This is Why I Ditch Resolutions and Focus on THESE Strategies Instead!

I’ve never been a fan of New Year’s resolutions for actors. Not because I don’t believe in growth—I love growth—but because resolutions rarely stick. They’re like crash diets. You start off strong, full of motivation, but before you know it, life gets in the way, and you’re right back where you started.

Real change doesn’t come from flipping a switch on January 1st. It comes from small, consistent actions for actors that actually fit into your life. And here’s the key: those actions need to be within your control.

Set Goals That You Can Actually Influence

Actors, this is especially true for us. We can’t control when the next acting opportunity comes our way. We can’t control if a casting director picks us, if a show gets renewed, or if an agent responds to our email. But we can control how we show up, how prepared we are, and how we position ourselves in this industry.

So instead of setting a resolution like, “Book more acting roles this year,” think about what you can do to put yourself in the best position for that to happen. Maybe it’s:

✔️ Reaching out to five new industry contacts each month

✔️ Filming a new self-tape every two weeks

✔️ Updating your acting materials so they reflect exactly who you are right now

The point is, when you focus on what’s in your control as an actor, things start to shift.

A Positive Mindset for Actors Matters

And let’s talk about mindset for actors—because it matters. Self-doubt in acting is real, and actors are often harder on themselves than anyone else ever could be. We’d never tear down a friend for missing a line in an audition, but when it’s us? The inner critic kicks in fast.

Something that’s helped me is a little trick I call Catch, Cancel, Correct. When I catch myself thinking something like, That was terrible, I’ll never book anything again, I stop it in its tracks. I cancel it. Then I correct it: That wasn’t my best, but now I know what to tweak next time.

It might seem small, but when you start shifting your inner dialogue as an actor, your confidence for auditions starts to shift too.

Overcoming Perfectionism in Acting

Another thing that gets in the way? Perfectionism in acting. It’s sneaky because it makes us feel like we’re being productive—waiting until everything is just right before sending that email, posting that self-tape, or reaching out to that director. But the truth is, perfectionism is just procrastination in disguise.

The sooner you put yourself out there, the sooner things start happening. You can always refine later, but you can’t edit what doesn’t exist. Taking imperfect action in acting is always better than waiting for things to be perfect.

How to Feel Like You’re Enough as an Actor

And if imposter syndrome for actors creeps in, here’s a little reframe that’s helped me: you don’t feel imposter syndrome when you’re playing small. You feel it when you’re stepping into something bigger. It’s actually proof that you’re growing in your acting career.

Instead of letting it hold you back, use it as a sign that you’re on the right path. And if you ever catch yourself comparing your acting career to someone else’s, remind yourself that their success isn’t proof that you can’t do it—it’s proof that you can.

Make This Year About Real Acting Career Progress

So instead of setting resolutions you’ll forget about by February, focus on what’s actually within your control as an actor. Keep showing up. Keep taking small, consistent steps. And most of all, be kind to yourself in the process.

If you’re a trained actor ready to take your career to the next level, let’s talk. Schedule a free discovery call, and let’s figure out your next best steps together.

Until next time, you stay your bold and beautiful self.

—Anne