Choose to Win
It’s hard to be a winner. Especially in the acting industry. The game is a tough one, but the most difficult battle is often with ourselves. And through our mindset, the decisions we make, and the actions that we take, we can choose to win or we can choose to lose.
You can choose to win.
But often, we think like losers.
Gestalt therapy shows us that the ‘losers’, tend to think in terms of WHEN, IF and WHAT IF. These three mindsets prevent the actor from living in the present, and choosing to build a successful future for themselves by becoming diverted mindsets dominated by thought patterns of: WHEN, IF and WHAT IF.
WHEN: This mindset is about waiting to be rescued by some unforeseen power.
When I sign with a better agent…
When I have enough time…
When I get a place in drama school…
When I move to LA…
When I get a decent opportunity to show what I can do…
When I get my BIG break…
Those with a WHEN mindset are waiting to be picked, waiting for some magical solution that is outwith their control. And they wait, they wait to be rescue or picked. They think they are wise for waiting for the big chance, but in the meantime, they let so much opportunity go by them. But the big chance never comes in the form they expect it. They wait and wait, and in the end, they give up.
Winners don’t wait.
IF: This mindset is about excuse and blame.
If only I had gone to the fancy acting school…
If only I had a wealthy spouse/parents to support me…
If only I had the same chances that they have…
If only a good agent would notice me…
If only I could get a part in something on national television…
If only I was better looking/skinnier/fitter/blessed with talent…
Those with an IF mindset are shifting the responsibility, excusing themselves and blaming others and circumstances for their lack of success.
Winner don’t shift the burden and blame.
WHAT IF: This mindset is about the fear of failure.
What if I get stuck with an agent that’s not good for me?
What If I agree to do this play and then a big audition comes up?
What if I mess up my one big chance?
What if I’m no good at this and I don’t realise it?
What if they find out that I’m a fraud?
What if they don’t like me?
Those with the WHAT IF mindset are so scared of failure that they often fail to take any action at all – ensuring failure. Then they can reassure themselves that they were correct. They live in fear of WHAT IF, and wallow in the fear of future failure, filled with an anxiety that paralyses you and leads you to miss the opportunities of the present.
Winners don’t fear the future, they build a successful future by taking action in the present.
No one is coming to rescue you. You are your own rescuer.
There is no one to blame but yourself, if you own the consequences, you get to own the success too.
The future will become the present whether you fear it or not.
You can choose to be a winner. You can choose to win. And that starts by obliterating the WHEN, IF and WHAT IF thoughts as they arise. Force yourself into the present, taking action towards your goals, and becoming a winner.
Here’s a short activity. Why aren’t you currently… (choose whichever applies to you)
A: In Drama School?
B: Working as a Professional Actor?
C: Working as often as you want to?
D: Earning as much as you want to be?
E: With a great agent?
F: Booking the big jobs?
G: Acting the best that you can?
Pick which one applies to you and ask yourself why you aren’t currently doing what you want to do, and listen carefully to your answers.
OBLITERATE the WHEN, IF and WHAT IF that are holding you back and make yourself a real plan of action.