There comes a time, or two, or three, or a hundred, when an actor feels like they will never make it in the entertainment industry. This business is hard, and there are so many factors, mostly outside of our control that can determine whether or not we find the success we dream of. 

And speaking from experience, this feeling SUCKS. It can be devastating and put you into a funk that can last for days or months even. It can shake the very foundation of who many of us are and that’s never a fun experience, but if sorted out properly, it can actually serve as a catalyst for something greater. 

Whether you’ve been there before, are feeling that way right now, or are looking to the future, it’s important to understand your options in these moments and some positive ways to move forward without falling into the same vicious cycle. Today I’m sharing 5 steps I would recommend taking when you feel like you’ll never make it as an actor. These are things I’ve done myself and have been suggested by many coaches and mentors over the years. As always, take what works for you and leave the rest. 

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1. pause before making any big decisions

Chances are, if you find yourself in this position, you’re likely to be feel a lot of strong emotions. Maybe you even realize that you’re being controlled more so by those emotions than logic? That’s completely understandable. Often in this situation we feel hopeless, frustrated, lost, or beaten down. And when we’re flooded by those extreme emotions, it’s not the best time to make any major decisions about your life and career. 

So I alway suggest taking a pause. Don’t make any sudden movements or choices. Try to give yourself some slack. Cancel meetings or events if you’re able to. I find that giving myself the physical, mental, and emotional space from the industry to intentionally process those feelings always makes me feel better about whatever choices I make afterwards. 

I personally like to get outside in nature for some fresh air to clear my head. Journaling out my thoughts and feelings can also sometimes help me make space within my being. Long, relaxing baths, lots of hugs from loved ones, and amping up my yoga practice for the week also tend to happen when I’m in this space. Struggling with anxiety over everything? I feel you. Check out this post on actors with anxiety for more tips. If those ideas sound right to you, feel free to give them a try, or find options that work best for you!

Whatever you decide, actively give yourself room to relax and detox those initial tornados of emotion will seriously help you figure out the next right steps. 

2. Fill Yourself Up with Confidence

Now that you’ve hopefully brought yourself back down to earth, it’s time to make sure you’re ready to make bold, positive choices, no matter what those might be. If you’re anything like me, it’s always way more exciting and positive to make big life shifts if you’re feeling yourself, right? So now that we’ve cleared that bad juju it’s time to fill up with the good stuff. 

I suggest starting by making a list of all the qualities about yourself that you love and are proud of. Do you have a wicked sense of humor? Do you love the progress you’ve made with your fitness? How about the fact that you’re an amazing, thoughtful friend?

Another thing that I’ve started to create, thanks to inspiration from Erica Reitman, is create a Badass Tracker. This is a spreadsheet that tracks everything in my life that I’ve accomplished that makes me feel like a badass. It could be career-related or more personal, but it lists the year, the achievement, and any related links or visuals to remind me of how awesome it is. When I’m feeling low, I often think poorly of myself, so I check out my Badass Tracker to remind me that I have and will continue to make amazing things happen in my life. 

Beyond that, I suggest taking time to do something you KNOW you’re good at and enjoy. That could mean rollerblading, playing an instrument, or baking a cake, something that will fill you up with confidence and joy. You can also reach out to your tribe and have a good chat or pep talk with them. Leaning on your people in these moments is so important. 

3. Assess Your current actor game Plan

Now that you’ve cared for your emotional and mental wellbeing, we can get down to the nitty gritty of strategy. So let’s circle back to that original thought. You feel like you’re never going to make it as an actor. You’re feeling doubtful if this is the right path for you. There are a few things to consider here. The first is that perhaps the issue lies in your game plan and you need to make some changes to see different results. The second is that, maybe you’re absolutely right and you should change your direction. Neither one is good or bad or better than the other. 

Former casting director, Dana Bowling explains this so well in episode 41 of the podcast - you have to love every part of being an actor. The highs and lows, the long days of work on set, the entire process of auditioning, the whole shebang. If you don’t, that’s okay, but it might be a sign that this isn’t right for you. If you don’t truly love it, and find that being an actor makes you more unhappy than it makes you happy, then you might be ready to focus on something else. If this is where you find yourself, I’d suggest listening to episode 41 with Dana to get even deeper insight to this question. 

However, if you’re thinking, “I do still love it! It’s my dream but I’m just feeling lost and discouraged”, then keep listening because this part is for you. So clearly, what you’ve been doing previously hasn’t been getting you where you want to go. That means we need to figure out what areas might need improvement or tweaking in your schedule and choices, right? Only a crazy person does the same exact thing over and over and expects different results. 

List out everything you’ve been doing for your career (and honestly also your life). Write down how you feel about those things, and which ones have been tied to your wins. Those are likely to be positive activities that you should keep. You’ll also want to make note of some aspects of your game plan that you feel unsure or dissatisfied with. Be really honest, here guys. It’s the only way to grow. 

4. identify a new approach to your acting career

Now, based on your notes surrounding your existing game plan, let’s make some revisions. When’s the last time you tried mixing it up and working with a new acting coach? How’s your relationship with your agent? Have you been implementing effective marketing strategies? Is there an area of your career you feel like you need to learn more about? Do you need to devote more time to your personal growth and wellness?

Make an action plan to fill in your gaps. Maybe that’s a new course, coach, or change in how you are spending your time. Remember, there’s a reason that your agent only gets 10% of commission on your earnings from acting - it’s because you should be doing 90% of that work. Once you identify the areas you want to try something new in, do some research. Ask around for referrals from friends, look online, and find the next right steps for you. 

For some actors, one or two new additions to their game plan can be a total transformation, while others might need to start their plan from scratch. No matter where you’re at, it’s never too late to start again or try a new tactic. It’s the only way you’ll really know what works for you!

If you do happen to be looking for a way to increase your knowledge of the marketing and business aspects of your acting career, I’d love to work with you! Check out my Courses tab for more information.

5. Enlist the Help of an acting career coach if Needed

If after all that you still feel lost, I encourage you to enlist professional help. Depending on where your struggles lie, that could mean a few different types of professionals. If it’s purely your career, then find a career coach. This needs to be someone who has been around for a while in the business and has a track record of personal and client success. Make sure you do your research and work with someone who is an expert in your local market. 

If you find you need guidance for your mental or physical wellness, search for a life coach, mental health counselor, or health and fitness coach. Sometimes, all we need to see our careers transform is a little extra TLC within our own minds and bodies. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, you cannot sustain a successful long-term career without caring for your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. 

Finally, consider teaming up with another actor or small group of actors to help keep you accountable to this new game plan. It can be hard to follow through with new goals, so having someone agree to check up on you and remind you of the progress you’re hoping for can really help ensure that you actually get it done. 

And there you have it, 5 things you can do when you feel like you’ll never make it as an actor. I hope that these inspired you to be proactive in supporting your wellbeing and career trajectory. It is up to each of us to do these things for ourselves. No one can do them for us. I want to see more actors taking the reins of their careers so that we can all level up together.

Want more information on my course and coaching offerings? Check out the Courses page for all the good stuff. I can’t wait to be your personal cheerleader!