10,000 NOs

CHAPTER 3Performance, Anxiety, and Instinct

“We make decisions based on fear and we make them based on hope. And when we look back on our lives, the choices we made based on fear never work out.”

—Eric Christian Olsen, Actor

While it may seem natural for an actor to include a chapter about performance in his book, the bold fact is that performance, the accompanying anxiety that goes with it, and the instinct used in the choices we make pertain to everyone. It's natural to examine performance and instinct in relation to actors and athletes; nevertheless, they are likely affecting the quality of your life right now. Regardless of our profession, most of us are overtly rewarded or punished depending on our ability to perform when it counts. Everyone's quality of life is directly correlated to how well they perform.

There are two common denominators behind the ability to perform well in any circumstance: overcoming anxiety, and honing your instincts. When you're focused on serving, helping, listening to, or engaging with anyone or anything besides yourself, you have a shot at success. But if you turn your head, even for a split second, you can lose the thread and watch your performance crumble before your very eyes.

Two Sides of the Same Coin

At my high school back in the late 1980s, there was a massive chasm between athletes and those involved in the theater. The social groups were separated into “jocks” and “dramies.” The reason John Hughes's movies, like The Breakfast Club ...