Thoughts and the Actor
There are so many things that go into a successful acting career. Training, technique, acting process, voice work, script analysis, mastering auditioning, networking, set etiquette—the list could go on and on. But do you know what’s under all of that? The one thing that can really make or break your career?
MINDSET!
Yup. As an actor thinketh so is she/he/they.
I used to think mindset wasn’t really that important. I thought thoughts didn’t really have that much to do with making or breaking success. It just didn’t make sense to me. But I started looking deeper into it and found something very interesting . . .
Did you know that scientifically a thought (which is just a little spark of electricity in your brain) causes a feeling (a flood of hormones, etc.), which causes an action (you doing or NOT doing something) which causes a result (how your life looks at the moment).
Yeah. I didn’t realize that part of it. HOW thoughts connect to your reality. Through feelings and actions.
If you don’t believe it try this:
Think of your next audition. When you think about it do you hear things in your head like: “Man, I’ll never be able to turn this around in time. Look at how many pages. Besides I really don’t think I’m right for this role . . .”
Take a second and reflect how this kind of thought makes you feel. I’m guessing it makes you feel defeated or like “what’s the use?” And what does that feeling make your body want to do? Probably not jump up and get working on your sides, am I right? It probably puts you in a slump. A slump that reflects in your actions–not working on the sides like you need to. And what’s the result? Probably a mediocre, not fully prepared audition that doesn’t get you the job.
What if instead when you think of your next audition you find thoughts like this happening in your mind: “Wow. This is a really cool opportunity. Look how many scenes are in this. It’s a great role. OK, I got this. Let’s employ that new memorization technique I just learned in class.”
How do those thoughts make you feel? More even-keeled? Like you have a fighting chance? What does that feeling make you do? Start working on the sides? And what’s the result more likely to be–probably a pretty well-prepared audition, some added self-confidence and a step closer to success.
Now, does this mean we have to be all Pollyanna all the time? No. That would be unrealistic. Things are going to be challenging, especially in the world of acting, but stepping back when those negative thoughts want to jump in is important. If that happens stop yourself and see if you can look at the positive aspects of the challenge in front of you. What can you do? What do you have to contribute to what’s in front of you? What skills can you apply to turn the situation around to you?
I’ve lately found a great mindset journaling technique. It’s from a ladies fitness coach but can work for any goal you’re reaching for. I recommend this podcast episode to get you started. https://getyourgoal.com/podcasts/89-mind-management/
We’d love to hear how it works for you. You can always reach out to us at info@actorsinactionconservatory.com.
If you’d like to find out more about our actor training visit us at www.actorsinactionconservatory.com and set up a free 15-min individual consultation.