F50 Issue #29: Five Career Lessons from Carol Burnett

F50 Issue #29: August 20, 2024

How to Dream Big: Five Career Lessons from Carol Burnett

Two comedy legends sit down for a conversation about life, work, and aging well. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is interviewing Carol Burnett on the Wiser Than Me podcast, which promises “hilarious and intimate conversations with iconic women, brimming with wisdom and the kind of attitude that only comes with age.”

And Carol does not disappoint! She’s in her 90s and shows no signs of slowing down. Most recently, she acted in Palm Royale, an Apple TV+ comedy series, but many of us are familiar with her earlier roles on The Carol Burnett Show and Mama’s Family.

Julia is well known to many of us too. You may remember her work on classic TV shows like Seinfeld and Veep. Now in her 60s, she continues to act and began hosting this podcast in 2023.

As Julia asks Carol insightful questions, we learn more about each of them, but especially about Carol’s fascinating journey. If we hosted the Longevity Mentor Olympics again, Carol would definitely win the gold medal for ambition!

She tells a story about how she found an agent while living at The Rehearsal Club in New York, a residence for young women seeking careers in the performing arts. First, she went to see an actor named Eddie Foy Jr.:

“Well, I can’t believe the nerve I had. I said, ‘Mr. Foy, I know Jack Shea. You know, he worked with you in a movie and said you were real nice. And I want to be in showbiz. And I just can’t get an agent because they say I have to be in something to get started….

“He said, ‘Do you sing?’ I said, ‘I’m loud.’ [He] said, ‘Do you dance?’ I said, ‘Not really. I can jitterbug?’ He said, ‘Well, maybe I can get you an audition for the chorus.’ “I said, ‘Well, I can’t read music.’ He said, “Okay. You can’t dance. You can’t read music yet. What —-” I said, ‘I’m not good enough for the chorus. I think I’d have to have a featured role.’”

And with that ambitious declaration, she decided to do whatever it took to get an agent. When she found out she’d have to perform in something first, she met with all the girls at The Rehearsal Club. They wrote their own material, invited agents and producers, and put on a show.

Three of them got agents because of that performance. As Carol says, “You made your own breaks.”

Sometimes our dreams seem far away, and we’re not sure how to reach them. If you’re considering freelancing, you may be wondering how to take that first step. The journey can seem daunting.

Well, let’s tap into some wisdom from Carol Burnett and be inspired by her decades-long success!

Five Career Lessons from Carol Burnett

1. Dream big.

Don’t be afraid to have big dreams and put them into words. As we’ve mentioned in previous newsletter issues, it’s important to create specific, measurable goals. But those goals begin with dreams. Take some time to visualize your ideal career.

Last week, we asked our Freelance After 50 Facebook group, “Let’s DREAM! If there were no barriers, what would you like to do for your second act?”

Remember how Carol Burnett dreamed big when she was just starting out, picturing herself in a featured role? Feel free to do that too. If you’re part of our Facebook group, join in the discussion and let us know what you’re dreaming of.

Often, the journey to big dreams begins with small steps. Each step brings you closer and closer until you get there!

2. Accept kindness.

A Biography article describes how two strangers helped Carol Burnett get her start in show business. First, an anonymous donor left an envelope of money in her mailbox to pay for tuition at UCLA. Then, years later, a businessman who knew about her financial difficulties loaned her $1,000 so she could pursue her dreams of starring on Broadway.

He said, "First of all, you must never reveal my name; second of all, you must use the money to go to New York; third, if you are successful, you must promise to help others out."

Now, you may not receive donations like this to start a freelance business, but you can still benefit from the kindness of strangers, friends, and family. When people hear what you’re doing, they’re often eager to help however they can. Here are some ways you can accept their kindness:

Look for networking events where you could meet business owners and freelancers in your local area.
Receive referrals from friends and family.
Ask former colleagues, clients, and employers to share testimonials about you.

3. Don’t give up.

The article above explains how Carol Burnett almost gave up:

“With no immediate viable prospects, Burnett has admitted to shedding many tears during collect calls home during which her family adamantly insisted that she pack up and return to the West Coast.

“Then, she received the sign that she needed to not give up. During one of her crying spells, it was raining outside, and Burnett turned on the radio to find out a major storm was brewing. Its name: Hurricane Carol. ‘All of a sudden, I felt great,’ Burnett, who later became a force of nature in her own right, has shared. ‘It was fine.’”

No matter how hopeless things seem, don’t give up! Keep your eyes and ears open for sudden inspiration. Who knows — if you decide to become a freelancer, that inspiration could even provide the perfect words for your tagline!

4. Make your own breaks.

Remember how Carol Burnett got an agent by putting on her own show? When you decide to become a freelancer, sometimes you need to be courageous enough to put yourself out there and get noticed by potential clients.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Make a list of 100 people you’d like to connect with on LinkedIn, and start reaching out to them.
Follow influential people in your niche, connecting with them on social media by reacting and commenting on their posts.
Start a YouTube channel to share your expertise.
Offer to be a podcast guest or start your own podcast.
Start a blog or an online newsletter and share valuable information and tips.

Be creative and see how you can give your business visibility. If you haven’t started freelancing yet, begin with one small step, like a simple post on Facebook or LinkedIn.

5. You have to go through it.

Near the end of the interview, Julia asks Carol if there’s something she’d go back and tell herself when she was 21. Carol says no, that if she gave herself advice, she wouldn’t be where she is now.

Her reason? You have to go through it — rejection, sorrows, and happiness. But she does acknowledge that she would have said no to some career choices instead of being a people pleaser.

Your Turn

Remember that it’s okay to say no to opportunities that don’t fit with your overall vision or hinder your goals. And ultimately, everything you go through on your journey, both the good and the bad, helps lead you to success. When you look back, you’ll realize that no experience was wasted!

A Bit of Nostalgia

Take a little trip down memory lane and explore The Carol Burnett Show YouTube channel! It has outtakes, full episodes, and short videos with hilarious sketches you may remember from all 11 seasons of the show.

Fun Fact

Cast member Tim Conway used to ad-lib during sketches, and the other cast members couldn’t keep a straight face. Some of these outtakes remained in the final broadcast, and others showed up as bloopers later on.

For some of us, the outtakes were the best part of the program. It shows how you don’t have to be perfect to be memorable. Carol Burnett’s sketches are often loved because of their authenticity and imperfection.