Is there something you just loved to do as a kid that you don’t make time for any longer?

Maybe it’s because you think you’ve outgrown it, but I hope not.

As a kid, I was obsessed with Little Orphan Annie. I dressed like her and I knew every line of the movie by heart.

Recently, I had a chance to reconnect with my inner Orphan Annie, and it got me thinking about how easily we forget to do the things that feed our spirit most.

Watch this week’s Acting Business Bite to find out how you can tap back into that inspiration plus see a photo of me in my Annie-obsessed outfit.

What are the childhood pastimes that you want to revisit? Let me know in the comments below.

What do you do if your longtime actor friend gets her big break before you do? You’re happy for her, of course, but it might bring up major feelings of “compare and despair” for you at the same time.

Obviously, it’s not always easy being friends or roommates or lovers with another actor. There’s some ego involved. Sure. You’re only human. And this industry has an undercurrent of competition flowing through it.

So how can you turn those debilitating feelings into ones that help you progress both in your relationships and in your career? I’ve got 3 suggestions for you.

1. Set Boundaries

I heard a story once about the famous acting couple, Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn, and how they survived living in a tiny New York apartment. Their secret was hats. They each had a hat they would wear when they needed some space or time alone.

The other person knew exactly what that hat meant and, if they saw their partner wearing it, they would not bother them until the hat was off. It was their own little secret language to get things done or just take a break from each other because their physical space didn’t allow for escape to another room. Genius.

Jessica herself once said, “It’s hard sometimes…but we always manage to give ourselves space. We don’t live in each other’s pockets. We don’t take the play home with us. We do make suggestions to each other, and if we don’t agree we respect each other’s views.”

So, what are your boundaries? Do you want avoid talking shop when you’re out socially? Or maybe you want to set rules around complaining. Perhaps for you, boundaries look like setting office hours for your acting so your life feels more balanced.

Whatever they are, get clear about your boundaries for yourself and then share those expectations with the other actors in your life. And while you’re at it, remember to treat your friend with the same respect you do in a strictly professional relationship. They will thank you.

2. Turn Your Creativity into Creation

If you really want to get along with your fellow actors, staying grounded and focused on your own journey is key. But let’s be real… jealousy and a little competitiveness are often a natural side effect of the business.

Use the feelings of jealousy or envy you have as fuel to create more. Work on your one woman show, write a blog post, pick up the phone and ask for a meeting with your ideal agent. Rather than wallow and wish things were different, take action. You don’t need to wait to feel better to do this, just take action and your feelings will shift.

Action is the best cure for jealousy, confusion or all around stuckness.

3. Celebrate each other’s successes

One tactic for harmony between actors is to give each other kudos whenever possible. It may be hard to do, however, especially when your peers are working and you’re not. But, sometimes, taking the focus off yourself can actually help free you up for more opportunities to come in.

Try taking the high road when you need to and express your joy for your friend’s success, even if you currently feel less than successful. This support will greatly strengthen your relationship with a fellow actor. You could actually promote their gigs. Maybe interview them on your blog or post your pride on Facebook. And, if you need to, ask your actors friends to do the same for you.

In the same way that you need to make a plan for your career success, you can plan to navigate how you will handle your fellow actors’ successes. Set clear boundaries, get creative, and celebrate each other’s successes for harmony on and off the stage. Actor relationships can have happy endings, you just need to be an active participant in the plot.

What are some ways you and your actor friends make it work?
Let me know if the comments below.

What better way to learn about Turning Pro than from a fellow actor!  May kicks off a new addition to the blog: The TAC Member Spotlight.  So without further ado, let me introduce you to Starr Session (@starrsession).  Starr is a master implementor who’s taken all the TAC has to offer and made it her own.  Since January, she’s landed representation, rocked out a killer bio, and become a networking ninja both on and offline.

1. How are you learning to Turn Pro? 

• I have learned from TAC how to take action for my career by being clear on what I want and need. Which has now given me more confidence.
• I have learned how to narrow down a list of people I want to become my fan. I also have started a newsletter where I reach out to people so they can keep up with what I am doing.
• By setting monthly goals, I can now see measurable momentum in my career.
• I have learned how to network.
• Write a new bio/twitter bio.
• I have made an awesome one-sheet.
• I have learned how to “date” my representation… so to speak. We are working on a real relationship and not just business transactions.
• I have learned about cold calls, drop offs, agent submissions, marketing and other tools that will allow me to take control of my career.

2. How is your career growing?

With just 4 months under my belt as a TAC member, I have learned more things from my peers in the group, wisdom from the guest speakers, and of course channeling Dallas’s positive outlook on the industry has allowed me to take control of my career. I now treat my career as if I am the CEO of Starr Session Incorporation. I set monthly goals that are attainable. My monthly milestones also allow me to create credible touches to my laser focused list of people who are my fans and who I want to be my fan. By following the monthly videos I have updated my twitter and website bio, learned valuable tips from the hot seat calls, and I now feel like I can network with the best of them. Using Dallas’ tools has given me a better success rate at gaining more auditions, booking gigs, and happiness in my career. Let’s just say the people around me have seen a change in my career and I know it’s because of Dallas’s words to, “Stop hurrying up to wait.” I’ve always been a go-getter but never like this. I am gaining a better sense on how to market myself. I have control and it feels good.

3. What are you celebrating?

My bio isn’t stiff and boring and that all comes from the tips that are easily outlined. I booked an event where they requested my bio for their website and other promotional materials, and, boy, am I proud of it. I feel like people can get a sense of who I am.

I went to a networking event, where I was asked the question, “What have I seen you in?” Since I am new to theatrical but have worked as a host, voiceover, and commercial talent, I was armed with an answer that allowed me to stand out and also connect in a way that landed me an audition.

I also made an awesome one-sheet which got me noticed and into an audition. I can’t wait to make my next one.

I gained a manager, who I was confident in signing because of all the great tips other actors gave on the Hot Seat calls and the FB Page. I knew what to look for in a manager. As well as how to treat our relationship.

My networking script landed me a part in a short. And now I have a relationship with a director, whom I hope to work with again.

Time management and motivation has allowed me to double the amount of voiceovers in the last two months.

I started a new web series called Triple Dub Show which I am marketing with the tips from this program and it’s growing each week. I’m using my skills of hosting, lighting, filming, editing and producing in this one project and it is only adding to my skill set. It’s almost time to shop the show. Booking myself, and not waiting for casting directors to book me, feels good. I’m going over their head and casting myself so to speak.

I started an acting fund which goes towards classes and becoming SAG-AFTRA. No more surprises and stressing out about $$$. This is a huge stress reliever.

I reached out to the FB Members a few different times and received great responses. I even spoke to one of the members who took time out of her day to answer some questions.

4. What do you like best about TAC? 

Dallas is my unofficial life coach, the Thriving Artist Circle is my career coach, and the FB Page is my accountability coach. Hand in hand, I feel like I have a great team behind me that is here to organize me and keep me motivated. And by team I mean Dallas and her community of people who share the same vision but are supportive every step of the way. The FB group is awesome and keeps me inspired, while the TAC website has easy to use videos with great handouts that allows me to keep track of what I want and where I am going. I also love that the program is low cost which is affordable for actors like me who book gigs but also have a JOB.

5. What would you suggest to a brand new Member about how to best utilize TAC? 

Set time aside 5-6 days a week on your career but just an hour or two a day. During this time make sure you head over to the website and the FB Page at least once a week to gain more knowledge and valuable tips to add to your to do list. TAC has made me busier, in a good way. Instead of feeling like I don’t have control of my career, I now realize there is so much I could can do to gain more leverage. They make it easy to stay connected with monthly newsletters. With the easy to follow links that not only add events to my google calendar  but also keep me organized. Take the time to listen to all of the videos/calls for the month. I’m a digital person, so I take notes on my computer and I am able to go back and look at them anywhere and anytime.  This past month I didn’t have time to sit at home and listen, so I downloaded the audio and listened to it in the car in traffic. What’s funny is I have listened to some of the calls a few times, and most of the time I catch something new that didn’t stand out to me before. That’s life right?.. the answers are right in front of you but sometimes it just doesn’t click right away.

6. What does Turning Pro mean to you? 

Turning pro means that I will find happiness in this hectic career of chasing fame. I want to be great at what I do and that includes marketing my hard work so more and more people can see it. As a Pro, I have a handle on my career and I can steer my career in the direction I want. I’m already a pro because if I want to do something, I have the tools to make it happen without feeling defeated. With this growing community, I have a ton of friends; some I’ve never met but they will be there to help me when I’m stuck. Booking more gigs than I did the month before feels great, but it is because I now have a handle on my career.  No one is going to work harder than me on my career, but the difference is I’m working smarter.

Follow Starr on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram: @StarrSession or her webseries @TripleDubShow

Want to be in the Member Spotlight? You need to be a TAC Member first! Join here and your first month is $1.