Dude, Where's My Star?

One of the biggest struggles many creative types face in Hollywood (or anywhere) is getting to see the payoff for the blood, sweat and tears they put into their work. You can be a great actor - a brilliant actor - and at the end of the day, not have a whole lot to show for it. You can write a hilarious screenplay that never gets made, sold, or read for that matter. So much can depend on having the right look, the right agent, the right connections and the right timing. I don't believe it's all up to chance; there's a lot to be said for the old adage that luck happens when opportunity meets preparation. But there are MANY variables to making it in this town that go beyond just talent and hard work.

So, what does that mean for creative people who exhaust themselves every day auditioning, writing, networking, producing, PRAYING for that big break? It means that, for it to be worth it, you have to be enjoying the ride. That sounds corny, but it's true. If you're not relishing in the fact that you get to spend a lot of your time being creative, taking risks, meeting weird/crazy/interesting people and doing weird/crazy/interesting things, you're missing half the fun.

When people ask me about my experience as an actor and writer, I tell them the paying gigs have been few and far between. I also always tell them it's been the time of my life. Why? Because I've loved every minute of it. I've loved it even when I'm auditioning for a non-union, non-paying, non-speaking spot for the internet. I just can't help myself. And some of my favorite moments have been working on scenes for class with friends, laughing hysterically as we try to make some bad sitcom piece funny. Those moments will never lead to a paycheck or a credit or even a pat on the back, but they've been some of the happiest times of my life.

In my Passion into Action Workshop, I show everybody the board game, Candyland. Remember that one? Your little gingerbread dude is working his butt off to get to the Candy Castle where life will be sweet. But along the way, he's got to make it past the Peppermint Forest, Lollipop Woods, and the Peanut Brittle House. Maybe if he's lucky, he'll get to take the shortcut through the Rainbow Trail or Gumdrop Mountain pass. But most likely, he'll get stuck in a licorice patch and lose a turn or pick the Candy Heart card that sends him way back to the start. I can't help but think this is an analogy for the creative career. Yes, you've got your mind set on making it to the top - and you should - but there's a whole lot of interesting stuff going on before you get there. Relish it.

Because, fact of the matter is, you may not end up with your own show, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame or an Emmy (unlike my boyfriend who now has FOUR. Shouldn't there be a limit to these things??). But you still can celebrate your own successes along the way. I once had an acting coach who had us share our "wins" in class. Basically, we each kept a journal of any successes we had - large or small. It was a great way to acknowledge what we'd accomplished - getting the callback, booking the short film, signing with a new agent. Now in my life coaching practice, I suggest to my clients that they keep track of their wins to celebrate the progress they're making towards their goals.

So, what's your latest win? Mine is that I've written the first twenty pages of a new script. Only a hundred more to go. How about you? Write it down, tell a friend, share it on Facebook. Yes, you want to make it to the Candy Castle - who doesn't? But you should also relish the journey there because you may just find out at the finish line that the ride was the sweetest part.

Talk soon!

Libby