Know where you’re going. It might sound like a given to most people, but sadly it’s not. Even after working in entertainment for decades, it continues to surprise me how many don’t have a great idea of what direction they want to go, what natural talents and abilities they might have, and if they do, even believing they can’t get there.
After seeing this kind of thinking over and over, I decided that one of the most useful processes I can take my clients through is defining where they want to go. The process itself is amazing, and anyone willing to be honest with themselves is that much more ready to act on the information or results they receive.
It is important to consider that even the big stars or performers you emulate didn’t know for sure what might occur for them. But they started with a direction, held onto their conviction, and didn’t quit when it became difficult.
Believe it or not, you can do this, too. Start by writing out what your ultimate career destination looks like. Don’t be surprised if, when you start, you find yourself not believing you can achieve the goals you’re writing down. Maybe they seem unrealistic or too lofty or too far out of reach. But get them on paper anywhere—there’s absolutely no harm in being honest with yourself about what you want in your career.
Now, take a look at that list of goals. You’ll likely notice that some things are easier achieved than others. Think about what it will take to accomplish each and every point on that list and ask yourself, “Am I willing to do that?” Maybe one of your goals is to land a role in a Broadway show, which means you’d have to live in New York City for the duration of the show (and the audition process). Are you willing to move? Once you’ve established whether you’re willing to do something, figure out if you can. Do you have the ability—not just the drive—to do what’s necessary?
So you know where you want to go and you know what you must do to get there, but now you have to really ask yourself if you will you do it. Not only is it difficult to stay on track or actively do the things we know could lead us to success, but doing so can also be a bit scary. You’re about to enter unknown territory and it’s natural to experience fear. The bright side is that as you move through the process, you’ll find that the fear lessens and you become—and stay—motivated.
This may sound easy, but if it really were that simple, more people would be doing it. To ensure you stay on track and don’t scare yourself out of something, find an accountability partner. Acknowledge you may need help staying the course and ask for help from a trusted friend, colleague, or family member. If you team up with someone who also needs some help, you both win.
One word of caution before you begin this process: It’s easy to examine and admire the people in your field who have succeeded but don’t make the mistake of comparing yourself to them. Use them as examples of what’s possible, but know that this is about you reaching your best. If you stick with it, you can accomplish anything.
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