How do you juggle a survival job and your acting career? It’s one of the biggest challenges a performer faces. It is a balancing act that drives some so insane they quit the business all together. And it is a challenge that has to be revisited often throughout a performer’s career.

I’m not here to tell you it will be easy, but I am here to remind you that it isn’t impossible. I know many happy actors who love their side gigs and are flourishing in their careers. Until we are financially free, we’ve got to figure out how to make our side jobs work for US. In order to do just that, we have to let go of some preconceived notions and embrace some very important lessons…

Your survival job does NOT define you.

This is a huge one. The minute you start calling yourself a waiter instead of an actor, it will become a self fulfilling prophecy. The minute you let those negative, critical thoughts in, you are self sabotaging your way away from success. So don’t let your ego get in the way — Or your Mom’s nagging voice in your head! When people ask what you do, practice saying “I’m an actor” confidently and eventually it will become true.

And please, please do not compare yourself to friends back home. John may be a lawyer in Dallas making bank, and you may feel like a loser waiting tables. But YOU are tackling a wild dream. Your trajectory and your path will look very different than those of your friends with more traditional careers. You didn’t look down on John when he was sleep deprived and broke in law school. It was all just part of his process. Now ease up on yourself because holding down a side job is a necessary part of the artists’ process. It is something you do, it is not who you are. You are an artist at your core. And the fact that you are willing to do this survival job proves your identity as an actor and your dedication to the craft!

Your survival job is disposable.

You heard me. As much as you think you’ll never find another family to babysit for, or another company to dog walk for, you will! There are other jobs out there. Sometimes we need a reminder that we are not prisoners. No job is worth staying at if it makes you so depressed you can’t muster up the energy to then do your art. If it is a bad environment, or filled with negative people, it may be time to look elsewhere.

You really can find a gig that fattens your wallet without completely killing your soul. If it isn’t just the idea of being a bartender that kills you (see #1) but the actual bar that is doing it, look for other work. If you seek it out, there may be a much better opportunity just waiting for you. Use your connections for referrals, utilize your talents, and consistently reach out. Remember you are a free agent, you are never truly stuck!

You don’t have to hate your survival job.

I know this can sound hard to believe, but there really is hope when it comes to finding a gig that is a good fit for you. The searching may seem daunting, but I know plenty of actors who actually have side gigs they love. In this day and technological age, many jobs allow actors to work from home or keep irregular or flexible hours. You just have to stay persistent and be willing to think outside the box.

And most importantly, don’t buy into the idea that an artist needs to be miserable and broke to be legit. The starving artists stereotype is foolish. Sure hard times can challenge us, or light a fire under us when we need it. But if you can create great art during the hard times, you can create even better art when you are happy. Acting freely and fully is easier when you know where you will rest your head after your audition, and that your rent is paid in full. Don’t sacrifice your health or happiness by buying into a falsehood. You want to be in this career for the long haul. And that is only possible if you take good care of yourself.

Check back in later this week for more inspiration on how to master the balancing act between survival job and thriving career. And let us know if you have any tips to share on the matter. Until then, break legs!