So I took this workshop on Wednesday presented by Leslie Becker on the Business of Acting. I highly recommend it! Leslie is the author of "The Organized Actor", if you've used that tool in your business.
The first half is about envisioning your future, what you want it to look like, then backing up to figure out the steps to get there. I know there are many techniques and workshops for this sort of goal setting thing and some I've taken before, but I really responded to Leslie's energy and way of getting this specific for actors, who are usually not the logical, linear sort - at least I tend not to be when it comes to acting! I think that we get caught in the trap that it's someone else who decides our destiny and we feel so helpless we either do the same rote thing - postcards, mailings, seminars - without a plan and without a sense of control. The second part of the seminar was looking at the way the biz is structured and basically connecting the dots between people I know and people I want to know. This was more frustrating to me, but pointed out something important. I have made most of my contacts myself. I'm not a real chummy sort in terms of traditional networking. I go out and make it happen. Which is good BUT when I only do that, I limit my pool of contacts to those that I make. I like being independent, but I think I'm going to have to learn to expand to *gasp* actually include others in my experience.
So I set five goals to complete by April 15th and I'm going to blog my journey. I have two professional goals - bringing an agent onto my team and getting a great reel made with new footage - two personal goals - getting into optium shape and connecting with Spirit through meditation - and one financial goal, and it's a biggie - raising my weekly income to $2,000/wk.
Leslie had me figure out two weekly goals for each of the five main goals (10 total) I can do right now to further my path to the April 15th goals. So far, I have followed up with a source for new footage for my reel and researched online various reel-production companies. I've found two possibilities I like. I worked out three times so far this week, doing yoga and bellydance. I found out that the stables here on Manhattan closed last year (boooo!), so for me to horseback ride, I'd have to travel up practically to Yonkers or out to Prospect Park in Brooklyn or out to Queens, so I have to decide if I want to do that. The fees aren't bad but I have no equipment, so that's another issue. I've sat meditation three times and worked on a medicine wheel meditation, which I'm still doing, but the huge commitment I've made is joining my spiritual teacher's school in February. It's a four year program and involves two intensives I have to travel to. One is the May event in NM that I attended this past year and there is another in LA in November. I'm excited and scared to the bejesus about it, but I feel centered and sure about this. And lastly, to tackle that financial goal, I've been working on a letter/resume writing job for a fellow actor that will be finished by the end of this week that will earn me some cash and I bought several books on grant writing, both to write a grant for myself and to write grants for others for business. I would love to bag my full-time job or at least cut it to half-time to work on my own instead of for The Man, but right now, I just want to build income opportunities.
It's been very empowering to break things down into "beats" just like a scene and figure out my driving questions, actions and tactics for each. It really is no different!
So this week, I am going to research legit agents and target 10 to concentrate on first. I have recently met some agents who I have been postcarding and will add to that list. I also want to see when and where and if these agents hold seminars and attend them. Of course, continuing to audition and book is the primary goal at all times, like the overarcing backdrop to all of this other stuff.
I'm struggling with the working out as I've had insomnia and back pain, so I will continue with yoga and get in to see an orthopedist. I'm tired of being in pain all the time. And I'm being very careful with my diet. I haven't had a Coke or a candy bar in two weeks and cut out soda completely. I'm jonesing but it's under control. Since horseback riding has become more difficult to do regularly with the logistics of it, I'm going to look into ballet and flamenco classes. Finish my medicine wheel meditation and do a guided visualization. Finish up my writing project and research writing groups to network. So far, the two I know about meet at times that don't work with my work schedule. Boo.
So that's me at the moment. I feel very focused and happy. I've been doing an affirmation process that Leslie taught as well. Yes *groan* affirmations....how 90's, but it works. Take it from the scientific point of view of retraining the brain and the psychological theory that you are what you think you are. If you're into New Age, it's the whole bs behind "The Secret", which isn't a bloody secret at all but someone's made a lot of money on it!!
Peace!
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