This particular Q&A is with non-other than Matt Haze, the man behind the @30RockTree Twitter account. He’s an entertainer and excessively active on Twitter and Facebook.
Matt has lived on both coasts while working on his career in entertainment and currently resides in NYC.
He’s a radio geek and late night show fanatic, but also a go-getter, mover, and shaker, which makes him perfect for a segment on my Unlocking Potential series.
Welcome the one-and-only, Matt Haze.
Q: Read your Twitter bio. Check. Looked around on your website. Check. Tell us about your real, authentic self in a few sentences, something the Internet hasn’t told us. Who is Matt Haze, really?
I’m just a guy observing things in the world and hoping to share what I see through comedy. There’s so many thoughts that run through my head that if they don’t get out, I really think I will explode!
Q: What does a day in the life of Matt Haze look like?
There is never one exact day, really. Which in a way is bad because real creativity comes from habits. I’m a loyal Seth Godin fan and I know that persistent shipping of content every day is what gets you out there. For years I’ve wanted to build a daily routine, but it’s tough. Some days, I start really early to do a radio or TV thing. Some days, I sleep in because I was hosting an event until the wee hours of the morning the night before. Some days, I’m on the road to get to another gig. But I honestly love it that way.
Q: What’s your muse, you art, your purpose? (Was it hard to discover this?)
To make people laugh like they’ve never seen or heard something before. I’ve always had an idea what it is I do, but it’s always been tough to put into words. A few weeks ago, my buddy Sammy Simpson and I had a catch up coffee. This is the exact topic we talked about. He’s a really smart guy and he helped me to formulate that into words.
Q: What has been the toughest decision you had to make? How did you decide what to do?
There’s two that come to mind. First, when I left my full time radio gig in Akron, Ohio in 2005. Part of me knew I wasn’t going to stay there and it was time to do something different. My last day was a mess because part of me was really thinking that this was a mistake. Looking back, it was a good thing I left for many reasons. It was the start of a crazy new journey and chapter. Secondly, when I decided to go back east and leave Los Angeles. Part of me felt like I failed at LA. When, in reality, it wasn’t for me. It was a good learning experience and I’m glad I did it.
Q: What is success to you?
This has been something I’ve been struggling with the last year. For many, they look at what I’ve done and think “oh he’s successful! He’s done stuff!” But I grew up in the old school media world. There’s still part of me that feels I need to be validated by some higher being (boss or company) to feel “successful.” But as the landscape has changed in the last 10 years, I also know that’s total bullshit. Success is doing projects that are meaningful for me. If I’ve made someone happy or succeeded a client’s expectations, I’d call that a success.
Q: What are three essential habits for success?
Oh I am HORRIBLE for habits. But here’s three things I do every day that I know help me grow.
- I consume content. I’m always looking at links, stories, videos, whatever people are talking about. I may not watch the big TV shows people are talking about, but I know what they are. You have to have an idea what is going on out there to be able to create content that relates.
- I interact on social. If I didn’t interact with people, they wouldn’t share my content or help me get a gig. Social is a two way street. You have to treat it that way for it to fully work.
- I network. It goes with number two, but I make an effort to reach out 2-3 times a year with my top influencers to remind them I’m out there and see how I can help them. When I sold real estate for two minutes, I was taught that most people only have space in their brain for 1-2 names of agents. You want to be one or two of those. No matter what you do, I feel this is true. Being top of mind is KEY. And that takes effort, communication and talking to people to make happen.
Q: What was holding you back from being a remarkable entertainer?
MYSELF. I am my own worst enemy. My closest friends hear my private thoughts about how I feel about my work. I’ll get a call about an amazing opportunity and I’ll instantly start to doubt myself. “Oh someone must have made a mistake.” I think we all suffer from this.
Q: If you got to go back ten years, but could only take with you one piece of knowledge that you know now, what would it be?
Trust your gut. Just do it.
Q: What are a few life lessons you want readers to take away from this?
The biggest one is to not be afraid to take a chance. There are people who will come out of the woodwork to help you achieve whatever it is you want if you’re authentic. If what you’re doing is true to your purpose and soul, people will help you. Keep going.
Q: Where can people find your art?
Shameless plug: matthaze.com
Stay Positive & Seriously, Trust Your Gut
