Aaaand we’re back. It’s time to come full circle with this hodgepodge of “Alex Ramblings”. You’ve listened to me talk about my food allergen experiments, the purging of things, and distancing of personal relationships. (Thanks for hanging in there) Now I’m going to actually relate all of this to the thing that we all care about: The Industry.
As you can see, I’ve made an attempt to be organized with this one, so it’s separated into three categories. …Bullet points make me seem much more professional, don’t you think?
If it’s not working for you, dump it
Stop making excuses and take a good hard look at the things (and people) that you choose to fill your creative mind and valuable time with. Ask yourself some questions about how these things make you feel, and what effect they are having on you and your career/life.
I have dumped quite a few useless things from my life; certain foods, unhealthy company, unfruitful activities, etc. Phew!
Now, how can we apply this to the creative life?
Well, shoot, Girl! This can be activated in a variety of ways. Maybe you’ve started to feel “safe” in your current acting class/writing workshop/dance class/piano lessons. (If you are currently enrolled in all of those things or more, then we should be friends cuz, you’re awesome) If you’ve gotten to the point where you feel as if you’re no longer being challenged, WAKE UP! Maybe it’s time to move on to something new! Yes, of course you want to find somewhere that is a wonderful space for you to play and have fun and blah blah blah. But chances are you are shelling out beaucoup bucks for it so it’d best be paying you right back in experience.
Have you been thinking lately (or for quite a while) that it’s time to leave your current representation? Not that this is something to take lightly but you are certainly not alone. Perhaps it’s time to dump your headshots? Or hell, maybe it’s time to retune your entire brand? Note: I did not say change. I said retune. Meaning tweak. Your brand should at least resemble who you actually are as a person. But, that being said, you are a multi-sided dice. If your current self-pitch has not been getting you out there, maybe it’s time to throw that dice up in the air and see what you land on. (I really do like me some metaphors, don’t I?)
This brings us oh-so seamlessly to the next topic…
Try new things!
That’s right! Go wild! You’ve just opened up all this amazing space in your life after getting rid of those useless appendages. Now you have a great opportunity to fill that void with something new.
Why not buy that intro package to the “avant-garde” dance class where for the entirety of the hour the students crawl around on all fours and embody different animals? Try taking a few voice lessons. Even if you aren’t a singer, there is a crap-ton to be learned from the craft. What about a new audition coach. Don’t have one? Well, now’s the time to start taking yourself and your auditions more seriously. These new things don’t even need to be “industry” related. It could be something fun that you want to try. Maybe what you really need is something outside of the industry to make you feel human again?
Very recently, I had the distinct pleasure of simultaneously trying something new and eating my own words (talent). For a while now, I’ve been known to hold some very specific negative opinions about Crossfit. Well, my friend Jackie, oh so kindly offered for me to stop talking out of my rear end, and actually take a class.
😉 And in the spirit of trying new things, I said “absolutely”. We went to Pink Iron (first class is free!) and took a class with a vivacious instructor named Renee. So, long story short, I had a great experience and now plan on making it a weekly thing. I get to spend an hour with some strong, encouraging, and badass women? Yes please! (Disclaimer: I still believe that this is something that should be done carefully. Especially if you are new to proper lifting techniques, PLEASE take classes somewhere that require a number of private lessons before throwing you into the pool. Just sayin’) Also, if I get good enough, this is something that could actually go on the skills portion of my resume.
Win-freakin-win.
Make like a mad scientist
First: picture yourself in a long lab coat, wearing glasses and sensible shoes. Very nice. (You look good in white). Now what you need to do is think of this all as an experiment. Never stop playing around. This is the adventure you should want to have for the rest of your life. Poke and prod, diagnose and analyze, fail and reanalyze. Learn to find the joy in getting something wrong. Seriously. Because, when you get something wrong, that just means that you are all that much closer to getting it right. Go you. And always remember that none of your decisions are end-all-be-all decisions. No matter how large they may seem.
Even if you are among the rare and lucky few that seemingly have everything going right for them, don’t get complacent. All of the mega successful companies are forever tweaking. Look at Facebook. It keeps evolving, updating, and expanding to remain on top. (Sorry Myspace. Too soon?) Likewise, the artists with the highest longevity are the ones that are able to evolve and grow.
So, I guess that the big ol’ moral at the end of this story is:
Do Something! No, it might not be the “right” or “perfect” thing. But, you sure as hell won’t know until you try. Go get ‘em tiger.