November 05th, 2020

How to Know if Your Self-Tape is Good Enough

​Back in my early twenties, I remember getting OBSESSED with working out.
 
My number one goal was to get abs.
 
I started Googling. And Googling. And then Googling some more.
 
I learned about low carb diets. Keto diets. IIFYM. Paleo. Vegan...
 
I came across sites like Six Pack Shortcuts, Athlean X, and others.
 
I tried out ALL the plans.
 
I did all kinds of fancy rep schemes, intermittent fasting, and more.
 
And after all that hard work and months of my time, can you guess what my results were?
 
NOTHING.
 
I still looked almost exactly the same as when I started (except maybe my hair was thinner from all the stress).
 
It wasn't until years later when I finally grasped a simple concept that I was able to completely change my physique and I actually got a six-pack.
 
 
Want to know the single factor that made the biggest difference for me?
 
Watch the short video below where I explain it:

The reason I always failed to get in shape was because I kept looking for shortcuts, or shiny objects.
 
I often get questions about what would make the biggest difference in your acting career right now. 
some common answers include updating headshots and reel, finding an agent or manager, or taking audition technique classes.
 
But these are all Shiny Objects, and although they're important, there is a logical progression and order in which they should be done.
 
Just like with my fitness journey, jumping from one thing to the next with no long-term plan is what keeps most driven people stuck.
 
If you're reading this, it means that you, like me, are driven and hardworking. You're goal oriented.
 
But being the most focused and driven person around also means your susceptible to trying to do everything and anything you can to reach your goals.
 
It can't hurt, right?
 
Well, thinking "it can't hurt" means you've got Shiny Object Syndrome, and it's your #1 enemy.
 
Shiny Object Syndrome is defined as the desire to jump from one thing to the next, believing that, "If I only had that, life would be good."
 

• Example 1: If I only had time to take that amazing on-camera class, I'd get booked for a series regular role.
• Example 2: If I only had a stronger, more professional reel, I'd be called in for more auditions.

 
But once you get that thing and nothing changes, you realize you need something else. This cycle continues forever as we keep seeing the next shiny object to pursue.
 
 
 
 
If you think you might have Shiny Object Syndrome, the best way to start changing is to understand the difference between Tactics and Strategy:
 

• Tactic: A “to do” or “idea” we think will help us move our acting career forward.
• Strategy: A high-level plan that organizes a series of tactics in a specific way to achieve an end goal.

 
Think of a tactic as an ingredient, and a strategy as a recipe to make a great meal. You don’t want to bake a cake by randomly putting a pile of chocolate, flour, and egg onto a baking sheet and sliding it into the oven, right?
 
I had Shiny Object Syndrome big time during that crazy workout phase of my life. Rather than slowing down and spending time up front to develop a clear strategy, I simply dove in and tried to do as many different tactics as I could, hoping for the best. I never stuck with one plan for more than a few weeks at a time.
 
And months later, my physique hardly changed at all.
If industry "experts" tell you things like, “You need to update your reel,” or "You need better training," and you just follow their advice without first asking whether you’re ready for it and if it’s the actual best move, it means you’re focused on Tactics.
 
Are you an Actor? Or a Re-Actor?
Most people won’t talk about Strategy because it’s not fun or exciting. Strategy is about thinking, and thinking can be boring. It feels like you’re not actually accomplishing anything!
It’s way more interesting to learn On-Camera Scene Study or The Top 5 Ways to Land an Agent.
 
The most important thing I've discovered over the last ten years of working with actors. It's simple, clear strategy I follow over and over again with the actors I coach to help them significantly increase the number of roles they're booking.
 
 
 
But for now, please write a comment with your answer to this extremely important Strategic question:
 
What is it that you MOST want in your acting career? What would be your dream role?
 
That's the most important question to ask because it will form the basis for everything you'll do.