"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes.

"Here's to the ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo.

"You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify and vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things. They push the human race forward.

"And while some may see them as crazy, we see genius.

"Why? Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the only ones who do."


That was from a 2007 Apple commercial. I've attached it below, and I definitely recommend watching it before reading the rest of this post:

I love it.

Steve Jobs, love him or hate him, was a genius. Why? Because he challenged his industry.

He was the first person to figure out how to make technology FUN!

He challenged an entire industry, and that's what made the difference. He thought about things from a different perspective.

Technology shouldn't just be some boring, corporate system designed to help make things more efficient. Technology should help make people's lives fun, creative, and artistic!

So today, I will be sharing seven ways Steve Jobs can help YOU as an actor "think different."

The acting community is extremely short on true visionaries.

Most actors get into it because they either love playing characters or they want to become famous (which is inherently self-focused).

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, what is your deeper purpose for acting? The purpose beyond yourself?

What's a purpose that would truly help the world – one that other people can get behind?

I remember when I coached my client Tyrone. Until we found that his deeper purpose was to help as many people in the world as possible understand the struggle of African American male life, he was nowhere near as passionate about his acting work. But once he discovered that true purpose, EVERYTHING CHANGED.

Here's a great page that teaches you exactly how to find your true acting purpose.
​

It's OK to avoid following what everyone else is doing.

Do you feel like you could be more creative in your approaches to auditioning or performance? Do you feel like you're ever being stifled by the industry and all those who are "in charge"?

It takes a true leader to follow their own instincts and be willing to sometimes get trampled on for what they believe in.

In what ways do you feel you're being held back by people's expectations of you?
​

​How are you moving your acting career forward right now? Are you doing what everyone else in the industry does? Or are you trying some "outside the industry" tactics?

Are you deeply strategizing or are you just reading free little articles online and trying the same things everyone else is doing?

Sometimes it takes doing something completely different – and perhaps even the opposite of what you'd expect – to have a breakthrough.
​

Did you know that Steve Jobs was FIRED from Apple in the eighties?

Some people look at being fired as the ultimate FAILURE. Not Steve Jobs. He looked as it as the ultimate OPPORTUNITY.

After being fired, he wound up creating a brand new company called NeXT, which eventually helped save Apple during one of their biggest crises. Read more about the story here.

​The greatest changes are made in the world by people who are unafraid (or those who push past their fears) of standing up to the standard, conventional ways of doing things.

How else would society advance? Rarely does life change for the better when everyone simply does what they're told.

We only move forward when we stand up and say, "I'll do it differently."

Don't be afraid to be the actor who will do "whatever it takes" to get what he or she wants – especially if you have a purpose you truly believe in – one that goes beyond just yourself.
​

Jobs never looked at the world as a hopeless place, and neither should you.

Giving up and looking at the acting industry as a dead end place where you'll never succeed is not going to help you.

Always look at the positive in the industry and deliberately seek out people who are like-minded and also want to challenge the current ways the industry operates.

Do your homework! These days, you can simply use Google to find people with similar mindsets to yours. Find directors, producers, and other actors who believe in the importance of changing the industry for the better.
​

Jobs was passionate about his work because he made it personal. But being passionate about acting isn't enough; you need to also be passionate about the particular roles you're playing.

Some actors find this hard because the industry boxes them into roles they don't enjoy much. If that sounds like you, it just means you haven't found a brand you're proud of yet.

Once you find a brand you're passionate about, you'll do your absolute best work because you'll be mixing your work with who you are as a person. And that will make all the difference.

Learn how to find a brand you're proud of here.

Here's a great quote, directly from Jobs himself, to sum all this up:

"You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle."

Once you find a brand you're passionate about and a method of acting you absolutely love (whether it's primetime TV, commercials, standup, musical theater, etc.), you'll do your absolute best work.

And when you do your absolute best work, the world will start to reciprocate by giving you the opportunities you truly deserve.

​Coronavirus is here.
 
Some are saying that people are overreacting. Others are saying we're not doing enough.
 
Just this morning, I was walking through Grand Central and it was EMPTY. Here's a photo I took at 9:30am:

​But what I think is most scary is not the disease itself, but the unknown.
 
What's going to happen to our jobs? What's going to happen to the businesses we buy from (or own)?
 
Will the government lock everyone down for a 2-week quarantine? What will happen to the economy? And what will happen to our investments if the market keeps plunging?
 
So many questions and so few answers.
 
No one knows for sure how serious the Coronavirus really is. Some say it's deadly, others say it's not much worse than the flu.
 
And we keep getting messages in our inboxes about all these sanitizing protocols that companies are following to "keep us safe."
 
Well, regardless of where your fears lie, there is one thing I think we could all use a little more of right now, and that's leadership.
 
Wouldn't it be nice if someone just told us exactly what to do – and they reassured us that everything would be OK?
 
Well, you and I both know that's impossible because NO ONE has the answers right now.
 
And when no one has the answers, there's only one thing we can do: Turn to ourselves.
 
So... in this difficult time, I have just one request to make of you:

​It's time to look yourself in the mirror and say, "I won't let my fears cripple me. I will use them to make me stronger."
 
The fact is, in every situation – even the most dire – there is value to be found if you look hard enough.
 
Whether it's simply a learning experience or something much bigger, there is always value to be found.
 
And it's your job to find it.
 
Whether you use this time to deeply connect with loved ones or you simply start strategizing on how to go after that goal you've been putting off for a while – now's the time to push yourself.
 
So stop for a moment and ask: How can I use the Coronavirus situation to my advantage?
 
Remember: the world is not out to HURT us. The world is out to TEST us and force us to grow.
 
This is our chance to shine and become the best possible versions of ourselves.
 
This is our chance to become TRUE LEADERS.
 
No matter how bad things get, I know you have it within yourself to find the light and help those around you see it too.
 
So go out there and make someone smile – even if it's just yourself.
 
 
(and the City Headshots team wants me to remind you - no fake smiles!)

And here's our sanitization message from City Headshots:
 
 
We too are closely monitoring updates and announcements on the Coronavirus from the CDC and local officials.
 
We're taking special steps to keep our studios functioning safely for everyone, and these include using hospital grade sanitizing solutions and ensuring a high-degree of ventilation during indoor shoots.
 
Ways you can help:

• If you're feeling sick, please email us at info@cityheadshots.com and we can help with rescheduling your shoot.
• Please cover any coughs or sneezes with a tissue or by using your elbow.
• Avoid touching your hands, eyes, nose and mouth whenever possible.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 + seconds and use hand sanitizer (which we carry at both of our studios).

I am incredibly proud of our team for their continued commitment and diligence around studio cleanliness and ensuring every one of our clients is given the absolute best quality service and care.
 
Stay safe, and don't hesitate to reply back with questions or concerns.
 
And if you feel this blog post might be helpful to someone you know, feel free to send them the link.

​ - Martin (City Headshots Founder)