The Lottery Ticket Mentality

Have you ever thought, "If I could just win the lottery, I would be set." Or, "If I could just book a national commercial or tour I could pay of my student loans or really save." Or, "If I could just get proper representation, I would be alright." All of us have had these thoughts run through our minds once or twice. But, this Lottery Ticket Mentality becomes a problem when you literally forget that work is involved in order to reach your goals. Work needs to happen in order for any success to manifest. If you have been sitting in the same spot for many years, the problem is not the missing "lottery ticket"  or that you have been bamboozled the problem is you. If you have the same 3 songs in your musical theatre audition book that you had 10 years ago or the same monologue than it is definitely and unequivocally YOU!

When folks say, "You are so lucky that this and that has happened in your life," I want to slap the taste out of their mouths. Luck did not have nothing do to with it. Each day, hour, and minute that I work in this business, I have had to plan, sacrifice, pray, and work. Work equates to showing up for auditions, with or without an agent's help. Finding and learning new music to stretch my singing abilities more and more in order for it not get stale or dry. Reading and attending new plays to find new monologues. Watching television and movies to find out who is casting project that feature my type. Getting updated pictures, web pages, and learning technical skills to edit a reel are all a part of this business. Creating new and original projects with the help of friends and former students who enjoy your cooking for payment. Most importantly, it is showing up and being prepared no matter what. No matter the financial struggle for the day or week, no matter what issues my teen daughter is facing, no matter if I have support or not in family or friends, no matter if I feel depressed, exhausted, or simply like giving up. All of this has to counter that Lottery Ticket Mentality. Because the Lottery Ticket does not exist.

Success stories are not birthed from the day everything clicked. They are birthed over years of work, planning, struggle, near bankruptcy, doubt, and tears. For those who believe in something beside themselves understand that having a Lottery Ticket Mentality is in direct opposition to having faith. When you have faith, you understand that work must be put in to reap the harvest and that when God blesses you it is based on that faith walk and the commitment you have demonstrated during the journey.

For those who are completely lazy and unaware so you complain  and cry out, "Why has nothing good happened to me? Or even worse, why is everyone else getting work?" Please prepare yourself for this harsh truth, It is only because you have not done shit, and that is all. If you want to see some results, the work must have been put in, and you must be willing to work even harder each time you make a gain. Because remember this is a marathon not a race.