The industry likes to make us feel unworthy until we have reached what is known as 'making it'.

But what exactly is this elusive point? Is it when you have 10 million followers on Instagram? When you get #1 StarMeter on IMDBpro? Is it getting a lead role in a Film or TV production? Is it playing Lear on stage?

Let's reframe our idea of what 'making it' is…

You've already made it. 

In acting, you are often called on to do outrageous things. You will be faced with a situation in a scene that requires you to express some side of humanity that is often kept locked behind closed doors, barred with a pipe and barricaded with a wardrobe, desk, filing cabinet, and standing lamp.

DON’T DO IT RIGHT

Do it. Right now.

As artists and humans, our chemistry is complicated and temperamental. We are full of great ideas, and passion, and energy, but also crippling anxiety, intrusive thoughts, self doubt and that nasty little inner voice judging our every move.

As actors and artists, we are tasked with accurately portraying humanity, and the world around us. While reading ‘An Actor Prepares’ over and over again may help us understand the process of being an actor, don’t think that is the whole piece of the puzzle.

As children, we failed all the time. You failed using a spoon, talking, walking, all the things. Things you probably take for granted right now. But through these failures you learnt the skills you needed to live.

As adults, we have the ability to structure our own environment in a way that we can literally avoid failure (and ultimately, stop growing). But, as an actor you are lucky… 

You get to fail all the time!