As actors, we’ve literally signed up for a career of complete unknowns. We have very limited control over our careers - what we book, when we book it, how many auditions we get. There are millions of other people out there who share our dreams, and thousands of people we compete against for any one role. The reasons why we sign up for the actor’s life may vary, but there’s one thing I know that we’re all constantly seeking the answer for...”How do I make it as an actor? How do I get closer to what I want?”

Everyone’s story is different, and we each have unique challenges and struggles to overcome, but I fully believe that mastering our minds is one of the most vital components to getting what we want as actors. The best part is, that it’s a skill that is absolutely within reach. Once you’ve mastered your mindset, you really do have an actor superpower in your back pocket! While I can’t cover every aspect of the actor’s mindset in one blog post, today we’re talking specifically about the concept of intention and actionable ways we can use it in our acting journey to help us get closer to our goals. 

what does “intention-setting” mean?

Before we dive too deep into your newly discovered superpower, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page with this vocabulary. Not sure what “intention-setting” means? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the definition of intention is, “something you want and plan to do or bring about”. 

Pretty straightforward, right? And that definition alone outlines the key element of intention. Maybe you call them a different name, like affirmations, mantras, prayers, wishes, or dreams, but it can be any thought or hope you have for your life. But it has to be much more than just a wish, to really make intentions work for you, it’s important to frequently think about it, meditate on it, and keep the intention in the front of your mind. 

the science behind intentions

Here’s the thing though, guys. This isn’t just spiritual, hippie stuff. Scientists have researched and found some pretty incredible information on the power of the mind and intention-setting. Professor emeritus William A. Tiller of Stanford University explains:

“For the last 400 years, an unstated assumption of science is that human intention cannot affect what we call ‘physical reality’. Our experimental research of the past decade shows that, for today’s world and under the right conditions, this assumption is no longer correct. We humans are much more than we think we are and Psychoenergetic Science continues to expand the proof of it.” 

Professor Tiller’s research has shown that repeating mantras and intentions can literally create new energetic patterns within your consciousness. Specific, directed intention by humans can literally kill bacteria at an increased rate of 30%, and adjust the pH of water in either direction by 1 point. Crazy, right?!?! Our mind is SO powerful. If we can literally KILL BACTERIA through the power of intentions, imagine the influence we can have over our own acting careers! 

3 steps to set your intentions

Here’s the thing, though, you can’t JUST want something and wait around for it to happen. It takes action to create change in the right direction. Here are three steps to take you from simply wanting to taking steps to success. 

1. be honest about your wants and needs 

First things, first! Let’s get real honest with ourselves, friends. You can’t set a true intention until you’ve taken time to be alone with yourself and honestly analyze your thoughts and feelings. Get in touch with your innermost self. What do you want out of life? What do you need more of in your life? What areas of your life do you wish to see improvement in? Be 100% honest with yourself. Maybe brainstorm and journal to get your thoughts flowing, or try meditating or thinking about it during a run. Don’t feel like you have to rush yourself through this process, either. It’s better to take your time so that you can build your intentions upon your truth instead of faking it til you make it.

2. set the Intention 

The second step is actually setting your intentions. Now that you’ve established your desires and needs, it’s time to outline very specific intentions. If you need help coming up with the right amount of specificity, here’s a tip. Think of answering as many of the 5 W’s (who, what, when, where, and why) as you can in your intention. So, instead of just saying, “I am successful”, try “I am a successful guest starring actor”. Or instead of “I am wealthy”, try “All my needs are taken care of and surpassed”. Zeroing in on those specific details of what you actually want helps you visualize it in your mind and takes into account not only what you will have but how you will feel about it too.

You’ll also want to keep all your phrases in the present tense (example: “I am” or “I have” statements). This helps to train your brain to be in “abundance mode” and teaches us that we are worthy of good things in this life. Act and speak as if you already have your dream life! Remember, your intentions can revolve around any aspect of your life; career, relationships, personal growth, health, wealth, and so on. Once you’ve crafted your intentions, make sure to write them in your journal, on sticky notes, or somewhere else where you can easily reference them. Then, each day plan to meditate on the intentions and actively visualize them in your mind’s eye. Once you’ve aligned your positive energy towards those goals, you can more easily determine the steps needed to get there.

3. take strategic Action

Unleashing this part of your actor superpower can’t stop at meditation, we have to take our intentions a step further into strategic action. Pull out your sheet with your intentions written down. Realistically, what will it take to get there? Write down your intentions and underneath, list the big milestones as well as the smaller tasks you think are needed to get you there. Some intentions are short-term, while others might take more time, and that’s okay. Do your research, be thoughtful about your strategy, and use this sheet to keep yourself on track for success. The best part about strategic action is that as you work through your list of tasks, you’ll be continuing to work on your personal growth, and that confidence will give you an energetic boost towards your intention!

And there it is, you guys! These are my hacks to getting what you want as an actor. Remember, if you literally have the power to kill bacteria with your mind, you sure as heck can harness that power for your life and career, too!

Do you guys have any practices for affirmations and intention-setting? I’d love to hear about it! Pop on over to the reviews section on Apple Podcasts or connect with me on social media @itsaslateofmind to share. Each one of your reviews is such a gift to me and truly helps make this show possible. So thank you!