Episode Details

I want to talk about something we reference a lot in acting, but usually only vaguely.

Self-perception.

It sits at the center of almost every actor's journey. It shapes how you talk about yourself, who you reach out to, what rooms you think you belong in, and how far you let yourself go.

Most of the time, we don't even notice it happening.

I was thinking about 10 Things I Hate About You and that line about being overwhelmed and underwhelmed, and asking if you can ever just be whelmed.

It made me think about actors.

We know we can underestimate ourselves. We know we can overestimate ourselves.

Both are a problem.

But what about just estimating ourselves accurately?

Because everything depends on how we see ourselves.

This is one of the most common patterns I see.

It sounds like:

• I'll wait until I'm better

• I just need one more class

• I'll reach out when I've booked something bigger

• Agents like that would never sign someone like me

I recently spoke with an actor who told me they wouldn't reach out to a top agent because they didn't think someone "like them" could ever be with an agent like that.

That belief is a cage.

When you underestimate yourself, you pre-reject yourself. You become your own no. Your own locked door.

You cannot build a career while actively shrinking inside of it.

Agents don't sign the perfectly ready actor. They sign the clear actor. The specific actor who understands what they bring to the table and how they fit a roster.

Most of the time, the only person who believes you don't belong is you.

The pendulum can swing the other way.

Overestimation sounds like:

• I don't need more training

• My demo is fine

• I'll just wing it

• I already know what I'm doing

That's just as dangerous.

Overestimation blinds you to growth. And growth is essential in this industry.

One extreme keeps you small. The other makes you sloppy.

Both keep you stuck.

The middle ground is grounded confidence.

Confidence that says: