Understanding What You Mean By Success

Too often actors become obsessed with getting feedback or validation from their audition, their acting class scene study, their agent’s reaction to their new headshot and then when they get a tepid response or even a suggestion or criticism fall to pieces.

Every bit of input is valuable and precious improvement material.  Be thankful every time you get it; it doesn’t actually hurt you either way.

Disappointment is tied to expectation.

Success, on the other hand, is tied to improvement. There is a concept in Japan known as Kaizen which essentially means “constant and never ending improvement.”  Anthony Robbins shortened this phrase to simply C.A.N.I.

Everything you learn makes you invariably and irrevocably better.  Recently Malcolm Gladwell discussed the ER admission doctor who realized that he never actually found out what happened with the patients whom he sent up to the Emergency ward so he started going up to visit them after an hour to determine whether the medication or method he had suggested actually worked.  Regular Family M.D.’s have the advantage that they have follow ups with family members and so learn from their experiences.  The ER doctor could have continued for years and years without getting feedback and been doing more damage than good.  Feedback, criticism and learning are your allies.  Hear it, process it, and take what you need from it.  Then move on.

Think about how you talk about those who are successful – it is a reflection of your own feelings about success.

Observe how you talk and feel about the things above you, the things you desire; they are the reflection of how you feel about attaining them. The things you fear about them, are the very things that are preventing you from obtaining them. You subconsciously apologize in advance to people when you discuss these things and thus subconsciously let them know that you are incapable of holding that position.

For example, one of my students discussed that she couldn’t stand Pairs Hilton because she felt that Paris did nothing to deserve her success and fame.  This reflects the student’s belie, that merit requires some sort of sacrifice, that an audition requires a pound of flesh, self-torment and tribulation in order to be “deserved”.

Roles are earned, but they are also matches to the correct actor for the part. For example, Cold Case is a very tough show to book because it is always about a flashback, and so actors have to be matched between their older and younger selves.  Don’t look sideways at others for what to do – honor and respect that they are right for what they do, and so are you.  Leave your negativity behind and work and making yourself a more interesting, better educated and capable actor.  Mix that with persistence and availability and you will eventually land the role that only you can play.