Michael Phelps won eight gold medals in the 2008 Olympics—the most ever won by an individual in a single Olympic Games—largely because he has a relentless work ethic. When training, he swims for hours a day, every day of the year, including Christmas. Tiger Woods played 15 years of golf before he became the youngest winner of the amateur championship. It's widely known that even after winning several world championships, he redeveloped his swing twice because that's what it took for him to keep improving. The very same principle applies to actors. Too many think they can avoid hard work and still have a chance to play great roles with the best. It just doesn't happen. People at the top of their game don't want to work with people who don't put in the effort; they want to work with people on their level. I'm not much of a sports guy, but I know enough to realize that Serena Williams probably wouldn't want to play tennis with me. Well, maybe a pity round.
There's a lot of talk about self-confidence in show business, but I don't think people fully understand what it is. Confidence is merely the feeling that you can rely on something or someone, which, in the case of self-confidence, is yourself. Where does true self-confidence come from? From doing the things you say you're going to do, finishing things you start, and having real skills. Don't just talk about projects; dive in. Even when you don't have auditions or acting work, spend time on great material in a class or on your own. Doing so will reaffirm that you are a creative person first and foremost.
The problem is that most actors are in fantasy. They think they can rely on their looks, charm, or natural talent. No matter how many of these traits you have, you will inevitably come across a character that will be out of your reach and the role will go to someone whose ability has surpassed yours. Despite the smoke that's blown in this business, the artists who are dedicated to working on themselves and their craft and who make real contributions are the ones who often have long, successful careers.
If any of the following sentences describe you, you may be in fantasy:
-You're not working daily on your personal and professional weaknesses. For instance, some actors may be able to express anger but not vulnerability. Others are physically weak, have timid voices, or lack real technique.
-You don't have a platform to do the work—class, auditions, plays, a show, a film, etc.
-You spend less than two hours a day working on your craft.
-You don't finish the projects you start.
-You talk about your dreams of being an actor and don't back them up with actions.
Take your work seriously but not yourself. People that happily give what they love are intoxicating to be around. So, get off your ass, embrace all you have yet to learn or master, face your limitations, and do what you came here to do.
Excerpted from "The Work of an Actor" by Michael Woolson, founder of the Michael Woolson Studios and also the author of "Emotion on Demand: An Actor's Workbook for Mastering Emotional Triggers"