very broad skillset and freelance in many arenas. I've been struggling with a quote for a few days for some of the very reasons you just went over, and your words here helped me figure out the direction I'm going to go. Just want to say I have the utmost respect for you man! Thank you for your contributions to the world. It's a better place for it!
Holy crap! That was a Masters class on how to be a control of your own destiny! Bravo! You are a joy to listen to and watch.
Thank you for your honesty. It really motivates me when you talk about situations that I am facing right now. It gives me confidence in my decision making. Thank you, I appreciate you.
I'm in tears right now. You have no idea what this video here means to me. I lost my job in Feb, I was a UX designer, for a big company, and it was a surprise. The market right now is hellish, one open position per 5k candidates..
I've been trying to reinvent myself as a video game designer, I tried running a KS campaign for a product I designed (it failed, but it failed upwards so it'll still happen I reckon), and so far I had very small success being a rulebook doctor for board games.
I am at the lowest point in my life. We got bills to pay, my wife is the sole provider, we got a 3yo and a 2mo. And I just turned down a (relatively) high paying job because I just couldn't. And I've struggled with that decision the past week. And this video hits home so hard, Adam.
Thank you for sharing. I hope my luck turns around soon, since online networking is impossibly difficult.
This is such valuable information. Thank you.
As a freelance tech consultant for over 25 years there are many jobs over the years I turned down for decent money because of the client or it was something mundane that I didn't want to do even though I could use the money, my sanity was worth more to me. Eventually you learn money isn't everything, I rather be content than perpetually tired and driving myself insane!
Seeing the man that Adam has become is just another reason that I'll be the best parent I can possibly be. We have a 4 month old and I want him to be able to do what Adam did: turn down a job and pursue what makes him happy. I have never had that same opportunity in my life. I went into the military at 18 even though I had a scholarship to college, I would have had to work part time to ensure I had "living money" to pay phone bills and travel around town etc. Even now, I am sort of stuck in a job that I don't love because I pursued a degree and did part time school but have since fell out of love with the work. I'll go back to school and get another degree in something I find fulfilling one day but for now it's my wife's turn. 2 more years for her and then it's my turn again and I can't wait.
I really love that Adam is always really forthright and proactive about owning up to recognizing the privilege he grew up with and how many many other people don’t have that. Just hearing that is refreshing. That’s an excellent example for so many people
I like how we can say Episode II and everyone knows what we're talking about ❤
It took me hearing it 3 times before it clicked. Episode 2 of mythbusters obviously 😆
@@blackwater2192 oh my 😂
@@Destryx1337x Of course it was Star Wars.
I love it that you know and are open about having a safety net that not everyone has and can’t take these leaps of faith in order to land a dream job
Yup. My full time employer of 16 years recently retired and closed the doors. I'd been working remotely for him for 14 years, and doing freelance gigs on the side. Decided to go freelance full time, and it's been about a month now. I hate it. I absolutely hate it. I'm just so used to the old schedule, and the old way of doing things that I have to give myself time to re-adjust and learn to be freelance full time. It's not easy, and my full time job was easy as pie. I'm not going to give up as I want to be in control of my own schedule. Throw into the mix that I really liked my old boss, and I think him retiring was the right thing to do. Throw in that my wife is fantastic and is willing to support me, and there is absolutely no reason to fail. :)
I was stressed for about 2 years after leaving a lucrative job. I was conditioned to work long hours for someone else's gain, and it was the norm for me. It eventually wore off and I learned to sleep and relax. Then a few years later I went into IT and it started all over again.
Thank you. Really needed that. Bless your wife.
Great video!! Thanks for the personal insight!!
Always so honest, positive, pragmatic, insightful and always delivered with humility.
This advice crosses so many disciplines. Fantastic stuff Adam. Definitely applies to motion graphics and design.
Thanks for the admission of your "safety net". Not every "creative type" understands the value of supportive networks. It is easier to move forward if you are not constantly looking backward.
Thankyou, Adam. You don't just do snazzy stuff, you give some good advice too. Appreciated.
I'm new to being self-employed, but even as I struggle to find work, I have to remind myself of my previous predicament and take solace in the fact that I have a newfound freedom to pursue whatever goal I decide to achieve. I've gone from a place of excitement, to a place of panic, and now to a place of calm about where I'm headed. Even as I've taken bad jobs and am still presented with bad opportunities, there is a certain power to turning down work that's not worth it. Hearing you speak of your experiences only confirms that. I'm glad that I have a partner that trusts me as much as I trust them (as you had similarly). Hopefully, together we will build the empire we deserve.
What will the world ever do without Adam? Please make sure you live as long as you possibly can. You matter so much.
Those words you just said helped me just now. Thank you.
There is NOBODY that I respect more than Adam. He is honest, realistic, talented beyond belief, and just incredibly charming. You truly are an inspiration Mr Savage.
This is amazing advice for anyone in all creative industries.
thank you for this insight! 🖖
Watching these clips by Adam are a lot like Leland Sklar’s clips… both instances where someone who is known,someone whose work/talent/presence has impressed me, and then they turn out to be an openly honest person sharing all kinds of insights into an area of interest to me.
These 9min are worth more than gold ThAnkyou Adam !!!
You know, so many of us struggle to figure out how to properly acknowledge our privileges and what that means to do so. I always admire how you contextualize advice by doing so. Bravo
Jesus Christ. This is some almost master class information here. As a small maker it’s so helpful.
Great advice.
Great insight into the gig life. Sounds both terrifying and really, really fun.
I appreciate that the answer to the question was in the first 20 seconds of the video.
As a freelance artist and animator, I resonate with this so much. I'm currently working at a studio but I still take some freelance on. You get that mentality stuck and baked in and it really helps keep up that drive and schedule. There are tons of times colleagues and I have rejected jobs that pay double but either the client was a piece of work and rude or there was just no structure or game plan, sometimes both. Sometimes its just already having work in the pipeline and dropping those clients isn't an option or adding more will be a nose dive into burnout.
Nice video sir thanks
Leaving a job you hate is not just for those who freelance, your story about turning down a job for the sake of your happiness and sanity resonates with me because I had to make a choice like that also. Many years ago I worked as ward clerk for my local hospital, during that time administration decided all clerks should be trained as nurse aides so they could maximum their work pool. I absolutely abhorred the thought of doing this kind of work and felt it would not only be detrimental to me but also to those who had to work with me, not to mention the patients who would come under my dubious care. At that time my husband was in college and we had two young kids at home. Still I firmly declined and applied elsewhere for work. I have never regretted leaving and was able to get a job at another hospital. Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith.
One of the best pieces of guidance I received is: 80% of the business you want is in the pockets of people you know, or in the pockets of someone they know.
Had a small audio production company (live stage audio/lighting) in the 80s. We used to joke about the client who, once you showed up, would ask "Can you get me a dancing elephant tonight?" Even though our contract was pretty detailed, impossible last minute additions were routine with these folks (slow pay too). We kept charging more and more until we found relief (we lost them as a client :0 :0. Fun times! Love your videos. Thanks
I'm so glad Adam directly spells out that your mental health and overall wellbeing are assets to protect and nurture. I see too many people deliberately neglect them for short-term gains only to lose them early in life and struggle for decades, invariably stating they wished they took better care of themselves. That's such an important lesson that is easy to miss when presented with lucrative opportunities in their younger years.
Needed this..
I loved bicentennial man, sorry to hear about production issues behind the scenes.
Insightful
One of the things that really allows you do say no is to have your finances in order. No debt, minium obligations. You don't have to say yes because you are desperate for money. I know a lot of people will look at that believe it's impossible but that is actually how you should manage your money, not the way so many people actually manage their money.
This answered the question I had about how Adam quit Bicentennial Man. I actually assumed that when he said ‘quit’ he literally walked in one day and said “I quit!” And left lol. Now I see he did turn in his two weeks.
Thank you so much for sharing. I really needed to hear it from someone that turning down money for a sub-optimal job is a possibility:)
4:00 I'm a musician which is a form of Freelancing, and they say "If you take the gig for the money don't complain about the music, if you take the gig for the music don't complain about the money." From time to time you'll do gigs that are both lucrative and extremely rewarding, but most of the time it's favored one way or the other.
Learning how to say no, was one of the hardest things to learn. However it make life so much better.
25 year tattooer here, and I couldn’t possibly agree more regarding weeding out those bad clients. It took me quite a few years to get good at that, but now I’m pretty good at spotting them during the initial consultation and at that point I’ll figure out a way to politely bow out of the job. No amount of money is worth stressing and losing sleep about this person who’s looming in you calendar and you know they’re just gonna be a nightmare. It doesn’t help that the most difficult clients are also the folks who never tip.
Yep, not everyone will quit work they don't like. It took me 7 years to quit a lucrative job that I hated. The turning point was calculating "years to retirement" and realizing that I could not work there for 30 more years. It was stressful for about 2 years of hustling jobs, but in the long run, it was worth it.
This is the same thing with ANY industry that a person works in. I had the same issues with Hot tub repair.
Having an intact Family that helps you when you need it is Not a Privilege it is a Blessing (requiring a lot of hard work from everyone involved) that unfortunately not everyone gets.
I'd like to think that those two things aren't mutually exclusive. It is possible for ones upbringing to be both.
@@QuestionMan Historically I would agree with you but the current definition of "Privilege" seem to indicate something not earned or deserved. Having an intact family takes effort and understanding from everyone involved so to me does not fit that current definition.
I started a business and was self-employed (pet groomer). As such, I didn't charge what I was worth as a skilled trade because I was trying to build up my business. I burned out twice trying to do it all & ended up shooting myself in the foot down the line when I took on an employee and had to raise my prices pretty drastically to meet industry standard pricing. It's good to hear that I'm not the only one who struggled with pricing/training/personal happiness.
Adam savage is someone I could listen to for 10+ hours.
Absolutely true. When you're down on work, your job BECOMES finding another job/client.
For the first question: you charge them full price with a first time buyers discount of like 20%. They know how much it’s going to cost going forward but you can still give it cheaper.
Of course Adam supports the Work From Home Movement :) You are awesome Adam!!!!!
I worked for a really small company early in my software career and learning that were some jobs you don’t take was invaluable. It being too tedious is right on the money - some things just aren’t worth it
I freaking love these freelancer tip videos.
I turned down a possible five-figure custom wood kayak project last year simply because the person who commissioned it was going to be a major PITA... all based on the correspondence working on the first quote. No regrets.
Some people are just not good talkers
@@rickysmyth : That can be true. I refused this project because the guy was super anal about every detail. He had very specific requirements. He also had some questionable design/construction concepts that had to be integrated into the project. He had a substantial budget but I had a strong gut feeling he would nickel and dime me to death.
I think that following your instincts about a customer was the right choice. Sometimes, I bid jobs for my son's tree service. If I am giving a quote to a person that I feel will be a PITA, then my price will be high enough to either avoid doing the job or make it seem worth the hassle if they still want it done. Nice people seal the deal with their word, but I have the PITAs initial every clause before they sign a contract, lol.
Your wife is a really impressive person, I know how much mental effort it can take to, ah, live with people like us - and I’ve never worked freelance, despite the strenuous desire to do so, out of fear of that fear of having no money.
Until I lost everything - now that fear, while very real and very painful, is a much less impactful thing. Now I consider it the way to go.
But I know exactly how much pressure it can and will put on my SO, who very much relies on financial certainty, something I can mostly live without.
And taking that into account on both sides of a partnership is a hard thing to do!
Adam, i =recently put in my 2 weeks notice to a pretty well establish company. Been there 6-7 months ... but those parameters are my exact reasons. yes it is scary and thrilling. But working freelance will up pump my blood and my partner is the same as your wife. My creative juices will now have a chance to start pumping so I feel these choices are important. 🖖
almost every successful freelance creative I know has had some form of that opportunity and safety net to let them get through the growing pains unscathed. it's a shame there aren't more opportunities for those that don't have that privilege to be able to be a full-time creative.
The lack of that safetynet was what made me give up my dreams about becoming a cartoon drawer...
I went to craft school and got a degree as an electrician. Now at 41 I still work as an electrician, but I spend all my spare time in my workshop at home creating lots of cool things from my imagination.... My drawing is now a tool to make concept drawings and envision things in 3 dimensions before I start building things.
I don't regret my choices, because I have gained alot by learning to build and I have aquired so many skillz I wouldn't have had if I went with my original dream... :)
Im a costume/pageant designer and i appreciate hearing some of your comments. Makes me think im not crazy! ❤
Treating looking for a job as a job: I was talking to a bartender/actor who said that he treats the audition as the job. Whether he gets hired, that's somebody else's job. His job was just the audition.
Adam “Treat finding work like it’s a job” Savage
I took care of that problem of eating up time to learn in the beginning by using a first time customer discount.
I once turned down a job that would have paid much more than I was making at the time, but also would have been a lot more stress. I have never once regretted turning down that offer. My sanity is worth so much more than a mere paycheck.
0:25 every contracting company: 🤑 … sorry, what?🤤
We need more like buttons for this video!
While being honest about needing to learn some skill in order to complete the gig, I could easily imagine their next mail to you would be akin to "Thanks, but we'll go with someone who knows how to do this."
edit: Also, while Adam's anecdotes about handling jobs were informative, I have an inkling that it's a relic from a bygone era.
Yeah that can happen. Better to not get the job because you are honest about your skills with a client. Rather then being fired half way through the contract when the client discovers your lack of skill set and that you are learning on their gig.
Adam, what is your opinion of plasma TVs vs modern displays?
I owm an auto repair shop and operate by the same set of rules. There is work I just don’t want to do, and there are people I just don’t want to work for. Thankfully I’m far enough along and have positioned myself such that I just don’t. Have I? Absolutely. Did I always regret it? Absolutely. Was it still necessary to keep the lights on at points? Absolutely. There’s a freedom that comes with being good enough at what you do for long enough that allows you start looking at things through the lense of what you WANT to do, not what you HAVE to do.