Don't Do Too Much

There's a famous story about the day Jack Lemmon received a master class in acting for the camera by director Billy Wilder. The two were on the set for the classic film, Some Like it Hot starring Marilyn Monroe. At this point, Jack Lemmon had done a considerable amount of theater and television but was still relatively new to the world of feature films.

As the story goes Lemmon was in the middle of a scene when Wilder stopped him. "Less Jack. Less," he said. Lemmon supposedly took the note and resumed the scene. A few minutes go by and Lemmon feels like he's really cooking when once again he's stopped by the Academy Award winning director. "Less Jack. Less." Lemmon scratched his head, took the note again, and continued to plow along. The scene goes on for a while before Wilder stops him for a third time, "Less Jack. Less." At this point Lemmon's had it and screams, "Billy, if I do any less I'll be doing nothing." Wilder supposedly smiled before saying, "Exactly."

Too often we feel we're not enough when the truth is we're infinitely interesting. The key whether on stage or off is to trust we have a voice and something of value to offer without overcompensating for what we mistake to be deficiencies. 

3 Reasons Why It's Never Too Late to Begin Meaningful Work

Today our culture has a very complicated relationship with time. There never seems to be enough of it. Additionally, we've almost arbitrarily decided that our goals must be attained by a certain timeline. When we fail to make the Forbes 30 Under 30 List we abandon them completely. But living a more responsible life doesn't mean living a small life. Here are 3 reasons why it's never too late to start work that matters:

1. Understanding that you have less time. Less time to strive means less time for frivolous work. If something isn't helping your grow, forge meaningful relationships, or personally fulfilling it's a good time to part ways.

2. Patience. "Hurry up and wait," was an expression I heard thrown around when I was a young actor. Young people often want something so bad they're willing to sidestep the journey. But as you get older in life you start to appreciate the value of the "long-game," and the importance of staying ready. Nothing worth attaining happens quickly. Getting older awakens you to that reality and even helps you appreciate it.

3. A smarter kind of hustle. Today there is undoubtedly a culture of "no days off" being heavily promoted. But working hard means nothing if you don't work smart. And working smart means taking time for self-care and realizing there are more important things in life than professional achievements. Becoming more is ultimately more important that achieving more. 

Contribute More than You Criticize

I once had a friend who made me think the sky was falling every time I saw him. He only saw the down side of up and whenever I'd suggest he be more positive he'd tell me, "I'm just being realistic."

Over time, I didn't like the way I felt about myself when I was around him. I strayed from my core values in an attempt to placate him and even talked badly about people I loved. In time, I had to limit our association.

The truth is it's easy to criticize. The constructs of social media have made it almost trendy to hide behind an anonymous screen name and hurl insults at people who have the courage to try things they don't. Those who have taken the high road understand we can contribute in 3 meaningful ways:

1. Getting involved.
2. Praising others.
3. Raising our consciousness

If you're not contributing more than you're criticizing your credibility erodes. We need more value, more compassion, and far greater vulnerability. 

Be Vulnerable

For the past 3 days I've been participating in a rigorous training program for a summer teaching position. We go from about 8:00 am - 5:00 pm and are required to watch several instructional videos before and after class.

This afternoon the organization's president paid us a surprise visit via an online webinar. He shared his background, his history with the company, and how he came to work for the organization. 

He also shared personal stories and aspects of his life, which I especially appreciated since he'd never met any of us in person. His candor humanized him and through his sense of vulnerability he build trust and cultivated a sense of community. 

There is great value in being vulnerable. It brings people together, while reminding each of us we aren't alone.

Just Decide

Any trace of stress or misgivings I experience about a project can usually be traced to indecision. There's a safety that comes from hedging our bets. "I"ll do it if there's time, or when I get the money." But saying, "I will do it no matter what," is different. It puts the onus on you to follow through on your word. Scarier? Yes. But far more rewarding. And it's the only way things of value get done.

Drawing a line in the sand and choosing to follow through on a project, big or small, means you're admitting how important something is to you. Taking action means your honoring that feeling. And with action comes an awakening to your potential. 

Play "A" or Play "B" but You Can't Do Both

Many years ago during a scene study class a teacher of mine stopped two of my classmates mid rehearsal. "Play either A, or play B. You can't do both. Make a choice!"

What he saw in the the performers was an attempt to straddle the fence. They had more than one interpretation of the scene and tried to split the difference by infusing the story with several points of view. I'd fallen in the same trap many times myself.

As I get older, my instructor's words seem even more poignant today. Whatever path we choose we must do so fully committed. There's little to be gained by constantly hedging our bets and looking for a chance to bail out at the first sign of trouble. Even if we discover a choice we made is the wrong one there's enormous value to be gained by making a decision and standing by it. 

When we decide not to play A, or B fully and look for something in the middle, we end up with something vague and uninspiring. There's courage in vulnerability and lots to be gained by living boldly. 

I Wasn't Special

For years I wore the fact I hadn't reached all of my highest targets as an actor despite having given it everything I had as a badge of honor. It was a way to proclaim the "injustice" of the industry and forfeit some accountability.

But as I got older, I realized there was absolutely nothing noble or unique about giving something your all and still coming up short. There were people in all types of industries who'd spent just as much emotional, physical, mental, and financial capital into a project for years and years only to see their dreams not come to fruition.

Instead of distancing myself from this people, clinging on to the notion that nobody would understand how I felt, I began to find ways to humble myself. These people became mentors, role models, and inspirations. 

I tipped my hat to their sense of fortitude and refusal to quit their quest to find some way to amplify their voices and offer value even if it may now be in a different way than originally intended. 

Your Environment

It's amazing how quickly I find myself taking on the energy of the environment I'm in. When I'm in California around family and friends I find myself embracing moments of silence, solitude, and generally exercise more patience.

But when I touch back in New York after several weeks, or months away I notice my pace instantly quickens and my to-do list expands.

Neither are necessarily good or bad. But what I've noticed is that if you're not careful you can also take on the energy of toxic people and their environments. 

How often have you found yourself suddenly gossiping because a friend, or family member takes delight in doing so and you don't want to rock the boat? Or maybe, you become less health conscience, or start to take on behaviors not congruent to your own core values?

The trick is to know your principles so well and be so in tune with your goals and philosophy that no city, state, country, or planet will be able to shake who you are and what value you hope to offer others. 

You'll be able to adapt to your environment, while standing your ground.

Just a reminder: To the Prospective Artist: Lessons from An Unknown Actor has been published! Be the first to pick up the insights and tips gained from a 12-year journey as an actor, writer, filmmaker, community outreach volunteer, and traveler. 

Book now available at Barnes & Noble or Amazon bookstores for just $7.99. You can also pick it up at: www.nickmaccarone.com where I'd also like to give you some free "goodies" as a token of my appreciation. 

Be sure to get your copy today.

Embrace Your Strengths

At one point in life or another we may have wished we were wired differently. Maybe you wish you had the entrepreneurial spirit of a Steve Jobs, or Jeff Bezos. Perhaps you wish you understand numbers like Warren Buffett, or could nimbly dribble around opposing players like Lionel Messi. Sometimes we long for the strengths of others because we're told by society we should or because the marketplace places a high premium on those skill sets.

But it's also important to recognize the talents you have that don't come as easily to others. Maybe your gift is understanding people, or patience. It might be working with children, or listening. Just because your abilities are not as glamorous doesn't mean they aren't of great value.

Identify your strengths, be grateful for them, find ways to build upon them, and then find someone to add that value to.

Sleep on it

A good friend recently shared his strategy for writing with me. "When I'm done with a piece I usually let it sit for day. I sleep on it."

It reminded me of the value of taking a step back from a project. Ideas in the moment are often infused with excitement and a heightened sense of emotion. As a result, it can be harder to be objective about whether the idea is good, or if it'll even work well.

There's great value in going off and doing something completely unrelated to the project at hand. You may return with a fresh perspective and a sense of gratitude/relief for not rushing the process. 

Good Friends

Yesterday, I spent the majority of my day celebrating a close friend's birthday. A group of about 10 of us pedaled our little hearts out on a bizarre little contraption masquerading as a bicycle. We slowly, and I mean VERY slowly, made our way to various stops on a popular pub crawl. We told stories, laughed loudly, and ate great food.

Still, my mind wandered throughout the evening as I considered the many other projects I'd hoped to work on - matters of real value I convinced myself. Whether it was a writing project, or reaching out to my editor regarding the status of my first book, staying present was at times a challenge.

It wasn't until I woke up this morning and reflected on the day before. I thought about how fortunate I was to have such loyal and close friends. I considered my great fortune in even getting to spend time with such wonderful people in a time of shrinking attention spans, demanding schedules, and seemingly endless distractions. It finally occurred to me the time I spent with this community of friends -- of family, was of real value.

Work hard, but remember to surround yourself with a thoughtful community and good friends whenever possible.

Different Kinds of Passion

It's common for the things you value in life to change as you get older. There are a variety of factors that can influence such changes: new life experiences, evolving perspectives, or a shift in priorities.

Still, much remains the same including what fuels our deepest desires and core objectives. For me, passion comes to mind.

When I was a young actor in New York I had it in spades. I'd arrive at the theater at 5:30 am ready to work before teachers and classmates sauntered into our little black box theater.

As I've gotten older, I realize that it's not that I no longer have passion, but that the role it plays in my life is at times different. In my youth of youths it was a chest-thumping, fiery, somewhat one-dimensional part of me.

Now, it can still inhabit those qualities but I find it's more grounded. Passion to me now acts as more of a compass steering me silently towards my goals.

Both work. Just differently.

It Matters and It Doesn't

"Just think, a million people didn't wake up today, but you did. Doesn't that make today a remarkable day?" the guru asked. It was a question that forced a point of view I hadn't considered in a while. I paused briefly, giving thought to my own mortality, but not in some dark or sullen way.

On the contrary, I considered the fact that we'll all die someday as profoundly liberating. What I mean is, it freed me up to realize what I want to accomplish in life is both incredibly important and at the same time, not at all.

Looking back, I would have benefited greatly if I'd given greater thought to life's fickle and swift nature. How many times had I gotten worked up over a scene not going precisely as rehearsed? A bombed audition? A film not being accepted to a festival? It all mattered so much and at the same it didn't.

My point is not to stop dreaming big, or working diligently towards your goals. Goals that resonate with us are what give life tremendous meaning and value. My suggestion is to merely add perspective and emotional intelligence to your ambition.

We can't take our accomplishments, or IMDB pages with us when we go. We can however, leave a legacy of how we lived, and by doing so, hopefully inspire future generations.