I'm the first one to admit that when I began my professional acting career, I resented the idea that I would have to "know the right people" if I wanted to get acting opportunities. I had worked hard - had trained for years. Who I knew shouldn't have anything to do with anything, right?

I think the problem with this attitude was that it was based on the premise that there were all these talentless people out there, depending upon their relationships to "steal" the work from the rest of us. Does that happen? Of course it does. But the simple truth is that, given the option, people will often choose to work with individuals that they know, like and trust. And that's not just in the world of acting. This is true in every environment.

I've shared in my classes that I booked a national commercial after being brought in to audition by a producer that I take investment classes with. I signed with a new (and better) agent after an introduction by a casting director that I work with in a side business. I deserved these opportunities, and even more importantly, I was PREPARED for them. But they came my way via relationships that I developed outside of my acting career.

I encourage you to broaden your circle and grow in your willingness to recognize that opportunities can come from a variety of different people, places and directions. Sometimes, we get so narrow in our focus, we wouldn't see opportunity that is right in front of us - just because it doesn't look how we expect it to look.

So go out - try some new things - meet some new people. You will grow as a person and that can only add to your growth as an artist.

Until next time - to your prosperity!

Miata

P.S. We are days away from the start of the next Artists' Prosperity Boot Camp. There are still spaces left. Take advantage of this opportunity to start developing a community of fellow artists committed to taking control of their finances. Register to join us today!

Imagine this. You want to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. You are serious about it and you are pumped. You are going to exercise and eat nutritious foods. Yet day after day you are surrounded by people who hang out in front of the television eating pizza, chips, and ice cream. They complain all of the time about not having any energy and feeling lousy, but they never do anything about it. How successful do you really believe you are going to be unless you change your environment?

Now think about your financial goals. You want to create wealth and enjoy prosperity in your life. You plan to save some money and learn how to invest and create multiple streams of income. What type of people are you around day after day? Are they trying to gain wealth and prosperity like you, or are they like those people who hang out in front of the television eating junk and complaining about their lot in life? In other words, are you associating with people who talk about changing their financial life or are you associating with people who are doing something to make it happen?

Of course we are not suggesting that you dump all your friends and run out to find new ones. Our close relationships are based on far more than simple wealth and financial criteria. However, what we are suggesting is that you start expanding your circle of friends and acquaintances. Find the people who are living the kind of life you want, the people who are trying to build their wealth, and get to know them.

There is a common theory that if you make a list of the five people you spend the most time with and take an average of their income, the resulting figure will be fairly close to your own earnings. This ties directly into Step 8 of the Artists’ Prosperity System – surround yourself with other wealth builders – and is part of what makes this step so important. If you are making the choice to focus on improving your finances, it will be a far easier journey if you have other people in your life that are doing the same and who will support and encourage you on the journey.

People tend to hang out with other people who share the same or similar circumstances in life. As artists, we are particularly guilty of this. We feel that non-artists really don’t understand us. There is something comforting about being around others who are doing the same things, who have the same issues, struggles, and passions. However, spending all our time with other artists will not land us jobs. If you are an actor, the reality is that it is not other actors that will help you get work. It is the producers, directors, and other “decision makers” that will positively impact your career. Likewise, if you are a painter or a musician, spending all of your time with other painters and musicians will certainly feed you creatively, but they are not the ones that will bring artistic exhibitions and jobs your way. As much as we may not like it, relationships play a huge factor in which artists are working professionally and which ones are not. It is critical that we stop placing the decision makers on pedestals and start finding ways to interact with them as equals and as peers.

So how do you meet these influential people? Make a list of some networking groups and associations that you can join. Think about people that you would like to meet and join the groups they are a part of. If you are interested in learning about a particular type of investing, join a class or group that focuses on that. As you meet new people, don’t be afraid to talk about what you are up to. Share your goals and ambitions, both artistically and otherwise. Opportunity will not find you if you stay silent.

Part of what makes the process of building financial security and independence less scary is that you do not have to do it alone. So many artists tend to be introverted and independent, but being a part of a community of other like-minded individuals will help bring us to a new level personally, professionally, and financially. You just need to open yourself up to new associations and friendships so that these new relationships can help feed your ambition. It’s just like having a friend with whom to go to the gym. It adds extra incentive to keep moving forward and achieve your goals. So go out and find your wealth and prosperity friends. Then create the life you want with their support and encouragement.

From Starving Artist to Money Magnet: A Step by Step Guide to Freedom & Prosperity for Actors, Artists & Creative Professionals

Saturday, September 30th – Studio City, California 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

It is easy as artists to believe that we can wait to really learn about money until the time comes that we are making a lot of it! This mindset can quickly trap us in a cycle of financial stress and struggle. In this class, you will be taught how to combine financial literacy with confident leadership so that you can accelerate your wealth and riches, materially and spiritually.

The Artists' Prosperity Intensive Boot Camp

Starts THIS Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 7:00 PM Pacific

(Limited to Only 20 Participants!)

Join us for 10 weeks in this powerful, results oriented seminar. You will be coached step-by-step through the entire Artists' Prosperity System and will have all of the support you need to actually apply the process to your own life.

This Boot Camp is a way for you to dramatically increase your results and will give you a quick start towards time freedom and financial security.

ACTion Advisor LA Gateway Program

ACTion Advisor is a bi-coastal coaching and advising firm for Creative Professionals and Actors, focusing on goal specificity, accountability and action in their client's lives. They also assist and lead their clients in relocating to new cities.

ACTion Advisor LA Gateway Program is a personalized, hand held introduction to Los Angeles for the LA bound actor. LA GWP provides two months of advising (two 45 minute sessions per month) plus two personalized days in Los Angeles with your Advisor, to explore options for your relocation.

LA GWP will construct a plan of action for your move to LA and then walk you through that plan on site. Your personalized tour will begin with an initial month of advising prior to your visit to become clear and specific about your LA goals.

To begin your on site tour, you will be greeted upon the arrival of your flight. From here, you'll explore auditioning and networking opportunities, tour affordable housing, audit two classes, meet one on one with two agents and/or casting directors with estabished LA credentials, complete your on site tour with a two hour advising session to create and solidify your personalized LA strategy and then continue with one month of follow up coaching to fully execute your LA relocation.

Contact Camille Bulliard at camille@actionadvisor.net or 310-498-3410 to schedule your complimentary exploratory session.

1st Annual TalentPool International Reel Actors Film Festival

A reel is the #1 marketing tool for actors, yet most don’t have one. The TalentPool International Reel Actors Film Festival was created to challenge actors to complete their reels, screen it for industry executives and celebrate the work of talented actors.

You may think you don’t have enough material, you may think you don’t have the right materials. You do. We challenge you to create and submit a reel you’re proud of. You can do it!