Welcome back for Part 3 of the 3-part blog series: “Really Truly Make Your Performance Dreams a Reality”
If you missed Part 1 & 2 please check them out here FIRST! Now is also a good time to
You will want to reference it as a companion to this 3-part blog series.
So in Part 1 we discussed the importance of Work Ethic. Part 2 was all about Discipline. Part 3 is all about establishing and maintaining a Healthy Mindset. So if you’ve been acting for a little or a long while you have most likely faced some setbacks, some large… some small. A mentor once told me “Any talented actor who stays in the business long enough will eventually ‘make it’ [as a working actor].” I believe this to be true. Of course it depends on how hard you are pushing yourself, how you build your reputation and how you are pursuing goals. The harsh reality is … most people quit before they reach success. Think about it… Have you been through an actor training program? A conservatory program? How many of the other actors you trained with are still pursuing their acting career? My guess is that in the years since that program, several have given up on their performance dream-- having found other passions, desired the need for stability (not typically easy to find as an actor) and found other work, or any multitude of reasons… I believe what often separates those who stay in the acting biz vs. those who leave it is their mindset. So… What is a healthy mindset? I like to think of a healthy mindset as having the ability to put things in perspective. You allow yourself to feel the feelings you need to, analyze those feelings as necessary and then call on inspiration to move you back into action. Feel those feelings… Some label not booking a role as “rejection”. I don’t know about you, but that label does NOTHING for my mindset. If I did think of it as “rejection”, I’m sure it would have a negative impact on my mindset. And let’s face it, if I use the word “rejection”, I’ve got to be honest, I am “rejected” post-audition way more times than I am “accepted”. Those words don’t work for me. They instill FEAR. They’re just not that helpful? I prefer to think of those let downs as par for the course. Unfortunately you are probably not going to book every audition. That doesn’t mean you are a failure. Set up some structure for your self to release any negative feelings about the situation, process as needed and move on. I figure that given the odds, the more auditions I go on, the more opportunity I have to book, so after one audition, I often move on to prepping for the next. Analyze those feelings… Did I do everything in my power to give the best possible audition/submission I could? If yes: Then I’ve done everything in my control, and the specifics that led to me not getting the part are OUT OF MY CONTROL. It is SO not worth it to sulk for too long. However, you are allowed to feel what you need to feel (but do NOT go there for more than 72 hours) If no: Then what specifically could have been better? What are 2-3 steps I can take/remember before and during next audition/submission? Call on inspiration to get you back in action Oh, I could talk about mindset for pages and pages (and will in future posts) but I just want to introduce the concept right now, and let you know that you are in CONTROL of your mindset. I’m not in any way say it is easy to develop & maintain a healthy mindset, but I want to you to begin to have an awareness of it. Now’s a good time to refer to the final page in your REALLY, TRULY Action Packet, and begin creating a clear vision of where you’re going in your career, so that when you find your mindset slipping down a negative path, you can re-focus on what is most important to you.
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Also, watching & listening to inspiring stories (whether podcasts, interviews or live performances) nurture my mindset. In the coming months, I look forward to sharing with you dozens of guest expert interviews which I hope will educate and inspire you to keep reaching for your dream. Build your work ethic, keep your discipline in check and feed your mindset with inspiration. Please share in the comments one success or challenge you’ve had when it comes to maintaining a healthy mindset.  
1 Comment
2/11/2020 11:02:27 pm
Whether you are an actor for television, film or theater, you guys are united by your passion in acting. I've been a thespian when I was still a college student. It was my passion to act that's why I opt to focus on my craft. There are certain adjustments that you need to do. But once you became comfortable with your playground, you will at your best while acting. By the way, thank you for the advices that you gave. It was true that I've learned a lot from you! Hopefully, the new generation of actors will be better! Leave a Reply. |
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