🎭//A change in mindset
Mindset, Grindset, Hit the GYM, NO BREAKS!!! SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK!!!!!!!
Published by AHE. on
I've tried to write about this a couple of times, and every time I do, I sound like an influencer trying to sell some bullshit mentorship course. I promise that's not what this is.
If you haven't read my most recent monthly round-up, I got a couple of acting jobs that mean I'm basically booked for the first few months of 2026. It's really exciting. The projects are both very different from each other and challenging in their own ways. One is a small-scale, profit-share, historical drama with a limited run; the other is a decently paid tour of England adapting a classic book with traditional theatre techniques and interesting puppetry work.
The best thing is that they're both work, they're both stage time, they're both opportunities to practice my craft, and they're both fun.
I talked a bit about pressure in my first post and as I was applying for these jobs, I realised the biggest source of pressure for me has been this idea that I'm "building my career." Every job, every audition, every contact made, every email sent, is the next building block in my "career," each one more important than the last.
I know where it comes from too; growing up, I saw my Dad go from working for massive established construction companies to starting his own as a freelancer. I saw him work day and night to build his career, constantly on the road, tools in hand, working on projects, taking meetings and phone calls, and becoming an employer. I saw the amount of work it took and how precarious the whole thing can be. I know what it takes. So when I see my career fail to launch - when an audition goes nowhere or an agent says no - I see my career die before it's had a chance; I see myself fail.
But that's not the truth.
The truth is I don't have a career. Not really. Yes, I want one, yes, I'm trying to build one, but right now I don't have one. So in actual fact what I chose to do next really doesn't matter. Anything I do can only be a good thing!
I'm doing a small-scale show? Great, time spent on stage working on your craft! I'm going to be away from home for a while? Great, more touring experience! I only managed to make it to the gym once this week? Great, you're better off than if you hadn't gone at all! You didn't get that part you auditioned for? Great, it's practice auditioning and you met some new people!
None of this is particularly new to me. They're things I've known to be true academically, but I guess now I've started to make them a practice, part of the process, a mantra that sets the tone before I set out to work.
I applied for those projects with a smile on my face. Normally I would apply for something like that and immediately worry about having to quit it if something else came along. I can imagine my friends laughing at that, but I know how ridiculous it sounds. I know it's irrational.
I've got a couple of post-its on my desk of little reminders that help me work. There's one that reminds me to break problems down rather than tackle them as one big thing; I think I'll add this one next.