Let me ask you a question: have you ever felt that even with all your organizing, sometimes you just can't seem to find a file or email or phone number? Or maybe you can find it, but it takes twenty minutes. Or maybe you know exactly where something is because you keep a clear mental image of it in your head along with as many other things as you can remember, yet you may blow an audition because you felt thick-headed that day? Confession; I am a virgo and a VERY organized person, and that's obviously something we believe in at The Savvy Actor, but in the past month or so it has become a challenge to keep on top of it all. As The Savvy Actor grows and I have more auditions and book more acting gigs, it has become harder to keep track of everything. I found myself getting stressed out, not being as productive and my organizing system wasn't supporting me anymore. I felt like I was always 'catching up.' Can you relate?

A couple of months ago my husband started reading this book called Getting Things Done by David Allen, subtitled The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. He was so motivated by this book, and even though the tidbits he would share with me were somewhat similar to things I've told him in the past, I bit my tongue and kept saying 'That's great, baby'. He told me I should read it when he was done. I said 'I will, sweetie.' I was never going to read this book. Well, until three weeks ago.

It came to the point where I needed to read the damn book and see for myself what was so motivating. I needed a new way of organizing. And I found it.

Here was the key for me: If everything you have to do, plan, or mull over, is out of your head and into an organizational system that works, then you really can live in the moment. You can be fully present in your auditions and creative life because you have set up your business to truly work for you.

Your business should work for you, not the other way around!

We are all small business owners and we each need to function like one. Unfortunately, most of us don't have the luxury of an assistant yet. But if you get all your to do lists and projects out of your head and into a system that will remind you when it is time to look at them again, you are free. Free to be present, productive, and planning. Honestly, I think for the first time in my life I don't feel like I am a slave to my To Do list. I am busier then I have ever been, but I feel free, focused, and ready for anything.

We can get so caught up in our old ways of doing something, yet sometimes all it takes is changing one thing and everything else falls into place. Has someone ever told you something or offered some advice and for whatever reason it went in one ear and out the other? Then months later, you hear them say the exact same thing and you exclaim, "Why didn't you tell me before!" We learn and grow when we are ready. I know Getting Things Done found me when I needed it most, and has helped me function at a level I didn't even know I could function at. I urge you to stay open to what the universe delivers to your door, whether it is a friend's advice, a stranger's compliment, or even to read and implement this book. You might not be ready to act immediately, but someday soon it could be just what you need to grow.

The past three weeks has been all about revamping and reorganizing EVERYTHING. I apologize for the very late March newsletter, but better late and organized and efficient, then disorganized and stressed.

Organize yourself, whatever that means for you and your acting business. Let's all be stress-free artists and savvy business owners.

Much Success,
Jodie

protalent PERFORMER

To be successful, we've already established that you have got to be organized. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned veteran, you MUST organize the important details of your business as a performer.

We have found an AMAZING and indispensable tool in protalent PERFORMER! We both use it and breathe a sigh of relief knowing all our info is one place and simplifying our acting business. That is what The Savvy Actor is all about, making your business easier, stress free, and more productive. And we are thankful to protalent for aiding us in our mission!

protalentPERFORMER is the only tool that will track every detail of your entire career. See your entire schedule at a glance, get follow up reminders, organize your industry contacts, track your auditions and booked jobs, organize your classes, create labels, track your income and expenses, and so much more.

Download a FREE 10 Day trial!!

When you are ready to purchase, since you are part of our Savvy Community you get 10% OFF with discount code ACTSAVVY!

Since this newsletter is all about organization, now we want to urge you all to organize your successes. We tend to take for granted all the little successes we have, and only focus on the big ones. If you celebrate and acknowledge all your successes, more success will come.

Start a journal. Oh no, not another journal! Yes another journal, a small notebook would be great actually. This will be your Success Journal. At the end of the day or right before you go to bed, write 5 successes you had for that day. Whether it is, "I got a callback", or "I got seen as a non union actor at the EPA", or "I did the dishes", or "I sent a thank you card", or "I had a great voice lesson", or "I had a wonderful date". Whatever you deem as a success for yourself, write it down.

Also, write down 3 things you were grateful for that day. "My understanding roommate.", or "My spouse.", or "That Equity monitor who helped me out." It is so important to express your gratitude and be aware of the wonderful people who support you in this life.

I can't begin to tell you how powerful this exercise is. When you are having a down day, it is a wonderful support tool to yourself, to go back and look through your Success Journal and see everything you have accomplished. Honor your successes and value all you accomplish.

"The Savvy Actor is just what an actor needs to sift through the mounds of information that is available for actors. Its resource section is fantastic and their SendOutCards database service is a quick and easy way to look great for the industry and keep track of your contacts. I give TheSavvyActor.com a big thumbs up!" -Leslie Becker, author of The Organized Actor®

"I'm a huge fan, and I'm grateful to Jodie for introducing me to the Savvy Mailings Service.What I really love is that it's just as easy to send to one person as it is to one hundred" -James Donegan (Forbidden Broadway)

"A must have tool for any actor. The business seemed overwhelming before, but now, thanks to The Savvy Actor, I have the confidence and "know how", to properly approach the business from all sides. From finding an agent to choosing the right classes, the people at Savvy Actor knows what it takes to become successful in this business, because they too rely on these very same practices. Now thanks to their Send Out Cards package I am in contact with agents in a way that let's me stand out amongst the crowd. I love their philosophy that we are all in this together, and I myself tell as many people I can about this amazing resource." -Thomas DelPizzo

"My coachings with Jodie helped me construct a solid plan for leaving my agent and finding a new one. I couldn't have done it without her. And the "Savvy" industry lists make mailings a snap. Thanks Jodie and Kevin!" - Liz Griffith