Curtain Call
By spending the past fifteen weeks working toward stepping into your future career in a purposeful and conscious way, you have done yourself a huge service. A lot of artists do not consider the business side of their art and, even more important, don’t intentionally plan for what they want and how to get it. In short, you are already one step ahead of most artists. Regret is a potent emotion because it is sourced in the past. News flash: you can’t change the past. Do not be the person who chooses an easier path only to look back ten years from now and regret not giving it your all. You should make every effort to craft the life that you want and the career that you will love.
Now the question is, How do you work all of the information from all of the exercises in this book into your already overly scheduled life? You don’t want to, for instance, set up your VIP list and not continue to add to it. You also don’t want to stop researching new opportunities or examining and reimagining your style. This chapter will give you a monthly plan for keeping up with every aspect of your career. This may be too “scheduled” for you, and you might want to do your own thing. You do you, boo. I encourage you to create the path that works best for your life. For those of us who prefer to be told what to do rather than thinking it up ourselves, this is our chapter.
WEEK 1
One thing you will always do is work on your art. Remember from chapter 11, though, that the best practice is focused practice. This is something you should do every day for the rest of your life (with some breaks). If you are passionate about your artistry, this should seem less like a chore than a joy. Sometimes it’s hard to get started, but once you are doing what you love to do best, you should be in your element. If you are not, then perhaps you should consider a different life path; you can always sing, dance, act, or create art as a hobby. If you have chosen to go full throttle toward a career in the arts, then before you do anything, you should decide when and how you will be honing your skills and furthering your artistic journey. Schedule your practice time for this week and decide what you will be focusing on. You could invite a friend to join you, you could work on your memorization skills, or you could challenge yourself to create original content. Artist’s choice. But it must be a purposeful choice. List how and when you will work on your art below.
Monday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Tuesday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Wednesday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Thursday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Friday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Now that you have decided when and how you will be practicing, let’s discuss what other aspects of your career you’ll be focusing on this week.
Monday
No matter how old and successful you may become, it will never hurt to continue to brainstorm new potential gigs for your art and your side hustle. The industry changes quickly, and, as you continue to learn more about the business, new potential opportunities will arise that you didn’t even know could be opportunities. So, on the first Monday of every month, you should consider reopening your mind to other possibilities. Set a timer for fifteen to twenty minutes and brainstorm all of the exciting things you could do with your career and how to make some dough outside your career.
When you’re done with this brainstorm, reiterate your three main ideal gigs that you want to focus on for the next month and write them down in a place that you see every day.
Tuesday
It’s research day. No matter how long you are in an industry, you can always learn more about it. Why? Things change every day. When you look at the arts, you see that audience preference changes, mediums change, and the power players involved regularly shift. You can never do too much research. Search for what is popular, who is currently doing great work, and find people in your industry who are doing what you want to be doing. Remember to search the web, talk to your friends, and even reach out to people you don’t yet know. Divide your time today in half and spend the first half of your time researching.
For the second half of your time on this lovely Tuesday, you will either connect with or add one person to your VIP list. Hopefully you have been adding to your list since you started it in chapter 10, but if you haven’t, this is your opportunity to get started. First, choose whether you want to reach out and send a message to someone you already have on your list or you want to try to connect with and add a new person to your contacts. Then do some research if necessary and reach out after that. Don’t forget to add your contact date, method, and message to your nifty spreadsheet so you can reference it for the future.
Wednesday
It is declared that Wednesday shall henceforth be known as “money day,” and all artists throughout the land shall tally their shillings to prepare for the arrival of winter days. (Somewhere a herald trumpet sounds in the distance.) In all honesty, it is very important to keep an eye on your finances. Not only do you want to keep the lights on and buy groceries, but you also don’t want to miss out on opportunities when they arise because you either can’t afford them or have to work your side hustle. Wednesdays are the day to check in on your finances. Reevaluate what you are bringing in and how it relates to your expenses, check in to see if you’re able to save more dough by spending less or earning more, and research what current rates are for gigs in your field. You can use the Coin Calculator or create your own way to keep track of spending and income, but you must keep track in order to know how to maintain or improve your current situation. Look back at day 1 of chapter 6 and reevaluate these categories on a regular, monthly basis.
Thursday
It’s pay it forward day! You may have already chosen your cause and your charity in chapter 14, or you may decide to choose a different or additional one. Or you may choose to do something kind for a person who may need some love or attention this week. Send an encouraging note, volunteer to serve food to the homeless, foster a puppy, or let a friend crash on your couch. Whatever you choose, today you can either plan for your act of kindness or spend your time doing it. Remember that sometimes a small gesture that takes less than five minutes for you could completely change the trajectory of another person’s day or life. You are fortunate to be alive and talented, so pay the goodness forward to another human.
Friday
You have two things to do today. First, you will spend today dressing and acting the part of the successful whatever-you-want-to-be-in-the-future, and second, you will plan your social media strategy for next week. The first part is fun and easy. Look at your plans for your Friday and decide how you can present and be the best version of yourself in all of your endeavors. Look back at chapter 12 if you need any inspiration or ideas on how to get started. And don’t forget to act the part of the successful and gracious artist as well.
For the second part, planning your social media for the week, decide when you will post what. If something comes up during the week that you want to address on your social, you can always add to your planned posts, but what a great way to take some stress off your weekly plate if you already know what and when you will be engaging. You can even automate these posts if you want (there are tons of apps for that) and take one more thing off your brain for the coming week. Remember to take into account the style that you cultivated in chapter 9 and to make sure that you are representing yourself in the most authentic way you can.
WEEK 2
Before you do anything else, decide when and how you will improve your artistic prowess this week. Purposeful practice makes prosperous professionals. You don’t always have to want to start doing what you do best, but you should like doing it most of the time.
Monday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Tuesday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Wednesday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Thursday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Friday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Monday
The goal is to become a working professional artist who supports a comfortable lifestyle with money made from doing what you love. Until then, though, most people will have to get their side hustle on. So you should dedicate today to all things side hustle. Either you need to do some research to find a new side hustle or you have a great one that you can expand upon. Are you a personal trainer? Spend today advertising for new clients. Lyft driver? Set your driving schedule for the next month. Do you make jewelry to sell? Sign up for a booth at your local holiday bazaar. Remember that you’re aiming for maximum money with mega flexibility.
Tuesday
It’s research and VIP list day. “But wait,” you might say, “we did this last week.” Yes. We did do research and work on your VIP list last week. And we will do it again today . . . and next Tuesday . . . and hopefully every Tuesday for the rest of our lives. Because knowing as much as possible about your industry and making genuine contacts in your community are paramount to your success. Choose a topic to research today and dive deep. What is touring Europe as a dancer with a music artist like? Ask a friend to connect you with someone who is currently on tour, to ask questions. Or spend some time watching the Instagram stories of dancers on tour. Your research does not need to be super formal, and it should also be fun. After you do some research, trick out your VIP list. Make a new contact, reach out to someone you have not kept in touch with recently, or ask a friend to suggest some folks you should meet. People don’t succeed on their own in any field and, as long as you remain the kind and generous person you are, you can only benefit from meeting and cultivating relationships with new people, so get to networking.
Wednesday
It’s money day again. This Wednesday, you will choose a long-term financial goal and work backward to find how you can save up or prepare for it. Dream big. Do you want to buy a Ferrari in ten years? Buy a house? Save a lot of money? You can do anything with time and patience. Look back at day 5 of chapter 6 if you need a little more instruction on doing this exercise. You’ll also want to check in today on your day-to-day finances. If you’re the type of person who does not like to look at your checking account, today is the day to take a peek and make sure everything is still in order. And if it’s not, don’t forget to make a plan to fix it as soon as possible.
Thursday
What’s the worst that could happen? This question is pretty commonplace, but many people don’t actually explore the answer. You guessed it: today is worst-case-scenario day. Choose one terrible event that could happen in your life or career and then decide how you would pivot to continue to thrive even after facing adversity. Don’t be afraid to get into thinking about the small details, and always take the time write it all down. The more you do this exercise, the more you will realize that you can overcome almost anything. And the more you realize that you can overcome anything, the braver you will become.
Friday
If people judge books by their covers, today is the day to bedazzle your “cover.” Much like last Friday, you should spend today dressing and acting the part of the successful artist that you hope to become. Perhaps you spend today working on expanding your wardrobe or getting a new haircut. Watch YouTube and try new makeup tactics or plan your next week of workouts. You can choose hundreds of affordable things to do to make you stand out when you enter a room. While you’re tricking out your look, revisit your social media plan for next week and perhaps create or plan to create new content to post for your adoring fans.
WEEK 3
Any small thing that you consistently do will make a large impact. As you continue to climb the mountain of artistic accomplishment, remember that most people are not planning and executing purposeful practice on a regular basis. You are slowly but surely distancing yourself from the pack with each day that you decide how and when you will improve your skills and your artistry. Don’t forget that you can invite a friend to join you to give feedback, and make sure to note things you did that you liked and things that need improvement. Make your plans for this week’s sessions below.
Monday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Tuesday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Wednesday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Thursday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Friday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Monday
This Monday, make a point to reconnect with your mentor. Choose one or two specific things on which you would like to get some feedback, gather what you would like to share about what you are up to, and reach out. If you aren’t happy with your current mentor, spend some time researching who you would like to approach to fill his or her shoes. Remember that you should be respectful, detailed, and positive. And make sure to keep up with what your mentor is doing so that you can either ask questions, send along congratulations, or tailor your communication based on what is going on in your mentor’s life and career.
Tuesday
Remember that you can never be too knowledgeable about what is going on in your field, so take time today to focus on the future. Because the entertainment industry changes by the day, try digging into what is new and fresh in your industry and how you can grow your skills, your style, and your materials to keep up with the Joneses. Perhaps the newest trend is actors doing their own stunts, underwater partner dancing, or singing upside down while riding an elephant. Whatever it is, you are better for being in the know about what’s new and popular and even better for potentially working to make yourself viable for crazy new trends. After you do your research, reach out to reconnect with at least one person on your VIP list, and don’t forget to log your communication.
Wednesday
For today’s money day, you will check in with your checking, savings, and credit card accounts to make sure you aren’t paying any extra money that you didn’t know about. Does your savings account have a five-dollar monthly fee that completely negates any interest you’ve earned? Call your bank and ask them to waive it or move your money to a bank that does not charge a fee. Do you have a recurring billing charge for that premium version of the app you purchased that you no longer use? Cancel it! Many people don’t even look at their banking and credit card statements and most would be surprised to find small charges from different companies that they don’t need. While a few $3.99 or so monthly charges may not seem like a lot, those charges could end up being almost $50 per month that you could be spending on something else that brings you more value. After you’ve reviewed charges and the like, check in on your budget and make sure you’re on track. What should you do if you have gotten off track? Check in with your side hustle and see if you can work a few extra hours or pick up another client.
Thursday
It’s time to take another look at your personal style as an artist. Most artists’ styles change over time to accommodate the changing industry and the changing person. Most people are very different at twenty years old than they are at thirty years old, so your style and brand should shift as your personality and your goals shift. It’s good to check in on a monthly basis to make sure that the materials you are putting out there in the world reflect who you are and where you want to be. Also set aside time today to check in on your website, social media accounts, résumé, and headshots to update them with any new information.
Friday
It’s another Friday dress-up day. As you dress the part again today, schedule some time to do a small photo shoot for your social media. It does not need to be formal or expensive, but if you take a friend to a scenic location and make sure that you look fierce, you can get some shots to use for your social media accounts. Most smartphones have good enough cameras to get any photos you need for social media purposes. Even if you are not an artist who is onstage or in front of the camera, your adoring fans still want to see your mug from time to time. Unless you’re Banksy, you will make yourself more relatable and more memorable the more you get your photo in front of people’s eyeballs. So, while you’re dressing the part of the successful artist, you might as well document it for the masses.
WEEK 4
You guessed it. It’s time to plan your practice for the week. Natural talent is nothing without practice. No person has been successful and stayed successful without hard work. In today’s society, some people tend to think that artists get “discovered” and then “make it” without putting in the hours in the classroom or studio. This school of thought cannot be more false. Even if you are naturally inclined to do your art, you must hone your skills. The more you work on honing your skills, the more likely you will be to be well compensated for your work. There is no secret here. Hard work and dedicated hours will eventually yield results in any field. If you love what you do, do it often and you will eventually become an expert at it.
Monday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Tuesday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Wednesday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Thursday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Friday
What I will work on: _______________________________________
I will work on it from: ______________ to ____________________
Monday
Start today with some brainstorming on what skill you can add to your arsenal to make you more viable in your industry. Or, if you are already working on cultivating a new skill, decide how you are going to incorporate it into your already existing tools of the trade. It could be a small thing, like a musical theater actor learning to juggle, or a more involved thing, like a dancer learning to skateboard. You could also take a marketing class or learn to design your own website. It does not have to always be a perfect complement to your craft. As long as you keep your brain in the land of the learning and continue to acquire skills, you are winning. When you decide what new skill you are going to acquire, let people know. Tell your friends and family and/or post it on your social media. Not only does this provide a little accountability, but it is also beneficial to let people know that you are continuing to learn and grow as an artist and as a human. You never know—you might just tell the right person at the right time and nab a job out of it!
Tuesday
For week 4 of Research Tuesday, find three new people that you would like to add to your VIP list and either reach out and introduce yourself or make plans to eventually meet them. Either send a direct message, plan to take a class that they’re teaching, have a mutual friend introduce you, hang out by their stage door, or just write an old-fashioned letter and attach it to a not-so-old-fashioned e-mail. In order to choose your three new VIP list residents, you will probably need to do a little research. Don’t forget that research does not necessarily mean reading musty books in a library or searching for things on the Internet and skimming Wikipedia. You can call, text, or e-mail friends as well, and ask those who have more experience than you for advice and information.
Wednesday
For your last money-related day of the week, if you have not already done so, find a way to set aside a small amount (or a big amount) of money to help out someone who needs it. Perhaps you choose to donate ten dollars per month to an animal rescue or you put your extra change in the cup holder of your car to give to homeless folks. Or, if you’re rolling in artistic accomplishment, start your own foundation or donate a large sum to a cause you are passionate about. Big or small, the gesture of giving always improves the life of both the giver and the “givee.”
Thursday
Take a trip guided by your imagination into your future perfect day. As you did in chapter 8, get as specific as you can when you are writing out the description. Where do you wake up? What do you eat? Whom do you associate with? Where do you work? What do you wear? While these seem like insignificant details, they actually are far from insignificant. The more specific you can be when you are imagining your future, the more specific you will be about how you go about pursuing it. For instance, if you envision your supportive and secure friends in the future, you might be less likely to spend time with your Negative Nelly paranoid complainer of a friend in the present. When you are imagining your perfect day, don’t forget to take into consideration your why, your me, and the aspects of your personality, appearance, and talents that make you different from everyone else.
Friday
For the last Friday of the month, take a look back at what you have accomplished over the past thirty(ish) days. Congratulate yourself on the things you have done well. No, truly stop down and think of a few things that you kicked a-- on this month (because you inevitably did). You are actively taking charge of your future and making the world a better place through your art, your relationships, your gracious contributions to society, and your humanity. You should be proud, inspired, and excited. You are the future. And the future looks dazzling.