Face it:
There are days when pursuing your career as an actor sucks. Here are a few simple steps to getting your mojo back, keep you motivated and staying in ACTion!
Life is like those signs that say “You Are Here”! What you make of WHERE you are is up to you. Even if you weren’t an actor and no matter what you did/do for a living, the key to success is extraordinary performance, day after day after day.
And that’s only possible if you make optimism, expectancy, and enthusiasm part of your daily experience.
It’s easier if you’re pursuing your life’s dearest dreams. But what if, like almost most of us in this crowded community, you’ve got an additional “side job” that’s not exactly your ideal. What if the pursuit of your dreams, faced with consistent rejection and doing the small stuff gets you down?
Here’s how to maintain a go-getter outlook, even when the going gets tough:
STEP #1: Realize That YOU Are in Control
Your attitude isn’t controlled by the outside world. That’s an illusion, a fantasy that, if you believe it, you’re simply using to escape responsibility for managing this all-important part of your career. REALLY, that’s your toughest job right there…not the acting career!
For example, if you run into snowstorm that’s making you late to an audition, you can get frustrated and start cussing…OR you can look forward to the appreciation that the casting director might feel because you were committed enough to fight the weather to make the casting call when others would bag it.
It’s all in how you see it!
STEP #2: Neutralize Negative Thoughts
Stop letting exterior events trigger negative thoughts.
Suppose you’re on your way to an important call back but are running late because of traffic and transportation situations out of your control. That IS a problem, but if you get flustered, you’ve got TWO problems: the fact that you’re late, and the fact that you’re flustered.
And if you walk into the call back flustered, the casting director might wonder if you’re moody and unreliable. So now you’ve got THREE problems.
To get a better result (and achieve a better attitude), modify your interpretation of the exterior events that tend to trigger the negative outlook. Once the events in your life take on a different, more useful meaning, they won’t trigger a bad attitude.
STEP #3: Reduce Your News Media Consumption (this is HUGE!)
Today’s mainstream news programming mostly consists of horrible stories of destruction, death and pain. (Pain = Trump…oops did I just let my opinion show? If not now, when? Jeeze). This constant flow of negative images automatically creates a negative attitude about life, the world, and everything in it. It definitely affects me, and I assert, you too.
If you want to maintain a positive attitude, you MUST reduce or even eliminate your exposure to broadcast news programming. Rather than waste time with that stuff, add material and content into your life that will help you become more successful in your acting career. Study great actors, read the Hollywood Reporter as well as my blogs and Facebook posts. (Had to get that in there!)
Start and end each day reading something positive. If you’re on the move, rather than listening to negative, emotionally-charged talk radio in your car or harsh music on your iPod, listen to motivational CD’s or music that raises your spirits and inspires you. I LOVE listening to stuff that enhances and makes a difference in my life. It makes me smile!
STEP #4: Avoid Negative People (even more HUGE!)
You probably have a few friends, relatives, or acquaintances who make you feel tired and drained. They always seem to have something bad to say; criticisms come far more often than compliments. STAY AWAY FROM THEM!
These folks are toxic to your attitude (and to your success) because, if they’re not actively tearing down your enthusiasm, they’re trying to get you to think the same way they do about the world. What a drag! Seriously.
If you want to maintain a positive attitude, limit your daily exposure to these people. OK, I know some of them are your relatives…but don’t go to lunch with the “grouse and grumble” crowd. If you’ve got to “deal” with folks that don’t add value to YOUR world, let them go. These are “crazy makers” according to Julia Cameron, author of “The Artists Way” and I agree 110%.
STEP #5: Adopt a Positive Vocabulary (HUGEST of all!)
The words that you use—both what you speak aloud and your internal thoughts—have an influence in how you perceive what’s happening in the world. Sometimes you’re aware, but mostly you are not.
All words carry a certain amount of emotional baggage, especially if you’ve been saying the same things for a LONG time and/or over and over again.
The words “can’t,” “don’t,” and “won’t” mean essentially the same thing…it’s not happening! But they carry very different emotional baggage. If you “won’t” do something, but tell yourself that you “can’t” over and over and over, it will intensify the stubbornness to produce the action/result. Both are a choice and one is a learned behavior. The words you use CREATE your life and thus, your outcomes. Want better outcomes? Start by observing your words.
Your life is a network of conversations and being AWARE of what comes out of your mouth and enters your ears is the first place to start.
These 5 ways to stay motivated are brought to you by me, Lisa Gold, and take them or leave them…I can assure you I use ALL of the above to keep me motivated on a daily basis. I pass them lovingly on to you!
Why Social Media is Nothing Without Creativity
/in Biz of Show Info, General/by Lisa GoldThe landscape of social media has drastically changed in the past three years. Actor websites that began as powerful platforms to spread information about your latest acting credit, show, or “what's happening” in your career has turned into the “norm” and congested with too much information that not everyone is interested in. There's your family (always interested), real-life friends (sometimes interested), industry professionals you WANT to see what's going on (maybe interested) and your audience, if you have one yet, (perhaps interested if they know you exist).
And now even social media has transformed from an efficient and inexpensive way to use the power of word of mouth, to a virtual mess of a garage sale. How to sort through it all and TARGET market?
I still think social media is awesome. Just take it slow and step by step. AND FOCUS!
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and others are completely free services that you can sign up for and use to create a community of passionate fans and eyes on EXACTLY what you are doing when you're doing it. But what people — actors, especially — need to do when using social media is to ACT outside the box, and create content that’s worthy of sharing.
Consider how other “regular” businesses used to their names in front of audiences before the internet, before TV, before radio — it was PURE word-of-mouth interaction, a.k.a. real people talking.
How can you do this too? Combine your word-of-mouth marketing with social media. Ever go to a live networking event like “Showbiz Thursdays” (formerly First Thursdays) and then let your social media friends and network know about it? It's the ability to let hundreds of people at a one time know what you're up to.
Have you seen an amazing B'way show lately? How about the latest big movie that everyone ELSE is talking about? What did you like about it, or not? If it's “trending”, it usually makes it something worth talking about. And getting people talking is of course the name of the game. Forget about what you ate for breakfast, posting pics of random cute animals and giving your opinion on politics or religion…yeah, two areas that are NOT related directly to the services you provide as an actor. (OK, that's just MY opinion!) Really, just STOP that!
Real people talking about you in person AND in the social media universe, getting those “eyes” on you is the intended outcome. Not THAT's a marketing strategy.
The unique thing about our community is that we are passionate about the arts, entertainment and about sharing. Creating this kind of presence where people pay attention doesn't happen over night either. Building trust and a highly-engaged community can take years. Remember, slow and steady wins this race.
Sit back for a moment and take a look at your career. How can you create a conversation about what you uniquely offer that blends an offline live experience with an online one? How can you encourage your community to spread your message for you and have fun while doing it? Think about the power of combining word-of-mouth communication and also getting new followers or “likes”. Think about offering something of yourself that other people will want to participate in again and again.
I wish you all the very best this life has to offer, online and off! To your success, Lisa
9 Qualities of Remarkable Entertainers/Actors
/in General, Mentors and Thought Leaders/by Lisa GoldGood entertainers make money.
Great entertainers make us smile and make serious money for themselves in the process.
Remarkable entertainers do more than make us smile and make money. They are the few who possess qualities that don’t appear only in bank account balances, but do make a significant impact on the lives of their audiences, inner circles, and communities.
Here are nine qualities of remarkable entertainers:
1. They find happiness in the success of others.
Great sports teams win because their most talented players are willing to sacrifice ego and acknowledgment to make others look great. Great theater productions, TV series and notable films are made up of actors who help each other, know their roles, set aside personal “perks”, and value co-operative success over everything else. Where does that attitude come from? You. Every great entertainer answers the question, “Can you make the choice that your happiness will come from the success of others?” with a resounding “Yes!”
2. They relentlessly seek new experiences.
Novelty seeking—getting bored easily and throwing yourself into new pursuits or activities – is often linked to gambling, drug abuse, and attention deficit disorder. But according to some leading doctors, novelty seeking is one of the traits that keeps you healthy and happy and fosters personality growth as you age… if you combine adventurousness and curiosity with persistence and a sense that it’s not all about you, then you get the creativity that benefits society as a whole, and THAT translates to creativity in show biz. To succeed, you want to be able to regulate your impulses (don’t take that gig that isn’t quite right just to have one!) while also having the imagination to see what the future would be like if you tried something new.
Check out this “something new” I tried on my birthday a few years back. Definitely a novelty. So go ahead – embrace your inner novelty seeker. You’ll be healthier, you’ll have more friends, and you’ll be generally more satisfied with life.
3. They don't think work/life balance; they just think life.
When you have burning passion for this career, work-life boundaries are almost impossible to maintain. Why? You are your business. Your business is your life, just like your life is your business – which is also true for family, friends, and interests—so there is no separation, because all those things make you who you are.
Remarkable entertainers find ways to include family instead of ways to exclude work. They find ways to include interests, hobbies, passions, and personal values in their daily business lives. Ever notice the “big boys” working with the same people (sometimes friends and family) over and over again? It’s because they have become a part of each other’s lives. So hire your parents, kids and friends for you latest webisode or cabaret act, student film or full length feature. Network like crazy and bring in to your creative path the people you like and enjoy in your LIFE. If you can't, you're not living—you're just working.
4. They're incredibly empathetic.
Unless you create something entirely new on your own—which I encourage as an actorpreneur, but is very hard to do—your business is based on fulfilling an existing need or solving a problem.
In order to identify a need or a problem you must have the ability to put yourself in another person's shoes, particularly the casting director and creative team of the “place” you want to work; that's the mark of a successful entertainer. But remarkable entertainers go a step farther, regularly putting themselves in the shoes of their audience. Success isn't a line trending upwards. Success is a circle. No matter how high your profile—and your ego—soars, success still comes back to your audience.
5. They have something to prove – to themselves.
Many actors have a burning desire to prove other people wrong. You know who I’m talking about – that acting teacher from long ago that didn’t see your true talent; the family member who still thinks you’re crazy for choosing this career; the gal that beat you out of the perfect role in your 5th grade play…you’ll show them! These are great motivators. Remarkable entertainers are driven by something deeper and more personal. True drive, commitment, and dedication springs from a desire to prove something to the most important person of all. You.
6. They ignore the 40-hour workweek hype.
Studies show that working more than 40 hours a week decreases productivity. Whatever. Successful business owners (uh huh, that’s YOU) work smarter, sure, but they also outwork their competition. I personally don’t know a SINGLE soul who works more than I do (outside of Tracy Costa of course!) There will always be people who are smarter and more talented than you. Remarkable entertainers want it more. They're ruthless—especially with themselves. Remarkable entertainers simply work harder. That's the real secret of their success.
7. They see money as a responsibility, not a reward.
Many successful actor cautionary tales involve buying 17 cars, loading up on pricey antiques, flying to and from private islands in private planes, importing Christmas trees, and spending $40,000 a year for a personal masseuse. Wait—maybe that's just Oprah! But being a remarkable entertainer includes not seeing money solely as a personal reward; they see money as a way to grow their business/profile and give back to the community… in short, not just to make their own lives better but to impact the lives of other people too. Ultimately Oprah, Brad and Angelina, Bono and more, are just as well known for spending their money improving the lives of others as for the fun trinkets and toys they can afford.
8. They don't think they're remarkable.
In a world of social media everyone can be their own PR agent. It's incredibly easy for anyone to blow their own horn and bask in the glow of their insight and accomplishments. Remarkable entertainers still have to do all of that self-promotion but also accept their success is based on ambition, persistence, and execution… and they also recognize that key mentors, and a huge dose of luck also played a part. Remarkable entertainers reap the rewards of humility, asking questions, seeking advice, recognizing and praising others…
9. They know that success is fleeting, but dignity and respect last forever.
The most important thing remarkable entertainers provide audiences, other actors they work with, agents and other creative industry professionals- everyone they meet – is dignity and respect.
And so should you, because when you do, everything else follows.
This article was re-written/re-purposed from something I read in Inc. magazine on Remarkable Entrepreneurs. I think it fits perfectly, don’t you? Lisa
First Thursdays – Cartoon Impressions, Silly Poses, and Lots of Fun! 5.3.2012
/in General, Networking Parties/by Lisa GoldAre You Committed? Hesitation is a Career Killer.
/in Biz of Show Info, General, Mentors and Thought Leaders/by Lisa GoldIn our acting community, I find indecision one of the reasons we don't have what we say we want in our careers. Why “choose” when it seems better to leave so many options open?
Much of what is taught at Act Outside the Box is around taking action and choosing. I see a lot of actors doing just the opposite, thinking that if they leave the doors open, someone will invite them through and show them the proper or best pathway. It really just doesn't work that way.
Read this quote by Goethe and see if it resonates with you like it did with me.
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back– Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”
I invite you to take action and make a commitment to yourself and your career RIGHT NOW in any area that you've been thinking…”hhhuuuumm, someday I'll do that”. Be BOLD (says GOLD!)
I Rescued a Human Today
/in Lisa's Life and Times/by Lisa GoldAs she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.
She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.
A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.
Author – Janine Allen
5 Easy Ways to Stay Motivated
/in General/by Lisa GoldFace it:
There are days when pursuing your career as an actor sucks. Here are a few simple steps to getting your mojo back, keep you motivated and staying in ACTion!
Life is like those signs that say “You Are Here”! What you make of WHERE you are is up to you. Even if you weren’t an actor and no matter what you did/do for a living, the key to success is extraordinary performance, day after day after day.
And that’s only possible if you make optimism, expectancy, and enthusiasm part of your daily experience.
It’s easier if you’re pursuing your life’s dearest dreams. But what if, like almost most of us in this crowded community, you’ve got an additional “side job” that’s not exactly your ideal. What if the pursuit of your dreams, faced with consistent rejection and doing the small stuff gets you down?
Here’s how to maintain a go-getter outlook, even when the going gets tough:
STEP #1: Realize That YOU Are in Control
Your attitude isn’t controlled by the outside world. That’s an illusion, a fantasy that, if you believe it, you’re simply using to escape responsibility for managing this all-important part of your career. REALLY, that’s your toughest job right there…not the acting career!
For example, if you run into snowstorm that’s making you late to an audition, you can get frustrated and start cussing…OR you can look forward to the appreciation that the casting director might feel because you were committed enough to fight the weather to make the casting call when others would bag it.
It’s all in how you see it!
STEP #2: Neutralize Negative Thoughts
Stop letting exterior events trigger negative thoughts.
Suppose you’re on your way to an important call back but are running late because of traffic and transportation situations out of your control. That IS a problem, but if you get flustered, you’ve got TWO problems: the fact that you’re late, and the fact that you’re flustered.
And if you walk into the call back flustered, the casting director might wonder if you’re moody and unreliable. So now you’ve got THREE problems.
To get a better result (and achieve a better attitude), modify your interpretation of the exterior events that tend to trigger the negative outlook. Once the events in your life take on a different, more useful meaning, they won’t trigger a bad attitude.
STEP #3: Reduce Your News Media Consumption (this is HUGE!)
Today’s mainstream news programming mostly consists of horrible stories of destruction, death and pain. (Pain = Trump…oops did I just let my opinion show? If not now, when? Jeeze). This constant flow of negative images automatically creates a negative attitude about life, the world, and everything in it. It definitely affects me, and I assert, you too.
If you want to maintain a positive attitude, you MUST reduce or even eliminate your exposure to broadcast news programming. Rather than waste time with that stuff, add material and content into your life that will help you become more successful in your acting career. Study great actors, read the Hollywood Reporter as well as my blogs and Facebook posts. (Had to get that in there!)
Start and end each day reading something positive. If you’re on the move, rather than listening to negative, emotionally-charged talk radio in your car or harsh music on your iPod, listen to motivational CD’s or music that raises your spirits and inspires you. I LOVE listening to stuff that enhances and makes a difference in my life. It makes me smile!
STEP #4: Avoid Negative People (even more HUGE!)
You probably have a few friends, relatives, or acquaintances who make you feel tired and drained. They always seem to have something bad to say; criticisms come far more often than compliments. STAY AWAY FROM THEM!
These folks are toxic to your attitude (and to your success) because, if they’re not actively tearing down your enthusiasm, they’re trying to get you to think the same way they do about the world. What a drag! Seriously.
If you want to maintain a positive attitude, limit your daily exposure to these people. OK, I know some of them are your relatives…but don’t go to lunch with the “grouse and grumble” crowd. If you’ve got to “deal” with folks that don’t add value to YOUR world, let them go. These are “crazy makers” according to Julia Cameron, author of “The Artists Way” and I agree 110%.
STEP #5: Adopt a Positive Vocabulary (HUGEST of all!)
The words that you use—both what you speak aloud and your internal thoughts—have an influence in how you perceive what’s happening in the world. Sometimes you’re aware, but mostly you are not.
All words carry a certain amount of emotional baggage, especially if you’ve been saying the same things for a LONG time and/or over and over again.
The words “can’t,” “don’t,” and “won’t” mean essentially the same thing…it’s not happening! But they carry very different emotional baggage. If you “won’t” do something, but tell yourself that you “can’t” over and over and over, it will intensify the stubbornness to produce the action/result. Both are a choice and one is a learned behavior. The words you use CREATE your life and thus, your outcomes. Want better outcomes? Start by observing your words.
Your life is a network of conversations and being AWARE of what comes out of your mouth and enters your ears is the first place to start.
These 5 ways to stay motivated are brought to you by me, Lisa Gold, and take them or leave them…I can assure you I use ALL of the above to keep me motivated on a daily basis. I pass them lovingly on to you!
6 Ways to Conquer the Fear of Rejection
/in General, Productivity Tips/by Lisa GoldCary Grant, Marilyn Monroe, Alfred Hitchcock and Richard Burton never won an Oscar. Babe Ruth was never named Most Valuable Player. Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson all lost elections for the presidency before they won one. Losers? No. Legends.
Early in my career, when I was struggling actress, I made a list of all the roles in musical theater I wanted to perform. Some, I admit, were far out of my reach, (to young, too old, not enough dance skills, wrong color, not the right chops, ugh!), and I wasted tons of time wishing and hoping it weren’t so.
If you’re in the acting game you better get used to hearing the word “no.” If thinking that becoming a successful, heck (really?), even wealthy and famous actor was easy, everyone would want in (ooops…sooooo many do! ). Rejection helps knock out the weak. In my case, those early rejections forced me to really listen to my potential in the marketplace and find out what I needed to do and change in order to transform the “no, thanks” to “where do I sign?”
You can’t escape rejection. You can only let it go. Here are some exercises that paid off for me big time:
Ten setbacks are the going price for any worthwhile win. I LOVE statistics so look at the major league baseball standings at the end of any season: Out of 30 teams, only eight make the playoffs, and only one winds up winning the World Series. Out of all of the guys on the team (by the way, no women!) how many can you name? There are the players in the Major Leagues and then there are the STARS. In the end, the annual standings show that there are 29 losing teams and thusly hundreds/thousands of losers? Hardly. Really? Come on! Are you in the GAME or not? In my book the only way you’re not is quitting, and YOU’RE not a quitter, are you?
Lisa’s Moral of the Story: Don’t get dejected if you’ve been rejected. Just get your skills perfected!
First Thursdays – Oscar Goes to the Dogs! Shhhhhhush, Quiet! 2.27.2012
/in General, Networking Parties/by Lisa GoldFirst Thursdays – A warm spot in a suddenly cold week 2.2.2012
/in General, Networking Parties/by Lisa Gold10 Simple Ways to Earn and Save MORE Money
/in General, Productivity Tips/by Lisa GoldI love sharing ways to end the “starving artist” conversation. So if you want more money, take a good look at these 10 simple (not easy) actions that you can take today that will, in the end, make AND keep money in your pocket.
1. Reduce the number of opportunities you pursue. Focus, focus, focus. What are your goals? The more opportunities you've got, the more likely you are to make mistakes with investing your time (time is money, right?) If you can't give ONE opportunity the attention it deserves, you'll lose money in the end. This is usually the case pursuing unpaid “opportunities”.
2. Increase the percentage of time you spend marketing yourself. Let go of the “little” stuff that occupies your mind and efforts. Reduce the time you spend on paperwork, trade some “craft” time for “marketing” time, and give up other busywork you're seemingly always involved with. Use the extra time to get yourself in front of as many people possible that can hire you via direct mail, email, social media and in-person networking. Read more