Gratitude isn’t just an attitude [savvy actor]

NYC is a fast-paced crazy town and this year is already half over! I can’t believe it. Sometimes weeks will go by that seem like minutes. And I’ll wonder what happened to the ‘let’s get together for coffee!’ that I was trying to plan a few week ago, or I’ll recall a voicemail I completely forgot to respond to. Life intrudes. Auditions are scheduled. Work gets booked.  Days keep passing. And sometimes showing appreciation to our family and friends goes by the wayside.

But do we really need to wait for the holiday season to show appreciation and respect?  Gratitude is a powerful gift. People love to be thanked or to feel like they’ve made a difference or acknowledged for what they do. How can we incorporate that into our busy lives and make it a priority? That’s what makes relationships last. That’s what creates wonderful connected moments between human beings.

Not even just with friends and family, but what about that casting director who booked you on your first voice over? Or that director you just worked with who you loved, or your agent who believes in you, or that casting office that always calls you in? Never forget that the people in this industry are just people. Take the time to thank people, truly thank people, for being in your life. Most of us only reach out to the industry when we want something – come to my show, or can I get seen on that project, or think of me, or I want an interview because I need new representation. All that is understandable, it is our business. But take your business to a new level and show your team, your contacts, your support system, and your fans that you are grateful for them and wish them luck in what they are doing.

It is one thing to be grateful and it is another thing to act upon that gratitude.

I will be activating my gratitude as I organize our Savvy Actor Team once again for the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure in September. I’m motivated to give back not only because I’m a breast cancer survivor, but because I’m thankful to all the volunteers everywhere who have donated their time to a cause that now matters to me. I’m thankful for the support of my family, friends, and all of you when I needed it most. I’m thankful for all the survivors who have a story and who want to be heard. Forming our first team back in 2009 was a way to thank all those people with action.

It doesn’t have to be about a cause – show active gratitude to your friends, your spouse, your agents, your family, etc. Who makes you feel grateful? Who has helped you in your life? Who has helped you in your career?

Here’s a place to start –

1.     Everyday write down 3 things that you are grateful for.

2.     Make a list of the casting directors you see a lot, people you’ve met at networking events that you just really liked, and anyone that would you would like to show your appreciation to – send them a card, an email, a small gift, whatever rings true to you.

3.     Make a list of your friends and family who you love, see all the time or haven’t connected to in quite awhile that you would like to show your appreciation to  - send them a card, an email, a small gift, whatever rings true to you.

Human kindness goes a long way and is not forgotten. By acting on that gratitude, you will not only change your corner of the world for the better….. but yourself as well.

Jodie Bentley is an entrepreneur, career coach, teacher and professional actor in NYC. After graduating with a BFA in Acting from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts at the Stella Adler Conservatory, she discovered her other loves – sales and marketing. Jodie built The Savvy Actor, from the ground up.  Her company laid the foundation for her success in the business of acting, and developed her keen eye and savvy gift for helping other actors achieve their own goals. As an actor, Jodie has played leading roles in workshops of new musicals and plays at the York Theatre, New World Stages, The Workshop Theater and all over NYC.  She also works frequently in regional theatre, commercials, soaps, voiceovers and print.  Learn more about her at jodiebentley.com.