What really makes the difference to an actor’s chances of success.

There is the girl whose parents sent her to the expensive performing arts classes after school. Praised and petted, she is told over the years how good she is. By the time she is ready for drama school, she has started to convince herself it is true. She rarely takes risks. By her final year, she’s failing to meet her ‘potential’.

Then there is a second girl, not as confident, no fancy training, parents probably resisted her decision to become an actor. In school, she isn’t picked first for plays, she is a chorus member, unremarkable. She is clumsy, she looks stupid from time to time. She works with quiet determination, has grown accustomed to messing up, so isn’t afraid to make mistakes, takes risks and experiment.

The first girl has every advantage. The second girl will probably eclipse her early in her career.

The difference is what Carol Dweck calls ‘mindset’.

If you have a lot of praise or early success, try to ignore it but if you struggle in your early years, don’t give up. The greater part of success is determined by mindset.

-COACH-