Actors, musicians, and artists often come to us asking for advice on how to take their careers to the next level. Sometimes learning what NOT to do can be almost as helpful as being taught what to do. Here is our advice titled, WARNING ARTISTS: AVOID DOING THESE AT ALL COSTS!

– Forgetting to be grateful! If you find yourself in a constant rut wishing for more, ask yourself if you’re remembering to thankful for all the things you already have!

– Being jealous! In a profession where competition between friends is common, jealousy often rears its ugly head. Don’t fall into that trap, nothing good comes from it. Never doubt that the universe has enough good ness to go around for many.

– Making a day job a priority! We all need to make a living, and it’s difficult to do that without a side gig. But once our bills are paid, we never ever have to make our gigs our priority. There are always other jobs, different shifts, and annoyed bosses. If you don’t make acting your priority, who will?

– Identifying with our side gigs! Whether it’s been an hour or a year since you acted, never call yourself a waiter unless you want to be one forever. As hard as it is, when someone asks what you do, tell them you are an Actor! It’s often a self-fulfilling prophecy.

– Playing with CrazyMakers! You know the type. That friend always has a drama, needs a favor, and somehow always manages to make you feel bad about yourself despite your trying to help. Save the drama for the camera and steer clear of these “frienemies” at all costs!

– Being too ashamed to ask for help! Listen, no one gets anywhere alone. Sometimes you have to swallow your pride and put out into the universe what you need! Often times you’ll be surprised at who is eager to help and who isn’t. But you don’t know what’s out there waiting for you until you ask!

– Clinging to your past! Just because you were a nerd in high school, doesn’t mean you are one now. Just because you were a selfish teenager, doesn’t mean you have to act like one now. Take a good look at yourself in this moment and you may be surprised (for better or worse) at what you see. We can’t move forward until we first recognize where we are at.

– Expecting perfection from yourself! If you are constantly sabotaging yourself with negative self talk, you don’t stand a chance in this crazy business. Try meditation, positive affirmations, weekly calls with your best friend, even therapy! Anything to remind yourself that you are valuable and have something unique to offer the world just as you are!

– Giving up! It is hard dealing with Aunt Martha’s constant asking when you will be on TV, we get it. But remember that you aren’t on anyone else’s time line and success falls on each of us at different moments. If you are working hard, trust it will pay off. And don’t ever, ever give up!

Break legs!
Megan