Actors- Avoid These 8 Common Mistakes
Let’s talk about the eight most common blind spots that can derail an acting career. Just like your car has blind spots that pose a threat to your driving yet remain unseen, your acting journey has similar pitfalls that you might not notice. These hidden challenges can hold you back, but the good news is that blind spots always leave clues.
As we go through these eight blind spots, take a minute to be honest with yourself. Our subconscious minds are designed to keep us safe, which sometimes means creating these blind spots. They might make us feel comfortable, but they can actually keep us from achieving the acting career we want by keeping us small. Remember, growth happens outside of our comfort zones. If it doesn’t feel a little scary, you’re probably not pushing yourself enough. So, let’s dive in and uncover these blind spots together.
Understanding and Overcoming Blind Spots
Before we dive into the eight common blind spots, let's cover three simple ways to tackle them:
Assess: External vs. Internal Identify if the issue is something external (like pandemics, strikes, natural disasters, or war) or an internal challenge (like self-doubt or lack of skills). External issues might need some creative workarounds, but internal ones will need a mindset shift.
Replace Past Context with Future Context Don’t let past experiences dictate your future. Visualize what you want and take steps toward making it happen. Look forward, not backward.
Shift from Problem Frame to Opportunity Frame Change how you see challenges. Instead of viewing them as roadblocks, see them as lessons and opportunities. This shift in perspective can empower you to take control and find creative solutions.
The Eight Blind Spots and How to Conquer Them
1. Readiness
Many actors want to be working actors but don't feel ready to make bold moves like submitting to agents or even auditions. These thoughts are part of the readiness blind spot. Words have power, and constantly telling yourself that you’re not ready only reinforces that belief. True readiness is internal. Ask yourself, “What’s really standing in my way?” If it’s something external, shift your problem-solving inward. Remember the Wayne Gretzky quote: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
Three Actionable Steps to Overcome the Readiness Blindspot
Write Down Your Reasons: Grab a pen and paper. Jot down all the reasons you think you’re not ready. Be brutally honest. Don’t judge them yet—just list them. Sometimes our minds come up with excuses to keep us safe, but let's get them out in the open first.
Evaluate What You Can Control: Look at your list and ask yourself: Are these reasons within my control? If they are, make a plan to tackle them. If they're not, figure out a way around them. Everything is “figureoutable.” If it’s about your materials, relationships, or skills, you can work on these areas.
Take Imperfect Action: Don’t wait for perfection. Start small. If you're waiting for the perfect showreel, start with a self-taped scene or two. Readiness isn’t about having everything perfect; it’s about being willing to start where you are with what you have. Progress over perfection—take action and change your narrative.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzski
2. Overwhelm
Feeling overwhelmed by all the things you need to do can stop you in your tracks. It’s important to figure out if this feeling comes from outside circumstances or your own thoughts. Instead of waiting for everything to be perfect, just start. Break down your tasks into smaller, manageable steps and focus on what you can do now. Keep learning and consider hiring a coach to help guide you.
Three Actionable Steps to Overcome Overwhelm
Break It Down: Make a list of all the tasks you need to do. Then, break each one into smaller steps. This makes the big tasks feel more manageable and less intimidating.
Prioritize: Look at your list and decide which tasks are the most important. Tackle those first. By focusing on what really matters, you can make progress without feeling overwhelmed by everything at once.
Take Imperfect Action: Don’t wait for the perfect moment to start. Begin with what you have and where you are. Even small steps can lead to big progress over time. Remember, it's better to take imperfect action than to do nothing at all.
3. Timing
Saying "now is not the right time" is often just a way to delay your dreams. Life will always have events and distractions, but it's important to recognize the difference between major life events and everyday obstacles. You have to create the space for your dreams because the perfect time may never come.
Three Actionable Steps to Overcome Timing Issues
Identify Major vs. Minor Obstacles: Recognize what truly needs your immediate attention (major life events) versus what can be managed alongside your acting career (everyday life obstacles). This helps in not letting everyday distractions mess up your progress.
Make Space for Your Dreams: Set aside dedicated time for your acting pursuits, just like you would for any important appointment. Even if it's just an hour a day, regularly making time for your dreams can make a big difference over time.
Start Now, Adjust Later: Don't wait for the perfect moment to begin. Start with what you can manage now and adjust your schedule as needed. Progress is made by taking the first step, no matter how small.
4. Busyness
Being busy can sometimes be misleading. It's important to ask yourself if your activities are truly helping you get work or just making you feel productive. Aim to spend 80% of your time on actions that will lead to auditions and bookings, and 20% on activities that are enjoyable but have a less immediate impact.
Three Actionable Steps to Overcome Busyness
Evaluate Your Activities: Take a look at what you're doing each day. Are these activities leading you to auditions and bookings, or are they just filling your time? Focus on tasks that directly contribute to getting roles.
Prioritize Productive Actions: Spend the majority of your time—about 80%—on activities that will lead to auditions and bookings. This could be networking, submitting to casting calls, or practicing your craft.
Balance with Enjoyable Tasks: Allow yourself to spend about 20% of your time on activities that you enjoy but might not directly lead to work. This balance helps keep you motivated and prevents burnout while ensuring you're making progress toward your acting goals.
5. Perfectionism
Perfection doesn’t exist. Trying to achieve it can paralyze you with fear of failure, rejection, and disappointment. Instead, focus on doing the best you can with the resources you have and keep moving forward. Don’t let the hunt for perfection turn into an excuse to procrastinate.
Three Actionable Steps to Overcome Perfectionism
Set Realistic Goals: Aim for progress, not perfection. Break your goals into smaller, achievable steps. This makes it easier to move forward and see your progress without getting stuck on making everything perfect.
Accept Imperfection: Understand that no one and nothing is perfect. Embrace your flaws and use them as learning opportunities. It's more important to take action and learn from the process than to wait for everything to be perfect.
Take Action Despite Fear: Push yourself to act even if things aren’t perfect. Send out that audition tape, even if you think it could be better. The more you practice taking action despite imperfections, the more comfortable you’ll become with it.
6. Indecision
Indecision can be an easy way to avoid taking action. Decisions about minor details, like which casting portal to join or which headshot photographer to choose, can leave you stuck. Remember, not making a decision is still a decision. To get moving, trust your gut and make a choice. Sometimes, flipping a coin can help you figure out what you really want. Let the future you dream of guide your choices.
Three Actionable Steps to Overcome Indecision
Set Decision Deadlines: Give yourself a specific timeframe to make decisions to avoid prolonged indecision.
Trust Your Instincts: Go with your gut feeling. Often, your first instinct is the right one.
Minimize Options: Limit your choices to two or three options. This makes decision-making easier and less overwhelming.
7. Making a Big Deal Out of Small Things
Getting hung up on minor setbacks can really slow you down. Negative experiences, like not hearing back from an audition or an agent, aren’t the end-all-be-all of your talent. Instead of fixating on these moments, look for the lesson and move on. Learn to separate your feelings from past experiences and use them as stepping stones rather than roadblocks.
Three Actionable Steps to Overcome This Blindspot
Reframe Setbacks: Think of setbacks as chances to learn and grow. Ask yourself, "What can I do better next time?"
Keep Moving Forward: Don’t let a single setback throw you off course. Stay focused on your bigger, long-term goals.
Practice Gratitude: Regularly take note of what’s going well in your career. This helps shift your focus from what’s going wrong to what’s going right.
8. Making Assumptions
Making assumptions can really trip you up. They’re often stories we tell ourselves that aren’t based on facts. For example, thinking you’re not right for a role without even auditioning or believing a casting director didn’t like you just because they didn’t smile during your audition. Challenge these assumptions by looking for other explanations and taking action anyway. Keeping a journal to track and question your assumptions can also help.
Actionable Steps:
Challenge Your Assumptions: Ask yourself if there’s real evidence to back up your assumptions. Usually, there isn’t.
Seek Feedback: Get input from trusted friends or mentors to get a more balanced view.
Stay Open-Minded: Approach each opportunity with an open mind. Assume positive intent and give yourself a fair shot.
Simply knowing these obstacles isn't enough; the real magic happens when you actively work to overcome them. Let's dive into a practical action plan that addresses all these blind spots.
Action Plan
Recognizing these blind spots is only the first step. To tackle them effectively, develop an action plan:
Recognize and Record Assumptions: Keep a journal and note whenever you catch yourself making an assumption.
Analyze and Challenge Assumptions: Question the validity of each assumption and consider alternative explanations.
Develop an Action Plan: If you assume you won’t get certain roles, challenge yourself to audition for them anyway. If you’re worried about a lack of response, plan a respectful follow-up. Taking action against your assumptions builds resilience and adaptability.
Reflect and Adjust: Regularly reflect on the outcomes of challenging your assumptions. Did acting contrary to your initial beliefs bring about positive changes? Adjust your mindset based on these experiences and keep moving forward.
Recognizing these blind spots is just the first step. By actively working to overcome them, you empower yourself to break free from limitations and take control of your career. Embrace the discomfort and use it as fuel for growth. Take imperfect action and keep pushing forward. Your journey as an actor is unique, and by addressing these blind spots, you can create a future filled with endless possibilities.
If you’re a trained actor, serious about your career but struggling to get to the next level, then book an appointment with me. It’s free, and together we can figure out if you’re a good fit for my program, and if you’re not, we’ll figure out the next best steps for your journey together.
Until next time, you stay your bold and beautiful self.
Anne
