Managing Your Sanity + Trusting The Process: Navigating #Actorlife

When you’re ambitious + hard working, and things aren’t showing up exactly as you’d like, when you’d like, it can be frustrating.

Or when you’ve just finished working on a job + all of a sudden there’s a slow period, it’s easy to get caught up in wondering. “What’s next?”

Or when you audition for something, and you’re “pinned” or put on “watch + advise,” end up getting released, and you have to go back to trusting that something even better is on it’s way. (This was me a few weeks ago).

In fact, today I want to share with you what’s gone on in the last month inside my own journey navigating #actorlife + how I’ve had to practice trusting the process.

Last month, I auditioned for a recurring guest-star role on a cool drama. My audition felt great, the casting director loved it, and I thought certainly, I’d have to mark my calendar for this 4 episode arc that would shoot in Atlanta.

I let my agents know that I had trip insurance and could move my upcoming family vacation around, should the shoot dates conflict.

Then. Nothing.

Ok, so I went on my family vacation.

(If you’re debating about leaving town because you don’t want to miss anything, read my latest post here: My Best Advice For Actors: Take The Trip. Face Your Fears. Live Your Life. 

Anyway, while in Riviera Maya, I got a request to audition for Will + Grace, and since I was out of town, they wanted me to submit a self-tape. Great!

I had the hotel print the sides + got my husband to be my reader.

We shot it on my iPhone in the hotel bathroom, the only place I could find great lighting and a blank wall.

We sent it off + then took the kids snorkeling in Cozumel.

My agent said she loved it, and I was even excited to write a post for you about booking this job while on vacation. What a story, right?

I also realized that other audition that didn’t turn into a booking, would have conflicted with this, and Will + Grace would work two days after I got back from my trip. Perfect.

Then. Nothing.

Once I got back, the casting director from the 4 episode arc audition that I didn’t get, had me come in on the same show for another role.

It was a nice affirmation, that even though I didn’t book the last job in his office, clearly, I booked “the room.”

I went back in for this new role, and realized, Will + Grace would have conflicted with this anyway. Great!

Then, I was put on “watch + advise,” for this drama role. (This is how they request their top choices to “save the date” while they make their final decisions).

Then. Nothing,

That was a tough one. I really thought I would get that one. The character was even named Wendy, and she had to be over 5’10”. I mean, c’mon!

Then, the casting office that cast me in Atypical (I’m so thrilled to be back recurring for my 3rd season, yay!), called me in for a different show.

And of course the shoot dates would have conflicted with the other dramatic role I didn’t get, and the journey continues.

Can you relate?

Seems like every week there are a new set of circumstances to navigate in our #actorlife, and somehow managing our sanity through it all, is one of the most important things we can do.

In addition to mastering the art of auditioning (if you need help, grab my free MP3 “Success In The Audition Room” here), we must also master the art of trusting the process.

Why? Because worrying or stressing over the outcome, actually adds resistance to what is naturally flowing your way, even when you can’t see evidence of it right at this moment.

When you try to control the outcome + demand the Universe to give you what you want, when you want it, you actually push away new ideas, new inspiration + even new resources from showing up for you.

Instead, practice trusting the process.

When I look back on the last 4 weeks, I see how trusting the process actually helped new opportunities to flow my way.

Did I want to book the 4 episode arc on a cool drama, sure?
Did I want to go toe-to-toe with Debra Messing on Will & Grace, sure?
Did I want to be ‘the one” they booked when I returned for a different role + was put on watch + advise, sure?

But it’s in the letting go, the moving on, the trusting in the process of it all, that I allow myself to be fully open to what’s on its way to me.

And I realize, the sooner I can shift my focus from “not getting the job” and feeling sorry for myself, to being excited for “what’s coming,” even on the days where I have no auditions, I am not only happier, but things flow more easily to me.

So, its my hope that sharing my own ups + downs help you to see, that at any level in this business, there will always be times where you did your best and didn’t get the role.

How you handle that disappointment + continue to practice trusting the process will become the fuel that propels you forward.

What’s really helped me this month, is listening to my very own guided meditation, “Trusting The Process.” (I’m always amazed at how the newest tools I create for actors each month, I end up often using myself).

And apparently, I wasn’t the only one who needed this audio, since these were just a few of the responses when I announced it inside my Spotlight Club + Community (where I provide monthly mindset tools + mentoring for actors)…

The exciting thing about having an audio like this on your phone, is that you can listen to it over and over again.

It’s been the go-to-meditation for all of us this month, myself included!

If you want to practice trusting the process along with me, download this audio as my gift to you, when you join me in The Spotlight Club.

Click here for all the details.

However you get there, just know that you are not alone, that we all go through it and that I am rooting for you.

Leave a comment below  + let me know what you do to manage your sanity on this rollercoaster ride we call #actorlife. I love hearing from you.

Here’s to a week of trusting the process + watching what exciting things show up for you next.

Love + Gratitude,
– Wendy