Goals

Robert Lewis was one of the members of the Group Theatre in the 30s, a founder of the Actors Studio, and a respected director and teacher of acting throughout his life. His book, Advice to the Players, remains one of the best books about the craft of acting I've ever read. He tells a story about how he and some of the other actors from the Group were sitting in a restaurant in New York talking about their craft with some fellow actors. The Group was famous for introducing what became called 'Method' acting to the United States and their members took their art very seriously. Then one young woman who'd listened intently to this craft discussion said, "That's all very fine for you folks, but I'm going to be a star." That young woman was Katherine Hepburn.

Katherine Hepburn set herself a goal and achieved it. She was a star in theatre, in films, and in her own life. I saw an interview with her in which she essentially said she didn't have children because they would have distracted her from her career. She embodied both grace and star power on screen -- no matter what role she played, you knew you were watching a star.

Are you as clear about your goals as Katherine Hepburn? Can you state your goals in a short, active sentence? Remember from earlier blogs, a star's presence comes from the focus and relentless pursuit of their character's objectives. But in order to pursue goals, you have to have them in the first place!

If you haven't written down your goals for this year yet, do it tonight. Listing your goals is the first step toward achieving them.

How Do You Want to Be Remembered?

Everyone's known for something. Actors are famous for their roles, and also for their celebrity. Tom Cruise is famous for acting in several blockbuster films, and for the close attention the media gives his personal life. Most of our lives aren't chronicled in the press. However, we are all famous for something amongst the people that know us.

One of the things I'm famous for is my knowledge of movie and music trivia, and my fondness for old jokes. Perhaps you're famous for your homemade pies, or your fried chicken recipe. Perhaps you're a famous Little League coach in your community, or the person that volunteers on every church community. Or, perhaps you're famous for ignoring your neighbor's request to turn down your loud music.

The point I'm trying to make is that people notice what we do, and what we say. How do you want to be remembered? Every day we make choices about what we do and say. These choices affect our family, friends, and co-workers. Do you want to be remembered as someone who had a positive effect on the people in your life?

If you do, learn to become aware of your surroundings. Take a few seconds to think about what the other person wants. You'll find that people will begin to look to you for advice. They'll make your needs a priority for them. Soon you'll become a leader in your community and at your job. In other words -- a Star!

How do you want to be remembered?

Make Your Team Better

The greatest stars in both theatre and sports, don't shine on their own. A great star makes their team better. Whether it's Michael Jordan's pinpoint passes or Olivier's perfectly timed line readings, the top stars provide the opportunity for their teammates to do their best.

Stars know that they depend upon their fellow actors to deliver the lines and emotions in each scene that allows them to shine. Even if they're playing in a one person show they depend upon the director, designers, and stage manager to make sure they're shown to the best advantage. The greatest stars know this, and let their cast and crew know it, too. Even when I was a lowly assistant director on plays in New York, the great stars would give me, and the rest of the crew, gifts on opening night. A little kindness to the rest of the cast and crew will go a long way towards a smooth running production.

Practice that this week at work. Be generous to your co-workers. Say "please" and "thank you." Offer to help out on a project. Do something to make their lives easier. See what happens and let me know. You could be taking the first step towards becoming the office star.

What's Your Instrument?

Do you play an instrument? Have you ever watched anyone play an instrument? Whether you're a musician, play for fun, or just like watching from the audience, you can appreciate how important it is for a musician to have a quality instrument to play. Top quality instruments like Stradivarius violins sell for enormous prices because of the sound they can produce when played by a great musician.

An actor's instruments are his body and his voice. Great actors take voice lessons -- not singing lessons, but lessons about how to speak clearly -- in order to enhance their ability to play different characters. They take dance and movement classes to increase their ability to move like the character they're playing would move.

What are you doing in your life to learn to speak with authority and walk with more confidence? There are several inexpensive ways to improve your skills in these areas. If you want to learn to speak better, join a local Toastmasters club. Toastmasters clubs exist to improve their members public speaking abilities. As a long time toastmaster myself I have seen countless members, including myself, improve tremendously after only a few months. Go to www.toastmasters.org to search for a club near you.

If you already are a member of a YMCA or gym, you might find that they offer yoga, dance, or other movement classes as part of their membership. Try one. You will find yourself more flexible after just one class. If you can't find a free class there, try your local community or senior center. Very often they offer similar classes.

Improve your flexibility to stand up straighter, and get the confidence to speak with more authority. Those are two steps you can take immediately to help you become a star in your own life. Keep your instrument in tune!