Stuck in What The Heck? How to Unstick and Flow

Copyright (c) 2009 Valery Satterwhite

You've worked long and hard at developing and honing your craft. You've put your fears aside and went to audition after audition even for roles you knew you didn't have much of a chance of landing. You've struggled yet managed to keep a roof over your head and food in your belly. You even got some recognition as an "artist to watch". And just when you think you're finally in a position to finally get a break - one that will catapult you into the career and lifestyle you've longed for - the industry seems to have lost its love affair with you. With its back seemingly turned against you the powers and media that be in Hollywood is abuzz with the deafening news that:

The economy tanked! Studios have no money! The independent creative just doesn't stand a chance anymore against the big corporation! The networks are only interested in buying reality shows! It's a man's world - a woman can't get to the top in this town. Add whatever other doom and gloom statements and projections you've heard that permeate the air in this town.

What the heck? Why is this happening just when you thought you had a glimmer of a chance to really make it?

And you sit there stuck in fear, worry and desperation - oh my! Every door of opportunity that was once open and inviting is now slammed shut. Helping hands that were once offered are now out of reach. Serving fries at Mickey D's is now starting to look pretty good to you.

What the heck?

Have you forgotten that you know how to open a door? Have you forgotten that whatever you've already achieved in your career to date has been because you went out there and got it for yourself! You didn't let anything stand in your way then, so why are you buying into the friggin excuses and reasons everyone is serving up for their own failures? The acronym for Friggin' Excuses And Reasons is FEAR! When a person is frozen in a state of fear she will find a way to blame something or someone else on her sorry state of affairs.

"I don't believe in pessimism. If something doesn't come up the way you want, forge ahead. If you think it's going to rain, it will." - Clint Eastwood

Know this: Any time you allow someone or something outside of yourself to control or dictate your life circumstance you become its victim. If you're stuck in victim-land it's time to take back your power by focusing upon what you can do instead of what you cannot do. Yes, times are tough and there are a lot of people who aren't making it. Fine, whatever, irrelevant. Why spend your time and energy adopting their circumstance for yourself? Instead, look at the people who are successfully going after what they want despite the woeful laments of those around them. What do these people have, what do they do that others who are stuck in the land of What The Heck don't do?

"When I was producing on my own, I was doing it in order to - in a very patriarchal entertainment industry, let alone planet - very much hell-bent on trying to prove to myself, if nothing else, that I could do it as a woman." - Alanis Morissette

People who continue to speak and act in the direction of their dreams empower themselves to rise above any challenge, any obstacle, that is thrown in their way. Nothing stops them in their passionate pursuit of what will make their heart sing. You will not hear these people complaining and blaming outside forces for their misgivings. They are too busy making their dreams come true.

The next time you find yourself buying into the stuck beliefs of the What The Heck crowd know that you have pointed yourself away from your dream. Turn yourself around by refusing to participate. Instead of focusing upon the gloom and doom news and gossip of the day, look to the actors who are landing roles, studios funding production, independents crossing the perceived corporate barriers, networks backing scripted dramas, and women in leadership positions. There is plenty of evidence to support your success out there. All you have to do is turn your focus towards that light as you allow your words, choices and actions to flow in alignment with your deepest desire.

"I believe there's an inner power that makes winners or losers. And the winners are the ones who really listen to the truth of their hearts." - Sylvester Stallone