ActorSelfCoach

This is the second in a five part series on the Ready Lane for Actors.

This lane is one of three, Ready, Booked and Production, that all professional actors are in at some point. For actors that want a bit of structure to their Ready lane time - when Time is so abundant, and can get taken for granted - here are 2 steps to take that can give dimension and focus to your 90 days.  

Your mind can go wild when you are looking for work, auditioning for work, waiting for work, as an actor.  Let's give it some love.  That might take a little work too.

This is the first in a series of 5 podcasts for Actors who are in the Ready Lane. Actors who are Available to accept Offers.

If we have longevity in our careers, we will glide in and out of the 3 Actor Work Lanes.  Many, many times.  Never feel you are alone in this. We, all of us professionals, know the feelings of each lane.

Ready.       Booked.         Production.

For those of us who may feel a little lost in the Ready Lane, or just want some reassurance, or another point of view, or a bit of structure, the next 5 podcasts are for you. The Ready Lane is a great place to Reconnect, Restore, and Enjoy the Currency of Time. Let's Go.

We are in the Ready Lane as Actors when we are Available for any offer or contract. This can feel freeing, open, exciting.

It can also feel overwhelming, fearful, scarce. There is help at hand in knowing that how we Think About our work in this Lane changes Everything.

We need to ensure we feel Secure. Then we can lean into feeling Stable. And that leads to Sustained Longevity as an Artist. Which is what most of us want. A Long Career, doing what we love. If you are in this business for any period of time, you will experience All the Lanes. That is how it works.

So never feel you are alone. When feelings arise that you are stuck, misunderstood, never going to be cast, not the 'right' type.... that is your Primitive Brain sounding the alarm because that is what it has evolved to do.

And just like we would handle a toddler throwing a fit because they didn't get What They Wanted at the Exact Right Moment, say to your Primitive brain... I hear you. Relax. This is the Actor's Life I signed up for. Jobs are coming. So what do I want to do with my Beautiful, Available Time?

This is a tense time in the world. You may feel incredibly impacted by events in your days, and by those far away. Many of us, we humans, are hurting. And the hurt is valid and real and must be honored.

But people who are hurting and cannot find a way to allow the feelings, the incredibly difficult feelings, can act out in ways that cause others to suffer. And create even more suffering for themselves. This podcast offers some thoughts for those of us who want to examine why we are acting the way we do when we feel emotional pain.

Because Hurting can spread like a virus. And that may not be what we intend to do. We can connect. To others who are hurting. To others just wanting to be heard. And, with love, we can make our own decisions.

Hurt People Hurt People.  Even Ourselves.

You know the times... and so often it can happen just when you've been lulled into thinking... I have lots of time...when

Everything. Happens. At. Once. This episode features a few stories and a few strategies for you when this feels true.  We tell ourselves... There is too much to get ready... I don't have enough time... I don't know where to start...

And sometimes. We even avoid starting. Take a breath and know you have the time you Need. 

When time feels short, or you feel pressure, what you tell yourself matters.

We know we want to get somewhere. We know there is the way everyone thinks is 'the best'.

There's the way we've done it before. There's the way the algorithm or... the world seems to think we should go.

But what about the times we want to check in with ourselves. Go Our Own Way...

This podcast invites you to explore the 90 Day Idea. A way of framing out the next several months in whichever Work Flow Lane you are in; Ready, Booked, or Production. A map is an open invitation to go. And an idea is different from a plan. A plan can be Great.  If you are Ready for that.

Because there are times when you want an Idea, a 90 day idea.  An IDEA is Open. Creative. The opposite of rigid. Maybe that's what you need right now.

MAPs. Mindful Actor Paths.

We are still in multiple strike situations as of this recording. Whatever your mind is telling you, remember this is temporary.

Although this situation (as do many difficult experiences) feels LONG, we are not helpless here.

Get Ready for Coming Back to work. Get Ready for Different Work. And if you cannot bring yourself to Get Ready...

You Can.. Get Ready To Get Ready.

Pride can be a beautiful thing, but sends us soaring high and doesn't really support us Every Day.

Self Esteem. That's what is there for us Every Day.  And we should not take it for granted.  Like so many things that are valuable in life, nurturing our Self Esteem takes a little work.

Some intention.  

We are, All of the Humans, born Worthy.  But when we tie our self esteem to circumstances in our past, or ones out of our control, or what someone just said, or our status in the strikes, we lose a vital part of our Emotional Health.  Your regard for yourself is vitally important.  Your self esteem is one of the most important tools you have for strength in any storm.  Let's Go.

Of course All The Humans Matter. But the family of artists who primarily work in the theatre Know Some Things. This podcast is a short reminder that as our culture, our political climate, our very planet changes, erupts, evolves, what we do matters very much.

Theatre Folk. We know what we do. Here's to Us.

There are things, people we love and have loved, places and more that we have acquired in our Actor and Human Lives.  Or invited in.  Or sought.

We have spent for them, and certainly on them.

Our time, energy, money.... did I mention Time? This podcast goes into When It May Be Enough Already.

Actors, check the parts of your life that may be on auto renew. And Ask. Do I want this thing, this person, this place... Today?

If you do, ask yourself if your reason is better than... because it cost so much already.

Not about Quitting.  About Choosing.