The Emmys air tonight and before you sit down to watch or read about all the winners tomorrow, this will help you process all of it in an empowering way.

Because it’s easy to glamorize this event + think…

“If I just win an Emmy (or even get nominated) than all my problems will be solved.”
“If I just win an Emmy (or even get nominated) than I’ll finally feel like a success.”
“If I just win an Emmy (or even get nominated) than I’ll finally feel validated + fulfilled.”

Or perhaps watching awards shows just leaves you feeling jealous, frustrated or even thinking, “I’ll never get there…”

First of all, I’d like to encourage you right now to get the “I’ll never get there” thought out of your head.  It’s actually just your ego trying to keep you small + play it safe.

You absolutely can get there, but it will require you to dream bigger, let go of limitation + get out of your comfort zone.

I talk about this and my own Emmy® journey from 2019 here:
What’s Really Getting In Your Way….(And How Let Go + Fly)

In fact, if you hadn’t heard, in 2019, I was up “For Your Emmy® Consideration as Outstanding Guest Star In A Comedy Series” for my work on Atypical (Netflix).

And on the voting ballot, my name was listed (in alphabetical order) like this…

Cate Blanchett
Wendy Braun
Connie Britton

OMG. That was a day I will never forget,

I cried happy tears at the sight of this, because in that moment I knew that no matter what happens, I had already won.

If you want to read about the life lessons I learned during Emmy FYC Season, you’ll love this article:
You’ve Already Won! (And Other Life Lessons From My Emmy® FYC Journey)

What you may not know, is that Cate, Connie and I didn’t make it on to the final ballot (but what lovely company to be in, right?).

I’m not sure how those amazingly talented actresses handled it, but I didn’t shed one tear that day, because I have diligently practiced (and continue to do so) not letting any of this define my value + worth.

It wasn’t always this way, but I now realize that using any part of this business as a measure of who you are is not only dangerous, but ultimately unfulfilling.

I recently read this quote from Demi Moore’s memoir, Inside Out and it resonated so deeply with me.  I hope it helps you too.

“If you carry a well of shame + unresolved trauma inside of you, no amount of money, no measure of success or celebrity can fill it.  Using success in this business as a measure of your value, worth, or self-esteem, will only rob you of your happiness every single time.” – Demi Moore.

Why is this so true? Because this business is not here to heal you. That deep inner work you have to do yourself.

And if you don’t, no matter what you achieve, your ego will tell you, “It’s not enough.”

If you book a co-star, your ego will tell you, “It’s not a guest-star.”
If you book a guest star, your ego will tell you, “It’s only for a few days.”
If you book a recurring, your ego will tell you, “It’s not a series regular.”
If you book a series regular, your ego will tell you, “It’s not high enough on the call sheet or I don’t have a big enough story line.”
If you win an Emmy, your ego will tell you, “It’s not an Oscar.”
If you win an Oscar…your ego will tell you, “Well, you got lucky. How are you going to do that again?”

That’s why quotes like this from actors who’ve lived through the highest highs and the lowest lows are so authentic, inspiring and helpful.

So, no matter “where” you’re trying to “get to” today in your acting career, remind yourself that in this moment…

You are living an artist’s journey, and you are amazing just for having the courage to do that.” – Wendy Braun

And if you need a little more encouragement, here are a 10 mantras to help you:

1. Things are lining up for me right now, even when I don’t see evidence of it.
2. I let go of the idea that any one person is doing better than me.
3. I let go of competing to feel worthy.
4. I am not here to prove my worthiness.
5. I am worthy.
6. I am not here to prove my value.
7. I am valuable.
8. I am not here to merely accumulate more credits, more things or more accolades.
9. I know that my happiest moments lie in the small moments where I am at peace.
10. I choose peace right now.

I hope this helps you know that your peace + happiness is right here, right now, in this very moment and that you can claim it today.   And you can let go of adding any meaning to this event (The Emmys).

I hope this helps you know that no booking, Emmy or other accolade is holding you apart from the joy you are seeking.

Sure it’s fun to book the job, to get the nomination + win the award, but if you haven’t done your inner work, all of this outer “stuff” will never fill you up.

So here’s to a chapter where you begin to find more joy in your life now, speak to yourself more lovingly now, + start trusting the process more than ever before.

I know this perspective will not only align you with your biggest dreams, but you’ll have a lot more fun along the way.

And if watching the Emmys tends to bring up feelings like “I”ll never get there or I should be further along by now,”  this quick tip will help you…

Let me know in the comments below what is your favorite takeaway?
I love hearing from you. It reminds me how we really are all in this together.

Love + Gratitude,
Wendy

P.S. Want help daily trusting the process? Enjoy monthly mindset tools + monthly mentoring with me inside our global community of like-minded actors. Find out more here.