Inner - Outer Discoveries

I think all actors do their fair share of naval gazing, it is essential to know yourself if you are going to inhabit other people on a regular basis.

I am currently working with a Women's Empowerment Coach (www.abrelynmalapad.com - she's awesome!) to help me work though some of the emotional stuff that is limiting me in my business. Today we had a conversation that reminded me how powerful an outside perspective can be. 

Actors work from instinct and even what we learn intellectually, we turn into instinct so we don't need to think about it when we're performing. Thinking takes you out of the moment. Which is great! Except that when something becomes automatic we stop knowing that we know it. And that means we need someone else to remind us. As much for our own self-esteem as for a little perspective. 

A lot of these instincts are important life-skills (Which is another reason I'm looking at this right now, as the Corporate Workshop reaches the Beta Testing Phase.) I am often amazed at how many things I take for granted as an actor that I wish I could do in my everyday life. I just don't make the connection because I don't realize that I know how to do it in the first place. This might be part of why actors get so superstitious, we pretty much train ourselves to forget what we've learned and then when we are successful, we our chalk it up to talent, luck or extenuating circumstances. 

Every time I hear a past director or acting teacher in my head, I make a mental note. But I think it's time to formally list all of the skills I've picked up over the years that I bundle under "theatre craft" and own them Then perhaps I can apply them to the world stage. 

What life-skills has acting taught you that you don't acknowledge?

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