Help Please
Asking for help seems like it would be an easy thing to do, especially in a time when you need it most, doesn’t it? Yet asking for help is difficult for many people, and for many different reasons too. Unfortunately however, those “reasons” are usually mistaken…
As actors, you are used to being disappointed. Not booking the role, struggling to make an income, and working on a project only to find out your part has been cut from the scene. It can all be a huge bummer and the LAST thing your heart can take would be to ask for help, only to be rejected in the end. We have enough of that with the auditions we submit!
WHY?
Have you noticed a common theme of finding your “WHY” in acting? It’s the foundation to everything you do as a performer. Knowing your WHY will always drive you forward, so it’s important to ask yourself why you might be scared to reach out for help when you need it. Your thoughts and feelings are always valid, but sometimes you put too much pressure on yourself. Let your WHY always guide you.
Here’s some questions you could ask yourself when you feel resistance in asking for help:
- Does it make you feel vulnerable asking for help?
- Will you feel weak /like a failure if you ask for help?
- Does it scare you to think of someone rejecting you in your time of need?
- Are you afraid people will gossip about your struggles if you confide in someone?
Fill in the blank: I am scared ____________________.
Help Is Everywhere
*Now, that you know why you’re scared, remind yourself that it is only a thought. A feeling that you can overcome! In fact, you will probably be surprised by how good you feel after you reach out for a helping hand.
It’s tough doing things alone and you shouldn’t have to do everything by yourself… Asking for help doesn’t mean anyone has power over you, and it doesn’t mean that you are weak. In my opinion, it shows strength because you notice that you are dealing with something that you can’t handle by yourself. That is STRENGTH my friend! Help is everywhere, you just have to know where to look. Reach out to the people who lift you up and cheer you on. Heck, invest in a therapist for yourself!
Whatever you do, don’t bottle it all up in hopes of it just going away. I know that you’re independent and you can handle whatever life throws at you, but just remember that you are NOT alone.
There are so many people who want to see you thrive and will always be there for you. So go ahead and ask for help with love and gratitude. You’ll be surprised what happens next!
One of the biggest defects in life is the inability to ask for help.
-Robert Kiyosaki
