It's All Preparation

Last night, I met up with two close friends of mine. Not only have they been incredibly supportive of my artistic endeavors over the years, but they're also incredibly inspiring people. They've worked diligently the past 5 years to launch an App for wine lovers that is soon to take off!

I explained how I was excited to offer value to as many actors and artists in the world by helping them find ways to empower themselves. "The whole mission of, "To the Prospective Artist" is to help actors, artists, and creatives live lives of artistry off-stage," I told them. "So they can enrich the quality of their work on it."

"It's a great mission," they told me. But they sensed that I had some reservations. I explained that I was so passionate about the idea but feared it would take years and years before it finally took flight. "I'm just tired of waiting," I said. "I worked 12 years toward another goal that didn't turn out exactly as planned and now I want to do this. I'm not sure if I can wait that long again."

Without hesitation they told me those 12 years brought me to this point. "Don't you see, you've been preparing for this moment all that time. All those years as an actor, writer, filmmaker, volunteer, and traveler have brought you here. You have to keep pushing because it's going to happen. Actors and artists yearn for community like everyone else. They probably need it more than anyone because it's such a solo endeavor."

I walked away taking great comfort in their words. They were right. They had after all lived it. 

I realized when you set out toward any passionate endeavor you need to look at all the experiences you've had to that point as preparation. If you focus on where you've been and how it's prepared you for what you're trying to accomplish now, you're less likely to get worked up about how long it's going to take to get to where you want to be. You'll marvel at your journey, and in time, begin to appreciate it.

TEDx Talk: 6 Ways Actors and Artists Can Empower Themselves is now available. If you find the talk of value please share it with anyone you think may benefit from it. My mission is to always add as much value to all the actors, artists, and creatives committed to getting their unique voices heard. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSAgO3sPBog

Be Quick, but Don't Hurry

One of the pillars of legendary UCLA Basketball Coach John Wooden's "Pyramid of Success," is a lesson in being swift in your actions, but carrying out the task with care a precision.

We can approach our creative endeavors deliberately and carefully, while maintaining a sense of urgency and belief in what we're doing. 

One

Everyone can agree pursuing a career in the entertainment industry is incredibly challenging. It is perhaps the least meritocratic line of work on the planet. In so many other professional endeavors hard work, expertise, and kindness will eventually offer the opportunity to advance. That formula is less flexible when it comes to being an actor.

Still, I've tried to nudge my actor and artist friends to empower themselves in the few ways they can: 

-- by creating their own work and thus opportunities

-- building a community of like-minded artists

-- and defining success on your own terms.

Understandably, there are other hurdles to getting a serious look from industry movers and shakers. As Viola Davis recently noted in an award acceptance speech, "The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity. You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there.” 

I've had my own hurdles as an actor of color. This certainly doesn't make me unique as many of my talented and hardworking friends have to.

But, I've observed that each group that feels marginalized or underrepresented in the entertainment industry speaks up passionately for their own cause. And understandably so. We tend to talk about what we know and directly affects us. It's human nature.

But what if instead of an Asian American actor advocating solely for his own opportunities he spoke up equally loud for more female filmmakers? Or if female filmmakers voiced their concerns with how Arab Americans are so frequently misrepresented in film and media.

Can you imagine the influence we could have if we all stuck up for one another? The movement to make an "unfair" industry "equally unfair" would be less fragmented, easier to mobilize, and create unbreakable bonds in the process.

And if it could work in the entertainment industry the possibilities beyond a film set would be limitless.

Generating Energy

There are many excuses we give ourselves for not seeing a project through to the end. Some are completely understandable. We live in a time where people seem to be faced with endless tasks, duties, and responsibilities.

Still, if there's something I've learned over the years as an actor it's that one of most common obstacles standing in the way of reaching important objectives is simply not having enough energy. I've began to appreciate the importance of generating that energy instead of simply hoping, or waiting around for it.

There's no substitute for rest, but there are many actions one can take to help themselves out. It begins with prioritizing physical health.

Whenever possible, take inventory of what you're eating, whether or not your exercising, stretching, taking a moment to pause after working for several hours, and though it may sound obvious, breathing -- really breathing.

You'd be amazed how just a few tiny adjustments will gradually compound and serve you and your important work.

It would be unfortunate for the world not to see you creative pursuits come to life simply because you didn't have the energy to see them through.

http://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/backstage-experts/8-health-tips-feeling-and-performing-your-best/