Balancing a J-O-B and #Acting Auditions

If there is one skill you learn as an actor, it's multitasking and learning how to balance a J-O-B and acting auditions! A couple of days ago, I was headed to my job to take a senior citizen to her doctors appointment 30 mins away from her home when out of nowhere I received a text message for an audition! 

Photo by darktaco

I was in traffic and my initial call time was 2:30pm and I had to be at her house at 1:00pm. How in the world was I going to make this audition and get her 30 minutes to her doctor's office and back home? The wheels in my head were turning so fast! However, I calmed my mind and realized to myself, as I always say, there is a solution to every problem. 

Since I work for a caregiver agency I had a pretty flexible position. However, this time I had to follow-through on her appointment. The only thing I had left to do was to call my agent to see if the time could be changed. I have never done this before and only heard about it. Surprisingly, my agent was really understanding and made an effort to contact the casting office to get the time changed to 4:00pm. 

I was half relieved but still thought about the fact that I had to pick up my senior and get her to the doctor's office and back home safely and then down to the audition. 

Suddenly, all the voices in my head STOPPED!

It was complete silence...

I realized in that moment that everything that was happening to me on that day was divinely planned. Everything would work out and it all was happening for a reason. I then told myself,"I will focus on the task of getting my senior to her doctor's appointment and back home safely. Then I will take care of my second task of getting to my audition." Once I let go of the worrisome thoughts and just went with the flow of things, I felt better and to my own surprise I arrived right on time to the audition and there were SO many other talented actors and actresses in the room, waiting too! Everything happened according to a plan out of my control. Once I decided to let go and just do, everything worked itself out. 

All I can say is if you are an actor, looking to balance a J-O-B and acting auditions, be open to the unexpected. Find a job that will be receptive to your ultimate career plans and will be open and flexible. Everyone in this business has to pay bills and buy food. It's a part of the process of living so there is nothing wrong with having a J-O-B, but make sure that you stay focused on your ultimate plan. Make sure the J-O-B is not consuming your creative opportunities or you will eventually get frustrated and envious. 

Secondly, make sure that your relationship with your agent is positive. If you are uncomfortable with sharing what's going on with you in the heat of the moment, then maybe that's not the agent for you. If your agent understands your situation, they can help to make sure that you are in that audition room by hopefully getting your time moved down or up if that's okay with the casting office. 

Photo by Berkeley

Lastly, trust your intuition and know that you are in the right place at the right time. Everything happens for a reason to teach us something and to make us a better person for the road we must continue to travel on this journey as actors and actresses. What we believe is a situation, is nothing really and can be solved if we stop, take a breath, and let go of our preconceived plans. Then our solutions will appear. 

I'm curious, "What job are you working while pursuing your acting career?"