Have you ever heard or used the expression, "I couldn't help it -- force of habit"? Never underestimate the potential of that "force." We hardly think of it as a potential for anything because the phrase usually arises from doing things with negative associations, like thoughtless behavior or careless blunders. Yet, the results that can arise from harnessing habitual, productive behavior can be anything but negative or thoughtless. In fact, it can be downright astonishing.


Most people succeed in achieving extraordinary things not so much because of grand schemes and dreams but more by the accumulative power of daily, constructive habits. Consistent, positive actions taken day by day, no matter how little or how few, often account for more than the most thorough plans.

For instance, say you wanted to be a novelist. If you got into the simple habit of writing just one page a day, you'd have 365 pages at the end of the year -- a novel-sized piece of work for sure!

As an actor, you might want to start out with a pad and pencil with your morning cup of coffee (if you drink it.) During the time it takes to finish the coffee, you could list twelve different things you could do to either promote yourself or gain work. If you did that simple task without fail on a daily basis, you'd wind up in a year's time with over four thousand ideas on how to get ahead!

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The preceding was an excerpt from the best selling acting book, WINNING AUDITIONS - 101 Strategies for Actors (Limelight Editions, NY) written by Mark Brandon. Mark is a native Californian who now makes his home in Vancouver, BC. He has appeared in over 100 commercials, films and TV series.

Copyright © Mark Brandon. Used with permission of the author. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or distributed.

For more audition strategies and career building advice, visit: www.WinningAuditions.com

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