Welcome back to “Promises To Make in 2014.” We are here to inspire you to take your career to the next level in this coming new year. The words below may sound simple, but will yield powerful results if you vow to keep them with us. Get ready…

I vow to use my wait time wisely.
It’s easy to let your energy drop and your focus wane while you are waiting for your audition. It is your job to hurry and wait! Actors must stay focused, even during the downtime. Look at how much professional actors have to do that on set! So practice now. Do a crossword, check your email, better yet – Read a book in a similar genre to the piece! Whatever you do, do not fall into gossiping in the hallway before your audition. You will distract yourself and those around you.

I vow to tell myself I’m perfect for the role.
So many times we hear actors saying they aren’t right for something they’ve got called in for. Craziness! If they called you in, you are right for it. Do not be the one to take yourself out of the running when you don’t even yet fully understand what they’re looking for. Hey, they might not even know themselves. It’s your job to show them. So don’t let your words or actions lead them to believe otherwise.

I vow to use the internet for good, not evil.
In this connected, modern age, it seems like everything we do can be tracked back to us. Often our photos and words are seen without us even knowing it. Hello! Let this serve as your wake up call if you are guilty of being an online negative Nelly. Facebook is not the place to air your frustrations about your agent not getting you out enough. Twitter is not the place to rant about the smelly actor you have to play opposite of. Even if those specific people don’t see your posts, others who may know them will. It’s a small world. And even if your words don’t get back to anyone in particular, your followers will see how you talk about others and will think twice before inviting you into their communities.

I vow to take care of myself.
Running from audition to day job #1 then to night gig #2 will take a toll on your health. Give yourself the rest you need to stay healthy and vibrant. Spend your money on fresh foods that will energize you. Make hydrating your best tools, your voice and body, a priority. Get moving because pressing your foot on the gas pedal does not a true work out make. Worry less about dieting and more about overall health. Remember, you are in it for the long haul and this is a marathon, not a sprint.

I vow to dress the part.
Take any advantage you can gain in this kooky, competitive business. Don’t let laziness get the best of you. If you have an audition for a lawyer, take your suit in to be pressed at the drycleaners. Even if it’s 100 degrees outside, wear the suit jacket in the room. Even though you had to be scruffy for your morning callback, take the time to shave for your audition. Don’t let any small thing interfere with casting seeing you as the character you are called in for. A little effort can go a long way.

I vow to share my good news.
Invite casting directors to your shows, reach out to your producer friends when your film is about to debut. Sure, no one wants to be that actor who is so full of herself she forgets to ask anyone else anything. But when it comes to what you are doing, you should share it with the people around you. Be generous with your time and with your information. Share your resources and your successes. Give people the opportunity to support you in your endeavors and make certain to do the same for them.

Print these out, sign them, hang them on your fridge. Whatever you need to do to remind yourself that 2014 can be your most creative, fulfilling, epic year yet!

Break legs!
Megan