How can I boost my motivation while I’m not working?

When West End shows first began to reopen and fresh theatre jobs appeared on casting websites, I felt optimistic that my long period out of work might finally come to an end. Three months later, that still hasn’t happened. I see casting announcements posted daily, many featuring friends of mine, and always respond with sincere congratulations, but privately I can feel my own enthusiasm slowly ebbing away.

I understand that the industry isn’t back to full steam yet, and that we should all keep hoping, but most of the tweets about ‘not giving up’ come from casting directors, producers or actors who have finally got into something – in other words, people already in work.

As for me, I’m still here in my flat, day in day out, poring over social media for open castings, knowing that I need to keep putting myself out there, but with increasingly less motivation to do the very thing that might pull me out of these doldrums. What should I do?

John’s advice

For freelance artists, it’s a joy when work finally comes in – especially being paid for something we enjoy doing and receiving applause and recognition for it. Work also creates structure in our daily lives. Free artistic spirits we performers may be, but one thing many actors tell me they miss from their training days – or even long tours – is structure. No matter how much we resent deadlines and strict timetables when we have too many of them, having none can leave us feeling cast adrift.

Although I’d encourage you to seek professional help if your low feelings are overwhelming, these suggestions have seen me through periods of my own freelancing when day-to-day motivation seemed hard to find. First, instigate a ‘systems check’ for underlying but fixable demotivators: lack of exercise, comfort-eating or becoming dehydrated can arise without us noticing, especially if we are not working to a regular timetable. Conversely, getting more exercise, eating more healthily and taking in more fluids can help us cope with low periods even if the lack of those commodities isn’t the main cause of the problem.

‘Feeding ourselves’ also includes sensory input. Social media can provide an important connection to friends and industry news, but it may be a double-edged sword when we are feeling fragile. Comparisons can steal our joy if we constantly judge others’ online career highlights against our own lows, but they are often inaccurate. The past year and a half has taken a toll on everyone, and I can assure you that some of the most upbeat messages are posted by people who, behind the scenes, feel just as fragile and exhausted as you do.

Rather than giving up on social media altogether, note how long you are spending online in an average week, then reduce that time progressively. Even if you spend half an hour less scrolling per day, plan to invest that time in doing something positive for your career, such as updating monologues or practising self-tapes. Any activity that reminds you of your talent and generates forward motion will not only pass the time between now and your next opportunity more positively but will also leave you better placed to take full advantage when it arrives.

Contact careers adviser John Byrne at dearjohn@thestage.co.uk or @dearjohnbyrne