This year is winding down and next year anxiously waits to see what new and exciting strategies you plan to bring into focus for your acting career and business. It’s a great time to do a review (what has been working and what hasn’t) and come up with a preview for the next phase of your acting endeavors. Time to make adjustments and create the best approaches to accelerate your acting success. And here’s great news: Investing the time to plan results actually works – if you follow a few simple and proven strategies.

Strategy 1: Make two lists and check them twice.
Now is the time to make two lists: The Did Well List and the Do Better List. The Did Well list should contain things you feel you did well this year in regards to moving your acting career forward. Savor the items on this list. Celebrate them. Congratulate yourself for your hard work, determination, and perseverance. Commit to keep on doing the right things that steer you toward your goals.

The Do Better list is intended to guide you toward things you can improve upon. Please note that this list is not intended as a battering ram to beat yourself up. Don’t be tempted to use it as an “I should have done this” or “I could have done this” type of tool. Think of it more as an objective self-improvement plan. Be brutally honest with yourself. Be thoughtful. Use your creativity to brainstorm these list items. And commit to putting together a sensible plan to put some or all of these items into play to help you accomplish next year’s goals.

Strategy 2: Write down your plans and goals.
I know, I know, you’ve heard this one before. Here’s some advice: Don't argue, just do it. It works. Ask anyone who has achieved his or her defined level of success and he or she will likely tell you that there is some magical and mysterious power that is unleashed when you write out your goals and plans. In fact, success theory research affirms that the simple act of physically writing out plans and goals increases the odds of accomplishing those plans and goals by over fifty-percent. Just ask actor Jim Carrey.

You may have heard the story that before he was famous (or successful) Jim Carrey walked up to the Hollywood Hills and wrote a check to himself for one million dollars. On the memo line, he wrote, "For Services Rendered." For years he carried that check in his wallet, pulling it out occasionally to keep his dream clearly visible in his mind. Now he's one of the highest-paid entertainers in the industry, getting well over twenty million dollars for just one film. Writing things down works. Don’t trust me, just try it.

Strategy 3: Make it look easy, even though it isn’t.
Let’s face it, building a successful acting career and business is really hard work. And ironically, one of the keys to success in our business is to never let the hard work show. When things aren’t going well, keep it to yourself. Never complain, never explain. Just suck it up and move on. Focus on what you can do, not on what you can’t do. If you want to make it, you are going to have to work very hard – and learn to never let it show.

As Christopher Walken playing Blue Oyster Cult’s producer in a SNL skit said: “I put my pants on just like the rest of you - one leg at a time. Except, once my pants are on, I make gold records.”

Is it worth all the hard work? Only you can answer that one. If you answer yes, then start or keep working hard, without complaint. If the answer is no, then it’s probably best for you to consider doing something else.

Strategy 4: Track your results.
A business without testing and tracking results is not a business, it's a hobby. Is your acting a hobby or is it a viable, growing business? If you are serious and you treat your acting as a business, then it’s important to determine what you want to accomplish and track results toward these accomplishments.

For example, randomly mass mailing your headshots without regard to the results you are getting is a waste of time, money, and energy. Target your mailings and submit only to your “best chance” opportunities. Keep track of your submissions. Keep a count. Check results.

Another example is your auditioning. Keep a log of your auditions and apply the “did well/do better” logic. What did you do well for the audition? What can you do better next time? If what you are doing isn’t working, it’s a good idea to try something else. But make sure to track your changes – that is good business.

Strategy 5: Invest your time and money, don’t spend it.
A business without strategic investment of money, time, and energy is a business that will almost surely fail. Investing your money, time, and energy strategically is a good thing. Spending your money, time, and energy on non-priorities is a bad thing. Use the Double D approach: Discipline and Dedication. Discipline yourself to invest your money, time, and energy wisely. When confronted with a spending decision, dedicate a few minutes to really thinking about it and asking yourself if this is a need (will it help you get closer to your goals) or is it want (it would be nice to have, but I really don’t need it.)

Which makes more sense right now, that new cell phone or updating your headshots? Should you spend money on that cute leather purse or invest your money on a workshop? Are you spending your time aimlessly watching TV or are you investing your time in self-study activities related to accomplishing your goals and increasing your success? If you aren't making a substantial financial and time contribution to your business, what makes you think anyone else will?

Maybe this is a good time to redefine exactly what it is you are doing. Is your acting career a hobby or a business?

Strategy 6: Do what you love (it really makes life so much easier!)
Someone once said that happiness is doing what you love ... and getting paid for it. Don’t forget that getting into acting was your choice. Friends, family, and others may have urged you to reconsider. Certain people might even laugh at you. And maybe some well-intentioned folks have pointed out that you are crazy to stick with it. Well, if you are reading this, the odds are you decided to try anyway.

Whatever the case, only you can improve your results. If you love acting and everything related to acting then keep doing it. And don’t expect anyone else to make it happen for you.

And never forget: Successful acting careers are created by normal, ordinary people just like you who have the courage to make abnormal, extraordinary choices. Ask anyone who has made it. In fact, who better to ask advice from than someone who is already doing what you hope to do? Sounds like a success strategy to me. What’s that? There’s no way you can ever get close enough to an actor who has made it? Hmmm, I’m not sure I believe that. In fact, why not add that to your next year’s plan and make it happen.

Wishing you well as you continue on your acting journey.

(For a copy of Dan’s one page strategic plan template for actors, contact him at dan@dantalent.com)

About the Author Dan Strakal is an actor who spends most his time on projects in LA and New Mexico. He also shares his twenty years of successful business experience to assist other actors to create their success. He can be reached at dan@dantalent.com or via phone at 1.505.899.9145. He is HUGE fan of ActorWebs – check out his website at www.dantalent.com.