I’m all for dreaming, visualizing, and goal-setting as the New Year begins, but it is taking action that will really set things into motion.

Here are 10 things you can DO for your career right now.

“Often we are caught in a mental trap of seeing enormously successful people
and thinking they are where they are because they have some special gift.
Yet a closer look shows that the greatest gift that
extraordinarily successful people have over the average person
is their ability to get themselves to take action.”
Anthony Robbins

1. List Your Accomplishments for The Past Year

That’s right! Before you begin the next chapter, it is helpful for your mind, body and soul to take a look at the progress you’ve made in the last year. Make a long list of your “wins” from last year. They don’t all have to be career related. You could list that you found a new apartment, learned to cook braised short ribs, cleared your clutter or fell in love! Make a list of 20, 50, or 100 things you accomplished or experienced in 2011. Looking at what you HAVE done instead of what you haven’t is a great way to align your energy for a new beginning.

2. Update Your Actor Profiles

Have you updated your profile on the following websites?

1. Now Casting

2. Players Directory

3. Actors Access

4. Casting Network

5. L.A. Casting

6. IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base)

Also, ask your agents which database(s) they use to submit you and make sure your pictures, resume, videos, representation information and statistics are up to date. Make sure all of the people who might want to hire you are seeing the most current version of you!

3. Update Your Website

If you have a website, make sure any “current news” isn’t outdated. And if you have a blog, make sure you’ve posted an entry within the last month to keep those who visit your site up to date on what is happening in your career. If you don’t have anything to promote at the moment, try creating a “25 Things You May Not Know About Me” List (as seen in US Weekly) to give those who are interested a bit of trivia about you. Who knows, it may actually come in handy later if you should ever need to do a list for US Weekly!

4. Polish Up Your Bio

Have you read your bio lately? Was it written in 2011? Have you worked since then?  Then it is time to give it a once over and polish it up with any new credits, skills or awards.

5. Review Your Demo Reel And Resume Clips

This is the number one tool an actor needs to get to the next level. Does your current demo reel represent your best and most current work? Is it linked to your profiles in all the right outlets? Have you created resume clips? Instead of having people view your entire reel, you can set up clips of credits you’d like to highlight. This is a great tool to help casting directors, producers and directors see specific work. When they don’t have to guess that you can play a certain character, but they can instantly view a clip of a role that is similar, it can help get you in the door.

6. Write A Personal Note

Take time to write 10 people you’ve worked with in the last year a personal note of gratitude, and maybe a wish for a successful new year. Now that all the holiday card madness is out of the way, yours will be a welcome and genuine surprise.

7. Watch All Current TV & Film

This is where all the clues lie as to who is working in television, films, commercials, and voice-overs. If you watch and listen closely, there is a lot you can learn. You can research the look and the tone of a show, the acting style, the director’s style, who is casting what and on and on. This is your business, and the more prepared you are when opportunity knocks, the luckier you will become.

8. Use Social Media Wisely

Facebook and Twitter can be amazing tools for actors, if you know how to use them. Remember that everything on the internet is written in permanent marker, so keep all your comments professional, and think twice before you start ranting about anything in a negative way…it could come back to bite you. On the flipside, begin to develop a list of CD’s, directors, producers, agents and friends who you have worked with and reach out to them in a professional manner. Connect with them by being interested in what THEY are doing. Then when you are appearing in your next television, film or theatre production, you’ll have a strong list of people with whom to share your great news!

9. Make A CD Target List

Choose 5-10 Casting Directors you would like to meet this year based on the type of projects they cast and the type of roles you play. So instead of marketing yourself to “everyone,” you are being selective. Focus on connecting with them through your marketing or meet them live at a workshop.

10. Learn To Master Your Mind

You can have a lots of talent, a great headshot, know tons of industry people, and have a great website, but if you don’t know how to walk into an audition and master the thoughts in your head that may be sabotaging you, then it will be harder for you to book work. Creating a powerful audition is a huge part of the actor’s journey. Make this the year you master your thoughts and expand your success.

Here are some affirmations to get you on your way….

Affirmations For A Magical New Year

I am worthy.
I enjoy taking action each day. I’m on the right track. I keep moving.
Look at how far I have come.
I am good at what I do.
Everything I want comes to me at the right time in the right way,
I figure it out as I go.
I don’t need to see the entire road,
as long as I continue to take the next step.
Everything always works out for me.
I’m going to stop being so hard on myself.
This is going to be my best year yet. I can feel it.
I relax and allow good thing to flow my way.
All is well in my world.
I trust and enjoy the process.
I am looking forward to a year filled with wonderful surprises.

 My best wishes that this is your busiest and best year yet!