You Can't Put A Timeline On Your Dream OR 40 Is The New 30

Whenever I think about quiting the business, seriously or hypothetically, I give myself a timeline.  I'll say something like, "If I don't make significant strides forward in x amount of years, I'll throw in the towel and never look back."  It tricks me into thinking that I have a plan and calms my impatience, if only temporarily.  But even my timeline isn't that serious.  I've already careened by certain timelines I've given myself and I'm fast approaching another.  What qualifies as a "significant stride forward" anyway?  I can find the silver lining on pretty much anything.  So, I continue to give myself reasons to stay in the game.  My newest one?  "Everybody says that 10 years is the magic amount of time in the business before things take off."  Okay, so I have another 5 1/2 years to go.  Trudge...trudge...trudge..

I've been told a thousand times that you can't put a timeline on your dream.  Even if I could, I have no idea how I would transition back into civilian world as a "reformed" actor.  My whole world thrives on creativity.

Luckily, I have some pretty great role models who are a source of endless inspiration for me:  not just because they are insanely brilliant, but because they reached an enviable place of success later in life.  In several of these cases, I was there to witness the transformation firsthand.  I'm telling you, 40 is the new 30!

Case in point?  One of my acting teachers in Chicago who decided to be an actor later in life and who, for years, did small parts in low-budget films and some good theatre around town, is now a recognizeable face in an onslaught of some of the hottest movies with some of the biggest directors of the year.  He's living the good life in Chicago with his family, but in the last year he's gone from "talented actor" to  "in demand." He doesn't even have time to teach anymore, which is a shame.  Even then, I knew that he was underrated.  What if he had put a timeline on his dream so many years ago?  What if he had listened to the naysayers who didn't think he could make a name for himself in his late 40s?  Or in the second-rate town of Chicago where big movies just "blow through?"  I, for one, am inspired.   

I could tell a version of this same story at least five more times with different names and slightly different details, but in each case, it was just a matter of the masses catching up with the talent and drive that had always been there.  If you don't have these kinds of mentors in your life, seek them out.  It will help put your struggles into perspective.

I don't believe that it's ever too late to pursue your dream OR change your focus midstream.  

My mom is a prime example of somebody who found her groove well after 40.  She isn't an actor, but that doesn't matter.  She dared to change her dream midstream, went back to undergraduate and then to graduate school and is now using all of her brains, creativity and people skills to mold our future leaders.  She wakes up every (most?) days loving what she does and welcoming new challenges.  It's a full life, and that's important too.

At this point, I almost expect to hit my groove after 40 which, by the way, isn't happening anytime soon.  So, I'm trying to enjoy the journey and keep my timeline-ing antics to a minimum. I never wanted to be a hoochie on the CW anyway...

--Stacey Jackson 

Comments

[Amber m.]

Thank you so much for this post. It honestly couldn't have come on a better day :)

[stacey jackson]

Oh, you're welcome, Amber! Isn't it lovely when that happens?

[Lary Crews]

Good solid advice. I know, because I am 62 (which is the new 50) and my career sputters along because I love it.

[Alicia]

Wow, it's like you wrote this directly for me :) I have gone through/am going through the whole giving myself a timeline for my career to "take off", but the fact is I don't see me being a reformed actor either. I came close to quitting once (started planning an alternate career) and well, it wasn't pretty. Thanks for sharing.

[Stacey Jackson]

You go, Lary! I love it. 62 is the new 50. LOL

Alicia, thanks for commenting! You know, I kept hearing that careers for women over 30 who hadn't yet "made a name" were non-existent. Sooo not true. Most of the people I know have taken off in their 30s, 40s, 50s...believe it. And hang in there. No reformed actor jobs for us! :)