I attended a NETWORKING Seminar at AFTRA that I got some inspiration from. I just stayed for half of it. I’ll share some things that stood out to me.

Talent has little to nothing to do with being successful in the performing arts/entertainment industry. It’s more so about your attitude and business sense. TALENT is very subjective. Many people are successful in showbiz that you may not think are all that talented. One person may think you can sing and another may think that you can’t. One person may think that you can act and another may not. So what! That doesn’t matter.

-Stop trying to “meet people.” It doesn’t work. Many of us know some influential industry people that aren’t doing anything to help us with our careers.

-Make yourself into a diverse/interesting person that people will want to meet and call.

-Be strong, bold and confident in who you are. For example, be a Democrat or Republican but don’t be an Independent. If you’re a Democrat or Republican, you’ll either be loved or hated. People will remember to love you or remember to hate you but they’ll remember you. If you’re an Independent, afraid to make waves or make a decision, you’ll be forgotten and no one will be moved by you in anyway. Make a bold decision or choice! Take a risk! Don’t be in-between or wishy-washy, trying to please all people. People will love you or hate you. Don’t try to be liked by all people. Don’t be afraid of people hating you. Let people hate you. Don’t pay attention to or be molded by those that hate you. A lot of people hate Rush Limbaugh but he is very rich and successful. Rush Limbaugh knows his audience and he is not trying to please all people. Those that love Rush Limbaugh will support him, defend him, stand up for him and fight for him.

-Keep going no matter what!

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Personally, I'd amend "keep going no matter what" to "keep going until you don't want to anymore." Acting should be fulfilling. When it's not---stop.

The "Keep going no matter what!," part has to do with performers who want to make performing their career and have not given up.

This road is rough, tough, and cloudy sometimes. Sometimes it seems that you're not getting anywhere as an actor, singer or dancer. Many times we all feel like giving up. Metaphorically, the graveyard is littered with acting careers that people gave up on for whatever reason.

For those that are holding on to their dream and vision, Keep going no matter what!

Saying "for those that are holding on to their dream and vision, keep going..." makes it sounds like people who don't keep going have given up on their dreams and visions. I am just intolerant, I guess, about actors intolerance towards other actors that change their plans and paths. It's always seen as a failure, as giving up, when most of the time it's just a change of plans and a change in path!
Sorry, snuka, I am not talking about what you said and I realize I am taking the seminar quote out of context--you just stumbled on my personal mission to help actors that want to shift their focus realize it isn't a "failure." No one would say a doctor that decided he wanted to give up medicine to become a lawyer was "giving up." We'd say he was changing paths....
Sorry for hijacking your thread!

I have to disagree with the recommendation to "stop trying to meet people."

You need to be seen. Don't sacrifice your individuality in trying to "please" people, but by all means hit those casting director workshops if the people there can get you work.

It's a big investment in terms of cash, but it's paid off for me.