Have you been trying really hard to make your acting dreams happen this year? Are you feeling overworked and overwhelmed? I get it.
I used to think that working harder would produce better results, but ultimately that thinking often led to me feeling resentful and exhausted.
(While I watched those who didn’t work nearly as hard as I reap all kinds of rewards.) Can you relate?
So, now, whenever I find myself pushing to make things happen, I remind myself that there is power in ease, flow + letting go.
In fact, just last month, when I had a quiet few weeks with no auditions, I reminded myself to let go of how I think it all should go + what I think should be showing up right now.
Instead I used the time to clear the clutter, update my online presence, play with my kids, swim in the ocean and trust in the future I could not see. (This guided meditation helped me)
And what happened? Auditions came in.
And in those auditions, I brought that sense of ease, flow + letting go with me, and it resulted in my latest feature film booking (as one of the lead roles).
It also brought back a voice-over campaign (where I was the initial voice, but then had to re-audition to get the job back.)
I auditioned again + I got the job back for multiple TV spots over several recording sessions. (But, wow, talk about letting go in the process!)
So, I hope these examples help you to relax about whatever is or isn’t showing up for you right now + help you realize how much power lies in letting go.
Here are 5 graphics I created for you of mantras I have been telling myself lately that have helped me to increase my happiness (+ my bookings.)
Feel free to screenshot your favorite + make it your new screensaver, or share them on your own social media. (more…)
Happy July! Can you believe the year is half over?
No matter what you have or haven’t “done” so far this year, I want you to know one thing…
There is nothing outside of your ability to accomplish it, but when you force yourself to take action from a place of lack-minded thinking, your efforts will often provide lackluster results.
There is so much more power available to you, when you choose to align your mind first, and then take action from this newly inspired place (and all that procrastinating ends!)
I’ve been pausing more lately, without distraction from devices.
I’ve been listening to birds sing in my backyard, marveling at the freckles on my children’s faces and enjoying mindful moments where I deeply and sincerely appreciate my life.
And it seems the more I do this, the happier I become and the more unexpected wonderful surprises start to show up. (In the form of auditions, helpful people + exciting offers).
So, just for today, give yourself the gift of a mindful moment. How? Put the phone down. Go outside. Take in the scenery. Love yourself, right where you are. Just for today, let go of needing anything to be different.
Let go of striving and pushing to change where you are. (more…)
Has scrolling through social media been bringing you down lately? Does this sound familiar?
Check social media before getting out of bed.
Scroll through Instagram, click on Instagram Stories, check Facebook, look at Twitter (telling yourself you just want to be updated on the news).
Brush your teeth. Make your bed. (Do you make your bed? It’s a good habit.)
Sit on the edge of your bed. Check the phone again.
This was me last week, all before 7am: Click on Jennifer Lopez’s (JLo) Instagram Stories feed.
Watch JLo talk to you from inside a private jet, then see a gorgeous picture of her on the set of her latest video, swipe up to watch the Dinero video, go back to IG stories, and watch as she tells you how to get the JLo glow and introduces you to her entire new makeup line, then see her on the red carpet in a gorgeous gown, then looking flawless at a magazine photo shoot for Emmy Magazine.
Go to your profile. Notice that you don’t have 75.3 million followers….or a makeup line.
Get dressed, look in the mirror, notice a new wrinkle, compare your skin (and career) to JLo’s + feel like you’ve done absolutely nothing with your life.
Notice how heavy all this mind-chatter feels…almost like lead. Try to motivate yourself to do something productive, while telling yourself you suck.
Yep, this was me last week. Fun! Can you relate? Don’t get me wrong. I actually love JLo. She is one ambitious hot mama and her work ethic is nothing short of (more…)
Last week, I had an actress in my private Spotlight Club community admit that she was struggling with stress and feeling a little burnt out.
She was ready for a break and wanted to take a day to herself, but was feeling really guilty about it. Ever been there?
Do you ever tell yourself these things:
If I’m not working 24/7 on my career, then success won’t come to me. If I’m not putting in a lot of extra effort, then I don’t deserve success. If I take a break, it feels like I’m just being lazy.
Do you realize, that these are all just false beliefs that you’ve been telling yourself?
When your mind, body + soul are asking for a break, that is because (more…)
Did you watch the Oscars last night? No matter how it left you feeling, I’m hoping today’s post will uplift you.
Last night, my husband + I were invited to a black tie Oscar viewing party at The Hollywood Museum + I had the dream of wearing a gown from an amazing designer who creates handmade works of art.
And this morning, I’m back on the set, shooting another episode of a wonderful TV show I worked on last week + am feeling so grateful to do what I love, while also inspiring other actors along the way.
I want you to know that just 4 weeks ago, after having some great auditions and not really booking anything, I was feeling pretty down about how 2018 was going.
I wanted to feel better, but there were days, where I just couldn’t get out of my own funk + lift myself up. Can you relate?
Well, it got me thinking….
It seems we search for ways to feel good, and often run in fear of feeling anything less than what we deem as “positive emotions.”
But what if feeling all emotions were positive? What if every emotion you feel throughout your day was here to awaken you? And what if you could start loving it all?
We often spend our time judging, criticizing + labeling ourselves + our emotions + then adding to the story of what it all means. What if, throughout your day, whatever thought or emotion was getting your attention, you could simply(more…)
When there are slow patches in your career, do you go down the dark rabbit hole of worry + self-doubt?
Do you start obsessing about how you did on your last audition or wondering if you’ll ever get another one?
I know. I’ve been there.
But, when you shift your focus from what is not working to what’s going right in your life, things will begin to shift in your favor.
This year started off kinda quiet for me (well, except all of my free trainings for actors!), and it would have been easy for me to start ranting + raving….
“What are my reps doing?” “Where are my auditions?” “What am I missing out on?”
But asking myself those questions only produces answers (and feelings) rooted in lack and fear.
So instead, I focused all of my energy on helping other actors (like you) succeed, while getting into a mental head-space of radical appreciation for what was working in my life.
Why would this matter?
Within the next week, I ended up getting 3 amazing auditions, including a request to read for a different role on a project I had already been in for late last year.
(Something I didn’t even know would come back around, and could have easily spent a lot of wasted time examining what I might have not done “right” at that initial audition.)
And then, a wonderful booking came in (which I can’t give details about yet) and an invitation to attend a red carpet Oscar party.
And all from shifting my focus + how it made me feel when nothing was going on. That’s it.
Sounds simple, right? It Is, but many actors choose to take the struggling route of complaining + blaming + then berating themselves. Then they spend their days busying themselves with “doing more” from this space of lack.
What they don’t realize, is that it’s hamster wheel that just produces more of the same.
So, what if, no matter how things look right now, you told yourself this:
Instead of spending anytime criticizing or berating myself today,
I marvel at all I’ve done + who I’ve become along the way.
Thirteen years ago, I was on the edge of a devastating breakup and days like Valentine’s Day would spark a sadness within me that would turn the rest of February into my least favorite month.
Especially since I had a timeline of how my life was going to go + clearly I was “off schedule,” since I was going to be married with kids by age 33.
When we feel lost in the woods and we can’t seem to find our way, it’s easy to think thinks will never change.
Time definitely gives you perspective, and as I look back now, this is what I wish I knew….
Love wherever you are in your journey and know that it is all leading you to the light.
Because ultimately, life had even better plans for me.
And interestingly enough, it was after spending a year where I focused on giving myself everything I thought I needed a relationship to give to me, that an old friend (who I did a film with 10 years prior) came along and changed my life. (more…)
In fact everything you want, is because you think you will be happier when you have it.
Whether it is a role, a relationship, a Range Rover, or a raving review of your work.
Deepak Chopra states,
”The purpose of life IS the expansion of happiness. Happiness is the goal of every other goal.”
And yet, throughout your day, do you ever notice how easy it is to pick things apart (including yourself), notice what’s not working, what you haven’t done yet + fixate on complaining about the big + even the little things?
I know I have.
So if our quest is to expand our happiness, why do we spend so much time feeling unhappy?
To understand ourselves, we have to become consciously aware of our thoughts, words, + habits. Then, we must learn how to shift them.
You might not even be aware that complaining has become your default mode of operation.
So what can you do to shift from finding fault to expanding your happiness?
The first step is to become more mindful.
The act of mindfulness will help train your subconscious mind to perceive + appreciate more of the amazing blessings, beauty + bounty that are in your life on a daily basis.
Here are 10 acts of mindfulness to get you started…. (more…)
I'VE TURNED A SLOW STREAK INTO A BOOKING STREAK AND I FEEL REALLY EMPOWERED.
"Wendy is so generous with her knowledge and understanding of the deeper, inside work that goes into living a healthy, happy, well balanced actor life. Her daily inspirations mean so much to me...and I'm grateful for the custom guided meditation she wrote for me. I've turned a slow streak into a booking streak & I feel really empowered."
2013-11-25T02:34:15-08:00
Community, iCarly, Good Luck Charlie
https://actorinspiration.com/testimonials/bartag/
Fernanda Torres
SINCE LISTENING TO YOUR GUIDED MEDITATIONS, I BOOKED 2 FEATURE FILMS
"I bought Creating Powerful Auditions and I listen to it every morning. "Empowering Myself" is my absolute favorite meditation, sometimes I put it on repeat until I fully and truly feel every declaration. Since I've been listening to your guided meditations I booked my first feature film + also recently booked the lead role in my first horror film. Thank you for coming into my life!”
I BOOKED THE JOB! LISTENING TO CREATING POWERFUL AUDITIONS MADE A DIFFERENCE!
"Been listening to your "Creating Powerful Auditions" mp3 daily since purchasing about a week ago. Listened to it on the way to an audition...took a few moments before leaving my car to do the visualizations. I walked into the audition room feeling totally empowered, feeling light. I booked the job. I feel your album made a difference. Thank you, Wendy."
YOUR AFFIRMATIONS ALLOWED ME TO STEP OUT OF THE FEAR AND BE PRESENT IN THE ROOM.
"I just returned from an audition after listening to your guided meditations. Your affirmations allowed me to step out of the fear and be present in the room. As I waited for my audition I envisioned the session being successful and feeling empowered afterward. And it was and I did."
I BOOKED TWO ACTING GIGS IN THE SAME WEEK BECAUSE I HAD HER CD ON REPEAT!
"I listen to Wendy's guided meditations pretty much every chance I get. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have her amazing voice in my ear keeping me empowered, inspired + in the right mental space to persevere day in and day out. I booked two acting gigs in the same week because I had Wendy's Creating Powerful Auditions album on repeat. Thank you WENDY for your positivity + light!"
