Part One:
I recently had dinner with a good friend, and very talented actor, who has hit a dry spell in his work. He hasn’t worked for a year. Not uncommon. It can be hard out there for a…
“What can I do, Josh?”
I’ll share with you what I shared with him.
There are three key areas to focus on in if you want to be a steadily working actor.
I’ll spill them out over the next couple of blog entries.
But let’s start with the one that is KEY!!!
All three of these points of focus work in tandem, but without this first one – the other two will have no drive behind them
Take a breath. Let’s dig in…
The first key to being a steadily working actor is…
Embodiment.
What the heck is that really?
It’s become a catchy word these days – embodiment.
So, I’ll explain why it is a key component to being a working actor. This applies 100% to non-actors as well, by the way.
I often ask people in my 3-month coaching program how would you be if you already were a series regular in a hit Netflix show.
How would you wake up?
Treat the barista?
Treat your body?
How would you live?
We tend to have the thought that if we get that Netflix show – ‘Then I’ll really live my life.’ The only problem is – operating that way radically slows down getting what you want.
You need to become a star first, then the jobs will come. Not the other way around.
You may want to read that last paragraph again, my friend. So important.
There are countless books out there on mindset – but what interests me is embodiment practice to alter your entire being. Yes, making the right shifts your body will shift your outlook, and how you operate into the world – and, yes, into the entertainment industry. Or whatever industry you are in, for that matter.
The answer I often get to the question, “How would you be if you already were a star?” is something like, “I’d be more OPEN. I’d really be with people.”
So, let’s play with the notion of embodying being more open.
To make that shift to being more – you could start with your mind – but that’s the slow track. Instead – start with your body.
Try this experiment…
Focus on your sternum. Your heart center. Literally push your chest forward and up. Go ahead. Hold it there for a count of 10 while breathing deeply.
Now relax the body. But continue opening your heart center without pushing your chest forward. Yes – send energy out. You can do this.
EXPERIMENT: Play with this all day. Why not?
What about opening to everything in your life? What about practicing your deepest opening for a full 24hrs? This also includes opening to what you think you don’t like. Opening to everything!!!
Yes, you will experience more – but open your heart even more to include it all. You can do it.
Open fully to the person handing you a cup of coffee. ( There I go about the coffee again).
Living in this level of opening is art.
You are going to notice when you start with your body – a shift happens within your entire being. This is embodiment.
HERE IS WHAT IS FASCINATING… Your embodiment will shift your career.
If, for example, you see this level of openness as something you would build into your life if you had that Netflix show – then do it now!
Openness is just one body practice.
We’ll be experimenting in the upcoming courses with about 20 other energetic practices that trigger your imagination, and outlook. Amazing tools for embodying a character, and signaling to the world that you are taking ownership of your stardom now.
I’m excited for you! Start experimenting!
THE COMMITTED IMPULSE NEWS…
-Stay tuned for the next two key elements for being a steadily working actor in the upcoming blogs.
-I’m finishing up the final three episodes of the new HBO series I’m in, Mrs. Fletcher. I’m having a blast creating with these fine people. I’m excited for you to see it!
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