We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Djamel Bennecib. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Djamel below.

Hi Djamel, thanks for joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

Success is not a static endpoint, but rather an ongoing voyage that requires unwavering determination in the face of obstacles and the flexibility to navigate through constantly evolving situations. To thrive as a successful freelancer, one must possess a proactive mindset, demonstrating a readiness to embark on calculated risks, make decisive choices, and view failure as a valuable opportunity for growth. I didn’t start earning any income​ as a freelancer until I made significant personal changes. I have implemented a disciplined morning routine, which includes waking up early and finding joy in the process. Initially, I harbored doubts regarding the potential impact of adjusting my morning routine on enhancing my skills, talents, and overall success as a freelancer. Indeed, it did. I completed the task with exceptional speed, surpassing all expectations. As a successful freelancer, I prioritize starting my day bright and early at 6 AM. I take a moment to hydrate myself with a refreshing glass of water. I dedicate 20 minutes to reading, immersing myself in books on self-development, business, or screenwriting, which are all essential topics for my growth as a successful freelancer. After completing my previous tasks, I dedicate 20 minutes to engage in a rejuvenating workout session. I efficiently manage my time and complete my morning routine with a quick shower. I prioritize my productivity by refraining from checking my phone until at least one hour after I wake up. I ​efficiently manage my email inbox. I ​then dedicate one hour each day to working on my personal projects, ensuring that I give them the attention they deserve. Following this, ​at about 8 AM, I commit myself to 6-8 hours of focused dubbing work, delivering high-quality results to my clients.

Djamel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Question: “Who am I?” This is a question I frequently ask myself. Okay, let’s try this out.

In France, I entered the world on the same day that Bob Marley passed away. I’ve been living between the City of Lights and the City of Angels for the better part of my adult life.

Who am I? Where do I belong? Just like my characters, I’m still working on it. My writing is a mix of genres and styles: not a full-blown soap opera, not a barrel of laughs, not a complete French affair, not – you catch my drift.

Being a writer has been my life’s purpose since middle school. So, what have I been doing all this time? As a skilled freelancer, I have successfully generated income by utilizing my expertise in script reading, writing comprehensive coverage and development notes. Additionally, I have a strong background as a screenwriting lecturer, sharing my knowledge and insights with aspiring writers. I’m never far from a screenplay, but at the same time, never close enough.

As a highly accomplished dubbing adapter, my unwavering objective is to seamlessly blend speed and excellence in my work. In this fast-paced business landscape, where competition is fierce and clients are increasingly demanding, it is imperative for me to swiftly adapt in order to consistently meet their ever-growing expectations. They trust that the task will be completed to the best of my skills and returned on time when assigned to me.

I find immense joy in the art of adaptation, yet I cannot deny that, at the tender age of 42, having achieved great professional heights and embraced the roles of both a devoted husband and a newfound father, the moment has arrived for me to embark upon the journey of narrating my own story… as a screenwriter.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

After realizing that I was responsible for my own happiness and success, I dove headfirst into self-improvement, which led me to follow some people working in this area and read about their own path to success so that I could model my own efforts after theirs. I found that listening to Ted Talks on topics that interested me, practicing meditation to clear my head, listening to insightful podcasts like “On Purpose” by Jay Shetty, and reading books that challenged my assumptions about success and wealth-building were all invaluable resources. I’ll start by naming a few. Hal Elrod’s brilliant book, The Miracle Morning, is, in a word, miraculous. Books like “The 5 AM Club,” “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari,” and “The Everyday Hero Manifest” by Robin Sharma and “The 48 Laws of Power” and “Mastery” by the master Robert Green have helped me think more positively and grow into a more powerful person. Read “Deep Work” by Cal Newport if you want to learn more about productivity. If you want to be rich in every sense of the word, “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill is required reading. As for books on developing and maintaining good habits, I highly recommend “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg and “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. Finally, “Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins is a great resource for learning to control your emotions and persevere through challenging situations. The witty and insightful “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” by Mark Manson is a great resource for learning how to stop caring about trivial matters. These books, to mention a few of the most important ones, had a profound effect on my outlook on management and entrepreneurship. They helped me become a better leader, manager, and businessman. A better person.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I can’t count the amount of times I’ve been told “no” since beginning my career in the film and television industry. A lot of the time, in fact, I was never even responded to. You put in your application only to hear nothing back. After sending out a hundred resumes with no response, you might start to second-guess your original document and try to fix it by making minor adjustments like changing the font or removing or adding information that won’t make a difference but will satisfy your need to do something to make yourself stand out. Until then, you have basic living expenses like rent and food to cover. Time flies; months, years, even. And nearing thirty, you discover that you’re still doing odd jobs and haven’t come anywhere near to success. You begin to feel remorse for making your modest parents invest so much time and money in your education, especially when you realize that your degree won’t help you land a respectable job in your field. At one time, I put off looking for work because I thought that sending out resumes or passing out business cards wouldn’t assist me. But that’s a terrific way to lose all sense of purpose in your existence. Obviously, I experienced periods of bitterness. I had made the decision to go to the United States, which meant I needed to become fluent in spoken and written English to avoid any potential stumbling blocks, and I chose the City of Angels for obvious reasons, which isn’t so fantastic when you don’t have money or a job. I didn’t find my anguish any lessening in the sun, notwithstanding what Charles Aznavour sang. At times, I wish it were raining and gray like in Paris so that I could sit down and create a great script. Using my own funds, I’d create short films that were entertaining but ultimately unsuccessful in gaining me any sort of recognition or acclaim. Everything I did, it seemed like the Universe or God was telling me no. Still, years passed before I read that the greatest way to improve your life is to let you reach rock bottom. It’s possible to return to the surface by just pushing up on your feet from below. When I completely shifted my perspective, as I described in the last question, doors that had been closed for years (felt like decades) opened up for me. Then it seemed like magic had happened. At that moment, all I needed was a LinkedIn profile to get seen by potential employers, so I stopped sending out resumes and produced business cards. Word of mouth, however, was the primary factor in those professionals contacting me. People that know what I’m capable of would talk about me. Nothing is certain, and even if the times of isolation, poverty, and not hearing the word “yes” (though I did hear many “fake” yes) are behind me, I maintain a strict daily discipline to ensure that I will never again have to create a resume.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.réussiràhollywood.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/djamelbennecib/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/djamelbennecib