Episode 407: Feel the Fear and Audition Anyway

Feel the Fear and Audition Anyway

Working actors are not fearless actors.

They have just learned how to move when they are afraid.

This morning I woke up with what I can only describe as generalized anxiety. And I knew I could take a shower and stew in my own anxiety juices for a while, or I could just do something. So I attacked the email inbox. About 20 minutes later I was like, woo, I am ready, I am going. The anxiety was gone and I was zip-zopping through my day.

That is the whole thing. It is not about feeling confident first. Confidence usually comes after the action.

Fear Is Not Always a Stop Sign

Fear can mean growth. Visibility. Vulnerability. Possibility. I have come to look at fear as an indication of what still needs to be worked on in me.

For actors this shows up in a few ways. Avoiding self-tapes because perfectionism feels safer. And what do I always say about perfectionism? Perfectionism leads to procrastination leads to paralysis. Waiting to be fully ready before taking action. You are going to be waiting a long time. Shrinking after one bad class or one audition you feel you messed up. I cannot tell you how many auditions I walked out of thinking that is never going to happen, and then I booked the job.

Fear does not mean stop. Sometimes it means you are finally moving. You are out of your comfort zone. And life and adventure begin outside your comfort zone.

Perfectionism Is Just Fear in a Different Outfit

Perfectionism often hides fear of judgment, fear of rejection, fear of being visible. It keeps you stuck in preparation instead of participating. And what we want to be doing is participating. In life, in our scenes, in the business.

The 10 Seconds of Courage Exercise

Sometimes you only need 10 seconds to send the email or upload the tape. Here is the exercise. Say to yourself, for the next 10 seconds I am going to do what I would do if I were brave. And then do it. Push the click. Send the email. Do the thing. You have 10 seconds.

Journal Prompts

What opportunities have you talked yourself out of lately?

And what if discomfort was not proof that you were failing? What if it was proof that you were moving forward or that you had something to learn?

The Bottom Line

The entertainment industry rewards resilience. Rejection, waiting, and uncertainty are all built into this business. Emotional resilience matters just as much as talent does, because your talent is not going to get to shine unless you are emotionally resilient.

Your dream career may live on the other side of that uncomfortable visibility. Feel the fear and move anyway.

Want to Keep the Conversation Going?

I am introducing something called buddy coaching. You and a friend apply to coach with me together at 50% off. It can be someone from your acting class, someone you want to learn and grow with. EMAIL ME and make sure to CC your potential buddy.

If you want private coaching or just a free consultation, click that link too. We will take it from there.

As I always say, stay safe and treat yourself real well.