Its work – No matter how successful you are, the “lovable, fun, life rewarding job” will become work. Things like advertising, contracts, getting to the performance is all draining and boring to an entertainer. However, if you do not keep doing the work that made you successful, you are going to fail.- Elitist Ego – The, I am too good for that, attitude. Does it really matter if you are doing a private birthday party or a corporate fortune 500 company? You are an entertainer. They may be at the top of their career, but at the end of the day, we all put our pants on one leg at a time. Lose the ego and people will help you succeed.
- Stubbornness to learn or modify – The world is an ever-changing place and people who keep the same routines, jokes, and costumes rise and fall very quickly. Change your attitude and keep investing in yourself and your show. If you do not, step to the side, because the world will pass you by.
- Bad Attitude – Entertainment is about making people happy, not making the entertainer happy. Being a Diva is not a good thing. Gain the respect of the people around you and they will help you move the world. Betray them and they will let it fall on you.
- Endurance – Working in the entertainment business is like running a marathon. You have to work at it day in and day out. You just do not run to the top of the pack in the first mile, you gain ground over time. Building relationships, understand how the business works, and as time goes by, you will find yourself standing at the front of the starting line.
- Not Committed – When it comes to putting food on the table and feeding your family, you have to willing to work. Too often, I will hear entertainer say, “That’s too far from my house.” Have you ever noticed that professional entertainers travel the world entertaining? Being a local celebrity is great in the beginning, but being committed to your career and willing to travel is part of the entertainment industry.
- Procrastination – As Mom would say, “Wishing in one hand. Crap in the other.” You just cannot sit and magically wish for successes, you have to work for it. You have to be organized and focused, otherwise distractions will keep you going in circles and never going anywhere.
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Dale,
Another well thought out and well written article. I know many entertainers like each of the seven and I dare to say over the years, I have wondered in and out of each one of these myself.
Thanks for your time.
The key words in your statement is “wondered in and out”. The more you avoid these pitfalls, the better entertainer you become.
Great article, Dale.
You hit the nail right on the head with #5, and & #7…I’m working on it! 🙂
Agreed Dale. I was sort of joking in that all of us may struggle in these areas now and then. Thanks….