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Home › Relationships

Sheila Nevins | 10/14/2008 12:00 am

Sheila Nevins: The Wrong Question

By Sheila Nevins RSS
Alert me to Sheila's new posts
In response to: What do people always say to you that drives you crazy?
Sheila Nevins
They always say I have the best job in television and that I’m so lucky. 
That truly annoys me because I made it the best job.
Sure, I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time; mostly with the right bosses. 
Nonetheless, many got caught in the quicksand.
I know how to swim in mud and how not to drown. 
I also know who to reach for to pull me out. 
I guess that’s luck.
So, don’t tell me how lucky I am and that I have the best job.   
Ask me how I created the best job.

Read more about: Business, Career, Work

13 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Linda Myers
I am curious. Did you create the best job from having a vision of what your job would be, or rather molded it as you went? Linda
By Linda Myers on 10/14/2008 12:15 am
James the Game
They may be jealous of you, Sheila, or simply wishing they could do what they think it is that you do. Undoubtedly, they see the “glory”, but not the hard work and skill that go into the broadcasting craft. I used to hear all the time, “You have a great voice”…never mind the blood, sweat and tears, incredible hours, years spent in college and in the field, it all comes down to the one phrase. Ha!
By James the Game on 10/14/2008 12:28 am
Frannie Em
Sheila You knew this was coming, how did you create the best job. How did you know how to avoid the quicksand? You are amazing and appreciated. Thanks for all you do.
By Frannie Em on 10/14/2008 12:53 am
joan larsen
Sheila, You stole my thunder this morning. People say to me all the time - with a slightly snide sound — “you are so lucky with your life!. Lucky? In life, you make your own “luck” and you work hard for every step of the ladder up, and any form of recognition is not going to be if you sit there like a lump. You can’t plan your whole life, but you can be very create on the steps to make that step happen. I swear that on that step, it is probably because you met someone who said something or was helpful with advice that sends you into the next direction. But I could not have accomplished what I have if “work” was not also considered fun and challenging most of all. I am up for that, and that thing that parents say “you are smart so you can do everything you want”. Well, yes, but life is in the connections you make. You have to be out-going, positive, and believe in yourself. And then keep taking the steps. To those people, who say I am lucky . . . I say b…s…! I worked harder than you and I made it all happen. And I love it - you people sitting on the couch who didn’t even try - but it wasn’t easy, kiddo!
By joan larsen on 10/14/2008 8:13 am
georgia fatwood
Hi Joan…yes, stolen thunder and all…Compliments can be given (or sort of threatened) from between clenched teeth and sound not so nice….I do a lot of “spinning straw into gold” of necessity and desire, so I get a lot of “your so cre-AY-tive” that sounds, sometimes, like “you’re SO from Mars….” I try to always say thanks and “so are you!” This usually opens up a line of dialogue about the nature of art, creativity, etc….one of my favorite topics…..(will save it for another day here..) Anyway, when someone asks how long it took to make this or that, I usually answer..”Sixty-five years, give or take a decade…” It seems that a lot of folks, sadly, do not see their “work” as “fun and challenging”….. eye of the beholder…eye of the beholdee…
By georgia fatwood on 10/14/2008 10:33 am
joan larsen
Georgia . . . My Lord …I have found someone who understands what I am saying. I LOVE to exercise my mind — that is what I call it — and challenges are my meat. But all of this is fun. Sure, sometimes when I work there is pressure but I always am positive and feel that I am up to it — and it becomes almost a “game” with me - between me and me. As for others, I DO try to turn the icky comments around, and you know, once you open another up by asking, you can find a new person you never knew within. She shines then and YOU glow! Hey, I think we are twins!
By joan larsen on 10/14/2008 11:08 am
J CF
This is spot-on and really inspired me this morning. Thank you for sharing, it is exactly the kind of insight I read your site to seek. I can find the latest news feeds on any site, but it is your unique perspectives as a collective, on breaking stories and other topics such as this one, that lead me to read them here.
By J CF on 10/14/2008 10:38 am
joan larsen
Jessie — From one of the “originals” on WOW, I can tell you that you have come to the right place. Most of us seem “there” for one another in the hard times, listen to woes and happiness alike, understand each other - as we all are so much alike under the wall we sometimes put up in this world, and you will find it not only informative - which it really is — and mind stirring - which it also is - But it is comforting to know that we are a circle of women who genuinely care for each other and support each other. WOW is unique and absolutely wonderful!
By joan larsen on 10/14/2008 12:08 pm
Amelie Poulain
OK. So I am asking. How did you create the best job in the world. I’d like to compare notes. :)
By Amelie Poulain on 10/14/2008 2:43 pm
rocky rocky
I certainly think that one has to point one’s nose in the direction ya wanna go and while you’re on the way, get thoroughly prepared, be flexible, be alert, and when that opportunity comes around, recognize it! Maybe that means “making your own luck.” However, I’ve noticed that it’s always the “lucky” ones who claim to have made their own luck. I suppose by extension they’re also saying that the “unlucky ones” made theirs. Hmmm. Maybe there’s something about that word “luck” …
By rocky rocky on 10/14/2008 4:25 pm
Carole Meagher
Shiela, I have saved your words for motivation.
By Carole Meagher on 10/15/2008 10:29 pm
Sheila Nevins

Guys,

I always had an animal instinct for survival and a healthy sense of competition. After all, I am not the president of the company; I just sniffed out a corner and made it the best corner in the world. I listened for what I could do better than the next person could and admitted there are some things in this business that I could never do. Then there is luck. In addition, knowing no matter how good you are you will make mistakes and owe a lot to others.

Sheila

By Sheila Nevins on 10/17/2008 7:15 pm
Linda Myers
I agree that knowing yourself could be the best asset. And just trying to be true to yourself in the process, which includes attempting to do what you do best and build on it in some form. Thank you, Linda
By Linda Myers on 10/20/2008 11:53 pm