Tag: self-worth

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8 Ways to Fight Disenchantment

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by Ali Wills

Not all of us have been there, but many of us have.

This is the first audition you’ve had in months, you’re super nervous because you need this money to make ends meet and hate your survival job (ok, maybe you don’t hate it, but you’re becoming known for it and not as an actor) and you’re ready to be on TV already!

This is your shot—to show your agent that you’re bookable for lead roles, and feel good about yourself as an artist; like you’re the real deal out here really doing it.

Fast forward, you’re in the audition room, for your one liner co-star role. You try to make small talk with the casting assistant who doesn’t seem to be feeling you. You say your line, and the assistant ends the audition with the fatal blow of  ”Thanks for coming in” and your day goes to crap from there. 😩

After this cycle goes on for the umpteenth time, you’re completely over it and begin to feel that creeping feeling of disenchantment. 

I remember one day after my second move to New York City, walking to my survival job in Chelsea and being completely miserable. I looked around and saw everyone on that street looked just as miserable and began to wonder, is this what it’s all about: Feeling disenchanted and disappointed? Thankfully, the answer is no.

Here are the lessons I’ve learned on how to avoid becoming jaded and fighting disenchantment.

1. LEARN WHAT THAT ADVICE YOU KEEP HEARING REALLY MEANS.

I know I’ve heard it a million times, “Enjoy the process,” but I never quite digested what that meant. Without respecting that there is a process to any goal, you’ll never make it, let alone feel good about where you’re going. By definition process means a series of steps to attain an end, so the process of going broke, going back home, walking 5 miles from one city to another, shaving your head for a role, then not having the money to get new headshots, being dropped by the agent that scouted you, and throughout all of this holding on to you self worth, is all, technically, a process to landing bigger roles.

2. GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY.

Ask yourself, are you sabotaging your success and your reputation? The whole week you were given to memorize those sides, did you just leave them in your bag because you were confident that you knew the two lines, only to fumble through them in the audition? Be honest with yourself and recognize that you are the CEO of your business. Casting directors will choose actors known for their reputations of consistently delivering good work.

3. DEAL WITH YOUR INSECURITIES.

This industry is hard. Everyone is charming, funny, talented, outgoing and any insecurities you have will be magnified. Your self esteem will take a big hit if you aren’t secure and this industry will not coddle you. Realize there is an ebb and flow, there are enough jobs if you’re patient and persistent, so don’t compare your attributes.

Read the rest of the article on The Modern Actor…

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Reclaim Your Worth as an Artist

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by Mihaela Ivan Holtz

Reclaim Your Worth as an Artist

Reclaim Your Worth. Reclaim Your Art.

As an artist, you need a powerful, resilient, yet flexible and fluid sense of self-worth. Self-worth keeps you connected to your creative energy. When you feel in touch with your self-worth, you can make art that you believe in. You trust the value of what you create – its message, meaning, power, and purpose.


A real trust in your creativity begins with accepting yourself and all that you are. Connected to yourself, you’re able to maintain a solid belief in your own value, despite your perceived strengths or weaknesses, beauty or shadows. Grounded in your sense of self-worth, you don’t question what you create, you just do. You don’t get stuck worrying whether your art it will impact your audience, you just trust that it will find its way to those who will appreciate it. You don’t try to measure its value, you just feel its value. And, you don’t compare yourself with what others are creating, you just get to work and make your imprint into the world.

When you are in this mindset it’s not about proving anything. It’s about living and playing in the fantasy realm. It’s about bringing your daydreams to life. It’s about engaging in your craft and your pure self-expression. Fully trusting your creativity, you can give clear voice to unanswered questions, the different complex human experiences, or the unique depth of your characters.

Yes, all of this is possible when you’re in touch with your self-worth. It’s a simple yet powerful way to live, but it can feel so difficult to attain. In truth, it’s not about attaining anything at all…

Self-worth is not about who you are, it’s about what you do with what you are.

Reclaim Your Worth as an Artist


Self-worth is not an entity. It’s not something you possess or can lose. Rather, self-worth is something you can have access to. It’s something that flows forth when you’re in a relationship with all of who you are – your greatness, your messiness, your unfinished parts, your craziness, your brightness, and your darkness.

To embrace your sense of self-worth is to embrace your most authentic self and your most authentic experiences.

Self-worth is not about never feeling insecure or scared. It’s not about avoiding feelings of shame, rejection, or about never feeling unseen or unloved. Self-worth is about trusting that despite all that, you still have value. Therefore, you can express your creative energy, show up, and bring your art in the world.

Regardless of your experiences, self-worth protects you from letting anything stand in your way of being creative. It helps you see that, in spite of anything you might have been through, you are a human being who has inherent value and who has an ability to add value to the world. Supported by your self-worth, you can connect to your full humanity and access real courage, determination, and power to pursue what you want to create.

How Can You Cultivate Your Self-Worth in a Career That Can Tear You Apart?

Read the rest of the article at Stage 32…