Hustle Like An Actor
“In order to make it in this industry
You have to hustle!”
A thught that has brought my body copious amounts of stress over the last 15 years
Especially during particular moments or chapters
Right after graduating from drama school
Or moments of stagnancy where I saw nothing on the horizon
Or when comparing myself to a friend or colleague who seemed to be leaving me behind in their dust
Yup
Those moments where fear took over the steering wheel
Moments where I believed it was time to push
Time to should
Time to “get after it!”
To me
The idea of “hustling”
Raises connotations of sleazy behaviour
Forcing my way into work or relationships
Behaving how I think I should
Rather than how I truly want to
Fake smiles with people my body doesn’t feel calm around
And I don’t think I’m alone here
“Hustling”
“Networking”
“Building hype on social media”
“Getting after it!”
Seems many actors can allow these cluster of imaginary rules to dictate periods of their career
But
Are they true?
I mean
Are they really true?
In order to have a career
Do I really, really have to hustle?
Curious
Lets break it down a bit
Do I need to have human relationships?
Mmm
Yes
Connections with other humans…
One of the most important factors of our survival as a species
I absolutely need to have relationships with other Homo sapiens in order to have a career
But
Do those relationships have to be dishonest?
No
Of course not
Do those relationships need to be de-energising?
Of course not
Do I need to make it look like I’m busier than I actually am?
So that people around me might think I have more worth than I sometimes feel like a do?
No
If I all I do is live simply
Go for a walk on the headland, spot some whales, read a book, call a friend, check my emails…
And am honest about that
That’s not going to get in the way of me getting work
What about image?
Or dare I say it
“Brand”
Do I need to build a big socil media account in order to make directors, producers or casting directors hire me?
Ugh
Again
No
The best jobs I have ever had happened when I had zero social media
Do I need to attend red carpets, opening nights?
If I really think about it…
No.
The more I explore the question
“Do I have to hustle in order to have a career?”
The more it becomes clear
No
I don’t.
Curious
Who do I become when I believe this thought?
Who am I
Or how do I behave
Or what do I notice happens in my body when I believe that I have to hustle?
If I’m being totally honest
I feel exhausted
I say yes to things I don’t want to
I ignore my impulses or gut reactions
And then regret choices made later down the track
I quiet myself
Numb myself
Turn up to things I don’t want to go to
Put my body in situations it doesn’t want to be in
Laugh at things I don’t find funny
Maintain a serious face when all I want to do is burst out laughing
Contact busy or “important” people just to measure my worth externally
Miss important moments to people ho are important to me just so I can be at some event which I might be seen at
Make it sound like I’m busier than I actually am when people ask what Im up to
“I had a beautiful day, woke up, jumped in the rock pool, saw some whales, read a book, did a couple hours of my job”
Suddenly turns into “just back in the process of auditioning atm”
Even though I haven’t had an audition in 6 weeks
On and on
Exhaustion after exhaustion
Makes sense right
I’m scared
Questions of
Am I enough for the tribe?
Is what I’m contributing to the group simply not enough?
So my body is going to do a bloody beautiful job of trying to protect itself.
What about another question…
What might my life look like
If I let go of that belief?
Who might I be
If I let go of believing that I need to “hustle”
Mmm
Present
Kind
Clear
Clear about the people that are important to me
Clear about the work that’s important to me
Clear about what’s actually worth doing today
I would be honest and open
Even when it’s difficult
Even when it might not make me sound like the busiest actor in the world
I would prioritise things I actually value
Like nature, loved ones, exercise and adventures
I’d go travelling without worrying about missing out on that dream role audition that might happen over those 6 days that I’m gone
I’d relax
I’d sit still
I’d sit deeply on that couch
Let it devour me
Without worrying about needing to jump out of it to check my phone
I’d put the phone in a draw
Just leave it for hours or even days
I’d walk at my pace
Along the beach
Without worrying about needing to take a photo or video so others can see what I’m doing
I’d focus on living things
Rather than objects
I’d stop ordering so much materialistic shit off the internet
I’d walk into that goddam audition
Feeling grateful that I get to play
Rather than trying to get something from the poor casting director
I’d ask the casting director how they are
And mean it
I’d buy someone a book as a gift
I’d look people in the eyes
I’d say than you
I’d ask my colleagues if they need anything
If I can do anything to help them or make their day better
My body would feel light
Unburdened
Free
Alive
I’d feel alive
That’s what I want
I want to let go of hustling
Instead
I want life.
“In order to make it in this industry
You have to hustle!”
Let’s replace this
Mmm
In order to act
I have to live… my way.
That’ll do pig
Hope this helps
X