Student Blog: My Secret to Surviving: An Actor's Guide

My secret to surviving as an actor. I am always excited to share this with friends, and see if they've come up with the same theory on their own. It always stirs up deep emotions when discussed, and is something that every actor and human being must place importance on. So, what is it?

I've set a rule in my life as I audition, fantasize, fall and get back up, shed tears of both happiness and frustration, and try to make my dreams come true while everyone else around me does the same.

Never let yourself believe that you won't make it.

Never let yourself think that you are not enough.

Never let yourself give up or imagine that it won't all be worth it.

My very first acting teacher once told me, "If you have a back-up plan lined up, you don't want it enough." And while, that can be a controversial statement, I think I understood what he meant underneath all the talk. You cannot envision a future that is not everything that you dream it to be, or else it will not come true. Manifestation is a powerful study that I have been learning more and more about each year. It's only now that I realize that this rule I've set for myself all my life was simply the basis of manifesting.

If you are a dedicated performer, you have memorized the look that wary adults will give you when you spill your dreams of New York or Hollywood. It never, ever bothered me though, and still doesn't. Water off the back! They don't see it as I do. They can doubt for me, because I will be doing none of that. Not only does that way of thinking put out positive vibrations into the universe, but it instills confidence and peace within you. I often slip into panic when I see someone my age making it on a Netflix show or starring in a Broadway musical. (What? How? Why (not me?!) With a steadying breath, I confirm in my heart that I will be like them too, one day. My success will come - it is just not in my control to know when. And that's okay! I study and practice and prepare as if that breakthrough will come tomorrow. And it makes me better.

Naysayers may accuse this way of thinking as unrealistic, irresponsible, or childish. "You're not thinking of the big picture! Sometimes dreams just don't come true!" And with that, you simply respond, "Not with that kind of thinking." There are SO many thoughts that intrude into our minds - right before we sing that challenging song for class, or press submit on a self-tape we've spent hours and hours on. The gift to finding success and joy is to not let those panicked thoughts come close to your heart. Yes, we all have insecurities, and they may never go away. But do not give them the power to weigh you down. You will be successful. Your dreams will come true. You do not need to doubt that. Once you start believing that the future can be all you want it to be, the universe will listen and obey.

So, once more:

Never let yourself believe that you won't make it.

Never let yourself think that you are not enough.

Never let yourself give up or imagine that it won't all be worth it.

You will. You are. It is.