The answer to everything you are up against in life is. . . well. . . you.
Or rather, you hold the answers to all your questions.
But in order to access them, you have to ask different questions that require you to express your needs.
Why is this so hard for us? Why are we so scared to ask for what we deserve?
Especially when it comes to agents and managers?
You’re repped by someone and haven’t gone out in six months and yet you’re too scared to have a conversation. It might “rock the boat,” or “mess up a good thing.”
You’re not repped so you take the brain drain train and think to yourself, “I’m not good enough,” or “No one is ever going to want me,” simply because you’ve been rejected in the past.
Our fears are tied to our own childhood images of self-worth. We think if we express our truth we’ll be abandoned, or punished, or lose.
But here’s the irony. If we’re in a relationship that isn’t working (we’re being taken advantage of, or we aren’t respected or we aren’t having our needs met) it’s never going to change unless we communicate.
Even though in the short term our worst fears might be realized – we break-up, or our agent drops us — in the long run, those actions spurn us toward where we ultimately want to go.
Homeostasis = Stagnation. Stagnation = No Growth.
Here’s this week’s homework:
1). If you have a great agent/manager relationship – you’re auditioning and you talk regularly with them — thank them for the wonderful job they’re doing! Do you know how rare it is for them to hear a client say “thank you” just because? They work hard. Let them know you appreciate them. Not just when you book.
2). If you haven’t talked to your agent/manager in months and have had zero auditions, call them. Start a dialogue. Communicate your needs. Find out how you can help. If it’s not a match, let it go so something new can come into your life.
3). If you don’t have an agent/manager. Find one. And don’t stop until you do.
“Today you are you, this is truer than true, there is no one alive, who is youer than you.” — Dr. Seuss