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Backstage Experts

Why Actors Need to Learn to Control Their Fears

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Why Actors Need to Learn to Control Their Fears



They’re also a part of what it means to be a truly authentic actor. But so often much of our life energy is spent reacting to things from a fearful place—dating, auditioning, booking a job—without having awareness that we’re even doing so.

There’s always going to be a part of us that’s fearful—sadly—as a response to our knowledge that our mortal body is going to expire, and also our being hardwired physiologically to respond from the flight-or-fight response. (That reptilian brain in us is alive and kicking.)

But the kind of fear I’m talking about that stops us from achieving our dreams is fear based in ego.

The ego is small, separate, stuck—our saboteur. The only way we can overcome that which our ego tells us is not possible for us, is by being open and being aware of that dialogue itself.

A lot of what we don’t realize is we let a fearful reaction to things be the overriding principle in our life. Fear masks itself in subtle ways so we don’t even know it. When we respond in a cynical or sarcastic way, when we procrastinate, or have excuses, or complain, or say “no” to things; when we ignore or avoid—these responses can often be passive forms of fear.

The goal is to become aware of when we respond habitually. For example, realizing when we don’t say “yes” to something. Maybe it’s because we’re scared to risk or be exposed—so we say “no” instead. Procrastination—we keep putting off that thing we know we can do, because to do so might mean we could get rejected, or fail, or discover we’re not so great at it after all. So we let fear keep us from even attempting.

If there was one thing I could help actors understand, it’s that there’s nothing to be scared of. Our work is a work of joy, and hope, and light, and possibility, and we’re all in it together. When people set out to make projects, they set out to make the best possible creation they can. That means they want you to also be your best.

So when you book a job, it means someone likes you. That’s why you booked it. There’s nothing to be scared of, but we let our old conditioning kick in and listen to the junk thoughts it creates in the mind.

Understanding that fear can really stop us from moving forward when we believe the things we tell ourselves in our head is already a step of awareness.

The next time you’re feeling triggered and scared, ask yourself these two questions:

1. Why is it not okay to let go of the fear? (You may discover some surprising explanations of how the fear is protecting you.)

2. What does this fear want to show me? (If you’re brave enough, and willing to listen, there is great insight into where you may get stuck in life and how to overcome it.)

Creating a new paradigm around fear will truly set you free from it.

So “feel the fear and do it anyway” as the saying goes, as we’ll never be completely devoid of it. But create a deeper understanding of it as well, and you might discover the fear part gets less and less.





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