Develop A Plan of Action to Reach Your Goals as A Theatre Performer

Have you mapped out a plan of how to get from where you are to where you want to be?

“The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want. – Ben Stein (Canfield, 2005, 2015 p. 135)

DEVELOP YOUR PLAN OF ACTION

In December 2012, I made the courageous decision to relocate to the United Kingdom and start afresh. Despite facing initial disapproval from my friends and family, I followed my heart and pursued my passion for performing. However, I soon realized that starting over in a new country presented its own unique challenges, both financially and emotionally. Nevertheless, I persevered and achieved more than I ever thought possible, thanks in part to my effective use of goal-setting and strategic planning.

During my auditions in London, one of the first books I read was "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. In this insightful book, Hill interviewed 500 of the wealthiest individuals in America to uncover the keys to success, which he shared with readers. From Hill, I learned the invaluable process of goal-setting and have since applied it to achieve my own aspirations. This process involves clearly defining what you want, determining the necessary actions to attain it, setting a specific deadline, developing a detailed plan, and writing it down as an affirmation to be recited daily.

Additionally, I discovered the significance of self-belief and confidence in the performing arts industry. Rejection is a common occurrence, but it is crucial to maintain a positive mindset and persevere. Having a well-defined plan with clear goals helps to stay focused and motivated in the face of adversity. It is equally important to remain humble and grateful for the opportunities that come your way.

When setting goals, it is crucial to divide them into performance or results-oriented goals and progress goals. Being specific about what you want to achieve and assessing your current position allows you to plan your progression effectively and work towards your goals. With discipline and perseverance, anything is possible.

"The business of acting is actually relatively simple – anybody could do it. The business of making a living as an actor is the difficult part. Being able to keep your head above water requires a type of operation that is beyond the work itself." – Bill Patterson (Barnett, 2014 p. 45)

When setting goals, consider several aspects. Firstly, use affirmations that begin with "I am" to add specificity and a proactive feeling to your goals. For example, instead of saying "Be a lead in a West End Musical by January 31st, 2024," you could say "I am joyfully performing as a principal role in a West End Musical by January 31st, 2024."

Secondly, break down your goals into smaller, more achievable steps. This ensures that you are taking the necessary actions towards your ultimate goal. Assess your current position and plan your progression accordingly. For instance, if your goal is to become a leading player in a musical, playing covers, understudies, and swings can be admirable progress goals that prepare you for your ultimate goal. In my case, I played lead roles in West End musicals for six years, albeit as a cover and understudy. While it was an exhilarating experience, it served as a progress goal that ultimately helped me achieve my ultimate goal of being hired as a leading player in a musical.

Thirdly, distinguish between performance goals and progress goals. Performance goals focus on achieving specific outcomes within a defined timeframe. These goals are often related to tasks or projects that need to be completed and are measurable and quantifiable. Examples of performance goals include increasing your wage by a certain percentage, completing a project within a specific deadline, or achieving a certain level of productivity.

On the other hand, progress-related goals concentrate on personal growth and development. These goals are often more subjective and less measurable than performance goals. Examples of progress-related goals include improving communication skills, developing leadership abilities, learning a new style of dance, or acquiring a new language.

Both types of goals are important, serving different purposes. Performance goals drive results and help achieve specific outcomes, while progress-related goals promote personal growth and development. It is crucial to decide how you want to progress while working towards your performance goals, ensuring personal fulfillment and growth. We will delve deeper into this topic in subsequent chapters.

Lastly, consider your current position in relation to your goals. Do you now understand the level of effort required to develop goals that pave the way for your success? It is likely that you may have either overestimated or underestimated the amount of effort and necessary steps to achieve your goal, which is why you haven't attained it yet. If you have prior experience as a performer, there is a significant difference in setting a goal to become a professional performer compared to starting from scratch. This is not to say that one path is superior to the other, but the journey and likelihood of success will vary based on individual circumstances.

Many people underestimate the power of positive thinking and the ability to create their own future and success in life because they have never followed through with a solid plan to achieve their dreams. However, this should not be an excuse for you. If I, a college dropout, can achieve my dreams by completing a Master's Degree in dance pedagogy, then so can you. Believe in yourself, and anything is possible.

To achieve your goals, it is essential to develop a well-structured plan of action with specific objectives. Determine what you want to achieve and create a sound plan to attain it. If you do not reach your goal by the specified date, reassess and modify your plan accordingly. Missing deadlines is a common occurrence, but it should not discourage you from striving towards your objectives.

Remember that progress may not always happen as quickly as anticipated. Similar to a plant, growth and blossoming take time. However, it is crucial to continue nurturing and nourishing your aspirations, even if it takes longer than expected.

Now, let's establish some goals to help you achieve your dreams. Complete the following exercise.

EXCERCISE

Step 1: Identify the Area of Improvement

Using the knowledge you have from previous exercises, such as the The Crossroads Model, and I want exercise,  identify some areas of improvement that you want to focus on. This could be anything from your career to your personal life. Once you have identified the area, write it down.

Step 2: Set Specific Goals

The next step is to set specific goals that will help you make progress in that area. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). For example, if your area of improvement is your career, your goal could be to get a promotion within the next six months.

Now commit to  the following exercise with examples from my own goals to create your plan of action.

1. Determine in detail what you want: I want to perform in  West End Show.

2. Determine what you will do to get what it is that you want (without interfering with the rights of others): Attend every audition my agent books for me.  Attend every audition possible.  Stop smoking. 

3. Give it an exact date: By the end of the year, December 31, 2015, book a West End gig.

4. Develop a plan for getting what you want: Take class whenever possible. Sing and practice every day my repertoire so I am ready.

5. Write it down as an affirmation ( happening now) and read it aloud every day to keep it in the forefront of your mind.  This helps with belief: I am joyfully working in the West End. 

Now write down one goal for each of the following areas of your life.  Write a 1 year goal, a 3 year goal, and a 5 or 10 year goal for each of the following areas

Financial

Career

Recreation and Free Time

Physical Fitness & Health

Relationships With Family & Friends

Personal Goals (learning, spiritual growth, personal achievements)

Community Service, Contribution & Legacy

(Canfield, 2005, 2015)

In our schools and in training or at our jobs we are provided with curriculums, guides, aims, and objectives. In plays we have scripts.  Why not have a curriculum and guide for your life? Why not write a script for the star player, YOU? To make progress in your life, it is important to have an organized plan consisting of clear and specific goals. In order to create effective goals, there are seven key factors to consider.  Now look at your list and ensure that each of your goals is aligned with the following criteria.

1.  Your goals must be detailed, clear, specific, and written down so that you can visualize them clearly.

2. They must be measurable and objective so that others can determine whether or not you have achieved

3. They must be bound in time with schedules and sub-schedules for each part of the goal. Even if you don't reach your goal in the allotted time, you must reevaluate and reschedule the deadline.

4. Your goals should stretch and challenge you to grow beyond what you have accomplished in the past.

5. Your goals should align with your core values and definite purpose.

6. It is important to maintain balance in your goal setting by including business, financial, family, health, spiritual, life, and community goals.

7. You should now have a definite purpose for your life, and so your lead goal should be aligned with this purpose.

By following these seven keys to goal setting, you can achieve success and fulfillment in your life.

Sure, here's a three-step exercise to help someone create progress goals:

Step 3: Create an Action Plan

The final step is to create an action plan that outlines the steps you need to take to achieve your goals. This could include things like taking a course, networking with colleagues, or updating your resume. Make sure to break down your action plan into smaller, manageable steps that you can take on a daily or weekly basis.

By following these three steps, you can create progress goals that are specific, achievable, and actionable, helping you make meaningful progress towards your desired outcome.

LET’S GO!

Congratulations! You have reached a crucial point in your journey towards achieving your goals. You have defined your desires, imagined them, and added senses to improve your creativity. You have also identified your definite purpose in life and created a plan to get from where you are now to where you want to be. Now, it's time to take action.

Remember, all the planning and desire in the world won't help you achieve your goals if you don't take action. While some of the action you have already taken is important for planning purposes, it's time to move into more preparatory action to reach your goals. This may not be easy, but it's necessary for success.

Whether you're a drama student just starting out or a seasoned veteran performer, it's important to avoid a mindset of competition and comparison. Instead, focus on developing a positive mindset that will help you achieve your goals.

To help you develop this mindset, try the following visualization exercise:

1. Find a quiet and comfortable place where you won't be disturbed for the next 10-15 minutes.

2. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to relax your body and mind.

3. Visualize yourself standing on a stage, in front of a large audience. You are confident, calm, and ready to perform.

4. Imagine that you are holding a piece of paper with your written goals on it. See the words clearly in your mind's eye.

5. As you look at your goals, imagine that they are already accomplished. See yourself achieving each goal, one by one.

6. Notice how you feel as you accomplish each goal. Feel the sense of pride, satisfaction, and joy that comes with achieving your goals.

7. Take a moment to express gratitude for the opportunity to pursue your goals and for the support of those around you.

8. When you are ready, slowly open your eyes and take a few deep breaths to ground yourself.

9. Remember the feelings of accomplishment and gratitude that you experienced during the visualization exercise, and carry them with you as you work towards your goals.

Now, take action towards your goals. What is one thing you can do right now, no matter how small, to start you on your way? Consider finding a partner to hold you accountable, buying a book or taking a course to gain specialized knowledge or training. Remember, your plan may not be perfect, but it's important to have some idea of next steps to get you where you want to be.

In other blogs, we will explore how to develop a mindset that will keep you motivated and in action towards your goals. We will discuss tools, habits, and hacks you can use to build self-confidence and personal power to achieve success in the performing arts industry.