The Abundant Actor Life

Life doesn't just happen to you.

This is a story we tell ourselves.  The events of our lives.  This happened, so I can't do this other thing.  

I don't have this job because someone they knew got the offer.  I don't love my work because the director is difficult.  I can't get to work on time because the subway is late, the highway is congested.

My self tape is not getting results because I am not good at tech.

Time to take responsibility for your life.  It feels great. And scary. And great.

A place to start is with Abundance.

This includes, naturally, how much money you have. Not spend. Have.

But is not only, or even most importantly, about that. The only thing you need to be super clear on is how much you have. And how much you want. The space between those numbers is where you need to create value to invite money, abundantly, into your life

Know your number.  Truly. Add it up. Total your assets, subtract your debts, and look at that number.

And know that is in no way Your Worth.

But you do need to know how you feel about that amount.  

Satisfied? Secure? Scared? Indignant?

If you want a different number a year from now, there is a path to get there. Really.

Actors can fall into the trap of believing It Is Out of My Hands.

Does that thought serve you? 

If you think about the money you have. (Your circumstance, your facts)

And you have a feeling about it.

What is the thought that creates that feeling?

If you have $2000 in your bank account, and don't own a home or car.  You may have a feeling of failure, coming from the thought 

I don't save enough.

I don't earn enough.

I spend too much.

I don't understand money.

This may create a feeling like

Confusion. Doubt. Fear. Defeat.

OR: you may think

I have enough for my bills this month.

I know how to create value.

I am learning how to earn more.

Which could create a feeling more like

Optimism. Commitment. Determination. Curiousity.

You know which would better serve you.

$2000 in your bank account is a number. Not a feeling. Your thoughts about it will determine what you do about it.  

And this is key.

If you don't like your results, you need to change your thoughts.

The other facets of Abundance are our physical health, and our emotional health.  Far more important than that number above, be it $2000, or $2M.

We use the same technique.

Physical health. Write down your height, weight, health issues. 

Write down your goals with your body.  Maintain strength for long runs. Protect for demanding shows. Age with integrity. Retain flexibility. Become a body builder. Longevity as a dancer. Increase vocal health.

The distance between those is your work. What Actions can you take to achieve them? Do you need money for specialists? Training? Coaching? Equipment? 

Better insurance?

How do you feel in your current physical state?

Heavy. Confident. Strong. Vulnerable. Needy.

Whatever the feeling, there is a thought creating that feeling. And that is where your control sits. With that thought.

I know how to take care of my body.

I have a routine that works.

I have the best specialists/trainers/coaches for me at this time.

I am prepared for the physical challenges of the work I seek.

Similarly, if there is something Not Supporting you with abundant physical health, know that. What steps can you take (you only need to take one small step at a time) to get where you want to be?

And now for the most important.

Emotional abundance.

If you have this, the other two, no matter the current state you perceive them to be, will be actionable. 

Emotional abundance comes from the security that you know how to handle Any Emotion.

Sorrow. Passion. Hurt. Shame. Anxiety. Loss. Rejection. Joy. Shock. Boredom.

And the journey to emotional abundance starts much the same way.

Write down where you are today. Exactly what you are feeling now. 

Know that the way you are feeling comes directly from a thought you are having. And if the feeling creates actions you don't like.

You can change it. With thought work.

Your emotional endurance strengthens not by avoiding emotions (streaming, buffering, overeating, over drinking, over shopping, scrolling) or reacting to emotions (yelling, blaming, people pleasing) but by

Allowing emotions.

This is a practice beautifully suited to actors. 

Start developing your emotional abundance by writing down what you are feeling. In one moment . Try to distill it to one word.

Then determine what thought you are having that causes that feeling.

Feeling: Rejected.

Circumstance: My friend didn't show up for a lunch date.

Thought: She doesn't care about me. OR. Someone else is more important.

Once you connect these elements (Circumstance, Thought, Feeling), and realize that the circumstance doesn't cause the feeling - the Thought does...

You take all the Power back.

And there lies true abundance.

Strengthen these 3 in any order. But the more Emotional Abundance you develop, the more purposeful the other work will be.

An Actor Life filled with Abundance is available to you.

You can create a path for your brain to support your emotional health.

Just knowing that is a great start. 

Know you can create the life you want. The abundance you desire.  If you commit to thought work with half of the drive you spend on working out or deciding what to eat or feeling resentful or sorry for yourself...

You create new results in your life.

It is never too late. And the past is not the evidence of what you can achieve now. The future is awaiting. And there is abundance there.

It is fantastic.

Yours.