Dallas’s Comments (group member since Feb 11, 2009)

Dallas’s comments from the The Tao of Show Business: How to Pursue Your Dream Without Losing Your Mind group.

One of the most common complaints I hear from actors involves finding the right representation. Snagging a solid agent or manager can be tricky, time consuming, and expensive. A lot of actors experience the old catch-22: “I need an agent to get work and I need work to land an agent”. What’s an actor to do?

Whether you feel like you don’t have enough time or money to grab the attention of an agent, or you question whether or not you’re ready for representation, you can begin planting seeds with prospective agents easily and inexpensively. All you need to do is commit to these small steps.

Apply a Laser Beam Focus
I’m a big believer in “doing less more often”, so narrow your agent list to a manageable target group of about 10 agencies. Ask for recommendations from fellow actors and any industry connections, such as casting directors, producers, acting coaches, etc. Do you have a peer with representation whose career you admire? Research their agency. The Hollywood Creative Directory, available as a reference book in many libraries, and IMDB Pro are good resources to help locate names and contact information for anyone in the industry. Don’t forget to plug in to online forums such as the Hollywood Happy Hour Yahoo Group. You will be amazed by how easily you can access up to date information about any agent you may be researching.

Reach Out On the Cheap
People often think good marketing costs money, but there are numerous effective ways to get in touch with agents without breaking the bank. You might market to your target agents by emailing, calling the office, sending a fax, dropping off a headshot, or asking a friend to make a referral call on your behalf. Not only are each of these steps free or inexpensive, but they’re also highly effective.

Remember, you don’t have to knock an agent’s socks off with your fancy marketing package. You’re better off applying the Rule of Seven and sending out small, inexpensive touches on a regular basis.

Make It Personal
I’d say the most effective way to secure good representation (other than booking great work) is to rely on referrals. Think about who you know that might be willing to recommend you to their agent. Do you have a teacher or friend who could provide a solid recommendation? If so, ask them to lend a hand in your agent search process.

If you can’t get any referrals, then be your own best referrer. Show up to your prospective agent’s office and drop off your materials. Ask for a meeting and share why any agent would benefit from working with you.


WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Respected as one of the entertainment industry’s leading experts, Dallas Travers teaches actors the career and life skills often left out of traditional training programs. Her groundbreaking book, The Tao of Show Business, has won over five awards including first prizes at The Hollywood Book Festival and the London Festival along with the National Indie Excellence Award. She has helped thousands of actors to increase their auditions, produce their own projects, secure representation and book roles in film and television.

If you’re ready to jump-start your acting career, get your FREE Thriving Artist Starter kit now at http://www.dallastravers.com.

Every actor understands the importance of a great headshot. A simple 8x10 picture can open a lot of doors for you if utilized correctly. Your headshot must represent the real you while showcasing your unique castability. That’s a lot of responsibility for one tiny photograph.

Knowing the importance of a headshot, it’s easy to over think things. You can spend a lot of time exploring your essence, how others perceive you, your best angles, colors and outfits. Shooting new headshots is a pretty big deal but, it doesn’t have to be an arduous, painful process.

I’ve identified six simple steps to help you finally capture your dream headshots. By following this easy plan, you’ll discover that getting the right shot is actually a piece of cake.


Step 1. Draw character parallels. Make a list of 5-12 specific performances you have seen that resonate with you. These don’t have to be actors who look like you. They don’t have to be of your gender. They don’t even need to be contemporary. Just make a list of five. After you’ve made that list, describe each performance with one or two adjectives.


Step 2. Select your power adjectives. Looking at your list of adjectives, select the top two to four that best represent the list as a whole. I call this process “nutshelling”


Perhaps you might select the following adjectives: vulnerable, endearing, and quietly powerful. Keep these words in mind and visualize an image of a person who possesses all of these qualities.


Step 3. Create Your Characters. Use these adjectives to help create three specific character descriptions for yourself: dramatic, comedic, and a character driven role. After you’ve completed your character breakdowns, you’ll have three very specific essences that you can now capture in your headshot photo shoot.

Here are three examples:

Drama: (Suzanne) A social worker who fiercely protects the kids that she works with. Her job is her life, so she has no time for romance. She’s often overlooked or underestimated by her peers because she has such a soft exterior. But underneath lies a force to be reckoned with.

Comedy: (Josephine) The only unmarried member of a close-knit group of friends, Josephine often feels like an outsider. She’s clumsy, yet lovable. She’s well-read, but lacks street smarts. Josephine’s very unlucky in love. She gets nervous around attractive men, which often leads to uncontrollable bouts of the hiccups. All of this aside, Josephine’s naïve outlook on life allows her to give top notch advice to her friends in need.

Character Driven Role: (Candace) Candace got married very young and at the age of 35, finds herself at the end of an abusive relationship. Candace works as a local cannery where she’s been earning minimum wage for the last six years. After losing her mother to cancer, Candace digs deep and finds the strength to change her life for the better.

Step 4: Get thinking. Identify specific thoughts or emotions each character experiences. Perhaps words that represent them or phrases they say.

For example, Suzanne might say, “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you. The phrase, “Always a bridesmaid. Never a bride” may represent Josephine. Candace might feel exhausted.

Keep these thoughts in mind during your headshot photoshoot. With powerful thoughts or emotions in mind, you will easily capture the honest essence of your ideal roles.

Step 5. Plan your wardrobe, but don’t over think it. How can you convey the essence of each character in the subtlest of ways? Remember, the best wardrobe adds to the energy of the character without being distracting.

Step 6. Bring it All Together. Now you have three specific looks and three specific thoughts. Being an actor, the rest is easy. Just bring these thoughts and your wardrobe to your photo shoot. Then, as each different “look” or character is being shot, you simply think the thoughts of the character you’ve developed.

Follow these six simple steps and you’re sure to produce authentic, marketable, and compelling headshots.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Creative Career Coach & Author, Dallas Travers wrote the groundbreaking book, The Tao of Show Business: How to Pursue Your Dream Without Losing Your Mind. She teaches actors the career and life skills often left out of traditional training programs. Hear Dallas in action with a free Thriving Artist Circle Audio at http://www.thrivingartistcircle.com

How much time do you spend preparing to get ready to begin a project? How long does it take you to shoot new headshots, create a demo reel, or execute a mailing?

My guess is that you spend more time thinking about these projects than you actually spend doing them.

I believe a key element to success is decisiveness. You must be willing to take action if you want results. It's not what you do, but that you do that really matters. Perhaps it's time to stop thinking, planning, and preparing and start practicing imperfection so you can finally get things going.

A couple of months ago, I got an email from a complete stranger who found my website. Her note said something like this:

"Dallas congratulations on the great work you are doing! I think your site is valuable and it contains a few typos. I hope you don't mind, but I've taken the liberty to correct them for you. Attached is a copy of my corrections."

Upon opening the attachment, I was shocked and a little embarrassed to see that the document was six pages long. Six whole pages. Yes, of typos.

I'm not going to lie. I had about 30 minutes of being mad at this stranger. Who does she think she is, anyhow?

But then I realized something. Wow, if I had waited until I had a typo-free website, I still wouldn't have a website up. I'd be stuck in the cycle of preparing to get ready to begin the site. Now I have a typo-free website thanks to this kind stranger. But the only way I got to a typo-free website was to first have typos.

If you want to produce results in your career, you must be willing to make mistakes, try something new, and just put yourself out there.

In order to get great headshots, you must first take some headshots. Good or bad, you can't get to great without taking the first step. That's how you learn; that's how you grow. The more willing you are to have crappy headshots, the more quickly you will arrive at really great pictures because you're taking action.

The same is true with a demo reel, your website, and every other element of your marketing. The first step to greatness is not-so-greatness.

You may have noticed that the last newsletter you received from me contained 3 typos in the first two lines. I'm sure this one has it's fair share as well. I know... pretty impressive.

Sure, I've learned the hard way to be a little more careful before sending these biweekly articles out.
But I have to tell you that there's a part of me that feels a little proud of the typos. I used to spend so much time preparing to get ready to begin, that I wasn't actually doing a thing. I was stuck. I was so afraid of making mistakes that I took no action. And nobody knew who I was.

It's true for you. The more you can fall in love with the learning process, fall in love with your dumb little mistakes, with your crappy headshots, and with your imperfect demo reel, the more quickly you will arrive at where it is you really want to be.

Don't get it perfect, just get it going.

Researchers have found that it takes the average person 21 days to form a habit. Just three short weeks to begin a lifestyle shift.

I've been thinking a lot about habits lately. Many of us take unconscious actions daily out of habit. Some people feel they cannot change "the way they are". It's just not true. With some focus and a little effort, you can create powerful habits that create meaningful change.

Flip Your Perspective
A lot of people live in a constant state of hesitation. They believe that they must WAIT to have success, money, time, or energy before they can then live the life that they dream of.

They operate from a place of HAVE - DO - BE, which looks something like this, "Once I have my career in order, then I can focus on my relationships, and finally be fulfilled."

How often do you postpone certain trips, activities, or projects because you don't quite have your ducks in a row? How often do you tell yourself:

* As soon as I book a national commercial, I'll be able to travel.
* Once I have enough money, I'll be able to donate to charity.
* After I have more credits, I'll feel confident enough to network.


These statements are excuses. They are resistance to bold action. There is no time like the present to live out your desires.

The truth is that success doesn't change you. It allows you to express who you are more fully. So, rather than living from a place of HAVE - DO - BE, why not operate from BEING first?

If you want success, live every day as though you are successful. Be success. Make your decisions based on the success that awaits you rather than your lack of it now.

Here's what I mean by BE - DO - HAVE Living:

Be happy today. Feel successful. Be famous if you feel like it. From that place - choose your actions, habits, or behaviors. Then you'll notice that you have everything you need to be the person you want to be right now... today. What you have or don't have becomes irrelevant when you're already being the person you want to be.


Focus on the Process
If you want to see major results, start by developing a small set of consistent habits. The life you dream of begins with one step. Then you'll take another. It's really that simple.

Focus on developing habits rather than attaining results. Choose healthy habits that support the career you really want and live them now. Focus
on the habits first, the results will naturally follow.

Here's my challenge to you:

1. Think about the life or career you want. Think about how you can BE there today.

2. Select one specific habit you wish to develop that supports your ideal career.

3. Commit to putting that new habit in place over the next 21 days.

4. Now, identify one habit you wish to eliminate. What action do you take habitually that doesn't support the life you desire?

5. Put that negative behavior on hold for the next 21 days, so you can let it go forever.

I'd love to hear what habits you choose and how this process works for you, so let me know!


"Habits are cobwebs at first; cables at last" - Chinese Proverb

Landing a meeting with a prospective agent requires a lot of footwork. Most actors know the basic steps to getting a meeting, but few set themselves up for success in the meeting itself. Here are some simple tips that will help you master your agent meetings from start to finish.

Before You Arrive

What’s In It For Them?
The hard part is over. You have the meeting. Be confident knowing that this agent actually wants to meet you, wants to like you, and wants to work with you. They wouldn’t take the meeting if they didn’t feel that way. Your job isn’t to convince them to like you. Rather, it is to confidently share who you are, what you’re up to, and what excites you about your career.

Think about your strengths. What qualities do you possess that separate you from the pack? What’s your booking ratio? How proactive are you? How will they benefit from working with you? What industry relationships do you have that this agent can utilize to open even more doors.


Know Your Stuff
Knowledge is power, so arm yourself with plenty of it. As soon as you’ve set the appointment, it’s time to do your research. Hit up IMDB PRO to find our more about the person you’re about to meet. Know a little about their background. Find out who they often work with and what actors they represent. Ask your trusted friends and colleagues for insight and advice. You just might be surprised by what you’ll learn when you simply Google the agent’s name along with the word “complaint”.

Remember, as important as research is, not every agent will be a fit for every actor out there. So, take complaints and rave reviews with a grain of salt.



Set Your Intention
Before you meet with anyone, it’s essential to identify your precise intention. What do you really want to gain from this meeting? If you’re meeting with an agent, is your goal to sign a contract? Or, do you just want to find out if this agent might be a good match for you?

With a clear purpose in mind, you can confidently navigate the conversation and accomplish your goal. If you don’t know exactly what you want to gain from your meeting, how on earth can you expect
to gain anything?


After you get there

Be Interested
Don’t be fooled into believing that you are there to talk about you. The best way to have a great meeting is to actually focus more on the person with whom you’re meeting than on yourself. Ask questions. Notice your environment. If you see a photo of a dog on their desk, ask about the dog.


Be Interesting
Engage this person in authentic conversation. Don’t apologize or downplay who you are and what you’re excited about. Talk about what you love most about acting. Avoid providing yes or no answers.



Ask Uncommon Questions
The point of this meeting is to discover whether or not you want to pursue a working relationship with the potential agent. What information do you need in order to make that decision? Some of my favorite agent-meeting questions include:

“What do you think separates your successful clients from the others?”
“What can I do as an actor to make your job easier?”
“Describe a great agent-actor relationship.”
“What about a bad one?”
“What key steps can I take to start booking jobs?”
“How do you prefer to communicate with your clients?”
“What’s one thing you feel actors should do that they don’t?”

These open-ended questions will spark a dynamic dialogue and illustrate a lot about your future agent’s work practices and preferences. They’ll also impress whomever you meet with because most actors rely on asking obvious and generic questions such as “how many clients do you have of my type?”


Set Up the Follow Up

This crucial step will save you hours of waiting and wondering. Before you leave the room, be certain that you know exactly what to expect next. It’s easy to assume that if this agent is interested in working with you, that they’ll tell you so. Not true. The only way you will know whether or not this agent wants to represent you is to ask them. So just go ahead and ask the real question. That way you’ll know exactly how and when to follow up. You might ask, “So, would you like to work together?” or, “What’s our next step?”

1. KNOW WHO YOU ARE

No matter what the role, YOU are the person being hired for the job. Who YOU are, permeates each role you book, so you’ve got to know yourself, know how others perceive you, and strike the perfect balance.

2. WORK WITH THE STEREOTYPES

We’ve all seen the stereotypes: best friend, lawyer, cop, mom, and on, and on. Think about the types of roles you are likely to book and then define your own personal version of that character. IE: If you book lawyer roles: Are you climbing the ladder at a high-priced law firm, or do you work pro bono for abuse victims? Both characters are lawyers, but the similarities stop there.

3. FIRM FOUNDATION

Now that you’ve outlined the types of roles you are likely to book, it’s time to develop the character. Create some phrases this character would say. How does this character feel about having his/her picture taken?

Dress from the ground up. The shoes you wear, whether you are sitting or standing affect the energy in your face during the shoot.

4. COMMUNICATION IS KEY

Most actors show up to a photo shoot with just a pile of clothes and a dream. Communication with your photographer is imperative. If you can articulate the types of roles you are going for in a way they can understand, the pressure is off. Now you can do your thing feeling confident that your photographer will work his/her magic. Speak in terms of money… a universal language. Illustrate your character by drawing parallels to other people.

5. LESS IS MORE

Don’t get too hung up on wardrobe. The perfect wardrobe is one that we don’t notice. That said, make purposeful, thoughtful choices about what you wear in your shoot. Subtle hints can help illustrate who you are without slapping someone in the face with a gimmick.

6. MAKE THE CONNECTION

We’ve heard it all before, “It’s in the eyes.” So, what’s the trick to connecting with your eyes? Visualize the face of someone (the love of your life, your loud neighbor, your 3rd grade teacher) smack-dab in the middle of the camera’s lens. When choosing your headshot, make sure you can make direct eye contact with the person on the page.

7. MAKE YOURSELF AT-HOME

Get comfortable. Stop telling yourself how much you hate having still photos taken. Let go of the financial and emotional pressure behind this shoot. Have a glass of wine, bring a friend, take your time. Stand in the place of joy you feel as an actor. And remember…stop taking yourself so seriously.

If you’ve had any exposure to the media these days, I’m sure you’ve heard that we are in a recession. You may have also heard that the entertainment industry has slowed and that finalized SAG contracts
appear to be nowhere in sight.

Many actors step back from self-promotion during a slower economy. Many more quit entirely when uncertainty rules the waves. They believe
that they must cut back, conserve, and slow down.

While your competition sits back and waits for brighter days, now is a great time to amp up your marketing efforts and really make an impact.
Here are three simple and inexpensive ways you can create a stimulus package for your acting career.

Always Be Marketing
Regardless of how slow the industry may seem, casting directors still exist, agents still go to work, and producers continue to plan their future
projects. Your audience is out there and they need to hear from you.

You must be business savvy and consistently self-promote to your target audience. An actor’s audience consists of the agents who might
represent you, the casting directors who may audition you, and the producers who will ultimately hire you. Consistent marketing is essential, during slower cycles in the business and even in a down economy.

You can successfully self-promote without breaking the bank. For example, create a blog about your career. Blogging is absolutely free and simple to do. Visit a website such as www.blogger.com or www.wordpress.com to create your very own blog.

After your blog is created, update it daily with news, anecdotes, and career successes. Be sure to offer valuable content that readers want to hear. Then, invite your friends, colleagues, and other industry folk to follow your blog.

By creating a blog, you’re not only in consistent communication with the industry, but you are also establishing your own fan base. As your blog
grows, so will your popularity. Imagine how impressed a potential agent might feel when she Googles your name and uncovers your insightful blog
with hundreds of readers. Blogging daily also allows you to stay connected to your career and offer insight to others.

If you aren’t using Facebook as a marketing tool, start now. Facebook, along with Twitter are free and easy ways to keep the communication lines open with the people you may know. Try connecting with the
casting directors, agents, and producers you also want to meet. You just might be surprised at how accessible many of them are.

Twitter and Facebook can be incredible networking tools if you use them correctly. These social sites are brilliant free avenues to move your career
forward and stay in the mind of your audience. Remember though, that these are business tools, so keep it professional and relevant to your
career.

You can save a lot of money by replacing your traditional postcard or headshot mailing with a monthly email instead. An effective and
inexpensive way to target your audience is through email newsletters, or e-zines. Several websites such as www.constantcontact.com or www.myemma.com allow you to create attractive and professional email campaigns and manage your contacts easily.

As you collect email addresses for the people you meet, you can include them in your monthly e-zine updates and stay in the forefront of your readers’ minds.


Always Be Acting
During a recession, you may not be able to foot the bill for your regular acting class or networking groups. Here are a few free ways you can keep your chops sharp and network with others without spending a dime.

Invite a group of trusted colleagues to your house and host weekly script readings. You can conduct table readings of plays, original work, or audition sides. Not only will you be acting, but you’ll be connecting with your peers, feeling active, and improving your skills.

Put yourself on tape. Get in front of a camera, even if it’s your own. Sure, if you’re up for shooting your own project, go for it. I think that’s the best way to create the career you want. But let’s face it. Not every actor wants to be a filmmaker. That’s perfectly fine. It doesn’t mean that you can’t use your camera as a tool.

Try creating your own audition experience. Download sides from Showfax or other industry resources. Give yourself twenty-four hours with the material. Then, record an audition in your living room. Next, watch the footage and give yourself adjustments. You can conduct a call back session the next day and compare the two.

Creating your own auditions is an inexpensive way to not only practice your audition technique, but also to really grasp where your strengths and weaknesses lie. This will naturally improve your confidence by reinforcing your trust in your own instincts.

Diversify Your Income Streams
While on your way to acting success, you may require a second job that offers steady income plus flexibility to accommodate acting gigs. Rather than rely on only one source of income you create multiple streams of
income to alleviate stress during a down market.

What skills do you have? Are you highly organized? Do you know how to retouch photos or create brochures? Are you a good writer or proofreader? Are you great with kids or animals? What skills do you
currently have that might be of service to others?

Businesses around the world hire freelance writers, designers, data-entry specialists, and other experts to provide freelance services. You can upload your resume on websites such as www.elance.com or
www.workfromhome.com and generate extra income providing your expertise on a freelance basis.

Don’t rule out old-fashioned bartering in a slow economy. If you can’t afford to pay money for a class, a photo shoot, or other service, simply
offer an exchange of services. Perhaps your acting coach needs help filing and updating her contact database. You might work out a fair trade with her to stay in class while working a few hours each week.
Maybe a photographer you know needs dog-walking help. You might trade your time with his dogs for a photo shoot.

Bartering may not always be an option, but you’ll never know until you ask. Don’t limit yourself according to the amount of money in your bank
account. Think of creative ways you can pay for the things you need through bartering. Check out www.barter.net for bartering options and opportunities in your area.

Most importantly, remember that life occurs in cycles. The economy thrives and then it slows for a while, but it will eventually turn around. Sure,
SAG continues to struggle in contract negotiations, but eventually the union will indeed renew its contracts with the AMPTP. Things will turn
around. They always do. But will you be ready? Will you continue to market yourself, hone your craft, and cement your status in the business? Will you be ahead of the curve and allow the economy to catch up with
you? Or will you sit back in fear and uncertainty until the inevitable economic upswing catches you off guard and quickly passes you by?

Over the years, I've witnessed my students completely transform their lives and reshape their careers. I'll be honest with you; a lot of times it ain't pretty. But then again, change never is. When you commit to changing your career for the better, you can expect to go through quite a learning curve on your way to success. That's just what change looks like. It's messy. It's uncomfortable. It's awkward and it doesn't necessarily feel good. Change brings a lot of stuff to the surface, that's for sure. Change also creates an enormous feeling of impatience because you just want the results, not all the uncomfortable gunk that comes with it.

Change itself is not linear or orderly or precise. You're moving into uncharted territory, so expect some bumps and bruises along the way. That's change for ya! But you can't accomplish your long-term career vision without change. You must be willing to change and be patient during the process in order to make your wildest dreams come true. So, how about it? Are you ready to change for a change?

Let me share a secret with you to help you deal with change a little more gracefully. It's called psycho-cybernetics and it's more than just a Scrabble-winning word. Psycho-cybernetics essentially explains why change is so tough. When you understand it, you'll be able to embrace the process of change more easily.

A cybernetic mechanism is a little doohickey designed to maintain the status quo of a particular environment such as a filter in a fish tank or a thermostat in a room. If your bedroom thermostat is set at seventy-one degrees and you open the windows one fine November morning, the heat will kick into high gear keeping the room's temperature at the standard seventy-one degrees. That's just the thermostat, or cybernetic mechanism doing its job.

You've got your own thermostat and it's called a psycho-cybernetic mechanism. Its sole purpose is to maintain whatever temperature (or comfort level) you are used to, even if your comfort level is not the most desirable of circumstances. So, if you've always been broke, your thermostat is set at "broke." If you've never booked a guest-star role, your thermostat is set at "no guest-stars." This means that when you begin to make changes, your psycho-cybernetic mechanism will kick in and attempt to prevent the temperature change within you.

Your thermostat is very advanced and it will do whatever it takes to maintain the temperature at which it's been programmed. So when you begin to change your personal temperature, you can expect the heat to blast down on you. That's the process of change. Never fear, though, because just like a thermostat in a room, you can alter the setting of your internal thermostat. It takes a little effort and a lot of patience, but it is indeed possible.

The next time you experience impatience or frustration with your progress, celebrate it rather than jump ship. That discomfort is just your psycho-cybernetic mechanism kicking in which means change is on the way. Just sit tight and understand that change is not linear. You're not failing; you're changing. If you can hang on through the discomfort of change you will ultimately reprogram your internal thermostat to match the future life you want for yourself.

What You Resist, Persists
Now that you know all about psycho-cybernetics, let's take a look at resistance itself. Resistance is that strong force that slows your progress down. Sometimes it might be an anxious or fearful feeling. Sometimes, it might look like bad luck. Resistance might be an excuse you make or an objection you have. Resistance may seem silly or make a lot of sense. Resistance is fear, procrastination, laziness, business, and insecurity. Any way you slice it, resistance just works to keep you from living the life you desire.

Resistance can be powerful, even paralyzing, but it is a natural occurrence for every actor, or human being for that matter. A lot of my clients want to figure out why they resist certain actions or where their resistance originates. Though this can be valuable information, it's not essential to overcoming resistance itself. You can spend a lot of energy exploring the resistance or you can use that same energy to take action and overcome whatever thought, feelings, or distractions that might hold you back.

Resistance is natural. It shows up when you're about to do something new or something important to you. You don't have to be free of resistance completely before you take action. You don't have to fight your resistance before you can get where you want to go. You don't have to judge yourself just because you feel resistance. Instead, you can be grateful for the strong emotions reminding you that what you are about to do matters to you.

When you're nervous before an audition or performance, it's not a sign that you're some sort of amateur. It's actually a sign that you care about the outcome. When you don't really feel like putting up that difficult scene in class, you're no chicken. You're probably excited about the challenge or nervous about the risk. When you avoid finishing projects, you're not lazy. You're just unsure of what might come next. Nerves are natural, so is resistance.

So, what do you do with your resistance? Do you fight it or judge it? Do you allow it to distract you from the important steps you could be taking? Or do you use that energy to catapult yourself to new heights? You can feel resistance without succumbing to it.

Did you know that your body experiences fear and excitement in the same way? The goose bumps, the rolling stomach, the sweaty palms, and the rapid heartbeat are all signs of fear as much as they are of excitement. Picture something that really scares you such as calling an agent, performing stand-up -- anything will do. Now, notice the physical response in your body. Notice your breathing, your heart rate; notice which parts of your body get tense and alert.

Next, picture something that really excites you, like winning an Oscar or working with Ron Howard. Notice the physical response in your body now. You'll find it's pretty much the same. Though your body can't tell the difference between fear and excitement, your mind sure seems to think it can. When you label an emotion as fear, you are bound to experience resistance, which ultimately distracts you from the task at hand.

Robert Heller said, "Fear is excitement without breath." So the next time you feel fear or resistance, thank your body for showing you that this thing you fear is important to you then reframe the fear as excitement and take the action anyway. Use that energy to keep you moving rather than keep you stuck. Resistance is a gift, so feel the fear and do it anyway.

Artists, Let’s Change For a Change

Over the years, I've witnessed my students completely transform their lives and reshape their careers. I'll be honest with you; a lot of times it ain't pretty. But then again, change never is. When you commit to changing your career for the better, you can expect to go through quite a learning curve on your way to success. That's just what change looks like. It's messy. It's uncomfortable. It's awkward and it doesn't necessarily feel good. Change brings a lot of stuff to the surface, that's for sure. Change also creates an enormous feeling of impatience because you just want the results, not all the uncomfortable gunk that comes with it.

Change itself is not linear or orderly or precise. You're moving into uncharted territory, so expect some bumps and bruises along the way. That's change for ya! But you can't accomplish your long-term career vision without change. You must be willing to change and be patient during the process in order to make your wildest dreams come true. So, how about it? Are you ready to change for a change?

Let me share a secret with you to help you deal with change a little more gracefully. It's called psycho-cybernetics and it's more than just a Scrabble-winning word. Psycho-cybernetics essentially explains why change is so tough. When you understand it, you'll be able to embrace the process of change more easily.

A cybernetic mechanism is a little doohickey designed to maintain the status quo of a particular environment such as a filter in a fish tank or a thermostat in a room. If your bedroom thermostat is set at seventy-one degrees and you open the windows one fine November morning, the heat will kick into high gear keeping the room's temperature at the standard seventy-one degrees. That's just the thermostat, or cybernetic mechanism doing its job.

You've got your own thermostat and it's called a psycho-cybernetic mechanism. Its sole purpose is to maintain whatever temperature (or comfort level) you are used to, even if your comfort level is not the most desirable of circumstances. So, if you've always been broke, your thermostat is set at "broke." If you've never booked a guest-star role, your thermostat is set at "no guest-stars." This means that when you begin to make changes, your psycho-cybernetic mechanism will kick in and attempt to prevent the temperature change within you.

Your thermostat is very advanced and it will do whatever it takes to maintain the temperature at which it's been programmed. So when you begin to change your personal temperature, you can expect the heat to blast down on you. That's the process of change. Never fear, though, because just like a thermostat in a room, you can alter the setting of your internal thermostat. It takes a little effort and a lot of patience, but it is indeed possible.

The next time you experience impatience or frustration with your progress, celebrate it rather than jump ship. That discomfort is just your psycho-cybernetic mechanism kicking in which means change is on the way. Just sit tight and understand that change is not linear. You're not failing; you're changing. If you can hang on through the discomfort of change you will ultimately reprogram your internal thermostat to match the future life you want for yourself.

What You Resist, Persists
Now that you know all about psycho-cybernetics, let's take a look at resistance itself. Resistance is that strong force that slows your progress down. Sometimes it might be an anxious or fearful feeling. Sometimes, it might look like bad luck. Resistance might be an excuse you make or an objection you have. Resistance may seem silly or make a lot of sense. Resistance is fear, procrastination, laziness, business, and insecurity. Any way you slice it, resistance just works to keep you from living the life you desire.

Resistance can be powerful, even paralyzing, but it is a natural occurrence for every actor, or human being for that matter. A lot of my clients want to figure out why they resist certain actions or where their resistance originates. Though this can be valuable information, it's not essential to overcoming resistance itself. You can spend a lot of energy exploring the resistance or you can use that same energy to take action and overcome whatever thought, feelings, or distractions that might hold you back.

Resistance is natural. It shows up when you're about to do something new or something important to you. You don't have to be free of resistance completely before you take action. You don't have to fight your resistance before you can get where you want to go. You don't have to judge yourself just because you feel resistance. Instead, you can be grateful for the strong emotions reminding you that what you are about to do matters to you.

When you're nervous before an audition or performance, it's not a sign that you're some sort of amateur. It's actually a sign that you care about the outcome. When you don't really feel like putting up that difficult scene in class, you're no chicken. You're probably excited about the challenge or nervous about the risk. When you avoid finishing projects, you're not lazy. You're just unsure of what might come next. Nerves are natural, so is resistance.

So, what do you do with your resistance? Do you fight it or judge it? Do you allow it to distract you from the important steps you could be taking? Or do you use that energy to catapult yourself to new heights? You can feel resistance without succumbing to it.

Did you know that your body experiences fear and excitement in the same way? The goose bumps, the rolling stomach, the sweaty palms, and the rapid heartbeat are all signs of fear as much as they are of excitement. Picture something that really scares you such as calling an agent, performing stand-up -- anything will do. Now, notice the physical response in your body. Notice your breathing, your heart rate; notice which parts of your body get tense and alert.

Next, picture something that really excites you, like winning an Oscar or working with Ron Howard. Notice the physical response in your body now. You'll find it's pretty much the same. Though your body can't tell the difference between fear and excitement, your mind sure seems to think it can. When you label an emotion as fear, you are bound to experience resistance, which ultimately distracts you from the task at hand.

Robert Heller said, "Fear is excitement without breath." So the next time you feel fear or resistance, thank your body for showing you that this thing you fear is important to you then reframe the fear as excitement and take the action anyway. Use that energy to keep you moving rather than keep you stuck. Resistance is a gift, so feel the fear and do it anyway.

It’s time to stop working from your to-do list. Stop doing what you should do and start doing what you want to do. Instead of tackling your list of SHOULDS and always heeding the advice of others, what if you only did what you really wanted to do?

It might surprise you to learn that what you want is actually in line with your highest good regardless of whether or not that desire matches your long, long list of SHOULDS.

Last year, an actress named Bobbi hired me to help her find some motivation. She's a busy person with a lot going on. She's not only an actor, but she's also a writer and stand-up comedian with quite an interesting social life. Needless to say, Bobbi's calendar is a full one.

With such a busy schedule full of appointments and obligations, Bobbi was drained and lacked any passion for her career. Simply put, the girl was overwhelmed and exhausted. With so many projects going on, Bobbi couldn't devote sufficient energy to anything she worked on. She was spread too thin. Bobbi felt like she wasn't good at anything because she couldn't effectively throw her energy in a million and one different directions.

Digging a little deeper, I discovered that Bobbi treated everything she did as an obligation rather than a choice. She believed that she had to work really hard in order to make it. She believed she had to stay super busy every day. If she didn't, somehow that meant she wasn't going to be successful. Bobbi stayed really busy doing the essential stuff she knew she was supposed to do, but nowhere did she find the time to do what she wanted. She also had a hard time saying no, which wasn't really working for her either. It's no wonder that Bobbi lost steam.

So, I challenged Bobbi to try a little experiment. For two weeks, Bobbi agreed to do only those things she really wanted to do. She agreed to wake up each morning and ask herself, "What do I want to do today?" Her answer would then dictate how she spent her time. This idea made Bobbi pretty nervous. She feared that if left to her own devices, she'd just stay in bed eating pizza, watching Sex in the City reruns and ignoring her career. But she agreed that her old way of doing things wasn't working, so she'd give it a whirl.

What happened next was pretty cool. Bobbi was right. She did spend close to two full days just hanging out, pigging out, and watching television. She soon grew tired of that, so she dug out an old, unfinished script and began work on it. Over the next few days, she continued to do whatever she wanted and she got tons of stuff done.

Not only did she finish the script, but she also joined an improv group, made some agent calls, ate great food, and got a more flexible day job. Bobbi stopped hanging out with the wrong people, she began attending regular yoga class, and started cooking at home for fun. When Bobbi consciously chose how to spend her time, she realized that her choices were absolutely in line with her highest good.

Owning her choices, she fully enjoyed everything she did free of guilt or obligation. When Bobbi compared her list of obligations to her list of want-to-dos, she discovered that the lists weren't that different. Knowing she could choose her tasks, she was once again in charge of her life. Even when she ate pizza in bed, she loved it and owned that decision as well. Life for Bobbi became fun, productive, and empowering.

Bobbi felt liberated and in command because her career belonged to her once again. She could indeed do anything she wanted to do and what she really wanted to do was creatively and aggressively pursue her acting and screenwriting career.

What would be different about your career if you only did those things you absolutely wanted to do? How would you approach your to-do list if it only contained tasks you truly desired to take on? How might you feel about your life if you lived each day exactly according to your inner most desires? What would it take to trust yourself enough to take complete ownership of your choices, your actions, and your results?

Here's a 14-Day Challenge: Do whatever you want for the next two weeks! Trust your gut and allow yourself to do what truly inspires you. You might be surprised by the results!

How familiar does this scenario sound to you? You decide that it's time to cultivate solid relationships with television casting directors, so you sign up for a workshop service in order to meet these people face to face. Over the course of the next year, you meet two different casting directors each month totaling twenty-four first meetings yet no one really knows you. I meet tons of actors every month who believe strongly that CD workshops don't work. Well, of course they don't when you never really develop a relationship with the casting directors you meet.

A lot of actors make this mistake and I understand why. It's easy to fall into the trap that the more people you meet, the more opportunities you'll have. But that's just not true. It's not about who you know in this town. It's actually about who knows you and you cannot become known after just one meeting.

So here's how you can use The Rule of Seven to make CD workshops work for you.

Step One: Create your target list. There are literally hundreds of casting directors in Hollywood, so it's pretty impossible to effectively apply the Rule of Seven to all of them. Not to worry - you don't have to. Just select a small (less than 12) list of casting directors and target them specifically and consistently.

Visit www.castingabout.com or imdbpro.com and research those television shows where the most opportunity for co-stars and guest-stars exists. Please note that I did not just tell you to make a list of your favorite shows! I know, everybody loves The Office. But part of what makes that show so great is the fact that the cast is stuck together day in and day out working in an office, so new characters are rarely introduced. Instead, make a list of those shows that feature new characters on a consistent basis such as Cold Case, CSI, or any of the other countless procedural episodics. Don't forget about comedies such as Chuck, My Name is Earl, and Monk as well.

Step Two: Get some face time. Register for two different CD workshop services if you can. Now, remember not all services are created equal. I recommend that you join a service that truly auditions their talent before accepting an actor. This insures that the caliber of talent is consistent and sets you up to really shine.

Step Three: Only workshop with those CD offices on your target list. This will allow you to maintain your sanity and your budget by attending a limited number of workshops with a purpose rather than taking a shot in the dark and workshopping with various CDs through a process of random selection.

Step Four: Do your best to attend every workshop you can with members of your target list. Remember, it's the Rule of Seven so aim to workshop with the same people multiple times over the course of a year. That's how you become remembered. That's how you'll build trust. And that's how you'll eventually snag auditions.

Step Five: Follow up. Send a thank you card after each workshop specifically speaking to one thing you appreciated or learned in the class. Be real. Be authentic. Avoid the obligatory "hey thanks... hope you call me in soon." And instead specifically identify one part of the workshop experience that you appreciated most. This shows that you actually paid attention.

Step Six: Stay in the loop. Send a postcard update to your target list at least every other month. Remember Bed Bath and Beyond. You must remind them how they know you and keep your name in the forefront of their minds.

You can easily apply the Rule of Seven to every area of your career. The best part about the Rule of Seven is that it allows you to become more consistent and persistent in your marketing efforts, which naturally leads to exciting results. Just remember that what you do is less important than how often you do it and how happy you are during the process. So go out there, do less stuff more often, and have a blast. It's your career, so enjoy it!

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