It is the new year! It’s that time of the year where we are the most filled with anticipation, new beginnings, the possibilities are endless…it’s like we’re wiping the slate clean from 2019, 2020 is arriving and anything is possible. So I want to ask you this question: Are you someone who makes new years resolutions, or are you someone who is resolute? Because there’s a huge difference: one is fairly easy, the other? Not so much. Let’s take a look at the main difference.
A resolution is a firm decision to do or not to do something. A declaration of a particular choice you’ll make or action you’ll take in your life, your career, etc. Whether it’s to save more money, to exercise more, or to finally invest in those headshots that you know you’ve been putting off for way too long. These are actions that exist outside of yourself, so it can be a tangible thing to accomplish like getting those headshots, or it can be more of a goal-based decision, which can either last or fade.
But take the word resolute. Resolute is defined as being firmly resolved or determined, to be set in one’s purpose or opinion; someone who is characterized by firmness and determination. So, unlike resolution, resolute reflects a state of being. It’s a character quality that exists within you, not outside of you. It’s a part of who you are and not what you are simply trying to achieve. Being resolute is not something that you can just put on like a piece of clothing. No, it’s gotta go much, much deeper, like confidence. A person can put on the face of confidence, but true confidence goes deep inside of the core. It comes from truly knowing who you are, and your value, and what you have to give. It’s the same with being resolute. And you, my friend, have chosen an industry that is going to both test and stretch your ability to be resolute to its maximum limit. The good news is this industry is like the gym when it comes to exercising that sense of being resolute because it’s going to give you a helluva lot of practice!
Here’s my challenge to you for 2020! Are you willing to go deeper than a resolution? Are you up to the task of being an actor who is truly resolute?
I’m going to give you what I call my “4 Pillars to Becoming Resolute”.
Just like the four critical corners of a building’s foundation that support its weight and keep it standing tall and strong, these are 4 critical things that you can start doing right now to help cultivate and build that quality of being resolute inside of yourself and have it be real and honest.
So take on the Challenge in 2020, and make every day New Year’s Day!
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Let’s make 2020 our best year ever – together. Pop on over now and let's do this!
But take the word resolute. Resolute is defined as being firmly resolved or determined, to be set in one’s purpose or opinion; someone who is characterized by firmness and determination. So, unlike resolution, resolute reflects a state of being. It’s a character quality that exists within you, not outside of you. It’s a part of who you are and not what you are simply trying to achieve. Being resolute is not something that you can just put on like a piece of clothing. No, it’s gotta go much, much deeper, like confidence. A person can put on the face of confidence, but true confidence goes deep inside of the core. It comes from truly knowing who you are, and your value, and what you have to give. It’s the same with being resolute. And you, my friend, have chosen an industry that is going to both test and stretch your ability to be resolute to its maximum limit. The good news is this industry is like the gym when it comes to exercising that sense of being resolute because it’s going to give you a helluva lot of practice!
Here’s my challenge to you for 2020! Are you willing to go deeper than a resolution? Are you up to the task of being an actor who is truly resolute?
I’m going to give you what I call my “4 Pillars to Becoming Resolute”.
Just like the four critical corners of a building’s foundation that support its weight and keep it standing tall and strong, these are 4 critical things that you can start doing right now to help cultivate and build that quality of being resolute inside of yourself and have it be real and honest.
- Perspective. Simply decide right now that every day of the calendar year holds the exact same value to you in terms of your time, your energy, your investment and your work ethic. Sure right now it's a very exciting time as we’re launching into a brand new year and a brand new decade, but you can have that exact same feeling every day of the year, you just have to decide so for yourself. There are new beginnings that are happening and taking place right now all around you, how often do you stop and take the time to notice? Every day of the year can be New Year's Day, you just have to look at it with that perspective.
- Consistency. One thing I have observed as a coach over 17 years of teaching and working with actors is that those who are the most consistent in their work are the ones who break through and have a career. Our job as actors is to always be acting. In other words, when you’re not auditioning you’re in a play, or you are in a class, or you are producing your own short film, or getting together with your actor friends and working on plays or reading material – you are always working on your craft. That is our job! You do not need your agent to call in order for you to act. Be so busy acting when they call that you can’t pick up the phone! Consistency is what breeds depth and excellence in the work. So see if you can make it your goal that by the end of 2020 you would have exercised your highest level of consistency in your work to date.
- Integrity. Which, essentially, is respect. Respect for yourself and respect for the work. Another thing that I have noticed over 17 years of coaching and working with actors is that how an actor treats their work in class is kind of a litmus test for their overall work ethic. And it can be very telling! At my studio, we have a saying, “The Work is the Work is the Work…No Matter What!” So in other words, whether you’re auditioning for a big studio film that has a huge budget and is being helmed by some big name director, or whether you’re auditioning for a little short film that’s basically paying you nothing, or whether you’re working on a scene in class. It’s all the same. And you treat it all with the exact same level of enthusiasm, preparation, and investment. Your Work is your Work is your Work…No Matter What!
- Resiliency. When I worked in casting, I observed much too often that the best audition of the day did not necessarily result in a booking. This was a very eye-opening moment for me as an actor. It was a huge reality check, but it showed me just how tough this business is! This is an industry that does not play by the standard rules of fairness when it comes to employment and who’s best for the job. So to navigate this industry effectively, to be successful in this particular line of work, as an actor, you have to cultivate a sense of rock-star resiliency!And I have a formula for you! When that audition does not go your way and you gave it everything – yes, give yourself time to grieve, but then determineyourself to getting up, dusting off your feet, and moving forward! It’s as simple as that. You are in this for the championship fight. You are in this for the long game, not the short game. Every audition in and of itself is the short game. The long game is withstanding this rocky road of auditioning so you can actually have a career! You are in this for the long haul, and you’re building your house brick by brick.
So take on the Challenge in 2020, and make every day New Year’s Day!
Have you subscribed to the Youtube channel yet? If not, what are you waiting for?
Let’s make 2020 our best year ever – together. Pop on over now and let's do this!