I’m always aware of that old saying about idle minds becoming the devil’s playthings. So naturally, once I sent my revised manuscript out of the house and on its way into my agent’s inbox, I looked around for something worthwhile to do.
That meant signing up for some activities. Yes, I know, last time I was looking around for activities, I signed up for a singles tennis tournament where all the players were half my age. Naturally, as the very embodiment of certifiable insanity (doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different outcome) I signed up for a singles tennis tournament again this season!
Coach Serena!
Ah, but wait. This time, I’ve got Serena Williams as my coach. Okay, she’s not actually going to be hitting the ball back and forth with me (like Jeanne, my real coach does) but I can tune into her online MasterClass any time I want.
Maybe, some of you already know that I like tuning into MasterClass. The online learning platform charges $90 per course (usually a series of 12-20 minute videos with downloadable workbooks.) But for just twice the price per year, you get unlimited access to any and all of the classes.
MasterClasses For Writers
Usually, I like to see what some of the best bestselling authors and screenwriters have to say about the craft of writing. So far, I’ve accessed MasterClasses with James Patterson and Dan Brown (The DaVinci Code) and TV writer and producer, Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy.) In the case of Shonda and Dan, I’ve reviewed their courses in blogs here and here.
It’s not that I think writing a bestseller, or a top-rated TV show can be learned in a dozen or so online sessions. However, as Justin Brown, founder of ideapod.com writes, “MasterClass takes you inside the minds of the world’s most successful people in a way that helps you grow as a person.”
So, Gordon Ramsay teaches Cooking, Annie Liebovitz teaches Photography, Helen Mirren teaches Acting, Serena teaches Tennis, and Anna Wintour teaches Creativity and Leadership.
Anna Wintour’s MasterClass
What? Wait! You mean Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue Magazine for the last 30 years? Anna, the hostess of the spectacular, annual Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Gala?
Yes. That Anna. I was so surprised to see Anna has joined the MasterClass Faculty, I had to detour to her class on my way for “training” with Serena. I’m no fashionista, but I’ve always liked Anna, and the way she swans around New York City never taking off her dark glasses. Also, she and I have something in common: like starting our careers as journalists in the same location, in the same era: in other words in the U.K. in the (late) Swinging Sixties.
I just had to watch Anna’s introduction as she took me back to the London of the Rolling Stones and Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton. She reminded me what a splendid time it was when “class barriers were being broken down” and when it no longer mattered — all that much — where you went to school and what your accent was. And, what an amazing time it was in London in the “nightclubs, with people living a little bit on the edge.” (Annabel’s and Tramp, anyone?)
Morning People
I discovered we also share the same sort of daily schedule. Anna gets up at around 5 a.m. and, online, reads the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the British newspaper The Guardian. Then, she looks at her Twitter feed and Instagram. So do I (although most mornings I also read The Washington Post, but don’t do Instagram)
She exercises, usually by playing tennis. So do I. She has breakfast “consisting of Starbucks.” So do I.
Anna arrived in New York from London in 1975. I arrived in 1978. Anna, at 33 years old, became Editor-in-Chief of the American Vogue (where she remained for the next 33 years.)
I did not.
Excellent Advice
That means Anna has some really good advice for young people who might want to follow in her creative — and leadership — footsteps. She is adamant about the need to be passionate about one’s work and vision, and to “own your decisions.” But as a specific example, she says:
“Don’t spend time glued to your phone or computer. You need to develop taste through exposure to culture and the arts, and by looking at the world around you. If you’re working in journalism,” she adds, “it’s important to understand on a bigger scale what’s going on with the world.”
That’s All!
“Not everybody is always going to agree with you,” she says, “but remain true to your vision. You can’t be everything to everybody.” She makes it abundantly clear that leaders need to be fast-thinking and decisive.” It’s best to be direct,” she advises. “Don’t agonize. Just say, “no” and move on. Just give a reason, and a “no” and we can all turn to the next question.”
It may be that this direct style (no sugar-coating, or massaging fragile egos) is more British than American, and I could add here (from personal experience) that it’s not a style that’s always appreciated in American offices. That’s a point of view that was deliciously portrayed by Meryl Streep and her signature, dismissive phrase, “that’s all” in the movie, The Devil Wears Prada. Streep played a glacially-cool, imperious magazine editor, and purportedly a character modeled on Anna.
Eye-Pleasing Segments
Even if you don’t want to be creative, or a leader, Anna’s MasterClass is a super, eye-pleasing journey through the history of Vogue Magazine. Anna discusses iconic magazine covers including those that created controversy (Madonna in 1989 and Kim and Kanye in 2016,) and those that weren’t such a good idea. In the latter group, she mentions a cover that was a collage of runway shots which she observes “made us look like a trade magazine.”
There’s plenty of tips to be picked up here as Anna’s MasterClass also takes us inside editorial meetings at the magazine as well as inside the preparations for the glitzy, annual Metropolitan Museum Gala. The latter includes a scene where she looks embarrassed and mutters something about “second-class” when discussing seating for the Gala dinner. How I wish I knew who she was talking about!
Next time, Serena
It was an easy MasterClass to binge-watch, and I admit I was a little bleary-eyed by the time I made it to Serena’s class. However, I made a note of some of Serena’s best (for me) pointers. I’ll share them, and what worked for me and what didn’t when I get further into my tennis singles season next month.