June is officially here! Have you accomplished everything you set out to with those New Year’s resolutions? Don’t wait for 2019 to creep up on you, there’s still plenty of time to buckle down and take the remaining months by storm. Here’s a few tips on how you can reclaim 2018:
- Set Aside Some “Me” Time
Kick off 2018 2.0 the right way and treat yourself to some much-needed relaxation. Let go of distractions and set the “phone” aside for a moment. Give yourself a good amount of time, at least an hour or two so you don’t feel the need to rush yourself. Grab a pen and some paper- maybe a glass of wine if you’re feeling it- and sit down to reflect.
2. Make a Naughty & Nice List
Once you’re feeling good and relaxed, think about the year you’ve had up to this point. Start with a list of all of your successes thus far. Be sure not to limit your success list to bookings alone. Did you try a new acting class? Have your memorization skills improved? Have you gotten back to the gym or picked up a new skill to add to your resume? Those are definitely all wins, so don’t leave them out!
Next, move on to the challenges you’ve faced this year. What goals do you have yet to reach? What areas of your life and career need more attention? Be honest with yourself, but not judgmental.
3. Celebrate and Move Forward
Take a moment to look over all that you’ve accomplished. Give yourself a pat on the back and celebrate the hard work you’ve put in over the last 6 months. Then take a look at your challenges. Acknowledge the areas that you need to work on and where you need to refocus your attention. Again, NO JUDGEMENT. Make peace with any mistakes or inactions. Make a mental note, and let it go.
4. Clarify Your Goals
Picture yourself sitting in this spot in another 6 months’ time. What do you want to be celebrating on your success list? Do you want to be with a new agent? Auditioning for that casting director you’ve yet to see? Shooting that short film, you’ve been meaning to write? Create a new list, and be specific.
5. Create a Blueprint for Success
This is where the real work begins. Look at each goal you wrote down, and list some actions you can take that could help you reach it. For example:
- Take a writing course.
- Get into more Casting Director workshops.
- Create a new demo reel.
Anything that will get you one step closer to meeting those goals.
6. Break it down.
Take your list of actions and break each one down into smaller steps. For instance, if you want to take more Casting Director workshops, the steps might be:
- Reach out to acting schools in your city to inquire about upcoming workshops.
- Ask your agent to let you know if he/she hears of any upcoming workshops.
- Put the money you’ll need to cover the cost of the workshop aside right now, so you’re ready to act the minute you hear anything.
By breaking down the actions into smaller, bite-sized steps, it will be easier to create a schedule and take at least one step toward your goal.
7. Schedule a Check In
This step is super important. Throughout the coming months, set aside some time to check in on your progress. Are you getting closer to the success you imagined? Are your goals still inspiring you or have you slipped back into old habits? Ask yourself some tough questions and make adjustments to your plan as needed.
Six months may have passed, but there’s still six whole months ahead to achieve all you set out to. Don’t waste any more time! This could still be your best year yet!