I did a two-week internship with Untitled Films in 2008.

The production company was hired to film and produce an ad for Great Wolf Lodge. My job was simple—move props and gear from one spot to the next, stay out of the way and keep quiet.

Being on set taught me two things: 

1. Film isn’t as glamorous behind the scenes as it is on the screen—it’s a lot of work, a lot of takes, and a lot of monotony.
   
   
2. The phrase ‘hurry up and wait’ is a life lesson in disguise. 

I’ve been thinking about the latter.

It’s a military term.

Consider a battalion preparing for conflict. It quickly moves onto the field and fortifies its position. Everything and every soldier is ready BEFORE the enemy strikes. (Or before the director shouts “Action!” for the gazillionth time.)

When was the term adopted by the film industry? No clue. But it relates to daily life just as easily. 

Be efficient. Be prepared. Be patient. That’s what hurry up and wait really means. 

Shortcuts lead to shallow success

It’s all for naught—the hurrying and the waiting—if you lack patience. 

• Things worth doing take time
• Great work takes time
• Growth takes time

Victory is earned not forced. Some battles are meant to be long and treacherous. 

Beware of shortcuts and shallow success—quick advantages often lead to long-term disadvantages. Why do you think generals plan endlessly and directors call for take after take after take? 

Get it right. 

“Life is always on schedule, whether it’s in your calendar or not.”

Overnight achievers and superheroes are a myth among the masses. Stay frosty, stay patient, and aim for incremental progress. 

Hurry up and wait.