3 Things to Consider Before Comparing Yourself to other Actors

Don't Compare Apples to Oranges

Admittedly, when I was early in my career, I found myself caught up in comparing myself to other actors. On more than one occasion the only light that filled my bedroom was the glow of my laptop as I carefully studied the number of professional credits my peers had booked.

I wanted to know who was working, how established they were by the time they were my age. I even managed to convince myself a few times that acting was worth hanging up because I’d failed to reach the same level of success as many of TV and film’s young working artists.

In the end discovered it was a colossal waste of my time.

Your journey is a reflection of YOUR unique life. There is no other like it and thus none worth comparing it to. 

Run your own race.

Watch out for Rubberneckers

There’s a great quote that personifies the pervasive “Schadenfreude” culture we often confront found in Ethan Hawke’s novel, The Hottest State:

• “…when you're a kid, everyone, all the world, encourages you to follow your dreams. But when you're older, somehow they act offended if you even try.”

The truth is, there are many folks in the world who take far too much pleasure in the failures of others. Pay them no mind.  It wasn’t their dream to begin with.

If your work is important to you then it has value.      

Success is in the Doing 

Someone once asked Morgan Freeman, what he would have done if acted hadn't worked out for him. 

“Have no idea. I would act. Somewhere. Maybe I’d be driving a cab.  Maybe I’m working somebody’s yard. Whatever I’m doing I’m going to belong to somebody’s little theater group. I will act. Cause I’ll die if I don’t. Writers write. Painters paint. Actors act.” 

If you are impassioned, dedicated, and compelled to honor the artist inside of you by creating, the scale, or level of recognition should be subsidiary.

TRUE success in any endeavor is masterfully doing that which you love to do.