Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
How Clear is Your Vision?
Earlier this week I had a session with one of my own coaches, and on our call she said something that I’ve often said before, but had actually forgotten. Her comment was this: “You either create your day by design or default.”
She went on to say that “the more random your vision is, the more random your day will be,” meaning that if I don’t have a clear plan for my day, I’ll spend a lot of time doing miscellaneous things or wasting time, neither of which will most likely help me accomplish my goals.
What about you? Do you have a clear vision about where you’re going in your career, and a clear plan on how to get there? If not, here are three steps you can take to get started:
1) Start with the end result in mind.
In order to have a clear vision of where you’re going when you start something, the best way to proceed is to do so with the end result in mind.
For example, when you decide to take a trip, you usually know where it is that you want to go, and then you make plans to get there.
The same holds true when pursuing a goal. Once you know what it is that you want to achieve (Audition for Casting Director X; Land a role in a Broadway show; Become an agent or manager), you can create a map for yourself, in reverse order, so you know how and where to get started.
2) Break down the steps to your goal.
Once you know EXACTLY what it is that you want to achieve, and how to get started, the next step is to write down all of the steps or actions you need to take to get there.
For example, if your goal is to become a Hollywood agent, some of the steps that you’ll want to take to reach your goal will include: (1) Making sure your resume is current and geared towards working in a talent agency; (2) Contacting the agencies you’re interested in working for and finding out what the application process is for that company; and (3) Contacting everyone you know, letting them know what you’re trying to do and asking them if they know anyone who can help you.
This step is about creating a road map for yourself, from the end, to the beginning, and then simply staying on the path and following it through.
3) Delete the unimportant.
The third step in the process (which is actually the first step in creating a clear vision for yourself), is learning how to eliminate those thoughts, actions and/or behaviors that have nothing to do with your goal.
Often times, when things aren’t moving forward the way we’d like them to, or we can’t control the circumstances in our life, it’s very easy to get caught up in or focused on things that have nothing to do with our goals.
Examples of this include cleaning out files instead of sending out headshots; spending time on Facebook or going through emails instead of writing query letters to agents; watching TV or YouTube videos instead of checking out and going on open auditions listed in Backstage.
When that happens, try asking yourself this question: “Do I need to do this right now, or can I do it later?” Unless what you’re doing is an emergency, or has an immediate deadline, chances are pretty good that you can change your focus and take action towards your goal.
And, if your goal seems too big, or too overwhelming to deal with at that moment in time, then just commit to taking ONE action step. Before you know it, one small step will lead to two steps, then to three steps, and pretty soon you’ll find that you’re already halfway there, towards achieving your goal!
Food for Thought:
One day this week commit to spending sixty minutes to get clear around one goal you have in your life. Then go through the three steps listed above and get started on the path to success!
***
Sharon Moist, also known as The Industry Coach®, is a highly sought-after professional career coach, whose clients include Actors, Hollywood Power Brokers and A-List Celebrities. After 5 years as a Hollywood Agent, Sharon left the agency to open her own coaching and consulting company.
The Industry Coach®
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She went on to say that “the more random your vision is, the more random your day will be,” meaning that if I don’t have a clear plan for my day, I’ll spend a lot of time doing miscellaneous things or wasting time, neither of which will most likely help me accomplish my goals.
What about you? Do you have a clear vision about where you’re going in your career, and a clear plan on how to get there? If not, here are three steps you can take to get started:
1) Start with the end result in mind.
In order to have a clear vision of where you’re going when you start something, the best way to proceed is to do so with the end result in mind.
For example, when you decide to take a trip, you usually know where it is that you want to go, and then you make plans to get there.
The same holds true when pursuing a goal. Once you know what it is that you want to achieve (Audition for Casting Director X; Land a role in a Broadway show; Become an agent or manager), you can create a map for yourself, in reverse order, so you know how and where to get started.
2) Break down the steps to your goal.
Once you know EXACTLY what it is that you want to achieve, and how to get started, the next step is to write down all of the steps or actions you need to take to get there.
For example, if your goal is to become a Hollywood agent, some of the steps that you’ll want to take to reach your goal will include: (1) Making sure your resume is current and geared towards working in a talent agency; (2) Contacting the agencies you’re interested in working for and finding out what the application process is for that company; and (3) Contacting everyone you know, letting them know what you’re trying to do and asking them if they know anyone who can help you.
This step is about creating a road map for yourself, from the end, to the beginning, and then simply staying on the path and following it through.
3) Delete the unimportant.
The third step in the process (which is actually the first step in creating a clear vision for yourself), is learning how to eliminate those thoughts, actions and/or behaviors that have nothing to do with your goal.
Often times, when things aren’t moving forward the way we’d like them to, or we can’t control the circumstances in our life, it’s very easy to get caught up in or focused on things that have nothing to do with our goals.
Examples of this include cleaning out files instead of sending out headshots; spending time on Facebook or going through emails instead of writing query letters to agents; watching TV or YouTube videos instead of checking out and going on open auditions listed in Backstage.
When that happens, try asking yourself this question: “Do I need to do this right now, or can I do it later?” Unless what you’re doing is an emergency, or has an immediate deadline, chances are pretty good that you can change your focus and take action towards your goal.
And, if your goal seems too big, or too overwhelming to deal with at that moment in time, then just commit to taking ONE action step. Before you know it, one small step will lead to two steps, then to three steps, and pretty soon you’ll find that you’re already halfway there, towards achieving your goal!
Food for Thought:
One day this week commit to spending sixty minutes to get clear around one goal you have in your life. Then go through the three steps listed above and get started on the path to success!
***
Sharon Moist, also known as The Industry Coach®, is a highly sought-after professional career coach, whose clients include Actors, Hollywood Power Brokers and A-List Celebrities. After 5 years as a Hollywood Agent, Sharon left the agency to open her own coaching and consulting company.
The Industry Coach®
Actors Resource Center®
Industry News Digest
101 Tips for Actors
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Newest issue of actors email newsletter, Industry News Digest, is coming out today.
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Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Writting new article for Thursday's acting newsletter on "Faith vs. Fear."
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